NEWHAVEN SEABED LEVELLING

A tug from the Port of Shoreham has completed a programme of seabed levelling in the nearby port of Newhaven in order to maintain the charted depths in the harbour writes Dag Pike.

Seabed levelling is a modern-day dredging technique used in several ports and harbours in which a plough is towed behind a tugboat along the seabed in order to level high spots and ridges by moving the material to nearby low spots. The plough is fitted with teeth to cut into the seabed material and is very efficient in moving materials such as clay, sand, silt and gravel over short distances. This work is essential to maintain level entrances and ensure that berths are kept at their chartered depths.

Two tug masters from Shoreham Port’s marine team have engaged in carrying out this vital seabed levelling work in Newhaven Port using the tug Acamar. This type of seabed levelling operation is one of the many services which the Port offer, alongside Diving, Crew changing and other operational services.

Acamar is a new a new 16 metre tug boat that was delivered to Shoreham last year. She was designed by McDuff Ship Design and is fitted with a seven ton winch for use when plough dredging. The tug is also equipped with onboard survey equipment that enables the crew to monitor the progress of the dredging and to survey the finished work. Acamar’s sister tug, Adurni, has matching dredging capabilities, providing an excellent dredging service for Shoreham since the departure of the port’s bucket dredger in the early 1990s.

James Gray, the Assistant Harbour Master at Shoreham commented, "With two tug boats now working as part of our fleet, we have increased our availability to assist clients with their requirements for seabed levelling, often working alongside dredgers to improve their efficiency or post dredge to work the hard to reach areas and reduce any residual high spots."

Dave Collins-Williams, the Newhaven Harbour Master commented “I would like to say that Newhaven welcomes the Acamar on her inaugural visit and I am sure that Shoreham Port will continue to work closely and efficiently with Newhaven, as they have always done so in the interest of mutual cooperation.”

Visit McDuff Ship Design at Seawork International 2019 on stand PO77