Docks and Marinas

This course will cover topics of broad general interest to marina owners, operators and designers. In addition to these sessions, there will also be a number of breakout sessions, giving each attendee the opportunity to get up to date information on topics of particular interest. Each presentation will be made by a nationally recognized expert.

This course will benefit marine industry professionals, including:

• Engineers
• Architects
• Designers/planners
• Owners/operators
• Manufacturers/suppliers
• Builders/developers

Market Analysis and Proformance

This session will outline the steps necessary to analyze and document the market conditions that affect your facility, and establish appropriate market rates and marina program elements to make your facility as competitive as possible.  It will also include an overview of financial metrics and development of financial proforma to determine the future financial performance of the facility, supporting engagement with investors and banks.

Marina Basin planning

Marina planning: examining existing and evolving design guidance to achieve the most efficient design while also addressing the social aspects of boating, siting considerations for marinas in coastal, inland, and riverine locations, vessel characteristics and market trends, facility planning for marinas including channels, fairways, turning basins, and slip geometry, and functional, economic, and social aspects to consider when designing a marina

Harbor Tranquility and Protection

This session will outline the process of preparing a basis of design for marina basins, beginning with an analysis of existing/historic wind and wave conditions, documentation of necessary wave attenuation systems, evaluation of harbor design strategies to minimize infrastructure costs, and establish appropriate harbor tranquility standards. Additionally, this session will outline the process for selecting appropriate design strategies, such as slip orientation and fixed vs floating dock structures.

Types of Docks & Moorings

A broad survey of the various types of as well as the pros and cons of docks and mooring option in differing site conditions – one size does not fit all

Fixed and floating structures

Dock infrastructure (Fixed & Floating Structures) with an overview of fixed and floating infrastructure for marinas including material selection, performance requirements, and functional and sustainable design considerations, establishing the design criteria for infrastructure design, and application of loading on fixed and floating docks

Revetments, Bulkheads, and Pile Systems for Lateral Loading and Retention

Marinas rely on geotechnical structures to both create secure shoreline edges and to facilitate the transfer of goods and cargo between ship and shore. Marinas also rely on pile systems to support pier decks, restrain floating docks and securing moor vessels in place. The planning and engineering of these structures is heavily dependent on the soil properties of the harbor floor. This course will teach the basic geotechnical methods to design geotechnical structures to resist horizontal loadings.

Making ADA Work for Your Designs and attracting customers

Most facilities still are not ADA complaint nor understand how to implement the program in a cost effective manner that can also make the facility more desirable and act as an attraction for new customers and allow rated to be raised

Stormwater BMP/Clean Marina

Clean Marinas: Environmental Education and Recognition for the Marina Industry including the Clean Marina certification programs recognize recreational boating facilities for implementing environmental best practices to improve air and water quality. Learn about how these programs work, the benefits of becoming a “Clean Marina,” and how to design with Clean Marinas in mind; and  From Gray to Green: Stormwater Management and Best Practices for Marinas Including  stormwater regulations are one of the most challenging points of compliance for marinas. From permit requirements to Pollution Prevention Plan implementation and monitoring

Dry Berthing and Launching

This session will review several forms of dry storage facilities, including traditional dry stack, crane dry stack, fully automated dry stack, and simple dry storage facilities, as well as launching facility requirements and design strategies.  Additionally, this session will review how these can be integrated with wet slip facilities for maximum efficiency, and where they should not be integrated with wet slip operations.

Marina Dock Utilities

Overview of marina utility systems examining electrical systems (safety, shore power, wiring methods), plumbing (domestic water and sewer pump-out), fire protection (piping material, flow requirements), and fuel systems (piping, tanks, and other equipment)

Electrical Distribution

Session will focus on cost / benefit analysis of various marina electrical design methods with emphasis on: wiring, equipment selection, ground-fault protection

Electrical code

Important aspects of the National Electric Code requirements for the 2023 Edition of the National Electric Code including ground fault protection, understanding AC leakage currents, what is the  Electrical datum plane, and the need for power emergency stops

EV future

Panel and group discussion looking into the crystal ball and what the future holds and how to prepare

Effective Design/Planning

The process of combining planning/design for both maintenance and capital budgeting projects, prioritization as well as delivering what is desired by the customer focusing on efficient planning, budgeting and designs and involving more staff into the process that is rarely encouraged

The Do’s and Don’ts of the Regulatory Process,

Who Are Your Partners --- or Should  Be and Having it Work for You  Focusing on what is involved with the regulatory process-making the agencies your partner and having the system work with you as opposed to against you – (FYI in or entire ten year – we have never been denied a permit at any level and in any state or country)