Work got underway today on a $7.2 million dredging project to make it easier for vessels to navigate the Manasquan River, and one of the areas targeted is near Clarks Landing in Point Pleasant Borough.

“It's 2 feet right in front of my boat here, so hearing this marina is going to be dredged is music to my ears,” says Kevin Fahey.

Fahey is the captain of Curlew, a lobster fishing boat stationed at the Clarks Landing Dock along the Manasquan River. The area is one of the targets of the New Jersey Department of Transportation project.

“The commercial fishing fleet alone generates $8 billion annually ... so it's money well spent,” says Fahey.

Between now and December, the dredging equipment will make its way around the Manasquan River, removing approximately 88,000 cubic yards of sand and material. The equipment will run 24 hours a day, seven days a week around Sawmill Creek Riviera Beach, Glimmer Glass, Watson's Creek, Sherman's Creek, Wills Hole Thorofare, Manasquan Yacht Club, and Debbie's Creek Channels.

“We are looking forward to it because our canal out here, our boaters can't get out and keep running aground,” says Clarks Landing Dock Manager Gary Clarke. “They have to play by tides, just to get in and out.”

Some of the sand will actually help widen one of the popular beaches across the river at Fisherman's Cove. The sand will be placed on the beach and eventually spread out by bulldozers.

People using boats are asked to obey the signage and steer clear of the dredging equipment.