Today (Tuesday) the dredging of East Cowes Marina start on the Isle of Wight, with the intention of removing the build up of silt to create more deep water berths for boats over 13m long.
It’s their second set of works and it’s hoped that they will be completed in the next three weeks, although this is dependent on calm weather.
Working with residents
The Marina has consulted with local residents to make them aware of the work, which although it is licensed to run day or night, will not be continuous as Rachel Hibberd, Assistant manager at the Marina explained to OnTheWight.
Work is dependent on the two barges being able to get in and out and at the mercy of the tides. When the barges are full, digging will stop, as it also will when they’re both away dumping the silt at the approved grounds at Nab or Needles.
Rachel told OnTheWight
“We’ve obviously had to go through a long and thorough process to gain approval, which included seeking environmental licenses and a commitment to take samples of mud to check for contamination.
“That area of the Marina was always intended for deep berth when it was built ten years ago, but over the years silt has built up. It’s thought that the heavy rains last winter brought a lot of mud off the fields in the surrounding areas into the river and much of it has found its way to those berths, as it’s at the exposed at south end of the Marina.
“Once the work is completed, it’s hoped we’re not going to have to do it again for the ten years.”
Details of the dredging
Different berths will be put out of use during the process, as the dredging equipment will need access to them to work.
The 12,000 cubic metres of mud that it’s planned will be removed, will the dumped at approved spots at the Nab or Needles.
With the berths being moved around, visitors will be unable to use the Marina during November.
Temporary navigation lights change
During the works, the Marina’s navigation lights will be temporarily replaced with a yellow flashing light, which will remain in place until the pontoons are reinstated.
It’s expected that boats should be able to return to berths from the week of 1st December.
Coming years
Other parts of the Marina will be dredged over the coming years. The license to carry out work will remain open until the end of February 2015, granting them the ability to remove 18,700 tonnes of silt on a yearly basis up to a total of 56,100 tonnes.
Images: © Used with the kind permission of East Cowes Marina
