This project replaced the aging fuel pier located at Naval Base Point Loma with a new state-of-the-art fueling pier developed with evolving environmental and seismic standards. The new pier serves as a strategic national fueling resource, supporting 86 homeported ships, submarines, and transient vessels.

This new double-deck steel pile supported T-shaped fueling pier is accessed from the abutment shore via a pile-supported trestle that includes access to the second level of the pier.  With 17 fueling stations, the 1,100-foot pier is equipped to issue JP-5 jet fuel, diesel fuel marine, and lubricating oils, while also having the capability to off-load contaminated petroleum products. The more than 44 million pounds of concrete placed during construction permitted a pier stature that will allow for a two-foot increase in ocean levels, support 100,000 deadweight tons, and accommodate massive mobile cranes and forklifts while topping vessels off at a transfer rate of about 300,000 gallons per hour.  Major features include:

• Installation of 296 steel pipe piles, 106 concrete fender piles, 132 concrete filled polymeric piles, and 54 concrete guide dock piles   
• A fuel transfer piping system that includes 16,000 linear feet of fuel piping, marine loading arms, and fuel risers to transfer fuel from ship-to-shore and shore-to-ship
• A fender system and associated mooring hardware
• Potable water, oily waste, and sanitary sewer systems
• A storm water collection system that includes transportation to an existing treatment facility
• Electrical systems, high-mast and lower deck lighting systems, and fire suppression system

The project also included dredging, removal and disposal of the existing pier structure, and an incredibly unusual aspect of work that required the temporary relocation and subsequent return of the U.S. Navy Marine Mammal Program, highly trained mammals housed adjacent to the fueling pier facility.

COMPLETION

2018