City of Homer

Port / Harbor                                                Telephone        (907) 235-3160

4350 Homer Spit Road                        Fax                  (907) 235-3152

Homer, Alaska 99603-8005                E-mail             port@ci.homer.ak.us

                                                            Web Site          http://port.ci.homer.ak.us

 

MEMORANDUM 06-15

 

TO:                  MAYOR HORNADAY AND HOMER CITY COUNCIL

 

THRU: WALT WREDE, CITY MANAGER

           

FROM:            STEVE DEAN, PORT DIRECTOR/HARBORMASTER

 

DATE:                        FEBRUARY 1, 2006

 

SUBJ:             DAMAGED GANGWAY

 

BACKGROUND:

 

●          On January 18, 2006 at approximately 1500 hours FV Aurous 127’ LOA, struck the gangway that connects Ramp 7 to the large boat float on the east side of the harbor             (System 5).  Port, Public Works, Homer Police Department and USCG personnel were   notified and responded.  The operator of the vessel was interviewed by the Homer        Police Department.  A field sobriety test was conducted and no impairment was found.         Mechanical failure was cited by the operator as the cause of the accident. 

 

            Public Works and Port personnel did emergency repairs to the gangway to maintain            access to the float system.  The Ramp 7 gangway is the only access point to vessels     berthed on this float including USCGC Roanoke Island, USFWS Tiglax and                   approximately 25 other vessels ranging in size from 80’ – 150’ LOA.

 

●          On January 19 the owner of the FV Aurous met with harbor personnel and was issued          a formal notice of the accident and advised of his responsibility for all costs associated          with repairs.  The owner stated that he had no liability insurance coverage in effect at      the time of the accident.  He was reminded that vessel insurance is a mandatory          condition of berthing and that we had a signed agreement agreeing to this requirement.

 

            The engineering firm PND, Inc. was contacted to provide a field inspection and rough           order of magnitude cost estimate for repair or replacement.  PND, Inc. was selected for         this work because they provided the original design and oversaw its installation.

 

●          On January 20 engineers from PND, Inc.  inspected the damaged gangway and        provided suggestions for additional emergency repairs.  This additional work was                     accomplished by Public Works Maintenance staff, and a schedule of frequent, daily        inspections by Harbor Operations and Public Works staff was instituted.

 

 

 

 

 

 

Memorandum 06-

Page 2 of 2

 

●          January 27 PND, Inc. issued a fee proposal for inspection and development of a       repair plan for the Ramp 7 gangway.  Total estimated cost of engineering services was   $5,690.  Based on this proposal Public Works issued a Notice to Proceed on January     30.

 

●          January 31 PND, Inc. issued their inspection report.  The key points from the inspection       report are:

 

-          The gangway is not suitable for long term re-use

-          Interim use will require additional temporary repair

-          Mantle Industries is the most price competitive and time efficient gangway manufacturing company

-          Replacement with a 80’ gangway (versus the damaged 68’ gangway) will accomplish immediate safety improvements by lowering slope angle and meet current and future ADA guidelines

-          Total estimated construction costs are $84,300

 

RECOMMENDATION:

 

            Please authorize the City Manager to fund the expedited replacement of the Ramp 7            gangway from the Port and Harbor Reserve Account by passage of Ordinance 06-     .

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Fiscal Note:  Estimated cost $84,300 from account 415-380 Port and Harbor Reserves