Page 43: of Marine News Magazine (January 2019)

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INFRASTRUCTURE cores and protected steel reinforcements. The heavy mass of Engineering and Facility Maintenance for York County, of the structures offer stability and longevity. They are low Virginia, offered, “The system was completed in 2006 and maintenance, and accommodate high vessel and environ- has weathered two category-two hurricanes, and four ma- mental forces; including high winds, waves and harsh win- jor Nor’easters with minimal damage. The system has out- ters. From tenders, to large tugs ? shing vessels, ferries and performed the counties expectations.” super yachts, this could be your ‘unsinkable’ solution. For more exposed ports and berthing areas, SF Marina

Standard units can be shipped world wide and moored Systems also manufactures a ? oating breakwater system. with a variety of anchoring systems with in? nite lengths. The geometry of these pontoons, in combination with

The low maintenance and heavy mass of the concrete struc- a patented coupling and an advanced mooring system, tures are well matched to large tugboats and super yachts. makes this ? oating breakwater an excellent wave attenu-

Looking ahead, the next advancement will be the use of ator. Developed gradually over the years, the breakwaters non-metallic reinforcement for the ? oating concrete struc- from SF MARINA are all-concrete pontoons with all the tures. The use of basalt rebar is a signi? cant advancement advantages of high stability and buoyancy that make these that will greatly increase the lifespan of concrete docks that units virtually unsinkable.

will last a century.

Special Structures,

Mere utility only goes so far, though, especially in urban settings where municipalities gentrify crumbling water-

Floating Foundations front space to accommodate a new generation of water-

Scalable to virtually any size application, SF Marina borne commuters. To that end, SF Marina Systems struc-

Systems are in use, providing robust service for tugs, super tures are aesthetically pleasing to view and feel under foot. yachts and ferries. One such arrangement, located near

Customized with wood and composite treatments and a the SF Marina Systems factory in Sweden, is comprised thick deck surface to accommodate internal utilities, light- of high freeboard (5 feet) berths that serve as a home port ing, high-loading cleats and bollards, and small cranes, for three 1,100 ton Tug boats. The massive single cast there is a breakwater, dock and/or ? nger system for virtu- units are 10 meters wide and 2.4 meters tall and weigh ally any application imaginable.

over 240 metric tons each. They can be combined togeth- er to create unlimited lengths, with pile moored solutions as well as chain mooring.

SF Marinas in the Water – Now

When the Yorktown National Park was in need of a Integrated into the utilities systems are power, water and large vessel pier for visiting transient boats, small cruise sewer systems for the vessels. 30-ton bollards are cast into the ships, regional tour boats and tall ships, they turned to structure and the customizable cast concrete fender blocks

SF Marina Systems. The depth of the water, sharp drop allow the buoy fenders more contact area to cushion the from shore and ? erce currents inhibited a ? xed pier solu- tugs during stormy weather. The reinforced deck and bridge tion. SF Marina Systems and Coastal Design and Con- ramp is designed to carry loaded commercial trucks allowing struction developed a less costly all-? oating system which supplies to be craned on to the tug boats, and for Fuel truck could accommodate up to 400’ vessels with 55 mph deliveries. For the thrifty shortsea service provider, this Float- squall conditions. ing pier system is a acceptable alternative to ? xed pier struc-

The location has a 27 mile fetch, the system regularly tures for both commercial vessels and super yachts alike.

experiences a 6 ft wave. The 1560, large vessel transient

Strong Foundations, Innovative Future pier is 924’ long x 20’ wide and has 30” of freeboard.

Fitted with HD fender and bollards, and a large diameter SF Marina Systems USA (SF USA) is based in Glouces- chain anchoring system, this rugged solution checked all ter, VA and is partnered with SF Marina Systems Interna- the boxes for York County, VA. Joe Sisler, PE, and Chief tional in Gothenburg, Sweden. SF USA is part of a world-

SF Marine Systems Products … at a glance

Customer Support, Relationships Freeboard: 10” to 38” Tested Innovation

Customizable 100’ long single-cast units Strong Connectors Decades of R&D

Strong Single-Cast Structures Anchored Solutions Widths: 8’ to 32’ 43 www.marinelink.com MN

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