By Mercedes James
RESERVE, LOUISIANA – On April 19th, 2024, Muddy Water Dredging, LP, held the christening ceremony of their groundbreaking Marlin Class dredge at the Port of New Orleans. The event was attended by many esteemed business leaders, media personnel, and distinguished dignitaries.
“We are happy to unveil the Vaneta Marie dredge. After many hours of collaboration between Muddy Water and DSC what we have before us is a dredge that was crafted with precision and ingenuity,” stated Michael Kerns, President, and CEO of Muddy Water. “As we christen this dredge, we are truly excited to leverage its cutting-edge technology and solutions to enhancing the sustainability and efficiency of U.S. navigable waterways.”
L-R: Matthew Devall and Michael Kerns (Co-Founders of Muddy Water Dredging, LP); Robert Wetta and William Wetta (Co-Owners of DSC Dredge)
The fully customized Marlin Class dredge spoke to DSC Dredge’s well-known reputation for innovation and engineering abilities. It is said to be one of the largest and most technologically advanced dredges built in the United States. The Marlin Class dredge’s remarkable specifications include an impressive length of 371 feet, making it one of the longest in its category. Boasting the capability to dredge a 400’ wide cut with an 80° swing arc, it sets a new standard for operational efficiency, enhancing productivity by 5.9%. Furthermore, its customizable design features a detachable carriage barge, enabling seamless adaptation to various working environments.
Photo by DSC Dredge
DSC’s Director of Domestic Dredge Sales, Charlie Johnson added, “this dredge is like no other, apart from it being the only one in its class equipped with state-of-the-art technology, including DSC’s survey-grade DSC VISION package and Dredge Rx remote monitoring system, the dredge ensures unparalleled precision and performance. Featuring a cutting-edge design, the Marlin Class dredge boasts remarkable features that include US-built WABTEC generators meeting strict EPA Tier 4 Final emissions standards without the use of Urea. Additionally, all dredge machinery is mounted on or above the main deck, eliminating the risk of flooding by dredge pump leaks or failures. Active monitoring of hull tank voids ensures early detection of water intrusion, further enhancing safety and reliability”. He further added, “the dredge is equipped with powered lay-down spuds for quick bridge transits and the ability to remove and replace spuds for maintenance without additional support equipment. The selection and design of the dredge pump are based on USACE Engineering and Design Manual standards, ensuring optimal performance and efficiency. Additionally, its dual diesel-electric design, delivering 9,621 HP of total installed horsepower, underscoring its commitment to sustainability and environmental stewardship”.
Did you know, apart from the Muddy Water Vaneta Marie dredge, there is no other dredge in the entire US which has been uniquely designed to serve as a power station in the event of catastrophic events such as hurricanes.
“Getting here was no easy feat, we extend our gratitude to all those who have contributed to the realization of this monumental occasion,” expressed, Robert Wetta, President, and CEO of DSC Dredge (DSC). “The CSD Vaneta Marie dredge stands as a testament to both Muddy Water and DSC’s collective vision and unwavering dedication to excellence.”
Members of DSC Dredge at the Christening
This milestone celebration marks not only the debut of the Marlin Class dredge but also commemorates the vision and dedication of Muddy Water’s co-founders, Michael Kerns and Matthew Devall. With over 40 years of combined experience in the dredging and maritime industry, Kerns and Devall undoubtedly believe Muddy Water Dredging, LP has elevated the expectancies of the dredging industry. The Marlin Class “Vaneta Marie” dredge was named after Kerns’ mother, Vaneta Kerns.
The christening ceremony of the Marlin Class dredge, signifies a paradigm shift in the maritime industry, heralding a new era of innovation, efficiency, and sustainability.
Congratulations to co-founders of Muddy Water Dredging, LP Michael Kerns and Matthew Devall.
Photo Courtesy Muddy Water Dredging – The Muddy Water Dredging Crew at the Christening
About DSC Dredge, LLC
DSC Dredge is a global leader in the dredge manufacturing industry, engineering superior customized dredging solutions to meet specific application needs, while continuing to exceed customer expectations. DSC designs and manufactures high quality, durable cutter suction and underwater pump mining dredges. At DSC Dredge, we help customers make THE RIGHT CHOICE. Quality, Innovation, Service, Commitment and Customization are key DSC attributes which explain the reasons customers choose to work with DSC. DSC Dredge operates from two manufacturing facilities located in Reserve, LA, and Poplarville, MS. For more information about the company and its products, services and customized solutions, please visit www.dscdredge.com and follow us on Social Media.
