One of the most economical ways to create value in a pile anchored floating dock system is to balance the strength of the piling system with the strength of the dock system.

Marina construction projects are a costly endeavor, and at the end of the day all marina owners and developers want the same thing – they want to know they’ve received the best value for their money.  They want a marina that isn’t riddled with unnecessary costs, and they want a dock system that meets or exceeds their expectations for quality and performance.

VALUE ENGINEERING

Value Engineering is a term used frequently in the construction industry.  Unfortunately, it has come to mean different things to different people and is often misused.  In the true sense of the word, value engineering is a systematic method used to improve the “value” of something by examining its function and analyzing its function to cost ratio.  To be done effectively, it requires intimate knowledge and a high level of understanding of the processes and /or engineering that went into the original system or product in order to make the judgment calls required to effectively improve its value without compromising the function or characteristics deemed important by the user.

Using the systematic method employed in value engineering, value can be increased by either improving function or eliminating unnecessary cost.  Unnecessary cost is cost that provides neither use, nor life, nor quality, nor appearance, nor customer features.  One of the primary principles of value engineering is that the basic function of the item or system being analyzed must be preserved and not be diminished as a consequence of cost reduction.

REDUCTION IN PILING OFFERS COST SAVINGS

A public marina in Bellingham, Washington offers a perfect example of how value engineering can be applied to a marina project.  The original specifications that went out to bid called for the construction of a pile supported floating concrete dock system.  The bid called for the use of 137 octagonal piles to anchor 184 double berth slips ranging in length from 30’ to 56’.  Pile sizes included a mix of 16.5”, 18” and 24”.

In the design of a marina every finger pier as well as the main walkway must have the strength to stand on its own.  The most economical way to create value in this scenario is to balance the strength of the piling system with the strength of the dock system.  Systematically strengthening specific areas of the dock system allows the dock to absorb and distribute loads to piling in the most efficient manner.  Simply put, the closer a design can get to using the full strength of all the piles the more efficient it will be and the fewer piles it will require.

Many designs have piles that are not fully utilized because the dock system is not strong enough to transmit the loads to farther reaching piles.  This results in the need for additional piles in locations where loads will be far less than the strength capacity of the pile.  While it is impossible to design a marina where every pile is fully utilized, a strong dock system coupled with an experienced engineer can go a long way toward maximizing the potential of the system and minimizing the number of required piles.

When Bellingham Marine reviewed the bid specification for the Washington State project, the company saw an opportunity to clean up the look of the marina and save the owner some money by offering a value engineered pile design.  Bellingham’s approach was to utilize the strength of its Unifloat system to remove a number of piles from key locations and to completely eliminate use of the large 24” pile.  The company’s final pile design called for 88 pile (a mix of 16.5” and 18”), and resulted in 46% less pile than originally specified.   By providing a stronger dock system, Bellingham was able to offer a solution that met the specified performance criteria, improved the appearance of the marina and reduced the cost of the project.

REDESIGN OF COVERED SLIPS MEETS BUDGET NEEDS

Another good example can be seen in a marina designed for the City of Sacramento in California.  Interested in replacing the marina’s covered floating docks in their north basin, the City issued an RFP.  Unfortunately, during the first round of bids the two qualified bidders came in $2 million over the City’s budget.  So, the City decided to issue a 2^nd RFP, this time stating they would entertain cost-saving changes in the design.  Bellingham Marine devoted considerable time and effort into value engineering the project to find a solution for the City that would meet their budget and the needs of their boaters – the result, a winning bid for the company. 

Bellingham Marine applied its design-build process and came up with five changes to the original specifications that kept the original scope of work intact.  They stayed with high-quality, long-lasting concrete floating docks but substituted an 18-inch diameter steel piling for a 24-inch square, pre-stressed concrete piling. Bellingham Marine further reduced costs with its design for attaching the roof posts.  The innovative solution eliminated a lot of cross bracing, and a lot of steel.  Bellingham Marine’s solution allowed the City to build the marina they wanted with the funds they had available without compromising quality, function or performance.

