port feasibility study

A Study to Determine the Feasibility of a Cruise Ship Berthing Facility for Avalon, California

November, 2011

Submitted by:

Ports & Maritime Group Int. Teamed with:

MAC Maritime, Ltd&

URS

MAC Maritime, Ltd

Overview

The Catalina Island Chamber of Commerce commissioned a study in September, 2010 to determine the feasibility, physically and economically of incorporating a dedicated berthing/mooring structure into Avalon’s maritime facilities to accommodate the latest generation of cruise ships. And in doing so eliminate the need to tender passengers. Currently, Avalon receives calls from many of the major cruise companies such as Carnival, Princess Royal Caribbean and Celebrity. In all cases, these ships anchor or hold position offshore and tender their passengers ashore.

On November 18th, 2010 the Catalina Island Chamber of Commerce Board of Directors unanimously selected the Ports & Maritime Group International Team to engage in this feasibility study and prepare a "Letter Report" of findings and recommendations. A kick off meeting and site survey was carried out on February 9th & 10th, 2011 and a series of options were developed at a conceptual level along with a probable range of cost for each option. The following sections of this study details the methodology used in developing the options, the pros and cons of each and a final recommendation.

Opportunity for Catalina

The potential opportunities and rewards for Avalon and Catalina Island to expand its maritime facilities to better accommodate the latest generation of cruise ships is significant. If successful, Catalina would be the only island along the Pacific Coast of the United States (excluding Hawaii) to have a dedicated pier or berth for ships. The fact that the major cruise lines, specifically Carnival Corporation and Royal Caribbean International have expressed enthusiasm for the project reinforces this opportunity even more

Berthing Study for Avalon Harbor , Catalina Island

Assignments and Roles of Our Team

The Ports & Maritime Group International, lead by Philip A. Crannell has collaborated on this study with Mike McFadden of MAC Maritime, Inc. and Randy Mason & Blake Eckerle of URS Corporation. Each team member brings valuable “local Knowledge” that will insure the evaluations and recommendations of the study are relevant to the unique maritime conditions associated with berthing the latest generation cruise ships at Avalon. Our Team Member responsibilities:

Ports & Maritime Group International - Team leader and overall project management. Develop the critical visual imagery utilizing 3D renderings which will allow the viewers to see the visual impacts of the berthing facilities, with and without a ship upon the City of Avalon.

MAC Maritime, Inc. - Operational and navigational analysis. Collect and analyze existing data such as aerials, bathymetric surveys, wind, wave &tidal charts, vessel characteristics and other relevant information that affect the study area. Analyze the efficiencies and safety aspects of passenger and crew movements to and from the vessels for each proposed option.

URS Corporation - Based on the data and other relevant information collected, prepare a series of alternatives for the potential berthing facility with a minimum of a floating structure and a more standard, fixed pier of berth. Prepare a rough, order of magnitude budget for each alternative.

Objectives

The significant structure protecting Avalon harbor is the Mole, a unique mix of boulders and a pile supported platform. The Mole’s condition is poor and it will need a substantial repair and rehabilitation program before it can accept the lateral loads of large ships. Also, deep water adjacent and seaward of the Mole makes the construction of marine structures an expensive proposition.

The main objectives of this study are:

• To compare a series of alternatives for the potential berthing facilties including at least a floating struture and a more standard shore based pier or berth.

• Provide safe transit of passengers and crew to shore including ADA compliance.

• Identify the most functional and constructible berth solution that has the least visual impact on Avalon.

• Identify the most functional and constructible berth solution that is economically feasible and satisfies the cruise line’s needs.


Berthing Study for Avalon Harbor , Catalina Island Location of Berthing Options

N

All Berthing options illustrated for attachment to exisitng Mole Option 1 Option 2 Option 3

Option 1- Fixed Pier Parallel to Mole

This option incorporates a traditional pile supported platform with a series of breasting and mooring dolphins plus land side anchors to accommodate bow or stern lines depending on the vessel berthing port or starboard to the pier. The pier structure runs parallel to the Mole and extends significantly into the mouth of Avalon Harbor which may create navigational issues during the busy season when large numbers of pleasure and ferry vessels are transiting in and out of the harbor.

Option 1 - Pros & Cons

Pro - Of the three options considered, it provides the shortest walking distance for passengers and crew directly to the Mole and terminal area.

Con - From an aesthetic standpoint, this option has the most visual impact on Avalon by directly blocking a large portion of the view seaward when a ship is along side.

Con - Economically, it is the second most expensive option.


Option 1 - Fixed Pier Parallel to Mole

Berthing Study for Avalon Harbor , Catalina Island Option 1 - Plan view

Berthing Study for Avalon Harbor , Catalina Island Option 1 - Photo representation - Harbor view


Option 1 - Photo representation - Street Level View

Berthing Study for Avalon Harbor , Catalina Island Option 1 - Estimate of Probable Cost

Option 2 - Fixed Pier Perpendicular to Mole

This option incorporates a traditional pile supported pier type platform with a series of breasting and mooring dolphins and is perpendicular to the Mole with an orientation of slightly north of east to accommodate the occasional easterly swell. Preferred vessel berthing will be on the south side of the ship.


Pro - As a finger pier, this option could accommodate two ships simultaneously giving it twice the capacity of the other two options.

Con - It will also impact the tour vessels transit time to Lover’s Cove by having to motor a longer distance around the pier and keeping clear of the ship’s security zone. Aesthetically, it minimizes the visual impact on Avalon.

Pro & Con - This option is the most expensive but provides twice the capacity.


