Tag Archives: Ocean City Inlet
Corps of Engineers called in to do an emergency dredging of Ocean City inlet
Ocean City is getting emergency federal attention, but you wouldn’t know it unless you do business on the water. Rising sand bars have already caused one ship carrying 11,000 pounds of fish to run aground, and the fear is many others could suffer a similar fate. Congressman Andy Harris (R-MD) said, “The port in Ocean City is an important commercial port obviously and not only for fisherman, but for other industry so we have to keep that port open its the Army Corps job to do that, and I’m glad they agreed to do this emergency dredge.” >click here to read<08:28
Trawler can’t clear Ocean City Inlet, Smaller fishing vessel ferries catch
Though an adjusted schedule hastens the arrival of the Currituck to dredge the commercially paralyzed Ocean City Inlet, at least one boat, the Instigator, has begun offloading its catch at the White Marlin Marina on Somerset Street in Ocean City. On Monday and Wednesday, the 80-foot trawler was forced to use the marina as a backup mooring location, unloading thousands of pounds of sea bass onto a smaller fishing boat, the Skilligalee, which hauled the catch from Ocean City to the commercial harbor in several trips. The catch was then processed normally as the smaller vessel reported no problems navigating the inlet. Read the rest here 14:42
Another bump in “Ocean City Inlet” road – Commercial fishing operators say inlet’s all but closed to them as shoaling worsens
The January nor’easter, which wreaked havoc along the coast, also caused an increase in sediment into the already choking Ocean City Inlet, especially in the areas near buoys 10, 11 and 12. Two weeks ago the Capt. Frank ran aground and was stuck for six and a half hours, according to fisherman Joe Letts, and the Betty C, one of Letts’ clamming vessels, also ran aground but was able to free herself after an hour and a half. “I’m spending too much on the bottoms of my boats,” Letts said. “I don’t see why they can’t dig the S.O.B. to 20 feet and leave it alone. I’m over it. I’m in New Jersey now and am making money. Everybody’s leaving. Some of the biggest names in fishing are there and they’re tucking tail and running.” Read the rest here 09:15
Ocean City Inlet threatened by continual influx of sand, sediment
Though it’s been getting progressively worse — especially after Hurricane Sandy — local officials, first gathered by Del. Mary Beth Carozza at a meeting at the Marlin Club this past spring, are working towards a solution for shoaling at the Ocean City Inlet. The Inlet serves both commercial and recreational boating interests, but it was the departure of a commercial fishing fleet helmed by Joe Letts from Ocean City waters in favor of New Jersey earlier this year, due to ease of access, that led to the issue’s prominence. Read the article here 09:29
Ocean City Inlet Dredging Set For This Month, But Long-Term Commitment Still Being Sought
While the Army Corps of Engineers will return to the resort area later this month for a short-term dredging project to temporarily fix the chronic shoaling problem in the Ocean City Inlet and commercial harbor, state and local officials continue to push for a long term solution. However, it has come to light in recent months the federally authorized 10-foot depth in the Inlet is not sufficient to sustain the multi-million dollar commercial and recreational fishing industries. “The Army Corps bases its dredging schedule on a cost-benefit ratio looking at commercial boats only,” she said. “There aren’t many left here, and when they leave, they conversely impact that cost-benefit ratio.” Read the rest here20:39