APPLYING VALUE ENGINEERING TO YOUR PROJECT

How can you be sure you’re getting a marina that offers the best value?  The key is to find a company that specializes in site specific design and can deliver a true value engineered solution. Look for a company with exceptional experience, one that operates within a large network of industry leaders, and has a proven track record for delivering one of a kind, not off the shelf solutions.  A company that does things the same way they have always been done leaves no room for new more efficient, innovative or money saving ways. 

Likewise, a company that offers alternatives through conventional cost reduction methods is not offering a value engineered solution. Value Engineering should not be a cost-cutting exercise. In the words of John Ruskin, “It is unwise to pay too much, but it is worse to pay too little. When you pay too much, you lose a little money— that is all. When you pay too little, you sometimes lose everything because the thing you bought was incapable of doing the work it was bought to do.”

Used correctly, value engineering can be a powerful tool for reducing costs and improving the value of your marina.  Used incorrectly, it can leave you with something that is incapable of performing as desired.

The main problem with traditional softwood lumber is that it wears out quickly. Specially milled softwoods can be designed to address this weakness.

Although numerous alternatives have become available since the early twentieth century when timber docks dominated the market, they remain a preferred choice for some, especially along certain seaboards.  For some the natural warmth and aesthetic qualities of timber along with ease of assembly and repair make timber a preferred choice.

As with all dock systems not all designs or manufacturers are equal. However, assuming all performance specifications are on par with each other, one of the key components that can greatly impact the service life of your timber dock is the decking.  

Exposed to the elements and heavy foot traffic, a durable deck that holds up to daily wear and tear and occasional hard use will ensure you get the best return on your investment.  Unfortunately, the problem with most wood decks, even with pressure treating, is that over time the wood cracks, splits and splinters.  One of the reasons is that the sun dries out the top but not the bottom causing the board to curl like a potato chip.  The hard edges take the brunt of the foot traffic and over time breakdown and splinter leaving the wood susceptible to rot.

To avoid this problem some marinas opt for a hardwood material.  Although this can be a viable solution, even hardwoods have the potential to crack, split and splinter over time if not cared for properly – although usually much less than softwoods.  The main problem with hardwoods is the cost.  IPE decking is often three to four times the cost of traditional softwoods.

To get a better understanding of the different issues associated with timber decks and the options available, we spoke with Mark Johnson, General Manager of Bellingham Marine’s timber division.  Mark has been involved in the Timber Dock industry for close to 30 years.  He’s worked with several different manufacturers and has a background in Marine Technology and Construction with an emphasis on millwork and fabrication.

Q:  In your experience, what are the key factors that compromise the potential life of a timber deck?

A:  There are three main things that impact the life of a timber deck: UV or exposure to sunlight, expansion and contraction from moisture, and foot traffic.  Ultraviolet light and changes in moisture will cause timber to wear or weather. It will lose its natural color and fade to a silver/grey, its surface will become rough, and over time splits and cracks will develop. In high traffic areas the deck will wear more quickly, just as carpets do.  The area where you notice this the most is at the foot of the gangway, where you have the most traffic.

Q: Is switching to a hardwood deck a solution?

A:  Switching to hardwood is one possible solution to extend the service life of the deck but the pricing can often be prohibitive.

Q:  What other solutions exists?

A:  Aside from hardwood there are two other options – a composite decking material or specially milled softwood.  Price wise the composite is right in the middle between hardwoods and softwoods. The problem with composites is that they are extremely vulnerable to fluctuations in temperature.  There is also great variability in the performance of the composites available on today’s market and they don’t tend to have the strength of traditional timber.  Another problem with composites is that they are prone to mildew and discoloration.

Q:  Can you tell us more about what you refer to as specially milled softwood?

A:  The main problem with traditional softwood lumber is that it wears out quickly.  To address this, we’ve developed a specially milled softwood – we call it BMT decking.  We start with molded, #1 grade southern yellow pine, which is one of the best quality softwoods available.  We mill the surface for a smooth walking surface, router the edges to lessen wear on the vulnerable edges and put relief cuts in the bottom to eliminate the cupping effect.  This also eliminates any pooling of water on the deck surface, which we often see with standard cut lumber after a few years.  Finally, in addition to pressure treating the wood, we impregnate it with a moisture inhibitor that reduces expansion and contraction from moisture by about 30%.

