The ‘pond’ is not a term a stranger would likely use for the waterway that surrounds the Royal Sydney Yacht Squadron (RSYS) in Australia owing to the three types of ferry traffic, tugs, recreational boaters and the odd military craft that will buzz by on any given day. Despite this being called the ‘inner Harbour’, the visible and sub-surface wake here make the most seasoned sailor grab hold and take note. The lack of predictability boosts the heart rate of the uninitiated with a huge variety of wave types and frequencies.
Marina World, Sept /Oct 2006
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Bellingham Marine has just completed the construction of a 150.0 metre long floating wave attenuator and inner marina for the Royal Sydney Yacht Squadron at Kirribilli. The Squadron was established in 1862 and The Clubhouse established at Wudyong Point, in 1903. This superb location gives immediate access to Sydney’s world renowned Harbour but provides a challenging wave climate for boat berthing.
For many years the Club had been well served by a 90.0 metre long floating “breakwall” comprising of two independent sections, secured to the seafloor by an anchoring system. When it became clear that maintenance costs against replacement cost should be considered, the Club sought an alternative mooring system that would satisfy Development Approval conditions to build a low profile structure in this highly sensitive harbour location. The Club also wanted to expand the Pond Area directly in front of the main building for berthing of vessels. This was to be achieved by adding 60.0 metres to the original length of the floating “breakwall”. Within the Pond Area, a new 60.0 metre by 3.0 metre arm was introduced adjacent to the Squadron’s hardstand area to effectively double the available berthing space.
The Council agreed to the replacement and extension of the “breakwall” but required that no piles be seen above the floating surface. As the Club did not want to use an anchoring system with the new project, contractors were sought with the expertise to design and install a suitable piling system that would comply with this constraint.
Bellingham Marine was selected for its innovative solution to provide a ‘telescopic’ piling system and for its track record with innovative design, for delivering economic and quality floating systems and experience with “wave attenuation” at challenging sites. The piling system involved two parts, one secured into the seabed to provide lateral stability and the second attached to the pontoon below the walking surface to transfer wave and boat loads to the support pile. The two components overlapped to accommodate tide and wave fluctuation. A feature of the final design of the attenuator was the introduction of a 100 metre radius curve to contain the attenuator pontoon within lease boundaries.
The attenuator section incorporated a central trench over its full length. This trench provided drainage for overtopping wave conditions and facilities for services including fire fighting, power and water reticulation. This trench was covered using an open mesh fibreglass material. Bellingham Marine was able to accommodate the requirements of The Squadron marina committee to individualise the new facility by fitting the fender system developed by them to protect a wide variety of sailing craft. Bellingham Marine also produced and installed a standard cleat profile in bronze and was pleased to install the committee’s selected and customised services pedestals.
As the world’s leading marina design/build construction company, Bellingham Marine produces Unifloat saltwater systems, Unideck freshwater systems and Unistack dry storage systems for marinas worldwide.
Public Relations Contact: Bellingham Marine, P.O. Box 8, Bellingham, WA 98227; ph. 360-676-2800 fax. 360-734-2417.
Regional Contact: Bellingham Marine Australia, Pier 35 Marina Complex, Suite 11a, 263-329 Lorimer Street, Port Melbourne, Victoria 3207, Australia; ph. 613-9646-674, fax. 613-9646-6844 www.bellingham-marine.com Unifloat, Unideck and Unistack are registered trademarks of Bellingham Marine.
Two of Australia’s leading companies have teamed up to deliver an integrated mixed-use development that combines residential, commercial, retail and leisure activities. Mirvac’s high-end development at Yarra’s Edge, located in the heart of Melbourne’s Docklands, includes five high-rise waterfront towers and a stunning new 168 berth marina designed and built by Bellingham Marine.
Located on the Yarra River between Crown Casino and the Bolte Bridge, Marina YE is one of the latest additions to the Yarra’s Edge development. Designed for long term mooring of large luxury yachts and motor cruisers, the marina features Bellingham Marine’s Unifloat® system and is equipped with up to 22 metre fully serviced berths. Berth sizes at Marina YE range from 10 metre to 22 metre. The marina also offers transient moorage for boaters visiting the area.
Marina amenities include fully serviced berths with communication provisions and individually metered power and water outlets. Wireless internet access is available on the docks and 24 hour security helps protect vessels moored in the marina. Dinning, shopping, and showering facilities are also available on site. Many of Yarra’s Edge apartment owners have already taken advantage of the opportunity to moor their boats at Marina YE – directly outside their doorstep. Additional berthing for water taxis and ferries has also been installed strengthening the area’s public transportation system.
Mirvac has more than 30 years of experience in the property industry and has an unmatched reputation for delivering quality products. Coupled with Bellingham Marine’s 48 years of experience and unsurpassed reputation in marina construction the two are setting the standard for Australia’s waterfront development.
As the world’s leading marina design/build construction company, Bellingham Marine produces Unifloat saltwater systems, Unideck freshwater systems and Unistack dry storage systems for marinas worldwide. Public Relations
Contact: Bellingham Marine, P.O. Box 8, Bellingham, WA 98227; ph. 360-676-2800 fax. 360-734-2417.
Regional Contact: Bellingham Marine Australia, Pier 35 Marina Complex, Suite 11a, 263-329 Lorimer Street, Port Melbourne, Victoria 3207, Australia; ph. 613-9646-6744 fax. 613-9646-6844 www.bellingham-marine.com
Unifloat, Unideck and Unistack are registered trademarks of Bellingham Marine.
At 2:23 AM, February 17, 2006, Mary Kuhn’s phone rang at home. It was hotel security.
Kuhn is Dockmaster and Manager of the 466-slip Marriott Hotel Marina in San Diego, California. The marina is in the heart of San Diego Bay with hundreds of large, luxury yachts. The value of boats in her marina is close to the GDP of some countries.
The marina’s location is so prime it has a 10-year waiting list for larger slips. The Marriott Hotel and Marina is among the few places in the world where the marina is completely woven into the fabric of a premier hotel.
Hotel security professionals at the Marriott are masters of the low-key, nothing-much-happening tone. “We’ve had a little incident,” they usually say.
This call was different. “There’s a fire in the marina,” the voice said excitedly. Kuhn raced to the marina as quickly as the law allows on the waterfront highway.
Minutes earlier a burning electrical panel had set off a smoke alarm onboard a 42-foot Chris Craft, waking the couple on board. They quickly decided the best course of action was to leave and get help.
The Challenge of Fighting a Marina Fire
Time is of the essence in a marina fire. Boat fires can spread quickly, especially with wind or if the fire occurs under a covered moorage.
A fire in a marina presents many problems for the firefighters. The heat is intense and the smoke is black. “If the smoke comes at you, you can’t see your hand in front of your face,” said one firefighter. The docks can feel narrow and may be crowded with equipment and firefighting personnel.
In the dark it’s hard to see your footing. Fully charged 2.5-inch hoses don’t like to go around corners, and marinas are full of corners. Put all this together, and you can see that middle-of-the-night marina fires can be a challenge. If a firefighter wearing 50 pounds of equipment falls in the water, he can soon be in a survival situation.
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MAGAZINE: Marina World
ISSUE: May/June 2006