Elliott Bay Design Group scans a piece of Puget Sound history

Written by Nick Blenkey
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EBDG scanned the exterior hull of the Parthia and sections of the vessel’s interior to assist with refurbishment efforts sponsored by South Sound Maritime Heritage Association.

Elliott Bay Design Group (EBDG) is using today’s technology to help in the restoration of one of Puget Sound’s oldest surviving wooden tugs, the Parthia. Built in 1906 by James Hall, the tugboat had a long-life servicing ships that called at Washington State’s capital city, Olympia. A true icon of the city’s waterfront, she is also a five-time winner of the Olympia Harbor Days vintage tugboat races.

Unfortunately, in the summer of 2017 the tugboat sank in Hood Canal while under private ownership. Thanks to several members of the Puget Sound Maritime and Olympia’s South Sound Maritime Heritage Association (SSMHA), the Parthia was salvaged and is now being restored to her original glory. After restoration, she will be permanently located on Olympia’s waterfront as a historical maritime exhibit.

In April, EBDG traveled to the shipyard, where the vessel is undergoing repairs, to scan the exterior of the hull as well as sections of the vessel’s interior. Engineers used a FARO laser scanner, which was graciously donated for use on the project by Foss Maritime, to create a “point cloud” of the hull’s exterior. The data is used to create a 3D surface model in Rhino and a conventional 2D lines plan drawing for the owner. These models will aid in the restoration of the Parthia. The scan was completed safely while abiding by the state’s social distancing rules and guidelines set during the COVID-19 pandemic.

EBGD says 3D scanning is a valuable tool used to gather data with ultimate accuracy. Scanning a vessel is a quick process that delivers a wealth of knowledge and provides our engineers the ability to evaluate data and solve problems more precisely. The result is an effective visual communication tool that vessel owners, operators and shipyards can use to make better, more informed decisions.

EBDG has found the technology especially helpful during the coronavirus pandemic. One engineer can conduct a 3D scan while following social distancing guidelines. The finished product can then be shared digitally and accessed by many. This eliminates the need for an outsider to board a vessel.

EBDG is committed to incorporating advanced technology and design approaches to increase efficiency in our engineering practices. It says that 3D scanning services can support:

  • Exterior hull scanning
  • Interior layout
  • Piping systems modifications
  • Structural modifications
  • As-Built drawing development
  • Hull model development
  • Vessel stability documentation
  • Vessel repowers
  • Ballast water treatment installations
  • Equipment removal and replacement interferences
  • Lines plan
  • Walk-through capability
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