Underwater dredging work is now underway on the Dart within Darthaven Marina in Kingswear.

The work began on Thursday, October 1 and takes place on weekdays between 7am and 7pm.

It is expected to be completed within a month depending on weather conditions.

Berthing Manager Tony Griffiths said explains what the work involves: “It’s to get rid of the sediment alongside the QB quayside here, which has built up over the last 20 or 25 years since it was last done.

“it's quite a big major job, obviously, removing the infrastructure.

“All of it, the walkways, the finger pontoons, the boats that are on them get relocated to elsewhere in the marina, or lifted ashore.

“We started to lift ashore early this year. So, we're just clearing the fingers out so they can get into the areas they need to and dredge them out.”

The work is being carried out by contractor Jenkins Marine.

There are two 43-metre hopper barges; a big flat and bottom barge with two spud legs, which is two big legs that prod into the seabed to secure it in position and there's a big JCB with a bucket on the front of that.

It scoops out the mud to the desired depth, puts it in the barges and then they take it out to sea to licenced dumping grounds.

Deputy Dart Harbourmaster Jack Handley said they don’t have any plans to dredge the harbour: “The the river tends to keep it as a natural deep water harbour so it's pretty deep.

Some spots are about 20-22 meters deep while other places dry out two or three meters.

“It's obviously a big contract for Darthaven and they're investing in keeping their berths good.

“We're happy to support it where necessary and it’ll be interesting to see the craft coming in.”