Project Overview
The NOAA Ship Fairweather is a hydrographic survey vessel commissioned in 1968 to support safe navigation and commerce in Alaska’s coastal waters. Homeported in Ketchikan from 2002 to 2008, the Fairweather was forced to relocate to Oregon after the Ketchikan facility was condemned due to disrepair.
Selected for our proven record of delivering innovative, cost-effective, timely solutions, PND designed new marine and upland support facilities for the Fairweather and other NOAA research vessels. We provided civil, geotechnical, and marine structural engineering services, as well as survey, metocean studies, and special inspections for this fast-track design-build project. The new homeport features a modern floating steel pontoon berth and extensive upland improvements that will serve NOAA’s needs well into the future. The NOAA Fairweather Homeport Recapitalization Project was awarded the ASCE Alaska Section Juneau Branch Outstanding Project of the Year in 2023.
Our Role
- Civil Engineering: designed asphalt and concrete pavements, drainage systems, potable water, sanitary sewer, sewer pump station, stormwater systems, lighting, boat launch, security fencing, and access control gates
- Structural Engineering: designed a concrete abutment bulkhead, vehicle transfer bridge, bridge support float, 50-foot by 240-foot floating steel pontoon berth, pontoon restraint dolphins, energy-absorbing fender system, small vessel float and gangway, hydraulic loading crane, mooring bollards, and corrosion protection
- Construction Support Services: provided quality assurance fabrication inspections and periodic quality assurance site inspections; attended project meetings; enforced permit requirements; tracked, monitored, and responded to requests for information, submittals, and substitution requests; and reviewed shop drawings and project submittals
A New Home for NOAA Ship Fairweather
PND designed the new marine facility to include a floating berth, hydraulic crane, vehicle-accessible transfer bridge, submerged bridge support float, concrete approach abutment, pontoon restraint dolphins, small vessel floating dock with gangway, and boat launch ramp. Upland improvements featured an office building and warehouse, site grading/paving, stormwater management, water/sewer services, and security enhancements. Our floating dock design provided mooring advantages in Ketchikan’s 25-foot tides and cost-effectively addressed the site’s challenging shallow bedrock conditions.
Throughout the project’s development, PND successfully coordinated with multiple local and federal agencies, managed multiple steel fabricators, provided quality assurance inspections, and delivered our design services under budget and on time―all within an accelerated schedule. The completed facility is a reliable new home for the Fairweather at its legally appointed berthing.
“PND was a pleasure to work with,” said . “Their knowledge in marine construction was exceptional. They provided a team that performed well and were always available to discuss topics and questions about the project. I would highly recommend them.”
Feet
length of the Fairweather
Tons
weight of the Fairweather
Feet
tidal range in Ketchikan
