Microdredging system and method of using the same

A system comprising:

• a buoyant pumping platform capable of sediment removal operations, the platform comprising:
• at least one pumping device adapted to deploy to a detected location below a surface of a body of water where sediment is located, and raise the sediment, a locomotion system, a location device adapted to determine the detected location, and a first controller adapted to provide commands for the sediment removal operations, wherein the commands are determined autonomously by onboard software or semi-autonomously via communications received from an offsite location, wherein
• the autonomous or semi-autonomous commands operate responsive to receipt of a trigger signal, the trigger signal generated responsive to a docking operation.