Safeen, the subsidiary of Abu Dhabi Ports formerly known as Abu Dhabi Marine Services, said it has taken delivery of a Damen Shoalbuster 2609 named Maqtaa and inducted into its existing fleet.

Damen is a leading provider of a wide range of products, including tugs, workboats, naval and patrol vessels, high speed craft, cargo vessels, dredgers, vessels for the offshore industry, ferries, pontoons and superyachts.

Like all the vessels in Damen’s Shoalbuster range, this too is a multi-purpose, shallow draught workboat capable of undertaking a wide range of roles including towing, mooring, pushing, anchor handling, dredge support, supplying and other support activities.
The order was placed by Safeen just two months ago, said a statement from Damen.

Maqtaa’s primary role is providing towage and berthing assistance in the emirate. It will also undertake maintenance support for local aids to navigation such as buoys and lights, it added.

To achieve its goals, the vessel has been fitted with a 15-tonne crane, A-frame and two buoy chain stoppers, plus three wire drum winches for the towing.

With Safeen being responsible for nearly 1200 beacons and buoys there will be plenty of work for her to do in that department alone.

The 26-metre Shoalbuster will join an existing buoy maintenance vessel operated by Safeen called Al Shahama. The latter was built in 1994 in Abu Dhabi under a Damen Technical Cooperation design and materials package.

About 22 years on, the vessel is still in operation and in a very good condition. The two vessels will work together when required. Warranty support, maintenance and repairs will be provided by Damen Shipyards Sharjah, just a short distance up the coast.

Damen Shipyards Group operates 32 shipbuilding and repair yards, employing 9,000 people worldwide. It has delivered more than 6,000 vessels in more than 100 countries and delivers some 180 vessels annually to customers worldwide.-TradeArabia News Service