Planning and Financial Considerations for Small Craft Harbors

Marina development has changed significantly since ASCE Manual 50: Report on Planning and Design Guidelines for Small Craft Harbors was last revised in 1994. The demand for access to our nation's oceans, lakes and rivers has steadily increased, but the maintenance and new construction of harbor infrastructure—such as breakwaters, dredging, piers, boat slips and launch ramps—have not kept pace. What's more, public access to the water that was traditionally provided by older, out-dated marinas and boat launches are being lost to more profitable land uses. These factors create a demand for new harbors and waterfront facilities. In many cases, blighted and contaminated waterfront sites are all that are currently available for development. The boating community has become increasingly sophisticated in its demand for safer, more convenient facilities. At the same time, the general public wants better visual and physical access to the water. Finally, the real estate developer (private and public) requires an efficient and profitable marina operation. These three general objectives usually shape initial project goals. Every project presents unique market opportunities, regulations, land conditions, and financing options. We've learned much about the technical aspects of planning and designing small boat harbors in the past 16 years. This technical paper will give the design engineer an overview of the planning and financial considerations presented in the revised edition of Planning and Design Guidelines for Small Craft Harbors which is scheduled to be published in 2010. The updated manual includes new information on current boat slip dimensions, environmental and ADA regulations, boat traffic design diagrams, berthing tranquility criteria, basin flushing, and shoreline treatment design guidance. It also includes an entirely new chapter covering land based support facilities.