Dredging along the Waterford Estuary has begun recently and will continue into next month as part of an approximate 28 day period of operations, writes Jehan Ashmore.
According to the Port of Waterford, they have embarked on a maintenance dredging campaign (Notice to Mariners No. 07 of 2021) on the estaury. See story on related dredging cost / plans at neighbouring New Ross Port.
The Amazone is tasked in conducting dredging activities in the vicinity of Duncannon Bar, Cheekpoint, and Belview. From these waters, disposal of dredged spoil will take place at an approved site south west of Hook Head.
In addition the Dutch flagged dredger will be working in tandem by a bed levelling vessel Fastnet Sound.
The latter vessel Afloat adds is a MultiCat dive-platform design which is part of the Waterford based Fastnet Shipping. The marine plant and service firm is located at Bilberry, to the west of the Rice (Lift-Bridge) of the city.
To the east of the bridge, is where the former Irish owned containership operator, Bell Lines, had a terminal based at the Frank Cassin Wharf.
This terminal on the Co. Kilkenny side of the Suir estuary, facing opposite of Waterford City, is where plans are for redevelopment of the North Quays.
It is along this wharf is where a personal visit was made in the late 1980's to board another Amazone, a lo-lo ship that served Bell Lines.
On the same occasion the opportunity was taken also to board the Irish flagged Bell Renown. The Waterford registered ship was purpose built for their Ireland-Europe operations which later relocated downriver to Belview Terminal.
Today, Arklow Vale is further downriver, offshore of Dunmore East, the fishing harbour located at the mouth of Waterford Estuary from where the short-sea trader is bound for Belfast Harbour.
Also according to the port, last week there were six Arklow Shipping vessels trading within three days, among then the aforementioned 'V' class cargoship.
The other bulk-cargo callers were the Irish flagged Arklow Brave and Arklow Fame which remains still in port at Belview. This vessel was the last seagoing ship to use Dublin Dry Docks.
Whereas the static floating replica tallship, Jeanie Johnston based on the Liffey, was to follow suit as the final vessel to use the facility before closure in 2016.
Arklow Raider, also Irish flagged and one of the oldest in the ASL fleet were the remaining callers to Waterford along with a further V class pair, Arklow Valour and Venus respectively.