Q:  What advice would you give to a marina owner looking for a timber deck option that provides the best value?

A:  I may sound biased but I truly believe the BMT decking is the best option for a marina wanting a timber system; it’s the best value.  Hardwood is great but costly.  With hardwood you often end up over compensating.  You purchase a material with a life span that’s greater than the life of your timber dock and you pay dearly for it.  Hardwood looks great when it’s first installed but over time the hardwood will gray like all timber.  If a marina is looking for an upgrade I’d suggest they put their money elsewhere, somewhere, where their tenants will truly notice and appreciate it. 

With the changes made to the BMT decking to address the weaknesses of a traditional softwood deck, you’ll end up with a great product that will last.  If you have to replace a few boards in your high traffic areas after fifteen years, you’ll still end up ahead financially.

Keep your occupancy high by catering to the needs of your boaters.

Bellingham Marine interviews a group of average boaters to see what they look for in a marina.

Megayachts may be among the fastest growing segments of the boating world but ownership of mid-sized boats still trumps the market.  Statistics published by the NMMA in 2011 reveal that boats 30’ to 50’ in length dominate the U.S. market making up over 77% of total registered boats.   

Although it’s difficult to accurately state the average slip size of the over 12,000 marinas in the United States a best guess would put it somewhere in the 35’ – 40’ range.  Given these numbers, it’s easy to see that the 30’ – 50’ boat is the bread and butter of most marinas. 

So, what do these boaters want?  Determined to find out, Bellingham Marine reached out to a group of average boaters to see what they look for in a marina.  All were seasoned boaters; all had a lot to say about what they’re looking for. 

After talking with a variety of boaters, one thing is clear — all boaters, regardless of the length of their vessel, want to be treated like they matter, they want to have access to modern amenities, they want a safe, stable place to moor their boat, and they want a friendly experience.  These wants and desire are just as true for the owner of a 30’ boat as they are for the captain and crew of a superyacht.

Herein lies the challenge though for the marina that caters to both large and small boats.  A balance must be found between providing megayachts with the extra conveniences they’re willing to pay for and showing the average boater that they matter – a task not easily done when both deserve VIP treatment and preferential moorage.  Nothing rubs the average boater the wrong way more than being pushed aside for the bigger boat. 

That being said, among the things most important to all boaters is service.  An engaging, competent and courteous dock staff can make all the difference in a boater’s experience. Reach out to your boaters with resources and services.    Engage your permanent tenants – send out a regular newsletter and schedule activities for both genders.  For your visiting boaters, provide transportation to nearby businesses, whether it is by shuttle or bike rental.  Also provide a list of businesses in the area that have services visiting boaters may need – repair facilities, laundry (if not on-site), grocery stores, shopping, restaurants, etc…

Next on all boaters’ lists of things that matter, is access to modern amenities.  Among the top amenities most important aside from power and water are access to internet and cable TV at the slip and convenient sewage pumpout also preferably at the slip.  One of the top complaints from boaters is spotty Wi-Fi service.  Some marinas are spread out over a large area or have a number of big boats up front.  If this describes your facility, it is likely that without proper equipment your Wi-Fi coverage will not reach all your berths.  If you offer Wi-Fi it’s important your coverage reach your outermost slips with a strong reliable signal.  If not, some of your boaters will leave frustrated and dissatisfied.

A safe and well maintained floating dock system is also important to boaters.  Boat docks that present a danger to the vessel, are hard to get on and off, and are cluttered with equipment and personal belongings are always a problem.  A well maintained, sturdy dock system with wide, clear walkways and appropriately sized freeboard will ensure your facility is one that boaters rave about.  Full length fingers are also a must.  They provide a safety and convenience factor that all boaters appreciate.

Beyond the marina’s services, its docks and its amenities is the cleanliness of the facilities.  Spotless bathrooms and showers, orderly laundry facilities, well-kept grounds, and clutter free docks show boaters that you take pride in your facility and they will too.  Building a sense of pride among your boaters is important.  It will give them a sense attachment to your facility.

