For many United States Army Corps of Engineers (USACE) districts, aging and inadequate fleets are making demanding hydrographic surveying missions more difficult.

The USACE has long been committed to maintaining navigable waterways across our nation. As survey missions have become increasingly difficult due to increased debris buildup and other factors, the need for workboats specific to hydrographic surveying missions has become necessary.

Silver Ships has spent decades working with the USACE to provide the mission-specific workboats needed to navigate the challenges faced in waterways. Silver Ships has designed, built and delivered vessels to multiple districts across the country and is proud to support the USACE.

Custom-Built For Surveying Missions

All Silver Ships’ survey vessels are built to exacting customer specifications, and multiple vessel series are utilized by the USACE including the Catamaran, Endeavor, Explorer and Freedom series. Each vessel is designed in-house with the area of operation in mind, considering the waters being surveyed and the mission specific needs of the district. Silver Ships uses all-welded aluminum for each of its survey boats and can integrate various electronics and survey equipment configurations.

Each vessel series provides design and outfitting options that make them ideal for hydrographic surveying missions.

• Catamarans offer spacious cabins and working decks, and wide engine spacing provides excellent maneuverability due to the wide hull form
• The Endeavor’s deep-vee monohull provides a smooth ride with added stability and load-carrying ability for equipment
• The Explorer series have an integrated bow-gate for loading capabilities, increasing the range of missions they can complete
• Freedom workboats are agile and versatile, providing a smaller platform for tighter waterways

Every vessel provides a stable work platform, allowing the USACE to efficiently collect and document accurate data when conducting operations to maintain navigable waterways and ensure infrastructure integrity in various settings, including:

• Buoy Tendering Operations and Aids to Navigation
• Dive Support
• Dredging Support and Debris Removal
• Supporting Maintenance Efforts of Locks and Dams

If your district needs a custom-built hydrographic surveying vessel, Silver Ships has the capability to design and build a workboat tailored to your mission and the credibility to give you confidence in its performance.

Current Builds On The Water

Silver Ships has designed and delivered multiple vessels to USACE districts across the country, operating across vastly different environments. Each vessel was specifically engineered for the individual district’s conditions and mission requirements.

Three Survey Vessels to Savannah

Silver Ships delivered three vessels, a Freedom 20, Freedom 26 and an Explorer 24, to support navigation efforts in Georgia waterways, particularly to survey channel conditions, monitor dredging activities and detect underwater obstacles in the channels.

 

 

 

 

Catamaran 35 Survey Vessel to Detroit

This Catamaran 35 vessel is specifically designed to support hydrographic surveying operations in the demanding conditions across the Detroit District’s jurisdiction.

 

 

 

Catamaran 26 Survey Vessel to New Orleans

A Catamaran 26 vessel was designed for use in conducting precise hydrographic survey operations essential for maintaining the safety and navigability of the Mississippi River and its federal channels.

 

 

Endeavor 49 Survey Vessel to Venice, Louisiana

This mission-specific Endeavor 49 vessel, the largest marine hydrographic survey vessel in the Endeavor series, allows researchers to accurately and effectively obtain and document data on the rapidly changing waters in the Mississippi River.

Each vessel is built with adaptability in mind and is tailored to each district’s regional requirements. As the USACE has recognized a growing need for purpose-built vessels, Silver Ships has contributed to its mission with customized solutions.

 

Long-Standing Partnership

Silver Ships’ long-standing relationship with multiple USACE districts is highlighted by the continued need for high-performing vessels that survey our nation’s ports, protected waters, lakes, rivers and offshore bodies of water. Unique regional requirements and a growing need for navigable waterways to be clear of debris call for survey vessels that are durable, reliable and mission-specific.

If your district is evaluating the need for a vessel designed for specific operational needs, contact the Silver Ships team today to learn how we can support your mission.