Why do dredgers have big bulbous bows?

[Cody Williams]

Hi Everyone,

Does anyone know why dredgers have big bulbous bows? It's some that's puzzled me for a while. Any information would be great!

Cheers,
Cody  :-)

[Ian Thomas]

A quote from something I found Cody, "The bulbous bow improves the hull

[Bay]

But cody is refering to the "wide" bulbous bow seen in several modern dredgers like this (not the ordinary ones all of us yet know):
http://www.shipspotting.com/modules/myalbum/photo-1192384-WILLEM+van+ORANJE

[Wave Music]

To improve wave reduction when fully loaded  & streamlining at empty ship.  Other reason could be the additional buoyancy, needed for the bow as there's a big heavy superstructure right above it.

Regards,
Denis

[Robert Smith]

Hi Cody,

The answer can be found in one of IHC's brochures concerning the construction of the hopperdredger Vox Maxima. It says a.o. quote/ IHC Dredgers had developed a special bulbous bow and placed propellers in gondolas before. This arrangement considerably improves the hydrodynamic profile of the ship and can reduce fuel costs and emissions by up to 30 per cen./unquote. More info at http://www.ihcmerwede.com/

Ciao,
Robert.