Mixed-use new england harbour rebuilds with sf marina
In 2019, Lars Vinjerud II purchased Capt. Leroy’s Marina, a mixed commercial and recreational marina on Popes Island, New Bedford, Massachusetts, and renamed it Fleet Marina. Vinjerud is owner and president of Fleet Fisheries, an 18-vessel scallop and lobster fishing and distribution operation. He chose to renovate and modernize the site utilizing a state-of-the-art floating concrete dock and breakwater complex from industry leader SF Marina.
The first phase of the Fleet Marina project was to replace the existing pilesupported pier with an extra-wide breakwater that would double as a dock. This would provide space for Fleet Fisheries and other commercial vessels.
AGM Marine Contractors, Inc. designed the marina layout and SF Marina manufactured the components at its Norfolk, Virginia location. The modules were then moved by barge to Popes Island where AGM installed the 80m L x 5m W SF500 Series Breakwater.
Engineered to withstand hurricane-level storms, the individual floating concrete SF500 pontoons are connected with an advanced energy-absorbing coupling system and moored with eight 24m L x 90cm W steel piles. Virtually unsinkable and able to bear regular vehicular traffic, the individual sections each have a buoyancy rating of 500kg/m². They’re also extremely robust to withstand the heavy use the fishing fleet places on them and easily accommodate vessels that range up to 30m L and 200 GRT.
Functioning as a working dock, the SF500 Series pontoon sections have integrated utility conduits. Fleet Marina utilized these and installed multiple 100A 3-phase electrical pedestals and fresh water service.
In phase two, AGM reconfigured the recreational side of Fleet Marina with 36m of SF Marina SF1024 floating dock. The structure includes slips for two to four boats up to 36m in length and includes water service. With a low center of gravity, they’re extremely stable, making them ideal for recreational use. Engineered to withstand the freezing and severe storms common in Sweden, they’re the perfect dock solution for New England. Fleet Marina’s website is fleetmarina.com.
”We’ve been installing SF Marina dock and breakwaters for about nine years,” said Jonah Mikutowicz, AGM Marine Contractors project manager. ”They’re easy to install and the reaction from our customers is always very positive.” With a thorough understanding of the area’s oftentimes extreme weather conditions, Cape Cod, Massachusetts-based AGM has served the recreational, commercial and government marine construction needs of New England since 1977.
Its website is www.agmmarine.com.
