HARBOR SYSTEM MASTER PLAN - City and Borough of Sitka

SEALING COVE HARBOR
Sealing Cove Harbor was designed by the State of Alaska, Department of Transportation & Public Facilities,
in 1982 and was constructed in 1983. The water and fire system was replaced in 2006.
The harbor provides moorage for approximately 390 vessels ranging in lengths from approximately 16-ft to
40-ft. The moorage system consists of an 8-ft wide concrete headwalk float which gives access to six, 8-ft
wide concrete mainwalk floats, each supporting concrete finger floats of varying lengths. The float system is
anchored by both steel pipe and treated timber piles. Access to the headwalk float is provided by two, 16-ft x
40-ft concrete approach docks, each of which supports a 6-ft x 65-ft long steel gangway. The floats are
equipped with power, lighting, water, and fire utilities.
Observations
Sitka Harbor System Master Plan
Condition Inventory
In general, the current overall condition of the harbor is good and it appears to be functioning as a competent
facility. None of the observations made present immediate structural concerns. However, the harbor is
nearly three decades old and will begin to deteriorate at an increased rate as it approaches the end of its useful
design life. Rapid deterioration will occur due to timber walers lacking sufficient preservative treatment and
the age of the concrete float units. The following conditions were observed:
Approach Dock:
The concrete approach docks are generally in good condition. The steel pipe piles and piles caps are in good
condition with galvanized coatings in-tact, however significant corrosion of welded area at the pile to pile cap
connections was observed. The concrete girders had areas of spalling concrete that have been repaired and
sections of concrete on the underside of the deck panels have broken off.
Gangways:
The general condition of the gangways is good. The primary concern regarding the gangways is their length.
65-ft gangways are no longer permitted in new construction due to the steep gradient that is created during
low tides. 80-ft long gangways are required to meet current American Disabilities Act (ADA) standards.
Moorage Floats:
The moorage floats are generally in fair condition. The concrete decking is spalled in many areas and hairline
cracks were evident throughout the facility. The timbers were found to be structurally sound and generally in
fair condition. No wood preservative treatment appears to be remaining.
Piles:
Both the steel pipe and timber piles show signs of age but generally appear structurally sound and in fair
condition.
Utilities:
The harbor’s water and fire systems were replaced in 2006. The harbor water system consists of a float
mounted HDPE water main that is connection to the City’s main water service. The water pedestals consist
of insulated PVC standpipes. All standpipes were in working order, however are known to freeze due to the
lack of an adequate heat trace system.
Uplands Access and Parking:
The uplands area at Sealing Cove Harbor consists of approximately 2.0 acres of asphalt surfaced parking area
and provides parking for approximately 225 vehicles. High mast light poles provide lighting throughout the
parking area. The upland parking facilities are generally in fair to good condition with an estimated remaining
safe and usable service life of approximately 10 years.
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