Safe Harbor Newport Shipyard, located in Newport, Rhode Island, is at the epicenter of a world-class sailing and boating destination. The full-service marina recently replaced a wooden dock with a state-of-the-art SF Marina floating dock array and floating breakwater to accommodate larger vessels and gain protection from Narragansett Bay’s rough waves.
Because of its northern exposure, the Safe Harbor Newport Shipyard project included a 385- foot breakwater made up of six Type 400 floating pontoons with energy-absorbing coupling. These overbuilt connectors each has a breaking load of 2×105 metric ton per joint. They are virtually unsinkable and extremely stable, even when facing a severe nor’easter.
“The SF Marina dock system has been a real game-changer for us,” said Eli Dana, Safe Harbor Newport Shipyard general manager. “It really protects the boats better than our wave fence does—both the new SF Marina array as well as our existing timber docks.” Because of the breakwater’s effectiveness, the marina has no immediate need to replace its southern basin wooden piers.
The new dock system at Safe Harbor Newport Shipyard is comprised of eight SF Marina Type 1200 floating pontoons configured as fingers that range in width from 8.5 feet to 14 feet. Internal piles are offset to allow cart passage. Utilities such as power, water, pump-out and communications are designed to support superyachts and are routed through internal ducts. A combination of stainless steel and galvanized 5- and 10-ton bollards are conveniently placed to accommodate and maximize multiple-sized vessels in the slips. The new array can accommodate 10 boats from 80 feet to 190 feet.
“We chose SF Marina because of their great reputation and the success we’ve had at other Safe Harbor properties,” continued Dana. SF Marina systems have been installed at four other sister marinas.
Host to the annual Newport Charter Yacht Show and the new Safe Harbor Race Weekend regatta, Safe Harbor Newport Shipyard is within walking distance of downtown Newport. Offering 3,500 feet of dockage for 48 boats, it can accommodate vessels up to 350 feet. The marina has a 500-mt lift with full refit and repair services available and is known for its numerous amenities and attentive staff. Its website is www.newportshipyard.com.
For information about SF Marina USA, visit www.sfmarinausa.com
Reprinted from Marine Construction Magazine, Issue II, 2024
