Chichester Harbour Master has issued a Local Notice to Mariners regarding the start of maintenance dredging at Sparkes and Northney marinas next week.

Mariners are advised that maintenance dredges of Northney Marina, and the visitors’ berth at Sparkes Marina are due to start on Wednesday, 16 March 2016.

Dredging is expected to continue for four weeks, subject to weather. The dredged material will be disposed of at the Nab Tower Spoil Grounds.

Dredging will be undertaken by the 22m backhoe dredger Witton II, which will be towed to and from the sites. Dredged material will be transported for disposal in the 42m split hopper barge Split Two, and the 52m Split Three.

All vessels will display the lights and shapes required by the collision regulations and maintain a listening watch on VHF channels 14 and 16.

Dredging will not take place over the Easter holiday period Friday 25 – Monday 28 March.

Mariners are requested to give these vessels a wide berth in the  confined waters of Chichester Harbour.

This Local Notice to Mariners will end on 13 April 2016.