70
erations
Soil Cleanup Op
anticipat
ed. The construction of the dredge on Enewetak began on 13
30 March. On 31 March, the dredge
March | 979 and was completed on
buoying operations, the
Aomon Crypt channel. During
was towed 10 the
(ladder) was damaged. Repairs delayed
operations until 7
tuke tower
5 il. During the initial dredging tests, small pieces of coral mixed with
lines. This necessitated
the sand and clogged the intake and discharge
repeated uncoupling of the lines and hand cleaning. On 11 April, adverse
sea conditions caused one of the anchorspuds to fracture, causing more
delay. The continual clogging of the lines required a modification of the
design. On 18 April, two dredge experts were broughtto theatoll. At their
recommendation, a cage and high-pressure water pump were addedto the
intake line to jet the sand into suspension. These modifications proved to
be satisfactory and, by | May, the pumpcapacity averaged 35 cubic yards of
sand per hour.
While the dredge was under construction, the three sandbars off
Aomonhad increasedin size, further complicating the impending dredge
operations. It was felt that the sand dredge no longer could clear a channel
yt this location in time to preclude a work stoppage.
A coastline reconnaissance was conducted by the WBCTandtheoriginal
site for removal of soil from Aomonappeared to be the most promising
(Figure 7-40). The one sandbarat this location started at the shoreline and
FIGURE 7-40. AOMON COASTLINE.