Discover the Samuel-De-Champlain: Ratings & Maritime News

On February 14, a tense situation unfolded off the coast of Le Havre as the catamaran yacht 'Think Again' found itself in distress due to a leak caused by a malfunction. The CROSS Jobourg swiftly took charge of the rescue mission, mobilizing multiple vessels to provide assistance amid challenging maritime conditions characterized by rough seas and north winds reaching 30-35 knots. Among the rescue fleet were the all-weather lifeboat from SNSM station Fécamp, the 'SNS 161' from Le Havre, and a Dragon 76 helicopter, all of which played crucial roles in the operation. Notably, the vessel 'Samuel de Champlain' was instrumental in towing the troubled catamaran, ensuring its safety in the tumultuous waters. As conditions worsened, the 'SNS 161' took over the towing operation, successfully guiding the 'Think Again' back to the safety of the port of Le Havre. This coordinated effort serves as a testament to the bravery and professionalism of the maritime rescue teams involved. For additional details and images of the operation, please visit the full report at Tendance Ouest: https://www.tendanceouest.com/actualite-436442-mer-un-catamaran-en-difficulte-sauve-au-large-du-havre.

On September 11, 2020, at approximately 10 a.m., smoke was observed emanating from the 'Samuel de Champlain' while it was stationed in a dry dock at St. Nazaire for scheduled repair activities. Firefighters, alerted to the situation, swiftly pinpointed a fire within a 40 cubic meter ventilation duct. In response to the emergency, all 88 dock workers present on the vessel were promptly evacuated to ensure their safety. Thanks to the efficient actions of the fire response team, the blaze was extinguished without incident, allowing repair operations to resume by that afternoon.

Damen Shiprepair & Conversion has achieved a remarkable milestone by successfully converting the ‘Samuel de Champlain’, a renowned dredger, to dual-fuel operation utilizing both liquefied natural gas (LNG) and marine gas oil (MGO). This landmark project marks the debut of its kind in Europe and features the installation of MAN 35/44DF engines. The 117-meter-long, 8,500m³ trailing suction hopper dredger is owned by GIE Dragages-Ports, based in Rouen, and is operated by the Port of Nantes-Saint-Nazaire. This conversion is part of a broader EU-supported initiative aimed at promoting LNG propulsion among short-sea vessels navigating the European Atlantic coastline. The transformation involved replacing the existing diesel-electric MGO-burning propulsion system with three state-of-the-art MAN 6L35/44DF dual-fuel engines, accompanied by the addition of onboard LNG storage facilities, significantly enhancing the vessel's operational efficiency and environmental sustainability.

Alewijnse, a renowned leader in electrical system integration, has successfully secured a significant contract for the comprehensive electrical refit of the TSHD Samuel de Champlain. This impressive 117-meter trailing suction hopper dredger, boasting an 8500m³ capacity, is owned by GIE Dragages-Ports, located in Rouen, France, and is operated by the port of Nantes-Saint-Nazaire. The ambitious conversion will transform the vessel’s propulsion from traditional diesel-electric technology, utilizing marine gas oil (MGO), to an advanced dual-fuel system, heralding a new era in environmentally friendly maritime operations.