The modernization of USACE Jacksonville District’s fleet of survey boats continues with the arrival of its newest vessel.
Crew members took delivery of the new boat, known as SB-48, in the past few weeks and have been working to install survey equipment so it will be ready to perform missions later this year.
“ Once it tests out, it will be ready to use ,” said Phil Bates, plant manager , who helped write the specifications for the new boat. “ We are finalizing all the cabling and are looking forward to deploying this vessel.”
The first job for SB-48 will be an underwater site investigation of scouring on the south bank of the Caloosahatchee River downstream of the Ortona Lock along the Okeechobee Waterway.
The new boats will have plenty of work, supporting shore protection projects on both coasts, channels for navigation, and projects that will result in deeper ports in the coming years.
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Press Release, May 13, 2014