A planning application for modifications to Heritage Wharf has been submitted to planning, along with a revised Environmental Impact Assessment.According to the documentation, work is still set to be completed in May, when Norwegian Cruise Line’s Breakaway is set to arrive at the port.The planning application included the construction of two new berthing dolphins, to be constructed ether side of the terminal building, along with two new mooring dolphins and 80ft of interconnecting catwalk.The dolphins would be held in place by a total of 56 pilings made from concrete and concrete-filled tubular steel.The application also included the removal of a thruster wall, which was damaged by the impact of Hurricane Igor.According to the revised EIS included in the application, the removal of the thruster wall was scheduled to begin in January, while the construction of the new dolphins is set to begin this month.The report stated that the affect of ships berthing in the area on water quality would be “slight and short-lived”.“In general, there does not appear to be a significant impact on general water quality, dissolved oxygen, temperature, salinity as a result of the cruise ship,” the EIS stated.“Re-suspension of sediment appeared to be temporary and localised in the area surrounding the new pier. On some occasions the sediments do seem to move in the direction of some corals to the south west and the north east of the pier.”Regarding the potential impact on sea life, the report stated that the entry and departure of cruise ships could stir up sediment and potentially suffocate some patches of coral.In order to limit such effects, it recommended that ships reduce their speed to less than 12 knots on the north channel or ten in the south channel to reduce the spread of sediment.And to protect both the life in the area and the quality of the water, the report recommended that sediment screens be used throughout the construction process.Heritage Wharf has been the subject of controversy since it was first built at a cost of $60 million, around $25 million over the original budgeted price.The thruster wall was erected at a cost of $4.1 million, with the intention of reducing the environmental impact of cruise ship thrusters.However, after the wall was damaged in 2010, Government said that the wall was not necessary and was to be scrapped.Government have said the latest modifications are necessary to accommodate larger ships like the Breakaway as the existing dock is not strong enough.