Westlake provided 3D laser scanning of an important vessel that maintains our marine highway – the Dredge Oregon. Owned by the Port of Portland, the cutter suction dredge was built in 1965 and plays a vital role in maintaining the Columbia River navigation channel depth of 43 feet. A well-maintained channel allows larger ships carrying more cargo to travel from the Pacific to Portland, supporting trade and bringing jobs to the region. In 2014, the Port of Portland replaced three diesel engines on the aging hull, reducing emissions by nearly 88 percent.

In 2020, additional modifications will be made to the Dredge’s hull. The precise data obtained during scanning will help support these changes. In this project, the stern of the barge will be removed and replaced with a larger section. The new stern section will need to match the existing hull as accurately as possible and our scanning data will get measurements as close as possible. Additional adjustments will be made to the discharge pipes attached to the stern as well as the interior. Scanning is unique in that it captures complex hull shapes, aiding in design and prefabrication, while providing clients with time and cost savings.