A few other items boaters mentioned were secure bike racks, ample parking, long and short term storage, a small covered work area on the hard, a convenience store, and good security throughout the facility. Sitting down with an experienced marina consultant during the planning phases of a rebuild or new marina construction will ensure that all these needs are appropriately addressed in the master plan.

In general, the comments of what boaters want in their home port marina echoed those of what they look for in the marinas they visit.  However, to no surprise, use and services offered at the transient dock was a popular topic when the discussion shifted to transient facilities.  Those marinas that standout as an exceptional experience to visiting boaters have a transient dock dedicated to visitors, it is not used for long term moorage. The best of the best also have a dockhand at the transient dock that can assist with paperwork and billing right at the slip.  It’s a service not all marinas are equipped to offer but if you’re able to, it will definitely be appreciated.

Whether you’re planning a new marina or have a long established operation it’s good to check in with the patrons of your facility to make sure you’re providing the services and amenities they’re looking for.

A sturdy concrete dock system can give firefighters a safe platform from which to fight a marina fire.

A recent survey asked marina operators what kept them up at night.  A common response mixed with the stresses of managing the day to day operations was fire.  The concern was elevated in the off-season with boats left unattended and heaters running, but the reality is, the risk of a fire is always present. 

The question is what can you do to reduce the risk of fire at your marina?

To reduce your risk of fire you must place your focus on preventive maintenance and staff and boater education.  You need to work towards building a community that understands the benefits associated with practicing routine maintenance and proper use of equipment and has a common goal of keeping the marina safe.  The more eyes you can train to spot potential hazards the safer your facility will be.

The truly unfortunate side of fires in the home or the marina is that many are preventable.  The simple truth is that with proper maintenance of electrical equipment many of the fires that cause millions of dollars in damage each year could be avoided. 

• The best thing a marina can do in the area of maintenance is to adopt an electrical preventive maintenance program (EPMP).  We covered the very basics of what should be included in an EPMP in an earlier post – we encourage you to take a look at it if you haven’t already http://blog.bellingham-marine.com/?p=96
• In addition, a well trained staff is priceless.  Make sure your staff knows the many hazards that can cause a fire and how to handle each.
• Beyond the marina’s reach of its own electrical system is that of the boats moored in its facility.  Although as the marina manager you have little control over how your tenants maintain their vessels, you can take a number of steps to create an environment that values responsible maintenance.  Holding boater classes or short seminars that focus on the “how to” of proper boat maintenance can go a long way.  You may also decide to extend some of the activities /services covered in your EPMP to your tenants.  The goal is to get your boaters involved in the process of checking their vessel’s electrical system to ensure it’s running in top shape.

So now you’ve done everything within your control to minimize your exposure to fire but at 1:15 in the morning you get that dreaded call, a fire has broken out at your marina. What are some things that will help minimize damage and the spread of fire in your marina?

• Select concrete docks or pontoons.  Concrete does not conduct heat, while aluminum conducts heat well and will at the least anneal and lose its strength.  Plastic or timber dock systems will burn and spread the fire to other parts of the marina.  Concrete flotation is the best you can have in a fire.  It provides the firefighters a safe stable platform from which to fight the fire and helps stop the fire from spreading.
• Invite your local fire department to run practice drills at your facility.  Even with practice, it can take fire crew ten minutes or more to get 800 feet of supply hose and firefighting hose laid out and ready.  An unpracticed crew could take much longer.  The heat is intense, the smoke is black and the docks can feel narrow and crowded with equipment and personnel.  Add this to an unfamiliar site and the challenges are multiplied.
• Train your staff in how to respond in whatever way is appropriate for your marina and location.  The value of having proper safety equipment on site and a staff trained in how to use it can mean the difference between taking control of a potentially devastating situation and becoming the victim of the situation. 
• Many remote marinas have purchased instant response units; these units can be a great option where the availability or effectiveness of a standpipe system counts it out as an option. 

The most important thing is to have a comprehensive plan in place.  It should address everything from what to do the moment a fire is identified to clean up and contacting tenants.

Unfortunately, there is no way to guarantee that your marina will never fall victim to a fire but if you take the steps to minimize your risk and limit your exposure to damage you should be able to sleep better at night knowing you’ve done all that you can do and that your boaters are looking out for the well-being of the marina as well.

