The entrance channel to the Port of Nassau will be restricted to a single-lane passage once dredging work resumes to widen the entrance, said Port Controller, Commander Patrick McNeil.

Widening the western entrance is the final exercise to be completed in the harbor improvement project.

It was expected to begin today, but may have been delayed due to the threatening weather system.

Photo: The dredging vessel hired by Boskalis International is back in Nassau Harbour to complete work on the harbour s entrance. Photo from The Tribune.

Commander McNeil told The Tribune yesterday that he was watching the weather to determine the earliest time the work could start. Last year, the work was stalled due to the approaching winter months.

"The problem with winter is you have an ocean surge that comes that won't allow the dredger to work efficiently. They have to be in a certain sea state to be able to work. The dredging company had a commitment in Jamaica so they decided to fulfil that commitment (and then return) to finish the small portion of the widening of the entrance," said Commander McNeil.

Ships are not expected to be affected by the work, although they will have to observe the single-lane restriction until approximately July 31 "to ensure safe passage" between the cutter suction dredger, URSA, and the eastern breakwater.

To allow ships passage, the dredger will have to stop work and allow for a 500-feet wide lane, according to a statement issued by the Port Department.

"It is important that only after the URSA captain/dredge master on watch has approved passage of URSA on the VHF radio (channel 16 or 77) vessels should sail past the dredger. URSA mariners are advised to obey one hour notice before passage. Failure to do so could result in unforeseen unacceptable incidents involving vessel, dredger and its crew," stated the notice.

Some boat captains on Potter's Cay Dock were unaware of the work scheduled to take place. The owner of a mailboat said he knew it was supposed to happen at some point, but he did not receive notification that it was to begin today.

A manager of a private marina was in the same position. Both men agreed, however, that the work would not cause any problems for boaters, because it was standard procedure to have radio communication with Nassau Harbour Control for permission to enter and exit the harbor.

The marina manager said the work would mainly impact large vessels, as smaller vessels could use the eastern entrance to the harbor.

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