FEASIBILITY STUDY TO EVALUATE THE COMMERCIAL MARKET FOR A TETHERED FLOAT BREAKWATER SYSTEM

The Tethered Float Breakwater is a system of portable components designed for use over limited periods in deep ocean or coastal environments to protect activities such as ship discharge, offshore construction, dredging, pipe laying or marina operation. The components are spherical floats up to about 5 ft diameter tethered in multiple rows to a sub-surface ballasted framework, anchored if in deep water or on the bottom if in shallow water. The report describes the concept, origin, objective, and proposes methods of deployment under various conditions. It estimates capital and operating costs for representative applications. The appendix includes design data as well as evaluation of a concept for holding the breakwater in position in deep water by use of multiple tugs. The report describes the economic potential under several conditions, but concludes that for deep water long fetch sites, the anchored system does not appear feasible; however, the self-positioning alternative is considered useful at such sites when the application is short and periodic movement is needed.

• Supplemental Notes:
  • International Maritime Associates, Incorporated, Washington, D.C., Beeman, (Ogden) in Portland, Oregon, and the Maritime Administration also participated in this study.
• Corporate Authors:

  Moffatt & Nichol

  3780 Kilroy Airport Way, Suite 600
  Long Beach, CA  United States  90806
• Publication Date: 1977-3

Media Info

• Pagination: 182 p.

Subject/Index Terms

• TRT Terms: Breakwaters; Floating breakwaters; Structural design
• Old TRIS Terms: Breakwater design
• Subject Areas: Marine Transportation; Terminals and Facilities;

Filing Info

• Accession Number: 00158249
• Record Type: Publication
• Source Agency: National Technical Information Service
• Report/Paper Numbers: MA-RD-970-77077 Final Rpt.
• Files: TRIS
• Created Date: Aug 31 1977 12:00AM