Looking ahead to 2012, customization continues to be a growing trend in marina design.

Looking at Bellingham Marine’s many different projects across the globe, gives unique insight into the worldwide trends in marina design.  The company’s clients are diverse and offer a great cross section of the industry – from commercial fishing facilities in Alaska’s remote reaches to the sophisticated super yacht facilities that dot the Caribbean.

A trend that continues to grow in direct correlation with increasing boat size is the general design and layout of the marina.  Bigger boats require longer and wider berths, larger fairways and deeper basins.   Many also want higher freeboard and wider walkways.  Larger boats require more power and often more services.  This trend is nothing new for the marina industry and continues to be the driving force behind many marina renovations. 

In addition to the increase in average boat size, is the increase in mix of boats.  More and more marinas are being asked to cater to a broader range of boaters, which encompasses everyone from kayakers to mega yacht owners.  With growth in vessel diversity comes the need to offer a greater variety of moorage and water access options.  Where once standard 16” to 20” freeboard was appropriate for all boats in the marina, marinas are now looking to incorporate into their facility low freeboard areas for kayakers, rowing clubs and junior sailing programs, “standard” freeboard for mid-sized boats, and extra high freeboard docks for larger vessels.

Another trend that’s on the rise is customization.  Many marinas are looking to set themselves apart and create a unique experience for their tenants.  Modern marina designs reflect playful use of architectural design and color that lead to a sophisticated and polished look.

Color is becoming one of the easiest and most popular ways for marinas to create a distinct look for their property.  It is being used in a functional way to designate piers and length of stay as well as for design and aesthetic purposes.  Some marinas are opting for color schemes that reflect their corporate colors while others prefer a single color that builds upon the design and overall look of the marina. 

Many power pedestal manufacturers are starting to offer custom color options for marinas, and the same is true of manufacturers of pile caps and other fiberglass components.     

Concrete is another place where marinas are incorporating color. Dark grays and charcoals seem to be popular with browns and natural hues also in demand.  In the future, we are sure to see continued design creativity when it comes to concrete finishes.   Its ability to be stamped, exposed, colored, and personalized combined with its superior performance characteristics for floating dock systems makes it the perfect material for marinas.

Lighting is another area where use of color is showing up. But in addition to color, many marinas are exploring new lighting design options. Use of LED lights is on the rise in the marina industry as in other industries.  And like concrete, the inherent characteristics of LED lights make them a great choice for marinas.  LEDs are being offered in pedestals, accent lights and other fixtures.  Another lighting trend that we are sure to see increase in coming years is the use of recessed lights and underwater lighting (or lights along the waterline).  These types of lights add to the beauty of the facility at night and are becoming an economical option for marinas looking to add something extra to their facility.

Another item on the customization list is entrances. Over the past 10 years there’s been a great increase in use of custom designed security gates.  Now owners are starting to focus on the gangway.  The standard all aluminum gangway is giving way to custom designed gangways.  Worldwide trends include hardwood decking, arched decks, extra wide walkways, lighting, and unique handrails.

Personalization is also becoming popular. More and more, marinas are looking for options to monogram items throughout the marina.  Everything from dock boxes to pile caps, boat mats and even main walkways can be personalized with the marina’s or the yacht club’s name and logo.  Even power pedestal can be designed to include a logo that’s illuminated at night. For upscale marinas with long term slip holders another option is to offer signage or dock boxes personalized for the boat owner.  It’s just another way for marinas to go that extra mile for their tenants and offer truly personalized service.

Many of the trends in our industry start with the upscale marinas. They want something unique for their customers; they want more amenities and services and farther reaching design features.  From teak dock boxes, custom gates at the head of each finger pier and helicopter landing pads they sky is the limit for the modern marina.

2011 brought with it the completion of a number of unique marina projects. Bellingham's Best of 2011 list pays tribute to several such projects.

At the end of each year it’s nice to look back and reminisce about all that took place that year.  Time goes by like a blur and after a couple months it’s often hard to recall all that was actually accomplished over the years’ time.

Below are the projects that topped Bellingham Marine’s Best of 2011 list.

