Development of Wave Protection for Port of Long Beach Pier F

Coastal engineering studies were performed to define site and design conditions for the development of new docking facilities and a wave protection structure at Pier F in the Port of Long Beach, California. The new facilities will provide docking to a fireboat, pilot and port security boats with lengths ranging from 30 to 110 feet (9.1 to 33.5 m). The study showed that yearly wave conditions exceed accepted wave height criteria for small craft harbors and that wave protection would be needed. While most wave protection structures would be adequate to provide the necessary wave protection, site conditions and project requirements proved to be very challenging conditions that limited the applicability of typical structures. A floating breakwater was analyzed along with fixed structure alternatives such as rubble mound, caissons, concrete sheet and cylindrical pile breakwaters, and the preferred steel sheet/king pile breakwater.