Preparation for the dredging of the East Gregerie Channel in Crown Bay, St. Thomas that would allow for safer berthing conditions for large cruise vessels began last week.
The announcement came Monday from Carlton Dowe, executive director of the Virgin Islands Port Authority (VIPA), who said the U.S. Army Corp of Engineers approved the dredging permit on Feb. 23, which allows VIPA to dredge the channel and a section along the northern side of the Austin “Babe” Monsanto Marine Terminal cruise ship pier.
Dowe also revealed the Authority has hired Bio Impact, Inc. to perform the mitigation requirement of the permit. This involves the relocation of plants, coral and other marine life in the affected areas of the channel and along the cruise ship pier in Crown Bay. He said the process is expected to take about three weeks.
In addition to the sea life mitigation, VIPA has hired Orion Marine Construction, Inc. to perform the dredging. Dowe said the company is currently preparing the curtains that will contain the dredged material and minimize the sound of the dredge machine, which is also required by the permit.
The project will cost about $2.5 million and is funded through bond financing secured by the Port Authority in 2014. The dredging is expected to be completed by September.
Feature Image: Barge to dredge Crown Bay East G Channel, St. Thomas.
Tags: crown bay dredging st thomas, crown bay st thomas, us virgin islands, usvi
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