Crosswinds Marina Floating Breakwater (7)

DEPARTMENT OF THE ARMY
WILMINGTON DISTRICT, CORPS OF ENGINEERS
P.O BOX 1890
WILMINGTON, NORTH CAROLINA 28402-1890

IN REPLY REFER TO
Project Management Branch

March 4, 1994

SUBJECT: Crosswinds Marina Floating Tire Breakwater, B. Everett Jordan Project

Dr. Philip K. McKnelly
Director Division of Parks and Recreation
North Carolina Department of Environment,
Health and Natural Resources
P.O. Box 27687
Raleigh, North Carolina 27611-7687

Dear Dr. McKnelly:

Reference is made to your letter of February 3, 1994, on the above subject matter. We are
pleased that the State concurs that Alternative 3 is the preferred alternative. We concur with the
State that the inclusion of the marina was part of the original project feature in support of recreation
benefits. We also concur that the subsequent construction of the breakwater, at the request of the
State, was an appropriate means to prevent damage to vessels docked at the marina during
extremely windy conditions. I would like, however, to offer some clarification based on your
concern that the State thinks that the Corps holds them responsible for the failure of 'the existing
breakwater and your reference to a "design problem".

The "design problem" had no basis in fact. Rather, it was solely an allegation of the
construction contractor which even if true, would have had no bearing on the deterioration of the
anchoring or floatation system. We are enclosing some correspondence that points out that the
"design problem" was simply one buoy eye bolt coming unscrewed which was resolved prior to
contract completion. Considering the very unusual nature of the failure, we do not think that one
could simply classify it as a "design problem".

We do take full responsibility for the failure resulting from the sulfate-reducing bacteria
(SRB) attacking the anchor system. This is something that was not anticipated nor thought to be a
possibility during the design of the breakwater system. To this end, we are prepared to request
authority and construction funds to replace the breakwater.

The Corps does not hold the State responsible for the breakwater failure. We do think,
however, that if some routine maintenance had been performed over these past 8.5 years, the
breakwater would not be in as deteriorated a condition as it is today. Nevertheless, even in its
deteriorated state the breakwater has performed its intended purpose for over 8.5 years. It is
based solely on this fact that we feel the State should cost-share in the new breakwater
construction for an amount equal to the service life value of the existing breakwater which has been
computed to be $96,956.

-2-

If you have any questions or concerns, please do not hesitate to call me at (910) 251-
4501, Mr. Ed Shuford, my Deputy for Project Management, at [phone], or Mr. Glenn
McIntosh, my Project Manager for the Jordan project, at [phone].

Sincerely,

George L. Cajigal
Colonel, U.S. Army
District Engineer

Enclosures

Copy Furnished:

Mr. John Morris
Director, Water Resources Division
North Carolina Department of Environment,
Health, and Natural Resources
PO Box 27687
Raleigh, NC 2761 1-7687

TRIAD, Inc.
GENERAL CONTRACTORS
P. O. BOX 1905
DURHAM, NORTH CAROLINA Phone [phone] or 286-9557.

January 18, 1986

Mr. William T. Branager, Jr.
DOA, Wilmington District
Corps of Engineers, Raleigh Area Office
P. O. Box 61068, Neuse Branch
Raleigh, North Carolina 27661

RE: Crosswinds Marina Floating Breakwater and Slope Repair
B. Everett Jordan Dam and Lake
Contract No. DACW-54-85-C-0O10

Dear Mr. Branager:

We had a report that a buoy broke loose from the breakwater and we investigated
the matter.

The buoy is attached to the chain by an eye bolt connection that is fixed into
the bottom of the buoy. Our supplier, Curd Enterprizes, advised us that in
this application, normal procedure would be to attach the buoy using a swivel
connection. This will allow buoy rotation without stress on the connection.

In this particular application, they suggest a 5/8" jaw and eye swivel since
the eye bolt is made from 1/2" stock and you're using 5/8" shackles.

We feel that this is a design problem and if the swivels are not attached, the
problem will continue.

Sincerely,

TRIAD INC.

J. D. Haynes

DISPOSITION FORM

For use of this torm, see AR 340.15; the proponent epency is TAGO.

REFERENCE OR OFFICE SYMBOL SUBJECT
Buoy Connection, Contract No. DACW54-85-C-0010,
SAWRA Crosswinds Marina Floating Breakwater and Slope
Repair, B. Everett Jordan
TO: FROM DATE CMT 1
THRU: SAWC Area Engineer 24 January 1986
GREENE/mlm/4037

TO: SAWEN-DC

1. Attached is contractor's 18 January 1986 letter expressing concern over the lack
of swivels for the buoy connections at the subject project.

2. In conversations with the contractor, it was learned that the buoy became
disconnected from its eye bolt when the threaded eye bolt became unscrewed from a
female sleeve embedded in a concrete weight inside the buoy itself. It appears to me
that the eye bolt was probably never tightly screwed into the sleeve and eventually
worked itself loose.

3. While I do not feel that a problem exists, I do feel that you should be made aware
of the contractor's and supplier's allegations. The contractor has agreed to
reattach the buoy as soon as weather permits.

BRANAGER

Incl
as

DA FORM 2496
PREVIOUS EDITIONS WILL BE USED GPO , 1984 0 - 455-151

January 24 , 1986

Raleigh Area Office (21)

Sublect: Contract No. DACW54-85-C--0010
Crosswinds Marina & Floating Breakwater
B. Everett Jordan Dam and Lake

Triad, Inc.
Port Office Box 1905
Durham, North Carolina 27702

Gentlemen:

Reference is made to your letter dated 18 January 1986
concerning a buoy which recently broke loose from the marina
breakwater.

It is my understanding, as explained by you during our 15
January 1986 meeting, that the buoy was loosened when the threaded
eye bolt became unscrewed from a female sleeve embedded in the buoy
with concrete. It would appear to me that if the eve bolt had been
screwed tightly into the sleeve, or even epoxyed , that the loosening
would not have occurred.

At any rate, I have informed our design personnel of your
concerns and you have agreed to reattach the buoy as soon as weather
conditions permit. I appreciate you bringing this potential problem
to my attention and I will continue to monitor the completed
proiect.

Sincerely,

William T. Branager, Jr.
Authorized Representative
of the Contracting Officer