” The width and depth of the channel at the Morehead City port is shrinking due to shoaling, and under current conditions there are limitations on the larger vessels requiring deeper depths,” said Capt. Andrew Midgett.
He has been helping guide ships through the channel to the Morehead City port as a pilot for nearly 30 years and says shoaling is as bad as he’s seen it.
“It has been two and half years since there was complete maintenance dredging done and the maximum depth at mean high water is 41 feet, while the designated depth is 45 feet, ” he stated.
According to jdnews.com , the Morehead City Navigation and Pilotage Commission sent a letter to the Army Corps of Engineers, members of the congressional delegation, the governor and others to make them aware of the problem and to request help in ensuring the Corps has the funds needed to conduct the dredging needed.
[mappress]
Dredging Today Staff, September 26, 2012