1. Notice of Scoping for the Thames Shipyard Improvements Project

Municipality where proposed project might be located: New London

Address of Possible Project Location: 50 Farnsworth Street, New London, CT 06320

Project Description:  The capital improvement project at Thames Shipyard and Repair Company consists of three related elements.  The company has secured the necessary permits to dredge the footprint of the soon to be expanded Number 2 floating drydock, dredge a turning basin at the entrance to the Number 1 drydock, and to dredge the existing channel to its former depth to allow the shipyard to service deeper draft vessels that are currently turned away due to insufficient water depth to reach the drydocks.  The proposed project consists of dredging a total of approximately 24,500 cubic yards of marine sediments from within the Thames Shipyard berthing area and access channel footprints. The proposed dredging of this facility consists of three individual footprints: Footprint A encompasses the dredging of a portion of the access channel, an area around the northern most dry-dock and the northern most pier to a depth of -18.0’ Mean Low Water (MLW). Footprint B encompasses an area around a main facility dry dock to a depth of -28.0’ MLW. Footprint C encompasses an area around the second pier from the south to a depth of -15.0’ MLW. Dredging and disposal operations are proposed to be conduced using the mechanical clam-shell method and within an approved DEEP dredging window. A thorough Disposal Alternatives Analysis concluded that dredge spoils will be disposed of at either the New London Disposal Site, the Central Long Island Sound Disposal Site or Western Long Island Sound Disposal site.  When the project is completed, the shipyard will be in position to fully utilize the capability of the dry docks. This will allow Thames Shipyard to better service the region’s high capacity ferry services that rely on the shipyard to maintain their fleets. This in turn will lead to the creation of jobs in the marine trades field that will enable faster vessel turnaround times and the ability to service more vessels. 

In addition, Thames Shipyard is currently working on modifications to expand its Number 2 drydock thus increasing its overall capabilities.  Once completed, the drydock will be lengthened by 24 feet and widened by 20 feet bringing the overall length to 170 feet (120’ long pontoon with a 25’ apron on each end), and overall width to 92 feet. These improvements to the drydock will increase its deck size enabling it to haul longer and wider vessels. They will increase the drydock's capacity, stability and efficiency and enable it to haul heavier vessels with higher centers of gravity and extend its useful life by 30 years.

The third element to the project is the replacing and rebuilding of existing and deteriorating bulkheading at the shipyard.  This will allow for vessels to be serviced while they are not in drydock.  Thames Shipyard has received permits to replace 600 feet of bulkheading at the yard. 

Project Map(s):  Click here to view a Location Map of the project area. Click here to view a Site Plan of the project area.

Written comments from the public are welcomed and will be accepted until the close of business on:  December 22, 2011.

There will be a Public Scoping Meeting for this project at:

Written comments and should be sent to:

If you have questions about the public meeting, or other questions about the scoping for this project, contact: