Marine aggregate dredgers operate in licence areas in coastal waters and open seas
where other shipping is present. This introduces a risk of collision between the
dredger (which is generally stationary or travelling at low speeds when dredging),
and passing shipping.
Anatec personnel have gained first-hand experience onboard a working marine aggregates
dredger. This experience has been applied when chairing and participating in workshops
to define operating procedures for dredging in busy shipping areas, and to identify
measures to reduce the risk of collision, such as bridge manning and allowable visibility
criteria.
Detailed risk assessment work has been performed using computer modelling to estimate
the risk of collision between dredgers and passing merchant and fishing vessels,
taking into account:
- Historical risk level
- Ship collision causation factors
- Dredge licence areas
- Vessel specification
- Passing shipping (routeing, density and composition)
- Risk mitigation measures
Our experience includes assessing the risks associated with proposed dredging operations
in the English Channel, one of the World’s busiest waterways, as well as several
other offshore areas in the UK.
Please contact us for further details on our services
in this field.
Useful links relating to collision risk assessment are as follows: