Location: Tortola Cruise Pier British Virgin Islands
In September 2017, the British Virgin Island Port Authority (BVIPA) hired Schneider Engineering and Consulting, Inc. (SEC) to assess, catalogue and report the damages to the Tortola Cruise Pier caused by the two (2) Category 5 Hurricanes, Maria and Irma. The cruise pier was damaged by the hurricanes and cruise ships planning to dock at Tortola Cruise Pier had to be redirected to other ports of call. SEC was able to mobilize quickly and completed the inspection and report the findings in less than three (3) weeks. The conclusion of the inspection was that the pier had minimal damage. However, the hurricane took one of the walkways. Once the walkway was replaced, the pier was deemed safe for docking and was ready to receive passengers in November.
SEC’s professional engineers performed a detailed visual above water inspection of the various structures in accordance with American Society of Civil Engineers inspection standards. SEC’s engineers inspected the pile caps, mooring bollards, fender systems, dolphins, access ladders, access gangways, handrails, and structural support members. The inspections were performed from land as well as from dive boats.
SEC prepared a written report that cataloged and summarized the findings and submitted it to BVIPA. The report was signed and sealed by a professional engineer and included recommendations for mitigation of the damage found.