Monitoring surveys carried out by the Warrenpoint Harbor Authority during the summer identified an elevated accumulation of material in the center of the turning basin which resulted in a draft restriction being placed on all vessels.
This restriction resulted in significant disruption to the harbor and its clients.
Attempts were made to relocate that material by using firstly a small local plough and then a larger plough vessel but the material proved to be too resistant to movement.
Investigations were carried out by using a side-scan sonar and physical sampling which showed the material to be gravel and cobbles which had been thrown up by vessels manoeuvring in the turning circle.
Anthony D Bates Partnership LLP prepared the contract documentation for the dredging of the material and also submitted an application for a dredging disposal licence to the Department of the Environment NI. Following the competitive tender the contract was awarded to Peter Madsen Rederi A/S.
Dredging started with the backhoe hopper vessel ‘Grete Fighter’ on 24 September 2015 and sufficient material was removed by 28 September 2015 to restore safe navigation, albeit with some minor restriction remaining.
The complete removal of the accumulated material was wrapped up on 6 October 2015.
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