Manasquan Inlet emergency dredging project underway through May
This million-dollar dredging project will help keep the important local economy sailing smoothly.
Work is underway at the Manasquan Inlet to make it safer for boats to navigate through the narrow channels.
This million-dollar dredging project will help keep the important local economy sailing smoothly.
The $1.35 million emergency dredging operation is over what’s known as the Wills Hole Thorofare Channel in the Manasquan River. Sand and debris are transported through a pipe from the channel leading to Fisherman’s Cove Beach in Manasquan. It comes about two weeks after a boat got stuck right in front of Brian Sensland’s supply business.
“Fixing all this will keep the industry going that's been going on here for back to my grandfather's generation back in the ‘30s and ‘40s,” said Sensland, owner of Fishermen’s Supply Company on Channel Drive.
Problems began years ago when sand, most likely from beachfront replenishment areas, turned part of the inlet into an unwanted beach. That sand continued through the inlet, into the narrow channel by the marinas. Dredging used to take place twice a year in the fall and spring.
“This idea of waiting for somebody to run aground or the unsafe condition to occur is not working for the economy or the people,” said Brick Wenzel, a commercial fisherman.
Channel access over the next month or so during dredging will remain open throughout the area and in front of businesses like the Wharfside Patio Bar, where on a warmer day, the outdoor dining area would be packed with not only people but also local boaters pulling up for a meal and a quick drink.
“There's an orange buoy and two white buoys out there, so this entire area in the actual summer is going to be a no-wake zone all the way through the inlet, all the way to Brielle railroad,” said Dylan Zurflueh of the United States Coast Guard Manasquan Inlet Station.
If enough sand filled this channel, it could become impassable for some commercial fishing vessels, leading to even bigger impacts.
“I've been in this town on the street my entire life. I'm third generation here and we've never seen anything like that before,” said Sensland.
Dredging will continue around the clock through the end of May.
