New Multi Cat 3313 Shallow Draft Class by Damen Shipyards has been delivered.

Damen Shipyards has celebrated the handover of the second new Multi Cat (MuC) 3313 SD class vessel to workboat operator Herman Sr. BV in a ceremony at its Hardinxveld shipyard. Bella, a 33-metre vessel with a draught of less than two metres, which makes her exceptionally versatile and suitable for operation in very shallow waters, was equipped with two powerful deck cranes and an anchor winch and towing pins, making her ideal for dredging, anchor handling and construction projects. The Multi Cat range is among Damen’s largest types, with extensive deck areas that enable the inclusion of a wide range of equipment.

This latest acquisition takes the number of vessels the van Dodewaard family bought from Damen since 1947 to nineteen – a mix of Multi Cats and Shoalbusters. Erwin and Chris van Dodewaard took over the helm on Jack van Dodewaard’s retirement in 2021, making it the second generation to lead the family’s business.

“We are very pleased to add yet another ultra shallow vessel to our existing fleet of vessels built by Damen. Bella is a unique Multi Cat with extremely powerful cranes for her draft, which is unique in the workboat sector,” said Erwin van Dodewaard. “With this new vessel, we can serve our clients even better in the years to come.”

The ceremony was a celebration of the longstanding relationship between the two firms. The Lady Sponsor was Rolien Besançon, and the Bella will initially operate in north-west European waters, particularly in the shallow waters of the North Sea. Post-christening, she has been deployed on a dredging project in Dutch and UK waters. Jeroen van Woerkum, commercial manager of Damen Shipyards Hardinxveld said, “It was a great pleasure to hand over this new and highly capable Multi Cat to the van Dodewaard family.”

Each new vessel renews what is a very special relationship for us, and we wish them every success with her. The shipyard specializes in the design, engineering, construction and maintenance of ships for the defence, fishing, offshore, ferry, and workboat sectors. Its products include fast crew suppliers, landing craft, patrol vessels, dredgers, platform supply vessels, oil-spill response vessels, frigates and super yachts.

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