Wave attenuator design is becoming more critical than ever to the success of your marina. Learn from the experts what you need to know when it comes to attenuator design.
By Robert Wilkes
Floating wave attenuators are a recurring subject in Marina Dock Age. Jack Cox wrote about them in “Revisiting Marina Design Standards” in the January/February 2017 issue. This month we present a wide-ranging dialogue between Cox and another experienced engineer, Craig Funston, focused on the question, “What basic knowledge should a marina developer have about wave attenuators?”
Most of the naturally protected waterfront locations are taken, so new developments often need to create protection.
Let’s meet our engineers for this discussion. Jack Cox is a principal of SmithGroup JJR. Cox spoke to us from his office in Madison, Wisconsin. Craig Funston is principal of Redpoint Structures in Bellingham, Washington. Both have long résumés with impressive marina design projects, including dozens of wave attenuators, and both are respected experts in the field.
Marina Dock Age: Do you see any trends in developers’ criteria for tranquility inside a marina? What do they consider an acceptable wave environment?
Jack Cox: Owners used to tell me that if their marina was as calm as the competition, it’s calm enough. We’re not hearing that anymore. Marinas are becoming social neighborhoods and people like to spend time on their boats in the slips. Boaters used to be alarmed when sailboats rocked and their shrouds got tangled. Now they’re upset if a guest spills a martini while watching the sunset.
Craig Funston: I agree, but the trend toward quality is true of everything, not just marinas. If we all had to live in the small houses we had in the 1950s we wouldn’t be happy. Everything has gotten better, including marinas.
As a testament to the quality of Bellingham’s products, one of the nation’s top marine insurers offers its clients additional credits off their dock rate for owning a marina that utilizes Bellingham Marine docks.
Bellingham, WA, USA – 23 Mar 2017 – Harbor Risk, a managing general underwriter for the Hanover Marine program, recently declared at the International Marina & Boatyard Conference (IMBC) in Fort Lauderdale that they consider Bellingham Marine docks to be such a sound investment that they offer up to 10% in additional credits to a marina’s dock rate where Bellingham docks exist.
Bellingham Marine dock owners have an advantage when it comes to insurance rates. Several well known providers offer owners additional credits on their dock rates.
Worst-case scenario situations can quickly bankrupt a small marina, so it is important as an owner that you are prepared for the possibility.
“Catastrophic losses can be difficult to underwrite so we look for any advantage we can, one of those advantages is Bellingham built docks,” said Tim Lucas, National Program Manager for Harbor Risk.
“We are so confident in Bellingham Marine that we have built into our rating system an automatic credit to the dock rate for any client that has Bellingham built docks.”
While no dock can ever prevent all damage when it comes to forces of nature, Bellingham Marine’s concrete docks are known for how well they stand up to extreme weather conditions.
After permitting delays leave less than 60 days from start to finish, Bellingham Marine meets timeline and Macquarie opens new dock in time for busy holiday season.
Port Macquarie, NSW, Australia – 2 March 2017 – Bellingham Marine was contracted in May 2016 to retrofit Port Macquarie Marina’s existing C- arm with modern pontoons, services and technologies as well as build a new 14 berth arm, labelled D-arm.
Port Macquarie Marina was able to open in time for the busy Australian summer season.
D-arm was subject to a permitting process while C-arm was not. The replacement of the marina’s docks on C-arm was considered repair and maintenance. While works were underway on C-arm, the owners worked diligently to obtain the proper approvals for the new construction.
The consent was not forthcoming and C-arm works were soon completed. Expecting approval within nine weeks, Bellingham Marine had cast the pontoons for D-arm to allow a smooth transition of work from C-arm to D-arm. However, the material could not be delivered to site until the approvals were given. Continue Reading…
Get on board with the paddle boat trend and unlock a new revenue stream for your marina. The idea that marinas are only for the privileged can be a harmful attitude.
By Robert Wilkes
To many in our communities, the local marina is as distant and forbidding as Area 51. From the outside looking in, they see security fences and locked gates. The unintended message is, “The water is for the privileged few.”
The use of human-powered watercraft is a growing trend among boaters, and marinas can capture these new customers with docks to accommodate them.
That may be changing. There is a growing trend to build marinas with facilities for sailing dinghies and affordable human-powered water craft. Kayaks and other paddle boats are supplied by rental concessions or brought to the marina on a car top. Sailing dinghies are part of clubs and schools. When equipped with low freeboard or slanted-deck docks, young but eager student sailors build confidence by launching and retrieving their sailing dinghies unassisted.
Human-powered watercraft is the fastest growing segment of the boating industry. That’s not surprising given the surge in active outdoor lifestyles. How many friends did you see today wearing a Fitbit?
Bellingham Marine has hired an industry veteran in Bryce Fisher. In his position of lead sales rep for the company, Bryce will oversee all marina projects in the Gulf states as well as Oklahoma, Kansas, Missouri, Arkansas and the east coast of Mexico.
Galveston, TX, USA – 14 February 2017 – Bellingham Marine is pleased to announce that Bryce Fisher has joined its sales team as manager of project development for Texas, Louisiana, Mississippi, Alabama, Oklahoma, Kansas, Missouri, Arkansas, the western panhandle of Florida and the east coast of Mexico.
Bryce Fisher, Manager of Project Development for Bellingham Marine
Located in Galveston County, Texas, Bryce will work with clients who are pursuing marina or commercial marine construction projects.
As a manager of project development for Bellingham Marine, Bryce will provide clients with permitting, feasibility and market development support. He will also provide evaluation of site-specific design criteria, engineering management and project coordination.
Bryce has a long history in the marine industry. His 20-year career includes marina management, marine construction, and the development and sale of custom products to major boat manufacturers. He also holds a USCG 100-Ton Master Near Coastal Captain License.