Best in Show:  Bellingham Marine started the year with the completion of an upscale mega yacht facility on the island of Virgin Gorda in the British Virgin Islands.  The project features all the latest and greatest in amenities and is a model of what’s to come in the future of marina design.  Geared to serve the industry’s largest boats, everything at the Yacht Club Costa Smeralda Marina is designed to cater to super yachts and the elite lifestyles of their owners.  Oversized polished bollards, extra wide docks with high freeboard, and mega power units command the attention of all who visit this world class facility.

Clay colored concrete floating docks finished with hardwood trim, recessed deck and underwater colored lighting, sleek back piles caped in black and stunning canvas covers rising high above the docks like sails showcase the marina’s sophistication and style.  On the cutting edge of marina design, Yacht Club Costa Smeralda is spurring a new expectation in the minds of captains and crew when it comes to marina design.

Best in Large facilities:  In July, Bellingham Marine completed one of the company’s largest projects to date – Cabrillo Way Marina, located in San Pedro, California. The marina fills a 39 acre deep water basin and provides the metropolitan Los Angeles area with 700 modern berths.  The marina features all the creature comforts boaters have come to appreciate including access to full utilities and in-slip sewage pumpout.

Construction of the marina included replacement of the facilities’ 520 existing slips plus an expansion of the basin to make room for 160 new slips. Designed to service its owners for 50 years, the docks at Cabrillo Way Marina represent the best in floating dock technology.

Best in Technical Design:  Designed by the Bellingham Marine team for use in an extreme climate, the docks for Alaska’s St. Paul Island Small Boat Harbor were used for the first time during the 2011 fishing season by St. Paul’s local fishing fleet.

The docks feature a heavy duty galvanized steel frame and a thick steel grated deck supported by specially designed heavy duty polyethylene tubs.  The dock system was engineered to accommodate heavy commercial use and the removal and storage of the docks at the end of each fishing season.  The winters at St. Paul are so harsh that no structure could survive the brutal storms and large icebergs that fill the harbor each winter, so they needed a solution that could be pulled out of the water each fall.

Recognized for excellence in design by the engineering world’s most prestigious association, American Society for Civil Engineers, St. Paul is a testament of Bellingham’s skill in designing and constructing highly specialized and sophisticated floating structures.

Best in Service: Recognized worldwide for its 5-star facilities and commitment to superior customer service, Marina at Keppel Bay celebrated the completion of the marina’s third and final phase of construction in early 2011.

Designed around the principle that in order to have a 5-star marina you need top of the line infrastructure, Bellingham Marine provided Marina at Keppel Bay with an engineered concrete dock system designed to meet the unique needs of Keppel’s site and its tenants.

Construction took place over the course of three years and three phases.  With the completion of the last phase the marina boasts 168 berths with the capacity to handle super yachts of up to 280 feet.

Best in Delivery:  Proving to be a model of efficiency, Bellingham Marine completed the reconstruction of Santa Cruz Harbor’s U-dock in less than six weeks – from receipt of materials and demolition of the existing pier at U-dock to installation and hand over. 

A number of docks at Santa Cruz Harbor were badly damaged when a tsunami hit the mid-west coast of the United States.  The City of Santa Cruz wanted to get their docks back in operation as soon as possible.  Bellingham Marine worked with its engineering and construction teams to come up with a solution that would allow for the subassembly of critical components before the docks were shipped to the site.  This shaved several weeks off the duration of the project and allowed Bellingham to meet the city’s tight timeline.

All in all, it’s been a good year for Bellingham Marine.  The Company sends its sincere thanks and appreciation out to all they work with. “It’s been a tremendous honor to be a part of the many different projects that have kept us busy over this past year and look forward to what 2012 has to bring.”

Salvaged from a nearby marina, the Unifloat pontoons at a Wynyard Public park offer a great example of how a concrete dock can be given a second life.

We’ve all head the phrase reduce, reuse, recycle. Reduce our level of consumption, reuse a product for another purpose rather than just throwing it away, and once a product can no longer be used recycle it.

