USCG Station in Boston Gets New Docks & Cutters
October 11, 2023
To accommodate a new fleet of Sentinel-class Fast Response Cutters, the Department of Homeland Security authorized modifications to US Coast Guard Station Boston. A significant portion of this renovation was the addition of three SF Marina floating concrete piers.
The innovative concrete pontoons, known as Type 1850, were crafted at SF Marina’s facility in Norfolk, Virginia. These structures were then transported to the site via barge. ACK Marine dismantled the existing fixed pier, making room for the forthcoming improvements.
The Type 1850 pontoons were a testament to their robust design. Engineered to tackle the harshest of conditions, including the unforgiving winters, their enormous mass and low center of gravity, provides unparalleled stability. Even with the occasional landing of a 154-foot, 353-ton Sentinel-class cutter. With a buoyancy of 23,018 lb.ft², they were virtually unsinkable.
ACK Marine installed three separate piers. Each one, 16.4 feet wide, varied in length to meet the station’s diverse needs: 375 feet, 355 feet, and 200 feet. The piers were designed with a 32-inch freeboard, ensuring seamless vessel access and line handling as each section is equipped with 20 bollards and cleats. The docks themselves were equipped with custom UHMW plastic wear surfaces and composite lumber rub rails, ensuring longevity and functionality.
To provide support, 4-foot wide by 10-foot long foam-filled fenders were integrated. US Coast Guard Station Boston sees an average 10′ tide, so the floating concrete piers are secured on 16″ W steel piles with offset guides.
The US Coast Guard Station Boston is home to many diverse vessels including, Medium Endurance Cutters and Marine Protector-class coastal patrol boats. Now, it welcomes the 28-knot Sentinel-class Fast Response Cutters. These vessels are tasked with a wide spectrum of missions, ranging from defense operations to swift search and rescue missions.
To learn more about the US Coast Guard Station Boston and its recent upgrades, one could visit their official website: www.bit.ly/BaseBoston.
Learn more about innovative dock and breakwater solutions from SF Marina Systems USA at The Docks Expo, December 5–7, Nashville, Tennessee, booth 641.
