Long Beach, California – Jan. 28, 2015 – Eagle Rock Aggregates, U.S. subsidiary of Polaris Materials Corporation, recently announced the completion of a new aggregate import facility at the Port of Long Beach. The new facility features an innovative docking structure which will be used for mooring mid-sized cargo ships.
“The existing berth structures at the site were designed for barges,” said Herb Wilson, President and CEO of Polaris Materials. “We removed them and replaced them with an advanced berthing system designed specifically for the docking of our Panamax- class, self-discharging bulk carriers.
The new berthing system includes two stiff leg, dual purpose moorings. The legs are not only used to position the carriers for unloading but provide the infrastructure needed to discharge the vessel’s aggregate material to an upland hopper. Located between the two stiff legs, is an equipment float used for accessing the ship by personnel.
“The benefits of an entirely floating berthing system are huge when it comes to cost of construction and environmental impact,” said Wilson.
Bellingham Marine, regarded worldwide for their expertise in floating concrete structures, was hired to determine if a concrete float option could be utilized to support the stiff leg moorings in lieu of the originally specified steel buoyancy tanks.
The Bellingham team provided a value engineered solution capable of handling the extreme load requirements placed on the berthing structure by the cargo vessels. Additional benefits associated with the concrete float system included less maintenance and longer service life.
“A decision was made to utilize Bellingham Marine’s concrete float option,” said Wilson. “The concrete buoyancy float design proved to provide far greater value in the system’s design than the steel tanks.”
The floating concrete platforms, which serve as the foundation for the stiff legs, are approximately 60 feet in length, weigh over 180,000 pounds and provide over three feet of freeboard. Each platform is constructed from three, match-cast, post tensioned, heavily reinforced modules.
The 8-acre parcel at the Port of Long Beach was leased by Eagle Rock Aggregates in 2010 to support the company’s aggregate import operations. Located at Berth D44, the new terminal will receive, stockpile and distribute sand, gravel and crushed rock aggregate for construction projects in the southern California region.
As the world’s leading marina design-build construction company, Bellingham Marine specializes in floating dock, floating platform and floating wave attenuation systems for marinas worldwide. The company also produces dry storage systems for the upland storage of boats.
Chicago’s newest boat harbor, 31st Street Marina, recently added a new attraction – a floating swimming pool. Westrec Marinas, which manages the facility on behalf of the City, hired marina builder, Bellingham Marine to design and supply a concrete floating platform to support its new floating pool.
The unique concrete platform measures 85’ by 40’. “It’s basically a picture frame type configuration with a 9’ wide deck that surrounds the pool,” said Jim Engen, Operations Manager for Bellingham Marine. All utilities are routed internally to provide a clean deck and all treated lumber is concealed with a polymer cover.
The pool, itself, is an aluminum structure, provided by Chester Pool Systems, that sits snug within the platform’s hole and is designed to float independently. Surrounding the concrete platform is a floating sundeck and restroom facility. The pool is chlorinated, filtered and heated, just like an in-ground pool.
According to Bellingham Marine, the floating platform was engineered with the buoyance of the pool in mind. When filled, the pool sits flush with the deck of the platform. However, in the winter, when the water is drained from the pool, the insert is free float at its natural level in the water beneath it. “This was a critical element in the design,” remarked Engen. “With the two structures designed to float independently, the Harbor is able to fill and drain the pool without affecting the surrounding structures.”
The floating pool at the 31st Street Marina is one of only a few in the country. The pool is free to boaters who dock at the harbor and can be accessed by the public for a fee.
“Our vision for the property is to make the marina a destination and to build in amenities that are appealing to boaters as well as the general public,” said Scott Stevenson, Vice President of Westrec Marinas. Future plans for the marina call for the addition of a floating restaurant next to the pool.
As the world’s leading marina design-build construction company, Bellingham Marine specializes in floating dock, floating platform and floating wave attenuation systems for marinas worldwide. The company also produces dry storage systems for the upland storage of boats.
Three years after being devastated by the tsunami that was triggered by the 2011 earthquake in Japan, Santa Cruz Harbor looks better than it did before the tsunami hit. The marina is back in full operation with all docks in working order.
The marina was rebuilt through a series of bids with a final price tag close to $12 million. Twenty of the marina’s docks were replaced and approximately 470 berths. The marina’s guest dock, boat yard dock, and a portion of the rowing dock were also rebuilt.
“The harbor was able to use a number of the existing piling, which proved to be a tremendous savings in both time and expense,” said Steve Canaday, Manager of Project Development for Bellingham Marine. Bellingham Marine worked as the General Contractor for much of the rebuild.
There was also quite a bit of landside utility work that was done over the course of the rebuild – more than 15 new utility vaults were installed and over 15,000 linear feet of conduit was laid to accommodate upgrades to the marina’s electrical system.
