Dredge Off Seaside Park Idled By Burst Pipe

SEASIDE PARK, NJ — The investigation into what caused a pipe to burst Monday on a dredge involved in the beach replenishment is under way, but an official from the Army Corps of Engineers said the issue is not expected to delay the overall project.

The incident happened on the dredge CR McCaskill, one of three barges in use by contractor Weeks Marine of Cranford in the $128 million beach replenishment and dune construction project, said Ed Voigt, chief of public affairs for the Army Corps of Engineers Philadelphia office.

Three Weeks Marine employees were injured in the incident, which reportedly happened when a suction pipe burst. Voigt said full details on the nature and cause of the incident were not yet available.

A call to the Weeks Marine corporate office Tuesday for further details was not immediately returned.

Seaside Heights Fire Chief William Rumbolo said the injuries to the three were not thought to be life-threatening. The Asbury Park Press reported two of the employees were removed on backboards from a boat that took them to Point Pleasant Beach; a third employee walked off the boat.

Voigt said the dredge McCaskill is currently on standby not actively working as Weeks Marine investigates and makes repairs.

"At this time, Weeks does not know how long that will take, but it is not expected to delay the overall project," he said.

The McCaskill was working on the portion of the project in Seaside Park, which has shut down access at L and M streets.

Weeks has two other dredges operating. In Ortley Beach, Dredge Ellefsen is conducting dredging and beachfill operations. Current beach access closures are at 5th, 7th and Fielder avenues. The dredge RN Weeks is working on dredging and beachfill in Mantoloking, with a closure at Lyman Street. That work just got under way a week or so ago.

The Seaside Park work began Aug. 9, and the McCaskill was slated not only to do Seaside Park but the South Seaside Park portion of Berkeley Township, the portion adjoining Island Beach State Park. That work was expected to be completed in early December but it was not clear Tuesday if that estimate will change.

Project status updates are available from the Army Corps here.

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One of the beach replenishment dredges off Ortley Beach. Photo via Toms River Township Facebook page