The Dredge Nimitz is enroute to the Ouachita River to begin dredging operations!
The Nimitz departed Morgan City and should be on site and dredging at traditional hotspots near the Columbia Lock and Dam no later than Tuesday, July 2, 2024.
Last week, Captain Devon Darnell of the M/V Syble Fay reported shoaling and erosion at River Mile (RM) 114.5 and 116.7 due to low water conditions on the Ouachita. Other areas reported include RM 83.9, 85.1, 89.9, 96.1, 97.2, 102.1, 105, 106, 108, and 113.8. As low water persists, the Corps will review conditions at the Black River below the Jonesville Lock and Dam.
The Nimitz is owned by Encore Dredging Partners, a premier dredging and marine infrastructure firm. As each dredge in their fleet is brought in for major maintenance and repairs, it is repainted, renamed, and christened.
Encore has chosen the names of U.S. Naval Aircraft Carriers to honor the servicemen and women of the U.S. Armed Forces. The Dredge Nimitz, formerly known as the dredge Ingenuity, was built in 1955 by Devcon International Corporation and was the last of Encore’s dredge fleet to be blessed and renamed. The Nimitz is an all-steel, diesel engine powered, 24” cutter head dredge.
The renaming ceremony for the Nimitz, as pictured here, was held on April 4, 2023, in Sargent, Texas.
The renaming ceremonies allow the Encore team to recognize and celebrate the successes of their hardworking crews.