When I was young my mom would save every glass jar that came into our house — relish jars, mayo jars, peanut butter jars, pickle jars you name it.  If it was glass, once the contents has been devoured she’d carefully remove the label, wash the jar and place it in the cupboard where it awaited its next life.  If it was a “good” jar it would become one of our drinking glasses, if it was a big mouthed jar it was used for canning (those must have been the bad jars).  If it didn’t fit into one of those categories she inevitably found a use for it somewhere around the house – cotton ball holder, money jar, and my favorite – caterpillar home.

You may have heard someone boast about the hundred different uses for duct tape.  My mom had a hundred different uses for glass jars. She was creative in her thinking and was never bound to the confines of the jar’s origination.

I recently received some photos from a gentleman in New Zealand.  The pictures were of a public park in New Zealand’s Wynyard precinct.  What stood out to me was the park’s creative landscaping.  Carefully integrated throughout the park were old Unifloat® concrete dock modules that had been cleaned up and strategically placed.  Some were used to provide seating areas around the basketball court and other general gathering spaces; while others were functioning as retaining walls.  They did not look out of place but rather purposeful and intriguing in their use and placement.

The docks were salvaged from a rebuild project that was taking place at a nearby marina.  The marina was upgrading its facilities and the docks had seen the end of their useful life.  In most other circumstances, the docks would have been taken to a disposal facility or pieced out and recycled.  If the docks were still in good condition, they may have been sold to another marina or private dock owner for use until their useful life ended at which time they would ultimately be disposed of.

What I like about this story, is that somewhere along the line some people dared to be bold. They got creative and started thinking outside the confines of the dock’s predetermined life as just a dock.  I don’t know all the details of this story but in the end I’d image it was a win-win for all – the marina, the park, and ultimately the community. Environmentalist or not it’s hard to argue against the responsible management of waste and financial resources. 

Keep an eye out for damaged electrical equipment.

Preventative maintenance is an easy way to keep things running smoothly and to identify issues before they become a problem.  We perform preventative maintenance on our cars, our houses and even our teeth. 

The ideal preventative maintenance program includes a schedule of planned maintenance actions aimed at the prevention of problems before they occur.  Among the industries that benefit most from a proper preventive maintenance program are the electrical and mechanical industries.  Studies show that the failure rate of electrical equipment is three times higher for components that are not part of a scheduled preventive maintenance program as compared to those that are.

The modern marina invests heavily in its electrical system.  Large facilities operate as miniature distribution centers managing expensive equipment and with it huge amounts of electricity.  On average, a large marina catering to mid-sized boats will require approximately 10,000 amps to service all its slips; for those catering to mega yachts it’s closer to 22,000 amps.  In comparison, the average home requires just 200 amps.

By setting up an electrical preventative maintenance program, marinas can potentially save themselves hundreds of thousands of dollars in damage and lost business, and may also qualify for lower insurance rates.

A thorough electrical preventative maintenance program includes four main components – visual inspection, tactile inspection, infrared imaging and ground resistance testing.  All actions should be well documented and saved.  It’s not only good practice but can help in the case of litigation. 

Visual Inspection:  A visual inspection of all the facility’s electrical equipment should be conducted once a week.  This requires someone to walk the docks looking for potential hazards or problems.  Things to look for include corroding receptacles, signs of previous electrical fire, damaged wires, missing parts or pieces, damaged equipment housing, tangled webs of cords, and improper use of equipment such as the use of an electrical meter as a hose rack.

Another thing to look for is the use of splitters.  Not only are they not UL listed (which is required by NFPA 303, section 5.2), but they do not provide proper circuit breaker protection.  NFPA 70 electrical code, article 240.20-B calls for circuit breakers to open all ungrounded conductors of a circuit.  The result of the splitters improper circuit breaker protection, is the potential for a dangerous situation that can damage the boat and create a fire hazard.  Not to mention, should anything happen, the use of splitters is not covered by most insurances.

Tactile Inspection:  In addition to the weekly visual inspection, each month the marina should perform a manual inspection of all electrical components to ensure proper operation and voltage verification.  This action should be performed on all power centers as well as electrical panels.  For seasonal facilities, a tactile inspection should be performed just prior to opening for the season and each month during.

