Photo of this dredging works, taken in Sep 2010.
Dredging stirs things up. This is probably why the waters at Kusu are murky. Why does this matter?
Reef-building hard corals need sunlight because they harbour microscopic, single-celled algae (called zooxanthellae) inside their bodies. The algae undergo photosynthesis to produce food from sunlight. The food produced is shared with the coral polyp, which in return provides the algae with shelter and minerals. It is believed this additional source of nutrients from the zooxanthellae help hard corals produce their hard skeletons and thus expand the size of the colony faster. Thus clear waters that let sunlight through for photosynthesis is important for healthy reef growth.
Healthy corals are better able to cope with other threats, such as the recent spell of coral bleaching.
More about the impact of dredging and sand mining, about hard corals on the wild fact sheets, and what is sedimentation and why does it matter?
This work is in addition to sand mining in Oct 09-Feb 10 renamed dredging and extended to Aug 10. More about notices about dredging around Kusu Island.
Dredging works East of Terumbu Buran
from Port Marine Notice No. 22 of 2011 dated 11 Mar 2011
With effect from 14 Mar 2011 to 13 Sep 2011. 24hrs daily including Sundays and Public Holidays. At East Keppel Fairway and its vicinity (see attached chartlet):
Dredging works will be carried out by the grab dredger, “Kyoei No 18”, held in position by spuds. The grab dredger with hopper barge in attendance will have a circular safety working zone of 50-metre radius centred at the grab dredger. During the operation, the grab dredger and hopper barge will be attended by tug boats. Dredged materials will be transported to the designated dumping ground by the hopper barges assisted by pusher tugs. Safety boats will be deployed to warn other craft of the working area. Further general enquiries relating to the project can be directed to Mr. Kitagawa, the Dredging manager, at Tel No: 8428 1216 (email: a.kitagawa@mypenta.net).
Dredging works at East Keppel Fairway
from Port Marine Notice No. 25 of 2011 dated 14 Mar 11
This is a revision of Port Marine Notice No. 136 of 2010 (Possibly they meant No. 126 of 2010). The working period has been revised.
With effect from 14 Mar 2011 to 13 Sep 2011. 0700 hours to 1900 hours daily including Sundays and Public Holidays. At East Keppel Fairway and its vicinity (see attached chartlet):
Dredging works will be carried out by a Trailing Suction Hopper Dredger (TSHD) in sectors A, B or C. While dredging, Queen of Penta Ocean will maintain a speed of about 2 knots. The TSHD will only dredge in one sector at a time. When moving from the dredging area to the dumping ground, she will proceed at a safe speed of not more than 12 knots depending on the traffic conditions and visibility. Further general enquiries relating to the project can be directed to Mr. Y. Mitsunari, the project manager at Tel: 9114 5774 (email:y.mitsunari@mypenta.net).
Dredging Works at East Keppel Fairway
from Port Marine Notice No. 55 of 2011 dated 04 May 2011
This is a revision of Port Marine Notice No. 39 of 2011. The working period and the working detail have been revised.
With effect from 05 Apr 2011 to 04 Oct 2011. 24hrs daily including Sundays and Public Holidays. East Keppel Fairway (see attached chartlet):
Dredging works will be carried out by the grab dredger, “Kyoei No 18”, held in position by spuds. The grab dredger with hopper barge in attendance will have a circular safety working zone of 50-metre radius centred at the grab dredger. During the operation, the grab dredger and hopper barge will be attended by tug boats. Dredged materials will be transported to the designated dumping ground by the hopper barges assisted by pusher tugs. Safety boats will be deployed to warn other craft of the working area. Further general enquiries relating to the project can be directed to Mr. Kitagawa, the Dredging manager, at Tel No: 8428 1216 (email: a.kitagawa@mypenta.net).
Dredging Works at East Keppel Fairway
from Port Marine Notice NO. 50 OF 2011 dated 21 Apr 11
This is a revision of Port Marine Notice No. 25 of 2011. The working period and the working details have been revised.
With effect from 22 Apr 2011 to 23 Oct 2011. 0700 hours to 1900 hours daily including Sundays and Public Holidays. East Keppel Fairway and its vicinity (see attached chartlet):
Dredging works will be carried out by a Trailing Suction Hopper Dredger (TSHD) in sectors A, B or C. While dredging, Andromeda V will maintain a speed of about 2 knots. The TSHD will only dredge in one sector at a time. When moving from the dredging area to the dumping ground, she will proceed at a safe speed of not more than 12 knots depending on the traffic conditions and visibility. Further general enquiries relating to the project can be directed to Mr. Y. Mitsunari, the project manager at Tel: 9114 5774 (email: y.mitsunari@mypenta.net).
