After a series of computer simulator tests, the plans for a deeper channel in Portsmouth Harbour were approved. The Royal Navy’s new aircraft carriers needed the channel to be deeper in order to sail in and out of the harbour.
According to Portsmouth.co.uk, the plans will include dredging of a new 30ft-deep approach channel in the harbour. The channel will allow the safe arrival and departure of the two 65,000-tonne aircraft carriers, HMS Queen Elizabeth and HMS Prince of Wales.
BMT Isis, a Fareham-based company, came up with the channel design in 2006.
Recently, 27 boreholes drilled in and around the harbour entrance. The MoD will test the collected samples in order to decide what will be done with the 3.5m tonnes of waste material dredged from the channel.
This £1m worth project will also include strengthening of jetties at Portsmouth Naval Base to cope with the weight of the new ships.
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Dredging Today Staff, April 13, 2012; Image: bmt-isis