Silting of channels, port entrances, and access to nautical centers is a frequent issue in coastal and lagoon areas. Waves and currents carry sand and sediments that, over time, reduce the usable section of passages, compromising the safety and continuity of navigation. In these cases, periodic maintenance through channel dredging becomes essential to keep the infrastructure operational and reduce the risk of interruptions.
Aquageo supported a maintenance intervention by providing a compact and versatile dredging solution, designed to contain installation and management costs.
The challenge: access to the nautical center obstructed by sediments
The only access route to an important nautical center was progressively compromised by the accumulation of sandy material. The reduction in channel depth made maneuvers difficult, with immediate impacts on:
-
entry and exit of vessels;
-
safety of operations;
-
continuity of port and tourist services.
The client required a solution capable of:
-
maintaining the navigability of the channel with regular interventions;
-
reducing overall expenses, avoiding complex construction sites;
-
using a system agile and easy to use, with low assembly and maintenance costs.
The Aquageo solution: hydraulic dredging pump HY85/180 HC with cutter head
To meet operational and economic needs, a Dragflow HY85/180 HC hydraulic pump complete with cutter head was provided. This configuration is particularly suitable for:
-
breaking up and mobilizing compacted sediments;
-
continuously suctioning and transferring sandy material;
-
performing maintenance dredging quickly.
Versatility of installation
To reduce costs and increase flexibility, the solution was proposed as equipment installable on various operational platforms, including:
-
excavator arm;
-
crane;
-
vessel.
This modularity allows the intervention to be adapted to the channel context and the client's availability, limiting ancillary work and operational downtime.
Safeguarding navigability and scheduled maintenance
The adoption of a dredging pump with a cutter head allows for managing silting preventively: instead of waiting for an emergency, it is possible to plan more frequent and targeted dredging interventions, maintaining the useful depth of the channel and reducing extraordinary costs.
The equipment provided thus represents a concrete tool to support local administration and Reclamation Consortium in maintaining the functionality of nautical access.
The benefits for the client
The dredging intervention with the hydraulic pump HY85/180 HC made it possible to:
-
restore and maintain the navigability of the silted channel;
-
reduce costs thanks to a compact solution, with simpler assembly and management;
-
greater operational flexibility, installing the pump on an excavator, crane, or vessel;
-
effectiveness on compacted sediments, thanks to the cutter head that improves sand removal;
-
more sustainable maintenance over time, with programmable and less invasive interventions.
