Boating Near Dredging Projects

Every day there are countless ongoing dredging and marine construction projects ongoing across the United States.  These marine projects are driven by the need for repairs, development, and shoaling.  These work zones typically require equipment and operations to be ongoing in waterways that are normally navigated by boat traffic.  As these projects are executed, safety hazards can often arise not only for the workers themselves, but also for anyone on a boat in the area.  

Hazards in the area of a dredging or marine construction project can include:

• Missing or relocated Aids to Navigation (ATON) including buoys, beacons, and markers
• Changes to existing channel routes
• Presence of anchored boats and barges that may not have working navigation lights
• Movement of working boats and barges and other equipment
• Placement of containment boom, silt curtains or floating pipeline around the project area
• Floating or submerged debris
• Decreased visibility under the water's surface due to turbidity
• Bodies of water temporarily closed to boat traffic

As the operator of any water craft, it is important to recognize these type projects and to adjust your normal operating procedures to account for the added risk.  The following guidelines should always be used in the presence of a dredging or marine construction operation:

• Allow for as much clearance as is possible to safely navigate around the work area
• Be alert for changing conditions or potential hazards, including floating or submerged objects
• No-Wake speeds should be observed in active work zones
• Avoid full reliance on your local knowledge of the waterway - Situations change
• Utilize a kill switch during operation of your boat and always wear a flotation device
• Use a spotlight after dark
• Never approach the construction site or any related project equipment under any circumstances, whether there are active operations ongoing or not
• Utilize the utmost caution

By following these tips, boaters can help ensure their own safety, as well as that of the the workers present on the job sites.  Safety first!