Dear Dear Neighbor,
See below for details on these headlines or visit the Updates Page on our website.
* The Main (600 Meter) Segment of Barrier is Performing as Expected
* The Shorter Connecting Segment Is Malfunctioning & Will Be Re-Configured
* Installation of New Segment To Begin AFTER Planned Hurricane Preparedness Drills
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There is quite a bit of sargassum floating around the bay. Some is the rotting remnants of sargassum that entered the bay before the barrier was installed (what we call “legacy sargassum”). But there is new sargassum in the bay, too. About a quarter of the new sargassum is what we expect might still enter the bay once the barrier is performing as projected. The remaining new sargassum results from pending issues with the barrier that EPA is working to resolve over the next few weeks.
The HMB Sargassum Barrier was initially installed in two segments:
Most of the new sargassum in the bay has entered by breaching the short Connecting Segment at the south end.
Successful Performance of the Main Segment
As shown in this video, the Main Segment is effectively deflecting accumulated sargassum back out to the open ocean or towards the northern headlands (where it gets broken up by wave action against the rocky shore). The Main Segment is now positioned in parallel with ocean swells so it can retain accumulated sargassum even as it rises and falls with the movement of the sea. Although the Main Segment still has a few “leakages” (where sargassum passes through an opening at the base of the barrier), the EPA maintenance team is already working to close these openings.
Problems with the Connecting Segment
Although the Connecting Segment was specifically designed to withstand the harsh forces of breaking surf and despite the fact that project planners prepared for a possible failure along our wedge anchoring system, real world conditions have convinced the marine engineers at barrier manufacturer, Okeanis, that we should dispense with the current design.
Instead of repairing and re-anchoring the Connecting Segment, a decision has been made to remove the Connecting Segment and, instead, extend the Main Segment southward. The extension will be installed and tested in 50 meter sections AFTER EPA conducts the Hurricane Preparedness exercise described below. In other words, for the next week or so new sargassum will continue to enter Half Moon Bay from the south.
Hurricane Preparedness Drills
As Tropical Storm Brent bears down on the southern Caribbean, EPA will be conducting drills for opening and/or removing the Main Segment of the barrier according to an established Hurricane Preparedness Plan. Although the Tropical Storm Bret IS NOT projected to have a major impact in Quintana Roo, now seems an appropriate time to make sure “all systems are go” for a Rapid Response whenever a Category 3 Hurricane or greater might actually be forecast.
If you have questions or concerns about the performance of the barrier or EPA’s Hurricane Preparedness drills, please feel free to contact any of the team members listed below.
NOTE: In the meantime, property owners along the HIZ should also note that ZOFEMAT has promised to send another team to help with beach cleaning next Monday June 26th. EPA Project Manager, Ivan Penie, will be working directly with property managers to coordinate logistics.
