The Port of San Diego has announced the completion of repairs on the west side of the Shelter Island Boat Launch Ramp, again making it fully operational for boaters. The renovation works, which commenced in January, addressed a significant issue that had caused damage to the west floating dock. According to the Port of San Diego, around 200 cubic yards of sand were extracted from beneath the compromised dock, and substantial preventive measures were implemented to curb future sand migration. This included the installation of neoprene sleeves and stainless-steel wedge anchors along the seawall.
The necessity for repairs arose in June 2023 when the dock sustained damage due to sand accumulation, resulting in the structure bottoming out at low tide. The engineering department and consultants of the Port acted swiftly to thoroughly assess the situation, developing a plan to remediate the existing damage and prevent similar incidents. The Port of San Diego revealed that the original design gaps in the western wall, aimed to allow wave attenuation, had unexpectedly widened, contributing to the issue. Additionally, the installed filter fabric, which was supposed to limit sand migration, had deteriorated.
The project posed several complexities, ranging from the trials of underwater construction to navigating the necessary permits required from the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers. The bespoke nature of the floating dock added to the challenge as it was tailored to cater to the high usage and dimensions of the facility, while also needing to be resilient against the local marine conditions. The Port worked in parallel to obtain the relevant permits while their engineering team and consultants progressed with design plans. Ultimately, the Coastal and California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) permits were secured by late 2023, followed by the U.S Army Corps of Engineers (USACE) approval in spring 2024, which allowed the removal of the sand.
The refurbishment and docking replacement have been cost-intensive, totaling nearly $717,000. Harbour Constructors Co. secured the construction contract approved by the Board of Port Commissioners in October 2024, per official records. Additionally, Bellingham Marine was directly negotiated with to produce a new custom-designed dock to replace the damaged one.
