The new £1.1 million dredger has been blessed after a naming ceremony at Bridlington harbour.
Around eighty people were present to see the state-of-the-art boat officially named and put into service. Chris Wright, the Harbour Commissioners Chairman, was present at the event, along with his wife Linda who poured champagne over the bow of the boat to seal the traditional naming ceremony.
Said Chris: “Following the scrapping of the old dredger in 2010 it was decided to have our own vessel constructed. This dredger is ideal for operating in small harbours, being highly versatile and will be hired out to other ports when possible.”
The excavator on the boat has a reach to dig for a depth of 23 feet and the wheelhouse is fitted with all the latest navigational equipment.
Bridlington Harbour covers 10.5 acres and between 12-14,000 tons of waste per year is dredged out of the harbour. A large amount of the silt is brought in with the tide after being eroded from the Holderness Coast as a result of erosion. Removal of the silt is essential for keeping berths and navigation channels clear.