Infrared Imaging:  Recent technological advances in tools for inspection and diagnosis have enabled even more accurate and effective equipment maintenance – infrared imaging is one.  It is recommended that infrared imaging be perform annually on all of the marina’s electrical equipment; it can have a significant impact on your troubleshooting and maintenance productivity and potentially save thousands of repair dollars and hundreds of hours of lost service. The decreased liability of a thermally inspected electrical system even encourages some insurance providers to offer discounted rates.

Ground Resistance Testing:  Ground resistance testing should also be performed annually.  Since proper grounding of electrical equipment is vital to maintaining a safe environment in and around the marina, guidelines concerning grounding should be strictly adhered to.

A proper preventative maintenance program is not only required by code but makes good business sense.  NFPA 303 section 5.20.1 calls for the inspection of all electrical wiring, ground connections, conduit, hangers, supports, connections, outlets, appliances, devices and portable cables installed or used in a marina, boatyard, boat basin or similar establishment to be made a regular intervals to ensure a complete inspection at least annually. 

The thing to keep in mind is that the key for any effective preventative maintenance program is that it needs to be effectively designed, follow a strict routine and show meticulous accurate documentation of all actions.

A groundbreaking ceremony was held at Alamitos Bay Marina on September 17, 2011.

If you’ve ever been involved in a laborious permitting and funding process you know all too well the feeling of victory and the heavy sigh of relief that comes once you receive your final OK to proceed. You’ll also know that without an iron will and a true passion for what you’re doing you’ll likely be eaten alive.

Anyone who’s spent much time at all with Mark Sandoval, Long Beach Marine Bureau Manager knows he’s a man of integrity and determination. After 10 years of planning and three years of delays, Sandoval received his final OK from Long Beach City Council to move forward with the first phase of his planned $90 million dollar renovation of Alamitos Bay Marina in Long Beach, CA.

The entire project includes dock replacement in basins 1 – 7, restroom renovations and parking lot upgrades. Over the course of the project, 1,967 slips will be replaced with 1,646 slips – the majority of the slips lost will be in the 20’ – 25’ range.

Under the leadership of Bellingham Marine, who was awarded the design/build contract for the job in 2008, work will begin in Basin 4 then proceed on a phased schedule as funding allows. On September 12th, Bellingham started the process of removing the marina’s wooden docks from Basin 4, which were built in the 50’s. The docks will be replaced with concrete floating docks. Additional work in the basin will include dredge work, replacement of all piles, parking lot, utility, and landscape upgrades and a new restroom. Reconstruction of basin 4 is expected to be completed in March 2012.

Depending on funding, the entire project is scheduled for completion September 2015. The goal is to put all monies received from this point forward towards replacement of the docks – according to Sandoval that is where the critical need is.

“To say there have been numerous hurdles to get to this point would be an understatement,” said Jim Puder, General Manager of Bellingham Marine’s SW Division. “I’m sure there are more to come but it sure feels good to be moving forward.”

A rebuild can create opportunities for a marina to improve their revenue streams.

North Harbour, a city owned marina in Powell River, British Columbia, Canada recently completed a rebuild and reconfiguration project that effectively increased the marina’s moorage space by 19% from 7,943 feet of chargeable moorage space to 9,500 feet. 

The goal of the rebuild was to address failing infrastructure and a growing waiting list for larger berths.  According to the City of Powell River, there had been an increasing demand for larger berths in the area, and there was a large waiting list of boat owners with vessel 28 feet and larger wishing to moor at North Harbour.

 At the end of the day, the marina was not only able to meet the project’s goal but was able to add 37 berths to the marina bringing the total slips from 278 to 315. City officials said that the improvements and greater moorage area will result in increased revenues for the marina.

 Bellingham Marine supplied its Unifloat concrete floating dock system for the project. The Unifloat system was selected by committee members for its quality, performance and proven service life. Bellingham shipped the new floats to the job site in March and construction was completed by early July.

 Everything from the top of the gangway down was replaced and upgraded during the rebuild including a new dock system, potable and firefighting infrastructure, sanitary pumpouts, power centers and security services. 

 Powell River’s marinas cater to a range of boaters who enjoy fishing, scuba diving, kayaking and cruising through the many islands that dot the coastline of the Pacific Northwest.  The waters around Powell River offer some of the world best cold-water diving and fishing for salmon, rainbow trout and kokanee.