The Village performs regular maintenance dredging of the BHI marina channel entrance as needed.  Most years, it is performed two to three times; some years, more often, as it is weather-dependent.  The work is performed under a State permit from the NC Department of Environmental Quality Division of Coastal Management (DCM). If work is to be performed during turtle nesting season (April 1 through November 15), the Village must receive prior approval from DCM, in consultation with appropriate resource agencies.

The Village’s Shoreline Protection Manager is in regular communication with Bald Head Island Transportation, Inc. (BHIT) and the BHI marina dockmaster regarding the condition of the channel.  BHIT’s ferry captains alert the Village when it appears maintenance is necessary, and the dockmaster has regular surveys of the channel performed to make sure that there is enough clearance for vessels entering the channel.

When the routine maintenance is performed, the Village’s dredging contractor not only clears the channel entrance of sand but performs preventative measures by cleaning out material in the sand bypass south of the channel entrance. This is where the sand tends to migrate from.  The sand that is dredged is placed on the north side of the channel in front of the homes on Row Boat Row. 

This work is paid for with funds from the state of North Carolina’s Shallow Draft Inlet Fund. The Village has received this grant funding for the last several years. The state pays 75 percent of the costs while the Village pays the remaining 25 percent.  The Village includes funds in its annual budget to ensure this work is performed as needed.

This routine dredging does not impact the operation of the ferries, since the dredging contractor often works in favorable weather conditions and can work around the ferry schedule. The last maintenance dredging event was in March 2026, and dredging operations are taking place the week of July 20, 2026; however, under less favorable weather.