A major program to dredge Newport Harbour is getting underway today (Thursday).
Thousands of tonnes of silt are being removed from the bed of the River Medina to increase the depth of the navigable channel.
Dredgers have returned to the harbour for the first time since the 1970s as part of the £370,000 project.
The 1988 (and 2021) Harbour Revision Order gives the Isle of Wight Council the powers to dredge.
The local authority has secured a licence to allow the disposal of the material to an approved location at sea.
While the harbour will remain open during the works, a Local Notice to Mariners will be issued to advise harbour users.
Dan Jenkins, director of Jenkins Marine, who is carrying out the work added:
"We are delighted to be working with the Isle of Wight Council to undertake the dredging works and recognise this is an important step in the regeneration of the harbour."