Gemak Group is currently undertaking the middle life refit of the CSD Leonardo Da Vinci, the most intensive and complex repair the Istanbul-based company has done so far.
The vessel is one of the biggest cutter suction dredger vessels in the world. Built in 1985, it is 129.7m in length, 22.4m wide and has a dredging depth of 33.4m.
The extensive list of work includes a complete accommodation stripping, re-insulation, re-panelling, the removal and re-fitting and repairing of almost all the dredging equipment and other heavy lifting business critical equipment, re-conditioning works, fire alarm system upgrade, cosmetic painting of equipment, tanks and open spaces and the overhauling of the big cutter gearbox, weighing around 120 tons.
Some of the biggest challenges were the removal of the cutter ladder from the vessel, blasting interior and exterior areas and silicone paint application.
The dry-docking period was completed recently and the vessel is now at safe berthing for final instalment, refitting and tests with re-delivery being finalised.
Gemak Group has also completed the CSD Hondius, again for the Jan De Nul Group, and this has already been re-delivered to JDN.
Due to its extensive technical experience, Gemak Group attracts many dredger companies for major work and since the start of 2015 has repaired four projects for DEME, three for JDN, one for Van oord, the Leonardo Da Vinci repair for JDN and the TSHD Seine for Baggerbedrijf de Boer.
