Posted on August 22, 2022
Port Taranaki is to carry out a short dredging campaign to remove sand and sediment buildup caused by storms and other weather events this year.
The dredge Albatros will arrive at Port Taranaki on Saturday for the 10-15 day campaign, which will remove infill from an area off the port’s main breakwater.
The material will be placed at sites within Port Taranaki’s consented drop areas.
Port operations boss Captain Ashley McDonald said regular hydrographic surveys were undertaken to assess the shipping channel and the most recent detected an increased build-up of material near the main breakwater.
McDonald said this could be attributed to the storms, other weather events, and rough seas we have been experiencing across Taranaki and New Zealand this year.
“The build-up has reduced the shipping channel depth, and although it is still within safety margins, as a precaution we are carrying out the dredging work to maintain the margins and ensure the safety of the vessels entering and exiting the port.”
Port Taranaki’s regular biennial maintenance dredging programme is scheduled for early next year.
“This short campaign will constitute phase one of that programme, with the dredge returning in summer for phase two,” McDonald said.
During the short campaign, Albatros will operate 12 hours a day during day hours, and will be visible inside the harbour close to the breakwater.
McDonald asked that recreational and commercial fishermen, kayakers, yachties and other water users keep clear.
