Posted on November 14, 2022
Ocean City issued a warning to mariners to stay clear of a submerged pipeline that will be in place during the beach replenishment project.
The pipeline, at the northern end of Ocean City near the Great Egg Harbor Inlet, will be in place for the duration of the project from early November to some time in January, weather permitting. Ocean City added that the work may coincide with the fall striped bass season locally.
The $21.5 million beach replenishment project by the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers is designed to reduce damages from coastal storms. More than one million cubic yards of sand will be pumped to the beach during the project.
The following warning was issued to mariners by Ocean City officials.
Mariners are cautioned to stay clear of dredge, booster, floating (pontoon) and submerged pipelines, barges, derricks and operating wires associated with dredging and marine construction operations. Operators of vessels of all types should be aware that dredges and floating pipelines are held in place by cables, attached to anchors some distance away from the equipment.
Buoys are attached to the anchors so that the anchors may be moved as the dredge advances and the location of the submerged pipelines are marked by buoys on each side of the channel. Mariners are cautioned to strictly comply with the Inland Rules of the Road when approaching, passing and leaving the area of operations, and remain a safe distance away from the dredge, booster, buoys, cables, pipeline, barges, derricks, wires and related equipment.
Dredging projects are usually conducted 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. All fishnets, crab pots and structures in the general area must be removed, prior to commencement of any work. A NO WAKE transit is requested of all vessels passing the dredge and if necessary to clarify a SAFE PASSAGE contact the dredge on the appropriate VHF-FM channels.See nautical charts and more information
