"The boating season is in full swing, and we have to keep our channels clear," Saxton said. "The arrival of the Currituck is good news for navigational and boating safety. She should be in Barnegat Bay for about a month of work."

The Federal dredge arrived earlier this week and has already begun moving sand. Saxton helped appropriate funding for the $10 million Currituck in the early 1990s. The 150-foot dredge, with its shallow draft and split hull design, can move 300-500 tons of sand at a time.

Saxton said the shore tourism economy revolves in part around bays and inlets having a good reputation for maintaining safe passages for the marina, fishing and recreational boating industries.

"The Jersey Shore economy depends on a robust boating industry, and that means we must keep our channels well-dredged," Saxton said. "The tidal forces of Mother Nature are powerful. There are some areas on the bay and the inlet where we are very concerned about shoaling and shifting. The Army Corps of Engineers is aware that we have an annual need to keep our channels open."