The first Damen dredger built for Australia has completed sea trials in Shanghai and is now underway to new owner, Gippsland Ports on its own keel.

Named Tommy Norton, the dredger left Shanghai on July 14 on the 5,000-nautical-mile journey, expected to last 30 days to reach Australia. Along the way, the vessel will stop off in Guam for bunkering and to enable the crew to take on supplies of fresh water and food.

Upon arrival in Australia, Tommy Norton will undergo dredging trials.

“One of the key points of focus is the setting up of both an International Safety Management (ISM) and an International Ship and Port Security (ISPS) system, both of which are certified by Bureau Veritas prior to departure. This includes rollout of a number of drills – including abandon ship, man overboard, fire, emergency steering, collision, oil spills, grounding and piracy. Nothing is left to chance,” Captain Martin van Krieken said.

Image/Video Courtesy: Damen