This document provides guidance to personnel (e.g., planners, cost estimators, specification writers, engineers, managers, and dredging contractors) involved in dredging projects with sediment containing Munitions and Explosives of Concern (MEC). The guidance is primarily in the form of compiled information gained from experiences on past dredging projects involving MEC and was compiled from a variety of sources. This report describes the different types of dredges and dredging projects that can encounter MEC, describes how these dredges' operational methodologies can be impacted by MEC, and summarizes past project methodology modifications that have been used to deal with MEC. Technical aspects of past MEC/dredging projects are presented with regard to engineering controls to mitigate detonation hazards, underwater MEC detection and discrimination technologies, contracting, public awareness, safety requirements, and MEC separation techniques and (where available) subsequent impacts on production rates and costs.
A number of dredging projects have unknowingly and unfortunately encountered munitions and explosives of concern (MEC). MEC have been discovered on dredges (e.g., in dragheads, cutterheads, pump casings) and at the dredged material placement site. Detonations have occurred that have either damaged the dredge plant or have even sunk the dredging vessel. A number of recent dredging projects have proactively addressed MEC issues before the start of construction, thereby greatly reducing overall risk and MEC cleanup costs. This paper explains common dredging equipment, discusses techniques useful in reducing the inherent risks of dredging in sediments containing MEC, and discusses lessons learned during various dredging projects involving MEC.Application of MEC avoidance and exclusion techniques during dredging operations is minor compared to the enormous cost of post-dredging MEC cleanup. Most importantly, it is possible to avoid exposing the public to explosive safety hazards and minimize those to workers with proper planning and execution.
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