Workboat is a general term which covers an array of vessel types, however the most prominent are multicat types, shoalbuster types.

Multicat is a name registered to one of the most prominent shipyards for workboats, hence the words ‘multicat type’ are used when describing these vessels. They are workboats with a box shaped hull with no distinct bow. They are tend to be twin or triple screw which helps them to maintain a shallow draft. They have a large open deck and usually at least one hydraulic crane and one or two winches for towing/anchor handling which makes them indispensable in dredging and port construction.

Tug shaped cousins of the Multicat type are similarly called ‘Shoalbuster types’ for the same reason as above. They are also shallow draft and more sea worthy on account of their ship shaped bow. This bow is often arranged for pushing operations and like the Multicat type they tend to have an open aft deck and a hydraulic crane for anchor handling.

Other workboats range from landing craft through to smaller conventional craft used to support operations in marine construction and dredging projects.

See also Workboats for Sale and Workboats for Charter.