Emergency dredging is underway in Montauk to create safe conditions for fishing boats.

The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers was brought in to dredge the inlet to 12 feet to reduce shoaling at Lake Montauk.

Fishing boats at Montauk, New York's largest commercial fishing port, were having problems getting their catch to market.

Federal, state and town officials got together and were able to get the funding, permits and equipment needed to dredge the inlet to 12 feet to reduce shoaling, which was creating unsafe and unpredictable conditions for larger boats to navigate.

A second project will commence later this year to dredge the inlet further, to 17 feet, which officials believe will allow larger boats to use the port and increase economic activity.