Weeks Marine Inc., of Covington, Louisiana, has completed Buxton Beach pumping operations from the “Haulover” north of Buxton to the oceanfront groin at the Cape Hatteras Lighthouse in Dare County.
According to the county latest report, Weeks pumped the final load of sand at the northern end of the nourishment project on Tuesday afternoon, February 27.
“ All 2.6 million cubic yards of sand have now been placed along the beach ,” the county said. “ Over the next couple of days, the new sand will be graded and all equipment removed. The updated map below shows the small area of beach that will remain closed during demobilization.”
The county also added that updates regarding sand fencing and sprigging will be forthcoming, as additional information is available.
The Buxton beach nourishment scheme was the first project for the company’s new hopper dredger ‘Magdalen’. The vessel, one the largest hopper dredges in the U.S., was delivered to Weeks Marine in late December. Right after the handover, the newbuild was brought to Southport, NC, to assist in the Buxton beach nourishment operations.
The 111 meter long vessel was built at Eastern Shipbuilding Group’s Allanton Panama City facility in Florida.