Modernizing Harbor Maintenance with the Ellicott® Series 1870 G2
The Problem: Legacy Equipment and Critical Access
The City of Virginia Beach faced a looming operational challenge at Rudee Inlet, a vital waterway for commercial fishing, emergency services, and recreational boating.
- Aging Infrastructure: The city’s existing dredge, the Rudee Inlet II (an Ellicott 970), had served the community reliably since 1983. However, after 40 years of service, maintenance costs were rising, and the machine’s efficiency could no longer keep pace with modern demands.
- Operational Risk: Any downtime for the aging dredge threatened the navigability of the inlet. Constant shoaling requires a reliable, high-uptime vessel to prevent the channel from becoming impassable for the local fleet.
- Need for Modernization: The city required a replacement that offered higher production rates, modern safety features, and better fuel efficiency to handle the heavy sand bypass and inlet maintenance required.
The Solution: The Ellicott® Series 1870 G2 Dragon® (Sandpiper)
To solve these challenges, Ellicott Dredges delivered the Series 1870 G2 Dragon®, christened the Sandpiper.
This next-generation dredge was selected to modernize the city’s fleet with several key technical upgrades:
- The Equipment: An 18-inch (450 mm) cutterhead suction dredge designed for high-capacity performance.
- Enhanced Power & Efficiency: The 1870 G2 features a state-of-the-art engine and hydraulic system designed for maximum throughput with lower fuel consumption compared to legacy models.
- Improved Portability: Despite its power, the G2 is designed for modularity, allowing it to be transported and assembled efficiently—a key factor for municipal operations that may need to move equipment between sites.
- Advanced Control Systems: Unlike the 1980s-era 970, the Sandpiper is equipped with modern electronic controls, dredge tracking GPS & sonar, and an ergonomic dredge operator’s chair, improving operator precision, overall efficiency, and reducing fatigue during long shifts.
The Outcome: Decades of Reliable Service Ahead
The delivery of the Sandpiper has successfully transitioned Virginia Beach’s dredging operations into a new era.
- Seamless Transition: The Sandpiper officially replaces the Rudee Inlet II, ensuring there is no gap in the city’s ability to keep its waterways open.
- Increased Productivity: With the updated Series 1870 G2 technology, the city can now move more material in less time, allowing them to react faster to weather-induced shoaling events.
- Long-Term Reliability: By investing in the G2 update, Virginia Beach has secured a solution designed to last another 30–40 years, protecting the local economy and maritime safety for the next generation.
- Stock Availability Advantage: By leveraging Ellicott’s current inventory of 14″, 18″, and 20″ dredges, the city was able to secure a high-performance machine without the extreme lead times often associated with custom heavy machinery.