USS Pampanito, Moorings replacement project Oct 2010


1981 Single 5 ton anchors, no offshore mooring dolphins allowed.
1988 Anchors dragged causing significant damage, replaced with two 5 ton anchors and less than 5 ton concrete blocks. No documentation.
2004 Connecting link on bow anchor chain broke,  minimal damage.
2006 Start of replacement project. Established requirements, sought donation of design, materials, and installation.
2009 Bittner-Shen donated analysis and design.
2010 Stern anchor chain broke, minimal damage.
2010 Install new system, over 110,000 lbs of tackle.
Future: Installation needs to be inspected every dry docking.

What can happen when mooring failure occurs 1998

1998

1998

Donation of design.
Bittner-Shen Consulting Engineers, inc.
37 Pages of research, data and analysis. 
Constrained by lack of offshore dolphins.
Constrained by movement of nearby ferries.
Consistent with UFC 4-159-03.  
Reviewed/approved by U.S.N. NAVSEA.

The design.

Tackle with approved substitutions


Anchors and Chain
Valued at approx. 1 dollar per pound
   88,000 lbs of anchors
   20,000 lbs of chain
   Donated by MARAD
 Connecting links, shackles, etc.
   Valued at approx. $15,000
   New donated by Manson Construction
   and some used from MARAD.

MARAD SBRF
U.S. Maritime Administration, Suisun Bay Reserve Fleet
About 37 miles from San Francisco by water.

Loading Anchors
22,000 lb anchor, note the heel (leaning) of the crane barge.

Towing donated by WESTAR Marine Services
20 hours of tug moving barge; pickup  and delivery of tackle by WESTAR. 
Barge supplied by Manson Construction.

Layout and Preparation at Manson's Yard.

Two days of installation by Manson Construction

6 Page Detialed Work Plan

Towing donated by WESTAR Marine Services
Pickup and return of crane barge.
Setting of anchors.

Removal of the old tackle

Concrete surge block had been poured onto the chain.  The two legs in the water go to the old anchors.  There is a lot of chain!

Setting Anchors

Precise Positioning of Anchors.
Crew on tug sights temp. range (orange white signs on shore) for angle and use a laser rangefinder for distance.

UMaking up the tackle.
Small tug is a more stable platform for welding.  All the safety shackles are double-nutted, stainless steel pinned, and the nuts are welded.

The Future
USNR divers to conduct periodic inspections
Inspect/repair every dry docking
Explore the possibility of offshore dolphins with neighbors, Port of SF, BCDC, etc.

Total Cost - $200K
100% Donated

Manson Construction Co.
Bittner-Shen Consulting Engineers, Inc.
WESTAR Marine Services
US Maritime Administration, SBRF
US Navy, NAVSEA 21, Inactive Ships
Program (PMS 333)


Thank you
Pampanito Crew
Pampanito Committee, SFMNPA Board
Pampanito Volunteers

Photography by:
Rony Sagy
Thomas Ho
CJ Wierzbowski
Aaron Washington
Rich Pekelney

 

Copyright © 2006-2010, Maritime Park Association
All Rights Reserved
Legal Notices and Privacy Policy
Version 2.02