The Port of London Authority announced recently that the programme of maintenance dredging continues in the Sea Reach.
According to the PLA, the 7.950m³ trailing suction hopper dredger Meuse River (115.8m LOA) and water injection dredger Dhamra (31m LOA) are conducting the tasks.
The Meuse River, recently christened by the Flemish Minister for Mobility and Public Works Lydia Peeters, is one of the latest additions to DEME dredging fleet.
The vessel has a very shallow draught and a Dynamic Positioning & Dynamic Tracking (DP/DT) system to enhance manoeuvrability and position keeping. The Meuse River is also a top performer in terms of pumping distance ashore.
The two vessels will conduct water Injection/agitation dredging on the ebb tide at a number of locations between London Gateway and Sea Reach 1 Buoys, reported the PLA.
The survey vessel ‘Libertas’ is also working in the area, in support of the operations.
The port authority added that during the works TSHD Meuse River will be under the conduct of a PLA Pilot at all times.
During dredging operations (on the ebb tide only), the positions of the dredgers will be included in the routine half-hourly broadcasts by London VTS, stated PLA.