WORKS are ongoing to remove the water dredge ‘Draga’ from its position in the Mazaruni River after it sunk about two months ago.Reports indicated that the dredge sunk while it was proceeding along the river on its way to Potaro when its base was struck by the rapids of the falls. It was left hanging on its side despite complaints by boat operators.

A press release from the Ministry of Natural Resources said it is currently engaged with a mining company to remove dredge ‘Draga’, which currently sits as a sunken wreck in the Mazaruni River.

A crew of workers has built a specialised pontoon, which will be used to ‘float up’ the partly sunken dredge.

The release further explained that the pontoon has three hydraulic winches and measures 28 feet wide and 68 feet long and 4 feet deep. It has 18 compartments. The plan is to fill the pontoon with water and then secure it to the sunken barge.

The water will then be pumped out of the pontoon and this will cause it to rise up, taking the ‘Draga’ with it. The pontoon when empty will have a lifting capacity of 180 tonnes.

However, while the crew is onsite attempting to execute this plan, the speed of the water at the top of the Piereemap Falls, coupled with a prolonged rainy season, is making things difficult as the works entail the cutting of lavradors underwater.

Meanwhile, the works are set to progress as water levels are dropping, making the operations less dangerous. The ministry will continue to monitor the situation in collaboration with the Maritime Administration Department (MARAD), the release added.