Damage to Ferry Hulls Prompts Hyannis Harbor Dredging

Recent damage to the hulls of passenger ferries M/V NANTUCKET and the M/V EAGLE prompts "urgent"dredging of Hyannis Harbor.  There were no reports of injuries.

In a public notice posted by the New England District of the US Army Corps of Engineers, spokesman Bill Kavanaugh sites Hurricane Sandy and a series of winter storms with creating dangerous shoals in the harbor and channel.  

For the first time since 1998 the Corps of Engineers will dredge the Harbor to prevent further damage to passenger ferries and the potential for injuries to  passengers themselves.  

The Corps is scheduled to restore the harbor to the"authorized" dimension of 13 feet by removing an estimated 100,000 cubic yards of sand on the dedge Currituck and depositing it offshore.  Beginning with the Hurricane last fall and continuing with the Blizzard of 2013 and a series of destructive winter storms,  water depth in the harbor was reduced to as little as 7.6 feet by sand that was pushed northward into the harbor.

According to the US Army Corps of Engineer's public notice, impact to sea life is expected to be "minimal and temporary."  Dredging could begin as early as June but could be delayed until October, and is expected to be completed within five months.