A drilling rig which will excavate more than 30 boreholes in Fishguard Bay in preparation for the proposed marina has arrived at Fishguard Bay.

Drilling is due to start on April 15, depending on the weather. A notice near Goodwick's East breakwater says that it will continue for a period of 30 days.

The exploratory drilling will remove seabed sediment from a depth of up to 25 metres. Each borehole will take an average of two days to drill working on a 24/7 basis.

Drilling of three boreholes nearest to houses in Goodwick has been prohibited between the hours of11pm and 7am by Natural Resources Wales, who granted the drilling licence.

All the other holes will be drilled on a 24/7 basis.

Some Goodwick residents have expressed concern about potential drilling noise at night. A noise and vibration report said that further noise monitoring should be undertaken if complaints are received and, if appropriate, an action plan to reduce noise be provided to the local authorities and implemented.

Goodwick councillor Gwilym Price has welcomed the fact that exploratory work is about to start.