Selection/Rejection

The basic changes between the three alternate solutions are in the shape and appearance of the docks rather than the function. The three final solutions all have the same environmentally friendly aspects to them, having an absorbable material covering the gas dock to absorb any spills that may occur as well as being built all from the same materials. The absorbable material would be an oil-absorbing polymer that acts as a type of sponge for oil. Because it is more durable, and lasts longer, the marina’s docks will be built out of fiberglass. All the final solutions are organized so that commercial boats are on one side of the marina (because they are the larger boats) and the privately owned boats are on the other side of the marina. Basically, all the boats in the marina are organized by size. My partner, KK, placed the ramp dead center, and so all the designs follow this requirement.

The first solution begins with the fishing pier all the way to the left of the marina. Then, there are three T shaped docks, followed by the ramp, and two smaller, floating docks to allow boats to be loaded once they are put into the water from the ramp. Then there are three more T shaped docks, and one longer T shaped dock that contains the gas station at the end of it. The second solution begins with the gas station pier all the way on the far left. Then there is an L shaped pier, two T shaped piers with wings in the center, and another L shaped dock. This is followed by the ramp, and another L shaped dock. Then there are two more T shaped piers with wings in the center, and another L shaped dock. On the far right of the marina is a long fishing pier with an angled dock coming off at the tip. The third solution begins with the fishing pier with an angled dock on the far left. This is followed by an L shaped dock, two T shaped docks, and another L shaped dock, all with wings on the side. Next to this is the ramp, and another an L shaped dock, two T shaped docks, and another L shaped dock with wings on the side.

The first alternate solution holds the most amount of boats out of the three possible solutions. Assuming each regular sized dock can hold 50 boats, and the longer dock can hold around 55 boats, this marina would have around 445 slips. With the gas dock closest to the entrance to the bay, this creates a more logical traffic pattern, because boats can get gas on their way in and out of the marina, instead of having to sail all the way to the opposite side of the marina to get gas before leaving the marina. Because access is needed to the boats put in the water using the ramp, two extra docks were needed for loading and unloading. This requires more materials to be used. This solution includes oil absorbent booms located by the floating breakwater and next to the fishing docks. The booms absorb oil and gas and repel water, allowing them to float. They are white in color, and turn to a brown/black color when they need to be changed. The booms will still float even while saturated. They are constructed with polypropylene. The booms used are 8” in diameter by 20’ long each. Each boom can absorb 24 gallons.

The second alternate solution holds fewer than the first solution does. Assuming each regular sized dock can hold 45 boats, and the longer dock can hold around 50 boats, this marina would have around 410 slips. The wings on the sides of the docks allow different sized boats to be grouped together. With the gas dock furthest from the entrance to the bay, this creates an illogical traffic pattern. When people need gas for their boats, they must sail all the way to the far left side of the marina, and then sail to the complete opposite side of the marina to enter the bay. This creates more boat traffic that could otherwise be avoided with another design.

The third alternate solution holds the same amount of boats as solution 2 does. Assuming each regular sized dock can hold 45 boats, and the longer dock can hold around 50 boats, this marina would have around 410 slips. As stated in the description of the first alternate solution, placing the gas dock closest to the entrance to the bay creates a more logical traffic pattern, because boats can get gas on their way in and out of the marina, instead of having to sail all the way to the opposite side of the marina to get gas before leaving the marina. The wings on the sides of the docks allow different sized boats to be grouped together. This solution uses a combination of the oil absorbent booms used in solution 1 and the oil-eating bacteria used in solution 2. The oil absorbent booms are placed at the floating breakwater, by the fishing pier, and by the gas pier. These places are chosen because they assure that the booms will not get in the way of traffic or where boats need to be parked.

The solution chosen was the third solution because it received the highest score, which was a 48 on the design matrix. It is able to fit the most boats without wasting space. The boat traffic pattern makes sense, and it includes environmentally friendly materials and aspects. The design allows boats of different sizes to be grouped together.