Work Continues at Marina del Rey Marina

Bellingham Marine completed phase three of a multi-year renovation project at Marina del Rey Marina in California.

The marina wraps around a peninsula that extends into the main channel. In phase one and phase two, Bellingham worked on the north side of the peninsula, removing the old docks and installing 61 new slips ranging from 35 to 50 feet in length.

Phase three expanded the marina out into the main channel in Marina del Rey, adding 48 slips ranging in size from 40 feet to 70 feet. There is also one end tie. “They put slips in where there had never been slips before,” said Eric Noegel, senior manager of project development, Bellingham Marine. “It took a decade to get approval for this; they had to go through a special permitting process with the Army Corps of Engineers and the County.”

Phase three was completed in May 2018. The construction of phase four, which will be a continuation of the channel slip construction, should start in September and be completed by May 2019. All in-water work has to be completed between September and April each year.

One unique feature of the Marina del Rey Marina project is Bellingham’s use of fiber-reinforced polymer (FRP) thru-rods and walers. This was the first marina in the U.S. to be completely outfitted with these composite material components, which require less maintenance and enjoy a longer service life. The FRP materials are completely preservative free, which makes them a good choice for areas subject to bans on use of treated wood.

The rebuilding of the marina’s south side—phases five, six and seven—will start after phase four is completed. The current schedule calls for the entire project to be finished in two to three years.