Option 2 - Fixed Pier Perpendicular to Mole

Berthing Study for Avalon Harbor , Catalina Island Option 2 - Plan View Pier Perpendicular to Mole


Option 2 - Photo representation - Harbor View


Option 2 - Photo representation - Street Level View

Option 3 - Single Point Mooring Buoy with Floating Pier (SeaWalk system)

To secure the cruise ship this option incorporates a large, single point mooring buoy attached to the sea bottom by multiple anchors, similar to what is used by super tankers worldwide. The cruise ship would connect to the buoy by bow lines or a mooring harness and secure stern lines to on shore mooring anchors. The resulting system would give the ship a standoff of approximately 300 feet from the face of the Mole. The position of the ship would be similar in orientation to Option Two - slightly west of north.

No Tenders Required - Instead of using tenders cruise passengers would debark and embark by use of a floating pier structure similar to that under development and referred to as SeaWalk. The floating pier would be connected to the ship on the lee side. Between ship and shore three connected floating segments would provide a continuous link between ship and the Mole.


Pro -Where this option becomes unique is that it incorporates a floating walkway system to move passengers and crew from the ship to shore. The “SeaWalk” system provides a comfortable platform for a seamless connection between ship and shore.

Pro - Additionally, it can be folded and parked during non ship days and has virtually no environmental impact. Pro - Of all the options this provides the least visual impact since there is no fixed pier and when ships are not in port all that visually remains is the low profile mooring buoy. Pro - Economically, it is the least expensive option.

Con - May be more susceptible to ocean swells and sea state.


Option 3 - Floating pier attached to Mole

Berthing Study for Avalon Harbor , Catalina Island Option 3 - Plan view - Floating Pier


Option 3 - Photo representation - Harbor View(View is similar to that for Option 2)

(Floating pier is on Starboard side of ship)

Berthing Study for Avalon Harbor , Catalina Island Option 3 - Photo representation - Street Level View

(View is similar to that for Option 2)

Berthing Study for Avalon Harbor , Catalina Island Floating Pier - Diagramatic Views

Connection to Mole Interface with ships door

SeaWalk Graphic SeaWalk Graphic

Hinged sections


Option 2

Option 3

Option 1


Qualifications and Assumptions

A “Fair Weather” Port - Due to periodic swell conditions at Avalon Harbor that impact the ability of vessels to safely berth on any type of fixed berth, consequently Avalon will be considered a Fair Weather Port of Call.

Consequently there will be certain days when this condition will prevent cruise ships from making scheduled calls.

Further studies required - The proposed berthing options are conceptual studies based on very general information.

Before detailed designs can be prepared detailed bathymetric and geotechnical studies must be made to validate the financial feasibility to construct any of the options.


Summary - Recommendations & Proposed Next StepsRecommendations:

Of the three options studied our team recommends Option 3 for further study and presentation to the cruise lines as the preferred berthing improvement program for Catalina.

Rationale:

Option 3’s use of a floating pier offers the best overall solution to allow cruise passengers to access Catalina Island and Avalon without using tenders. Further it has clear advantages over the others for the following reasons:

Minimal Visual Impacts during cruise calls - As illustrated in the High and Low photos when the SeaWalk is being used there are minimal impact on views from Avalon across the harbor and out to sea.

Least expensive Option - Other options are by far more expensive and also due to type of construction carry more risk for change orders that could add to the cost of the project.

Fastest acquisition and installation - The floating pier Option 3 has a significantly shorter delivery and installation time from date when order is placed compared to the length design, permitting and construction intervals required for Options 1 & 2.

Environmental advantages:

• Since the pier is floating, and it’s never exactly in the same place, there’s minimal bottom shading impacts on aquatic life occupying the sea floor under the area where the floating pier will be place. The fixed location of piers in Options 1 & 2 will produce a wider and permanent shade zone on the sea floor.

• Minimal disturbance of the sea floor during installation. Only a few piles needed vs. over 40 required for Options 1 & 2.

• Quiet and clean installation process as there will be minimal pile driving noise..

• No protracted or extensive over water construction activities that can expose the water to POL spillage and contamination from construction related products and activities

• Minimal to near zero point source air emissions from work boats and construction equipment compared to what would occur building a the fixed piers in Options 1 & 2.

Minimal Construction Phase Impacts on the Mole and Harbor -

• No unsightly construction yard on the Mole - There will not be a need for a fenced land side construction support and staging yard. A yard will be required for the entire duration construction for Options 1 & 2

• Minimal Marine Traffic - Requires only a few weeks of construction barge and work boat activity compared to 7 to 9 months for Options 1 & 2.


Summary - Recommendations & Proposed Next Steps

Recommendations - cont.

Off season advantages

• Floating pier can be easily retracted and parked out of the way of other vessels

• Or could be just as easily detached and towed to a remote storage site.

Non ship day advantages

• As noted above the floating pier be easily retracted and parked out of the way providing for obstacle free navigation in front of Mole to allow easy passage for excursion submarines.

• Use of mooring buoy for other vessels including military and super mega yachts.

Proposed Next Steps

Assuming support by the Chamber for the recommended Option 3 then the following steps should be taken to advance development of the proposed berthing program.

1. Review all three options with regulatory agencies having jurisdiction over the proposed project

2. Review Options with cruise lines now calling on Avalon

3. Conduct detailed wind and wave analysis on recommended Option 3 in order to validate it’s proposed orientation

4. Conduct geotechnical studies at anchor points used for the mooring system in Option 3.

5. Based on the comments from the regulatory agencies and findings from the wind, wave and geotechnical studies update Option 3 layout and cost estimate.


End of Report

Please direct questions concerning the content in this Letter Report to:

Philip A. Crannell Jr.Cell (561) [email protected]

port feasibility study

Documents

feasibility study

ltdurs mac maritime

avalons maritime facilities

moreberthing study

study area

unique maritime conditions

latest generation cruise

mike mcfadden of mac