fp Turks and Caicos

The ever shallow Sandy Point Channel will be dredged to improve navigation of the busy inlet between North Caicos and Parrot Cay, the Department of Environment and Coastal Resources has announced.

“Mariners are advised that maintenance dredging will commence in the Sandy Point Channel on or about the 27th June 2011,” DECR said in a statement June 23.

“The suction dredger ‘Cays Construction’ will operate on a 12-hour daylight basis for the period of the works, which are expected to take 40 days to complete. The ‘Cays Construction’ will be assisted by tender vessels for the duration.”

“This vessel will be engaged in underwater operations and obstructions will extend out at least 2,000 feet. All vessels are advised to use the alternative Bellfield Landing Route located at 21 Deg 54 Mins 18 seconds N. 72 Deg 2 Mins 26 Seconds W.”

Mariners are warned to stay at least 100 feet away from the dredger and to approach at no wake speeds.

Cays Construction Ltd. was recently granted rights to mine sand on Middle Caicos near Juniper Hole and the Crossing Place Trail, and on North Caicos at the north mouth of Bottle Creek and an overwash salina just to the east of Bottle Creek.

The Sandy Point Channel dredging was not part of that tender, but the company has agreed to assist with any emergency works to navigation channels requested by government.

Part of the sand dredged from the channel will be used for beach renourishment on Parrot Cay, and part will be sold to pay for the operation, said DECR Director Wesley Clearveaux. However, the amount of sand sold will be replaced by Cays Construction from its future mining operations so that there is no net loss of sand from the channel dredging.

For more information, contact Cays Construction at 241-5062.