Dumping dredge masses on the site where a ship recently ran aground is an important step in repairing the damage to the seabed. In due time marine life and the natural environment will go back to normal.
Dredging is the act of removing silt, sediments, debris, and other material from the bottom of lakes, rivers, harbors, and other bodies of water. It is a routine necessity in waterways as sedimentation gradually fills channels and harbors. It is often focused on maintaining or increasing the depth of navigation channels, ports or berthing areas to ensure the safe passage of vessels.
Since large ships carry the bulk of the goods imported into a country, dredging plays a vital role in a nation’s economy. Waterborne transport offers the most economical, energy efficient and environmental transportation of all types of cargo.
Dredging can be done to benefit the environment in several ways. It can reduce the exposure of fish, wildlife, and people to contaminants and prevent the spread to other areas of the water body. Dredged materials are frequently used to create or restore habitats. Recent decades have seen an increase in use of dredged materials for beach replenishment to reduce or prevent the likelihood of erosion or flooding.
Another environmental use has been in initiatives designed to remove contaminated sediments, thus improving water quality and restoring the health of aquatic ecosystems.
- Trailing suction pipe
- The pipe is fitted with a draghead
- The dredge pump sucks up the loosened soil by the draghead
- The spoil is loaded into one or more hoppers in the vessel
- Hopper contents are sprayed over the vessel’s bow