Corps Takes Delivery Of Survey Vessel

Technology Associates Inc., a New Orleans, La.-based maritime solutions company, has completed the contract for the design and construction of a high-speed foil-assisted hydrographic survey vessel. The Norfolk Engineer District accepted delivery of the vessel.

The all-aluminum foil assisted catamaran is due to be commissioned on May 31, and has been named the S/V Ewell. It measures 61 feet, 4 inches in length, with a 24-foot beam. The first level of the vessel has survey stations. A pilothouse is on the second level. It is designed to serve its primary mission to conduct hydrographic surveys using sophisticated multibeam and single beam sonars.

Technology Associates was the prime design-build contractor of the high-speed, foil-assisted hydrographic survey vessel. The company and Aluma Marine personnel worked together on the construction of the Ewell under Technology Associates’ supervision at Aluma’s facility in Harvey, La.

The vessel is equipped with two 985 hp. MAN V8 propulsion engines, which each turn a Hamilton waterjet allowing for quick mobilization and response at high speeds in excess of 34 knots and survey speeds up to 10 knots. It has crew accommodations, a galley, lounge and three surveyor stations.

This is the second vessel Technology Associates has built for the Corps. A third, larger vessel is planned to be delivered to the Mobile Engineer District this summer.