AAA Designs Gold Dredge for Pacifica

Art Anderson Associates, a Bremerton-based multidisciplinary engineering services firm, recently completed design of a new dredge vessel for Pacifica, a Seattle-based vehicle assembler. The 50-foot vessel was recently delivered to a customer for gold dredging operations near Nome, Alaska.

Art Anderson Associates was engaged by Pacifica in December, 2011 to develop a design concept into a complete design for construction. The firm’s naval architects and marine engineers began by preparing a computer-generated model of the vessel based on the concept drawings, which was the basis for initial hydrostatic and weight calculations. In Phase II of the project, Art Anderson Associates developed construction drawings for the hull and superstructure, and finalized the weight and stability calculations. In the project’s final phase, the team provided fuel, water and controls design assistance, along with support for deployment.

The vessel was designed specifically to meet the unique requirements of sub-surface dredging operations in the remote coastal waters of the Bering Sea, and is powered by twin 300HP Yamaha outboards. It features a custom-designed bow for cutting through the rough seas and all pump, sluice and crane systems to conduct its gold dredging mission.

“This was a fun project in that we were able to learn quite a bit about the gold dredging business, the unique equipment involved with it, all while applying the engineering skills we enjoy,” said Ben Anderson, Naval Architect and Project Manager for Art Anderson Associates.

Interest in offshore gold dredging has grown significantly, driven by high gold prices, recent offshore lease sales by the State of Alaska, and the popularity of TV programs such as the Discovery Channel’s Bering Sea Gold. The lease sales have driven a higher degree of professionalism among dredging companies, with the result that many builders are now more directly engaging engineering consultants like Art Anderson Associates. Pacifica Project Manager Rod Gleysteen illustrated this trend in an email, saying “I am guessing that we are the first people to ever spend five dollars to have a marine engineer look at the rig.”  

Doug Koenen Returns to Art Anderson Associates

Art Anderson Associates, a Bremerton-based multidisciplinary engineering services firm, has recently re-hired Doug Koenen, PE, LEED-AP as a Senior Mechanical Engineer. A previous employee of the firm, Mr. Koenen was brought in to help the company meet its growing facilities engineering workload.

Mr. Koenen was previously employed with Art Anderson Associates from 1990—1997, and again from 2005—2008, and brings existing organizational experience and relationships accompanied by the fresh perspective gained since his departure. He will provide mechanical design and project management as part of the firm's facilities division, and is currently assigned to projects for the Bremerton School District, Kitsap Transit and Lockheed Martin.

Prior to his return, Mr. Koenen spent three years as a Project Engineer with the Washington State University Extension Energy Program, where he was the task lead for Bonneville Power Administration's E3T program investigating emerging energy efficient technologies in the Pacific Northwest. He also spent a year working for PSF Mechanical, where he prepared mechanical and piping designs for a LEED Silver Fleet Region Readiness Center in Everett and served as the responsible party for the LEED mechanical sections.

"It's great to have Doug back," said Sean Hoynes, the firm's Facilities Division Vice-President, and Mr. Koenen's supervisor. "Being a former employee, Doug has hit the ground running. His capabilities and innovative thinking are key strengths as we continuously strive to deliver the best project experience."

AAA Awarded Port of Portland Contract

Art Anderson Associates was recently awarded a contract for On-Call Naval Architect Design Services with the Navigation Division of the Port of Portland. The Navigation Division owns and operates a fleet of vessels and barges, including the Dredge Oregon, and has retained the firm to provide naval architecture and marine engineering services in support of fleet maintenance and operations.

While the firm has maintained a presence in the Portland area for many years providing facilities construction management services on behalf of the US General Services Administration, it is only recently that it has focused on doing more naval architecture and marine work in the region. Active projects include upgrades to the Clackamas County Canby Ferry, new fish passage facilities on the Swift and Clackamas Rivers, and continued engineering support for the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration’s research vessel fleet, whose homeport recently moved to Newport, Oregon.

“The award marks Art Anderson Associates’ first-ever prime agreement with the Port of Portland,” said Ralph Duncan, VP of Marine. “This award supports our growth strategy in the Oregon market.” Mr. Duncan emphasized that the award of this contract with the Port is just the first step in what he hopes will be a long-term relationship that is mutually rewarding for both the firm and the Port.

The Port of Portland was created by the Oregon legislature in 1891 to dredge a shipping channel from Portland to the sea. The centerpiece of the Navigation Division’s fleet, the Dredge Oregon continues in this mission by maintaining the navigation channel on the lower Columbia and Willamette rivers.

Art Anderson Associates is a multidisciplinary engineering services firm based in Bremerton, Washington. Through a “unique marriage” of facilities and marine engineering disciplines, the firm offers exceptional value to clients with marine and shoreside operations. For more information about Art Anderson Associates’ projects, employment opportunities and community involvement, visit them at www.artanderson.com.

AAA Hires McKee as Electrical Engineer

Art Anderson Associates has hired Sean McKee, PE as a Senior Marine Electrical Engineer. Mr. McKee will work in the firm’s Marine Division, and be responsible for leading and executing electrical engineering assignments for marine and vessel engineering projects. He will also provide additional support to the firm’s Facilities Division to accommodate surges in electrical workload.

Mr. McKee is a Washington-licensed Professional Engineer with a strong background in marine electrical systems. He began his career as a US Navy electrician and following his military service, obtained his Bachelor’s Degree in Electrical Engineering from the University of Washington. In his civilian career, he has served in lead electrical engineer roles for notable projects like the US Navy’s X-Craft, Washington State Ferries’ new 144-car ferry and repower of an Alaska-based cruise ship. Committed to personal development, Mr. McKee obtained his Master’s Degree in Engineering Management from St. Martin’s College, completed coursework as a Certified Energy Manager, and is a certified Princeton Review instructor.

In his short time with Art Anderson Associates, Mr. McKee has already proven himself to be an asset for the firm’s marine projects. He is currently serving as the Lead Electrical Engineer for the repower of the AMHS ferry Tustumena, and providing support for modifications to the Pierce County ferry Steilacoom II and the NOAA research vessel Rainier.

“We are excited to add Sean to our team,” said Ralph Duncan, the firm’s Vice President of Marine and Sean’s supervisor. “His depth of knowledge in electrical power generation and distribution will further solidify the foundation we are laying to position the Marine Group and the Company for sustainable growth.”