Jetsed is a self propelled vessel with an overall length of 37m (including discharge and injection pipes) and a breadth of 13.86m. It was built in 1987, upgraded in 2003, and can dredge to depths of up to 24.9m.

Jetsed ploughed material from the channel onto the sub-tidal foreshore on the south bank of the river. The dredging was completed over two tides, working at low water. A post dredge survey conducted by the PLA showed that the dredging campaign had created a significant improvement to depths in the area. A chartlet was published last month showing the navigation channel and the most recent survey results. Areas with depth below 1m had been removed and the lowest depths stood at 1.6m.

Also in the UK last month, the plough dredger ‘Norma’ joined Boskalis’ trailing suction hopper dredgers ‘Waterway’ and ‘Cornelia’ and the survey vessel ‘Shamrock’ in a maintenance dredging operation at Harwich Harbour and approaches to Felixstowe and Harwich International Port. Norma worked the inshore waters around the Halfpenny Pier during the squally weather on January 18, which closed the Felixstowe container terminal, even though Stena Line sailings from Parkeston Quay continued.

The dredging was due to last for two weeks, with dredged materials disposed of at the Harwich Shelf and the Inner Gabbard Spoil Ground.

By Graeme Ewens