378 RADIOLOGICAL CLEANUP OF ENEWETAK ATOLL Soil transportation from the Aomon Crypt was intended to operateasjy did on all other islands; that is, LCM-8s and LCUs would be bulk loaded a the beach-landing areas using 20-ton trucks. In early 1978 exploratory efforts, a channel was available to the lagoon beach directly opposite the crypt. This channel could be used by LCM.g craft during moderate tide conditions, and the plan was to transportaj excavatedsoil from the crypt using this site. Unfortunately, Typhoon Alice radically changed this channel, as well as all other beach areas on the Bijire/Aomonisland complex. Following Typhoon Alice, the beach was accessible only during tides in excess of 4.5 feet, and this condition became increasingly worse. Three extensive sandbars had been createdat distances of approximately 100 feet, 380 feet and 700 feet from the shore. To clear channels for unlimited watercraft use, a sand dredge was designed anq built by H&N-PTD. It was anticipated that channels could be cut through these sandbars to allow access by LCM-8 and LCU craft. Soi transportation operations were held in abeyance from late January 1979 until the end of May 1979 when the dredging operation was complete, The sand dredge (Figure 7-39) consisted of a five-pontoon steel barge with a pump and winch mounted on the superstructure. The pump had a maximum capacity of 70 cubic yards per hour under ideal conditions. Ip the Enewetak environment, 50 percent of the maximum capacity was FIGURE 7-39. SAND DREDGE.