Popponesset Approach Channel - Dredging Update #5 from Barnstable County

Notice #5 – September 8, 2023

Popponesset Approach Channel - Dredging Update

MOBILIZING HAS BEEN COMPLETED AND WEATHER PERMITTING WE ARE PLANNING TO START DREDGING TODAY. DUE TO THE ANTICIPATED WEEKEND BOATING TRAFFIC, THERE WILL NO DREDGING ON SATURDAY. DREDGING WILL RESUME ON MONDAY.  

THE PIPE IS NOW CONNECTED FROM THE DREDGE TO THE BARGE, THEN ONTO THE SHORE NEAR WADING PLACE (#1). 

THE PIPE WILL BE SUMBERGED AND BOATERS ARE ADVISED TO AVOID THE AREA HIGHLIGHTED BELOW AS THE WATER DEPTHS IN THIS AREA ARE SHALLOW AND WITH THE PIPES DIAMETER AT 18” THE RISK OF STRIKING THE PIPE IS VERY HIGH.

THE BARGE WHEN ON STATION WILL BE LOCATED AT N41.34.953, W070.26.974 (#2). THIS POSITION MAY VARY AND UPDATED POSITIONS WILL BE PROVIDED. THE DREDGING WILL START IN THE NW SECTION OF THE CHANNEL (#3) AND WORK TO THE SE.

THE PIPE IS MARKED WITH YELLOW FLOATS EVERY 300’, WITH ORANGE FLOATS MARKING THE LOCATION OF THE ANCHORS.

BOUY’S MARKED ‘DANGER PIPE’ & ‘SUBM PIPE’ ARE PLACED ALONG THE EAST/SOUTHEAST SECTION OF THIS AREA (#4).

NOTE, AS BOTH THE DREDGE AND THE BARGE HAVE LOW FREEBOARD, ANY SEAS / SWELLS ABOVE 2’ WILL REQUIRE THAT THE DREDGE & BARGE ARE MOVED BACK INSIDE TO THE PROTECTED ANCHORAGE ON THE NORTH SIDE OF THE SPIT (#5).

EXTREME CAUTION MUST BE EXERCISED WHEN NAVIGATING NEAR THE DREDGE AS CABLES AND ANCHORS EXTEND OUT FROM THE BOW ON BOTH SIDES. PASSING SHOULD ONLY BE DONE TO THE EAST OF THE DREDGE AS PIPE WILL EXTEND TO THE WEST. CH. 18 IS MONITORED TO ARRANGE PASSAGE WHEN OPERATIONS ARE UNDERWAY.

CONTACT:

Ken Cirillo, County Dredge Director, 508.375.3655 or via email at kenneth.cirillo@capecod.gov

Robert Tomaino, Harbormaster, 508.539.1410 or via email at rtomaino@mashpeema.gov