Bellingham Marine’s Unifloat concrete floating dock system, which was first patented in the 50’s, was recognized by the Marina Recreation Association as a historical innovation that has had a substantial impact on the modern marina industry. The Innovation Award was issued to Bellingham at the Association’s annual MRA conference last week in Santa Barbara, California.
Bellingham, WA, USA – November 3, 2015 – Few in the marina industry can imagine the industry without the innovation of the waler connected concrete dock system developed in the mid 1900’s by Ernest M. Usab of Long Beach, CA. Today, Ernie’s waler connected floating dock system is known worldwide as Bellingham Marine’s Unifloat dock system. Over 23 million square feet of Unifloat docks have been manufactured by Bellingham Marine and installed in marinas around the world since the company first started manufacturing the Unifloat system in 1958.
Bellingham Marine president Everett Babbitt shared, “In the early years, we learned a lot about Ernie’s original design, its strengths and its weakness, and began to improve upon his system immediately.”
Cardboard boxes sealed with masking tape and shellac originally used to fill the core of the concrete box were replaced with non-absorbing closed cell expanded polystyrene. Steel inserts used to attach the wood walers to the sides of the float modules were replaced with a thru-rod system and eventually the lightweight, moderate strength concrete mix was upgraded to project specific, high strength mixes. “These early improvements along with several others marked the beginning of the evolution of the Unifloat system that continues to this day,” added Babbitt.
The MRA’s Innovation Award honors companies and individuals who have advanced technology in a way that materially affects the industry. “As one for the most popular dock systems in the world for coastal applications, Bellingham’s Unifloat concrete dock system, clearly reflects the intent of the award,” said Kevin Ketchum, President of the MRA.
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.
A modern recreational boating facility complete with several docks designated for public use will improve public access to D.C.’s Rivers and provide short as well as long-term moorage for area boaters.
Washington, D.C., USA – 10/29/2015 – Respected marina industry authority, Bellingham Marine and leading coastal infrastructure advisor, Moffatt and Nichol have been contracted by Forest City Washington, a mixed-use developer in the mid-Atlantic area, to bring a new level of quality to D.C.’s boating infrastructure. The new marina, being built by Bellingham Marine at The Yards, will provide boaters with a facility that promotes universal access and the industry’s best in user experience.
The new boating facility, which is scheduled to open in the spring of 2016, has been designed to support a wide variety of user groups. The facility will include:
- 50 slips ranging in length from 40’ to 125’ LOA; half of the marina’s slips will be designated for short-term stays of less than 10 days, the other half will be for longer-term stays; utility hookups will also be available.
- A water taxi dock.
- A paddler dock for individuals looking for a place to put their kayaks or paddle boards in the water.
- An educational dock where instructional boating classes and other learning events will be held.
“The development of the marina will put The Yards more in touch with one of its best assets—the river,” said Deborah Ratner Salzberg, president of Forest City Washington. “We’re eagerly looking forward to adding the boating community to the wonderful mix of residents, tenants and visitors at The Yards.”
Excavation of the upland property was started was started in October. Production of the dock components is underway at Bellingham’s plant in York, PA. The docks will be installed starting in December with the project expected to wrap up in early spring 2016.
“The Yards’ marina project is an exciting project to be involved with; the public-private component allows the entire community to benefit from the new marina going in.” remarked Jerry Hodgson, construction manager for Bellingham Marine’s NE Division. Bellingham Marine was hired by Forest City as the design/build, general contractor to oversee construction on the land as well as the waterside.
An operator for the Yards Marina has not yet been announced. An agreement is expected to be in place and announced by early 2016.
Yards Park is the centerpiece of The Yards neighborhood located within D.C.’s Capitol Riverfront District. The neighborhood features a blend of retail, dining, residential and office space and is within walking distance of Capitol Hill and the Nationals’ ballpark.
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.
Our new Bellingham docks add to the extraordinary experience the 2016 Miami International Boat Show will deliver to attendees and exhibitors at Miami Marine Stadium Park & Basin. – Larry Berryman, NMMA Show Manager
Miami, Florida, USA – September 23, 2015 – Bellingham Marine, world renowned dock designer and marina builder, was awarded a contract by the National Marine Manufacturers Association (NMMA), to provide over 116,000 square feet of timber docks for the 2016 Progressive Insurance Miami International Boat Show at its new venue, Miami Marine Stadium Park and Basin, in Miami, Florida, scheduled from February 11-15, 2016.
NMMA awarded the multimillion dollar contract to Bellingham Marine after interviewing a handful of leading dock suppliers. According to Larry Berryman, Assistant Show Manager and Director of Sales for NMMA’s Miami International Boat Show, “Bellingham Marine provided the most flexibility, best innovation in the design of the dock system, and supported our desire to ensure environmentally safe structures at the boat show’s new location. Our new Bellingham docks add to the extraordinary experience the 2016 Miami International Boat Show will deliver to attendees and exhibitors at Miami Marine Stadium Park & Basin.”
The Miami Boat Show docks have been custom designed to facilitate easy install, removal and storage, and to support the needs of the boat show. Lifting eye’s, universal connection pins, flip covers on utility trenches, four way float connections, and moveable pile guides for maximum flexibility in anchorage placement are just a few of the one-of-a-kind features incorporated in the new docks.
