By Gordon Wilson, Marina Dock Age
Since Hurricane Sally’s widespread destruction in the fall of 2020, the Wharf Entertainment District of Orange Beach, Alabama, has largely recovered. The Wharf Marina experienced damage to an outer attenuator, prompting several recent improvements performed by Bellingham Marine (BMI).
The first phase of construction began in October 2022 with the replacement of the outer wave attenuator section and fuel docks, reaching completion in spring of 2023. Bellingham redesigned the fuel dock to accommodate an additional two slips that hold a total of nine fuel-dispensers (three high-speed diesel pumps, three gasoline pumps, and three additional diesel pumps) making The Wharf Marina fuel facility the largest fuel system on the water along the Gulf Coast. A complete full-service center, each of the three fingers of the fuel dock contain a sanitary sewer hydrant, with an additional four hydrants located on the adjacent Dock G.
Major modifications to the marina utility systems were added due to the influx of larger vessels. These design considerations resulted in the addition of 3-phase power and an overall increase in the number of power pedestals. Bellingham Marine Utilities installed new electrical service to the outer docks, including 30A, 50A, and 100A single phase, with 3-phase power added to Dock G for larger vessels. Marina Electrical Power (MEE) supplied the power pedestals and substations, while Bellingham Marine Utilities performed the electrical installation with assistance from McGonigle Electric of St. Augustine.
Located on Harbor Island directly across from downtown San Diego, is the premier bayfront dining destination, Coasterra restaurant. With stunning views of America’s finest city, the event float hosting private events recently underwent a cosmetic upgrade to match the restaurant’s upscale design aesthetic.
Right to Left; Before and After of the Coasterra Event Float in San Diego, CA.
While a beautiful event facility once you’re on it, the view from the restaurant of the decades-old floating hopper barge wasn’t up to par with the view of San Diego’s pristine skyline. Due to the long-standing relationship between Bellingham Marine and the property owner, the owners reached out to BMI to figure out what could be done to breathe new life into the lackluster appearance of the event barge.
Located within the Lake Mead National Recreation Area in Bullhead City, Arizona lies Katherine Landing, a recreational water sports oasis on Lake Mohave. Starting last fall, Bellingham Marine began the upgrade of one section of the marina from a steel and wood dock system, which is common among lake marinas, to a state-of-the-art Unifloat® concrete system, which will provide a longer lifespan and added stability.
A key feature of this project is the replacement of the existing fuel dock and building floating platform with a new concrete matchcast post-tensioned system consisting of a 36’ x 64’matchcast building platform.
By Gordon Wilson, Marina Dock Age
A dock-by-dock renovation is underway at one of the largest marinas in the North Bay of the San Francisco Bay Area. Bellingham Marine is leading the project at Safe Harbor Loch Lomond Marina. Modern floatation, triangle frames with polymer covers, and composite decking, will be added to the marina throughout the 2023 season. Content to retain the existing layout and framework, the marina turned to Bellingham Marine to replace the antiquated floats, deck and fendering, to provide an upgraded look to the marina that requires lower maintenance.
Bellingham Marine, a licensed general and electrical contractor who p
erforms all of their work in-house from manufacture to installation, has also handled unexpected electrical and mechanical issues found during the renovation. Additional electrical and mechanical repairs and upgrades, replacement of damaged boards, stringers, cleats, and hardware have been completed. About 90% of the marina will remain open to members and visitors throughout the project that began in 2022.
Loch Lomond Marina is about halfway between San Francisco and Napa and is home to over 500 slips. The marina welcomes permanent members as well as transient boaters and accommodates vessels up to 62’ in length. Completion of the renovation project is expected near the close of the 2023 season.
By Gordon Wilson, Marina Dock Age
Come spring, visitors to Arizona’s Lake Mohave will have access to a new state-of-the-art concession building and dock system at Katherine Landing. Part of the Lake Mead National Recreation Area, Katherine Landing on Lake Mohave is about a two-hour drive south of Las Vegas in Bullhead City, Nevada.
Mohave is a popular stop for several recreational activities including boating, fishing, and even scuba diving. Bellingham Marine performed the recent project for Urban Park Concessionaires, the holders of a 15-year contract with the National Park Service (NPS) to provide visitor services at the landing, according to the NPS website.
The project provided a multitude of improvements including a new 659-foot headwalk, an 80-foot ADA gangway, (27) 26-foot-long rounded fingers, a fuel dock with three 8×32-foot fingers, and a pre-fabricated building with match-cast concrete floating platform. Slip-side amenities in the new dock system include electrical, sewage pumpout, fire suppression system, and potable water. Bellingham also designed and built the underwater anchoring/cable system suitable to accommodate 14-20 feet of water level variation, which is not uncommon for Lake Mohave.
“The client upgraded from a steel and wood dock system to our Unifloat/Match Cast system, which will offer more stability and longevity with less maintenance,” said Brian Hylland, project manager for Bellingham Marine. “One of the challenges is tying in the new dock system to the existing steel system. However, we were able to match the existing infrastructure.”