Niccolo-Machiavelli

The dredger ‘Niccolo Machiavelli’, named after the famous 15th-century Italian politician and writer, drew attention when it docked in Hamilton early yesterday morning, ready for dredging work that will be carried out on the North Channel. The vessel is 452ft long and 85ft wide, with an average speed of 13 knots. Its unique design means the craft performs dredging by simultaneously cutting, drilling and pumping sand, hard clay, rock and other seabed sediments. Work is expected to begin on the channel by the end of the month.

THE arrival this week in Bimini of a huge seafloor dredger which environmentalists are calling “The Reef Destroyer” is proof that the Bahamian government is flouting a top judge’s stern warning, environmental watch group reEarth is claiming. The 450-foot, 1,200 ton NICCOLO MACHIAVELLI is a specialised cutter-suction dredger designed to break up hard material which standard dredgers cannot remove. It is among the most powerful machines of its kind and environmentalists are concerned it is set to be unleashed on one of the most pristine and significant marine ecosystems in the world. “Resorts World Bimini is being allowed to move full speed ahead by a government that has failed in its mandate to act in the interest of Bahamians – and this despite a strong warning from one of the country’s top judges.” Last week, Mr Smith wrote to the Attorney General’s Office urging the government not to do anything to jeopardise the Bimini judicial review proceedings and to Resorts World Bimini, asking the company to confirm whether the government had granted any permits, licences or approvals in respect to the development. Source : Tribune 242