The docks are also constructed from environmentally friendly materials and designed for use in sensitive marine environments. The docks’ Army Corp-approved, fully encapsulated flotation and EPA-approved treatment of timber ensure that no unsafe materials or chemicals enter the water.
The entire dock system is comprised of four major components that can be connected in a variety of configurations to create unique layouts year to year, including gathering areas for crowds and food vendors and moorage space for over 600 boats.
The docks will be delivered to the NMMA in December and will be installed at the show’s new site, Miami Marine Stadium Park and Basin, just prior to the opening of the boat show.
“Working with clients to provide a customized solution that provides them with the greatest value is what we do best; we’re thrilled to work with the NMMA and the Miami Boat Show team on this significant move of the boat show to Miami Marine Stadium Park and Basin,” said Everett Babbitt, Bellingham Marine’s President.
The Progressive Insurance Miami International Boat Show is known as one of the world’s premier destinations to see the best in boating with an impressive cross section of vendors and suppliers from all aspects of the boating industry and an annual economic impact of $597 million.
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.
Long Beach, California – August 7, 2015 – The unique berth at D44 in Long Beach, California, designed in partnership by Seabulk, world leader in solutions for the marine bulk industry, and Bellingham Marine, world renowned marina builder, was developed in response to a need for an environmentally friendly, low cost berthing system designed specifically for the docking of Panamax-class, self-discharging bulk carriers.
The berthing system developed by the team for Eagle Rock Aggregates includes two stifflegs supported by match-cast, post-tensioned floating concrete platforms. The legs position the self-unloading bulk carrier and provide a load path to bearing walls at the top of the bank. The legs also support a walkway for vessel line handling and pilot access to the buoyancy float.
CSL Tecumseh arrived at the berth on the morning of July 19th. Polaris Materials, President and CEO, Herb Wilson reported the ship’s pilot and crew were impressed by the strength of the stifflegs and how easy line handling was at the new berth. Polaris Materials is the parent company of Eagle Rock Aggregates.
“The stiffleg system utilized at D44 delivered ship berthing and mooring at a fraction of the cost of a conventional pile supported facility,” shared, Mark Mattila, Vice President of Ports and Marine for Seabulk. “For clients where project capital cost is important, this solution may be of interest. Different versions of the stiffleg system have been designed for bulk carriers and barges discharged by front end loaders.”
Additional features and benefits of the system include minimal overwater coverage, pre-fabrication of components for quick and easy marine installation, and the absence of marine pile driving reduces costs and is an ecological benefit.
Mattila added, “Bellingham Marine’s concrete buoyancy floats mesh beautifully with the design and provide requisite buoyancy and deadweight for the system to work.”
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.
Global provider of innovative solutions in the marine bulk industry for the delivery of cargo from producer to end user, Seabulk specializes in the development of onshore and offshore installations for dry bulk and liquid bulk handling.
Bellingham Marine recently completed construction of two concrete pontoons at Sydney Harbour Boat Storage in Belmain, Sydney; the new pontoons provide additional in-water staging and storage areas.
Balmain, NSW, Australia – 21 July 2015 – Sydney Harbour Boat Storage is Sydney’s only fully integrated boat storage, service, maintenance and fuel facility. Located in the heart of the harbour, Sydney Harbour Boat Storage offers deep water access for boats of all sizes, a boat lift with hard stand and undercover boat storage, and a complete range of light maintenance and service facilities. Recently completed marina arms by Bellingham Marine offer in- water storage for a range of large commercial or recreational boats with direct access to fast flow fuel and pump out facilities.
According to facility’s Operations Manager, Bellingham Marine was chosen for the project due to their market leading marina products that are renowned for durability and quality of finish. “Being located in the Harbour and with the requirement to accommodate large commercial and recreational boats we needed a well designed and constructed marina that could handle the traffic and last for many years,” said Sydney Harbour Boat Storage Operations Manager Jeremy Rose. “We’ve contracted with Bellingham for other stages of our marina and there really was no alternative when considering the construction of our new marina, they are the best in the business.”
The marina construction completed to date has been done in two stages. The first stage was a vessel queueing area adjacent to the straddle carrier northern arm. The second stage completed May 2015 skirts along the shore and the southern straddle carrier arm. The marina arms are serviced with firefighting equipment and Marine Technologies ‘Sterling’ service units providing power and water to the vessels. As with all Bellingham Marine projects the marina arms were designed specifically for the location.
Boat storage clients at Sydney Harbour Boat Storage enjoy great value storage packages, brand new reception and waiting facilities and stunning views of the city skyline. Unlimited boat lifts and complementary fresh water engine flush and wash down for all clients make boating from Sydney Harbour Boat Storage simply a pleasure.
Conveniently located next to the new Cruise Ship Passenger Terminal at White Bay, Sydney Harbour Boat Storage is easily accessible via main arterial roads from all areas of Sydney, offering secure waterfront car parking facilities for tenants and visitors.
As the world’s leading marina design-build construction company, Bellingham Marine specializes in pontoon, floating platform and floating wave attenuation systems for marinas worldwide. The company also produces dry storage systems for the upland storage of boats.