General – Workboat
Damen and Van Stee Offshore, both from the Netherlands, have signed a contract for the delivery next year of an 80-metre Multibuster 8020 ultra-shallow draught, multi-purpose workboat.
Van Stee’s Multibuster 8020 is the first of a new class that combines the key elements of Damen’s highly successful Multi-Cat and Shoalbuster workboat classes to create a large-scale platform capable of undertaking a wide variety of projects in waters as shallow as three metres.
The basis of the design was developed by naval architecture studio OSD-IMT, part of the Damen Shipyards Group, and construction got underway at Albwardy Damen Sharjah in the UAE in 2020.
Key features of the design in addition to the shallow draught include extensive deck space, ample accommodation and the high stability that enables the fitting of larger cranes than those on vessels of a similar size[JvdW1] [mj2] . DP2 dynamic positioning is standard and the propulsion system includes a retractable tunnel bow thruster that ensures that two tunnel thrusters are available at all times for enhanced manoeuvrability. All third-part equipment is sourced from leading brands.
As well as serving the offshore renewables and oil & gas sectors performing duties ranging from anchor-handling and towing to ROV operations, cable laying and beach pulling. The Multibuster is expected to be in demand for nearshore operations. The vessel is built to ground out on the beach for tasks such as cable landings and shore approaches.
