Returning to the North River this week finds twice-yearly seasonal dredging operations underway at the Manhattan Cruise Terminal. DonJon Marine crews are scooping up mud to maintain the 38-feet mean low-water depth between the piers in order to accommodate cruise ships and the naval vessels that will visit for then 250th Independence Day celebrations.

On Tuesday the crews were working on the area north of Pier 90 even though the pier structure itself has been closed due to structural concerns. I believe the berth might still be usable for smaller non-passenger vessels as Canadian navy patrol boats did tie up there last month.

In the photos, DonJon tugs Mary Alice and the powerful Atlantic Salvor were maneuvering dump scows which Salvor will haul out to the Federal remediation area off Atlantic Highlands, NJ.