The Port District began their rebuild efforts just three months after the tsunami hit. U-dock, which sustained the most damage, was the first to be replaced. Following the completion of U-dock, the harbor began the process of replacing the rest of the marina’s docks that were damaged beyond repair. According to the Harbor, the order of dock replacement was determined by need based on the extent of damage each dock incurred and the amount of funding available.
“It’s been a long process but our tenants have been great through it all,” remarked Lisa Ekers, Port Director. “Our driving goal was to move as fast as possible with the funds available and to keep the daily disruptions to the harbor to a minimum.”
As the world’s leading marina design-build construction company, Bellingham Marine specializes in floating dock, floating platform and floating wave attenuation systems for marinas worldwide. The company also produces dry storage systems for the upland storage of boats.
The Marina at the Marina City Club is in the process of a multi-million dollar renovation that includes the reconstruction of the marina’s dock system and upland promenade.
Marina del Rey, California – September 25, 2014 – Fronting the Ritz Carlton and Marina del Rey’s prestigious Marina City Club, The Marina at the Marina City Club is nestled among some of the area’s most esteemed properties. In 2013, the marina started the process of renovating its facility. The first phase of the renovation included the complete reconstruction of the marina’s dock system, shoreside railings, gates and gangways.
Bellingham Marine, world renowned marina builder, was hired as the design-build, general contractor to oversee the renovation. The company’s scope of work included permitting support; dock system design, manufacture and installation including new concrete piling, design and installation of the utility and fire system; and installation of railings, gates and gangways.
“Bellingham Marine was an invaluable member of the team,” said Alicia Kunz, Marina Manager. “Having built a number of projects in the area, Bellingham Marine was confident in navigating the permitting process and was able to provide us with the best possible value for our dock system.”
“We took a streamlined, phased approach to the reconstruction of the marina’s docks. This approach allowed boaters to remain in the marina throughout the reconstruction process and helped our crews move quickly through the rebuild,” said Mark Secrest, Project Manager for Bellingham Marine.
The existing docks were removed one row at a time and Unifloat, concrete floating docks were installed in their place. The new docks include upgraded utilities and amenities. A new public pump out was installed at the end of E-2800 dock.
“Working in a high-profile, urban area with limited staging areas and in close proximity to other businesses is something our team is very skilled at,” remarked Secrest. “A skilled construction team and extraordinary marina staff all helped to ensure the project went smoothly. It’s been an exciting project to be a part of.”
The last phase of work, which will complete the transformation of The Marina at the Marina City Club, includes the reconstruction of the promenade. Reconstruction of the promenade was started in September and is expected to be completed by March 2015.
As the world’s leading marina design-build construction company, Bellingham Marine specializes in floating dock, floating platform and floating wave attenuation systems for marinas worldwide. The company also produces dry storage systems for the upland storage of boats.
Jeju Island, Korea – September 15, 2014 – CKIPM Co. LTD, renowned Korean marina builder and JV partner to Bellingham Marine, announced today the signing of a joint business agreement with Jeju Free International City Development Center (JDC), a special corporation established under the Korean Government to oversee the feasibility and development of Jeju Free International City projects. Other key companies involved in the agreement include IPM Management, an international leader in the development and operations of marinas, and Bellingham Marine, the world’s largest marina builder.
Under the agreement with the JDC, CKIPM, IPM Management, and Bellingham Marine will provide technical support and industry expertise for the development of Jeju Island’s marina sector. CKIPM was given a 50% stake in the partnership under the joint business agreement and will participate alongside the JDC in the day to day decision making processes related to the development of Ocean Marina City.
“This agreement is unprecedented by the Korean Government,” said Ernest Ribas Tugores, Director of CKIPM. “It is extremely rare for the Korean Government to enter into a joint business agreement with Korean or Foreign companies and is a first in the marina sector. It’s an honor to be seated on the development team of this impressive project.”
Located near Seongsan Ilchulbong, The Ocean Marina City project has been in planning since 2013 and features a total surface area of 1,381,773 m2. The marina portion of the project is estimated to be 158,671 m2. The remaining area will support a number of residential areas and businesses including shops, restaurants, lodging, and other convenience facilities and attractions.
According to Tugores, Ocean Marina City will be a turning point for the Korean marina industry and is expected to double or even triple the number of berths on Jeju Island. Once the project is complete, Jeju will be equipped with a marina sector on par with the world’s best.
Jeju Island is known for its beautiful beaches and World Heritage Sites. A developing tourist destination, the small Korean island welcomed over 10 million visitors in 2013.
As the world’s leading marina design-build construction company, Bellingham Marine specializes in floating dock, floating platform and floating wave attenuation systems for marinas worldwide. The company also produces dry storage systems for the upland storage of boats.