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The Dredge Report | An Off-Season Recap & A Quick Update on the Current Season

Deckhand Andrew DIPietroAn Off Season Recap & the Dredge Program starts it’s 26th

The Dredge Report has been not been published since the dredge season started and this report is designed to get us back on track and resume the weekly updates.

Our “off-season” was very short, as our last project ended on June 30th finishing up the Saquatucket Harbor project in Harwich. The Sand Shifter was moved back to her home port of Waquoit Bay alongside the Cod Fish I & II, the dredge barge and push boats.

First on the long work list was to assess the operational critical spare parts needed to have on hand for both dredges and booster pump. This exercise has been long in the making, and we finally developed the list of parts needed to maintain operational efficiency. The procurement process began shortly after and on November 3rd we awarded the second of two bids. We are now awaiting the delivery of both orders.

The second most important task was getting estimates from area shipyards for the maintenance and repair of the Cod Fish II and Pushboat Bradbury. Both vessels were brought to Fairhaven Shipyard in August and work was completed in early September.

Cod Fish II:

The Bradbury brought the Cod Fish II to Mashpee to begin the first project in Popponesset Bay on the Inner Channel. The project was completed on October 16th. The second project on the 1916 Channel was started on October 18th and was completed on October 29th.  Both projects were part of the continued work in Popponesset Bay on keeping the channels clear and nourishment of the Popponesset spit.

On Thursday, Nov. 4th the Cod Fish II began the transit to the north side leaving Mashpee enroute to Monument Beach, Bourne for the first layover. On Saturday, Nov. 6th the Cod Fish II was brought the rest of the way to Pamet Harbor, Truro for the first of two projects on the north side. Mobilizing has begun and dredging is planned to start late this week (week of November 7).

Sand Shifter:

Dredging began on September 17th in Mill Creek, Chatham. This project was needed to clear and maintain the Approach and Inner channel which had severe shoaling alongside the jetty. Dredging was completed on October 9th.

Work continued over the next two weeks in staging for the next project in Pleasant Bay, Chatham. Several sections of pipe had to be repositioned for the transit from Hardings Beach to Pleasant Bay. This move took place on Thursday Nov. 3rd with dredging starting on Friday, November 5th.

I’ll post the details of each of the projects completed in an upcoming report.

To follow are some photos taken over the past few week highlighting some of the projects discussed above.

                                            Sand Shifter – Mill Creek, Chatham

Disposal at Forest Beach

Sand disposal from Mill Creek to Forest Beach

Sand Shifter at sunset at Mill Creek, Chatham

Sand Shifter at sunset at Mill Creek, Chatham

Forest Beach (bottom) east to Mill Creek (top)

Forest Beach (bottom) east to Mill Creek (top)

Deckhand Zach Tivey setting anchor

Deckhand Zach Tivey setting anchor in Mill Creek

Leverman Cory Fleming onboard Cod Fish II in the 1916 channel in Popponesset Bay

Leverman Cory Fleming onboard the Cod Fish II in the 1916 channel

Cod Fish II dredging in the 1916 Channel in Popponesset Bay

Cod Fish II dredging in the 1916 Channel in Popponesset Bay

Deckhand Andrew DIPietro

Deckhand Andrew DiPietro onboard skiff in Popponesset Bay

Dredge discharge from the 1916 channel in Popponesett Bay

Dredge discharge from the 1916 channel in Popponesett Bay on the south side of the spit

Cod Fish II enroute thru the Cape Cod Canal

Cod Fish II enroute thru the Cape Cod Canal

Cod Fish II entering Pamet Harbor, Truro

Cod Fish II entering Pamet Harbor, Truro