Port Apologizes For Delay on Shelter Island Dock, Provides Updated Schedule

The Port of San Diego is making significant progress on repairs needed for the west side of the Shelter Island Boat Launch Ramp, officials said.

Damaged in June, the west floating dock began bottoming out at low tide due to significant sand accumulation beneath it. This caused damage to the structure and necessitated its closure. The east side has remained open.

The Board of Port Commissioners on Thursday approved a $386,775 construction contract with Harbour Construction to clear the sand and get the dock usable again, with construction slated to begin in November or December.

Completion is expected sometime in the spring.

“The port recognizes the impacts on the boating community. We apologize for the inconvenience, and we appreciate continued patience,” a port said in a statement.

The delay since summer came from a multitude of causes, the port said, including an investigation to determine why it failed in the first place. Gaps in the western wall had widened and filter fabric had deteriorated, likely in part due to the increasing frequency of winter storms, allowing sand to accumulate.

Time also was needed to design solutions, receive permits from the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers and to accommodate the custom nature of the large dock.

Engineering documents were approved in June, a call for contractor bids was placed in July and the port paid Bellingham Marine $266,114 to build a new, custom-designed dock to replace the damaged dock.

The work scheduled for this winter by Harbour includes removing 250 cubic yards of sand, installing neoprene sleeves to cover gaps in the seawall, removing the damaged dock and installing the new one. The total cost with all factors included is estimated to be around $717,000.

The port anticipates the dock will remain open during the repair project.