Here's the coarse notes of my two days of instruction to engineers and planners March 4-5, 2019 in Richmond, British Columbia. What a beautiful area of the world.

1. Planning, Design, Construction, Repair and Renovation of
Docks and Marinas
Richmond, BC. Canada
March 4-5, 2019
Vancouver BC Sunrise
Instructor:
Dave Wentland, P.E.
Coastal Engineer
Docks & Marinas, Inc.

2. COURSE NOTES
Planning, Design, Construction, Repair and Renovation of Docks and Marinas
Richmond, BC. Canada
March 4-5, 2019
Instructor:
Dave Wentland, P.E.
Coastal Engineer
Docks & Marinas, Inc.

9. There are rivers, lakes and oceans everywhere.
Some are only noticed from 35,000 ft.
Would anyone ever consider building a marina
in the mountains?
What I saw and thought about
during my flight from
Minneapolis, MN to Seattle, WA

12. Interstate 90 (I-90)
Floating Bridge
What I saw and thought about
during my flight from
Minneapolis, MN to Seattle, WA

13. Why is there a protective structure here for what may be a marina, or a public
beach?
The size of the lake does not seem to be large enough for people to be
concerned about wave fetch. So what’s this all about? Think about what you
are seeing and try to make sense of it.
What I saw and thought about
during my flight from
Minneapolis, MN to Seattle, WA

14. High Rise Apartments or Condominiums in Vancouver, BC
I was in awe as we drove around Vancouver Sunday March 3, the day before the EPIC Training “Planning,
Design, Construction, Repair and Renovation of Docks and Marinas 03/04/2019-03/05/2019 I would be
teaching.
Like the architecture and construction of these amazing buildings, boaters expect docks and marinas to
also be as progressive. This is our challenge as dock and marina designers, builders, owners and investors.

15. Vancouver, BC

19. Docks and Marinas of Vancouver, BC and Throughout Contemporary Canada
I was in awe as we drove around Vancouver Sunday March 3, the day before the EPIC Training “Planning,
Design, Construction, Repair and Renovation of Docks and Marinas 03/04/2019-03/05/2019 I would be
teaching.
Like the architecture and construction of these amazing buildings, boaters expect docks and marinas to
also be as progressive. This is our challenge as dock and marina designers, builders, owners and investors.

20. Docks and Marinas of Vancouver, BC and Throughout Contemporary Canada
Docks and marinas are often the lifeblood of a community. Where they exist, particularly the good ones,
other development follows. Here is a case in point at the Coal Harbour Marina, Vancouver, BC.

21. Docks and Marinas of Vancouver, BC and Throughout Contemporary Canada
freedom marine signage at Coal Harbour Marina
Vancouver, BC.

22. Docks and Marinas of Vancouver, BC and Throughout Contemporary Canada
While I was at the Freedom and Coal Harbour Marinas on Sunday, March 3 I saw something interesting which is far too common in our harbours
and marinas today. Boats have gotten bigger. MUCH BIGGER!!! Both in length and width. Now we design for “Mega yacht” marinas as never
before.
But ……. As boats are getting bigger, often the footprint of the marina on the water bottom does not. As a result marinas are getting more and
more “stuffed” than ever before. This is a tremendous challenge for us planners and designers trying to stuff more boats, or bigger boats, into a
limited space.
What I saw happen on Sunday, March 3 made me smile. In this instance as this small boat tried to make its way between the boats tied to the
docks on either side it was a tight squeeze. There was plenty of crew chatter amongst the people on the boats but no one shot a hole into
another boat or set them on fire.
Maybe you folks in Canada get along better than some boaters I know in the US. Or maybe folks just came back from church this Sunday
morning and were still full of peace, love, and forgiveness.
Smaller boat trying to wiggle through a
fairway now stuffed with BIG boats.

23. Smaller boat trying to wiggle through a
fairway now stuffed with BIG boats.
Docks and Marinas of Vancouver, BC and Throughout Contemporary Canada

24. Smaller boat trying to wiggle through a
fairway now stuffed with BIG boats.
Docks and Marinas of Vancouver, BC and Throughout Contemporary Canada

25. Smaller boat trying to wiggle through a fairway now stuffed with BIG boats.
Amen…. They made it. Now let’s see what happens later when the they return.
It’s like trying to put 10 lbs. of potatoes in a 5 lb. bag.
Docks and Marinas of Vancouver, BC and Throughout Contemporary Canada

26. When a planner and/or designer works on dock and marina layouts they must ALWAYS keep in mind all
the other things besides boats that are part of a functional harbour, marina, and boat slips.
And all these things add weight on floating docks. Oh by the way…… don’t forget about electric, water,
maybe marine pumpouts and piping back to shore. Oh, and how about those 80 ft. long gangways,
buildings, security gates, vending machines, dock boxes, etc., etc., etc.
And maybe, just maybe, you might also have some unexpected company to include in your design
calculations.

27. Docks and marinas are not just for boats.
Don’t ever forget that!!
Just ask the folks in Santa Cruz, California

28. Docks and marinas are full of stuff.
The best is to not drink and walk ……. on a dock in a marina.
Heaven forbid if your marina is poorly lit at night.
That’s when you better have good insurance, AND a good lawyer.

29. OK …….. What’s this got to do with a course on docks and marinas.
The answer ……. PLENTY!!!
When we were in Vancouver Sunday, March 3 we went to the 1:00 pm service at Coast Church – Downtown Campus. It’s several
blocks from Stanley Park.
As I was listening to Pastor Dave’s message it occurred to me that “THE WAY WE LISTEN” applies to us as planners, designers,
owners, investors, and on and on, of docks and marinas, almost as importantly as it does for “the religious faithful”.
Whenever you participate in the planning and design of docks and marinas, to be a GREAT planner and designer, you MUST clear
your mind of preconceived notions of your “superior intelligence” and listen. When you do ……… good things happen.

30. OK …….. What’s this got to do with a course on docks and marinas.
The answer ……. PLENTY!!!
Whenever you participate in the planning and design of docks and marinas, to be a GREAT planner and designer, you MUST clear
your mind of preconceived notions of your “superior intelligence” and listen. When you do ……… good things happen.
Who else would understand this better than the author of Scripture.

31. The waterfront is a magnet for all people, for all reasons.
When I walked along Park Royal Sunday, March 3 it seemed like everybody, including their uncles, were there.
Some folks told me it was the first great spring day on the weekend this year.
Whatever the reasons it was good to be here. For my soul, and I guess for theirs.

32. The waterfront is a magnet for all people, for all reasons.
Here was an elderly man pushing his walker along the pathway at Park Royal.
A snail could have passed him in a heartbeat but who cared.
It was not a destination to go to. It was the journey.

33. The waterfront is a magnet for all people, for all reasons.
Here’s someone in a wheel chair. Just super glad to be here.

34. The waterfront is a magnet for all people, for all reasons.
In this photo I took you see a family. Little kids wobbling in the cobblestone and sand. And negotiating over
logs and rocks. There were grandparents, parents, kids and dogs everywhere.

35. The waterfront is a magnet for all people, for all reasons.
In this photo I took you see a family. Little kids wobbling in the cobblestone and sand. And negotiating over
logs and rocks. There were grandparents, parents, kids and dogs everywhere.
What a great day to be out by the water.

36. The waterfront is a magnet for all people, for all reasons.
Here’s yours truly!!!
This may not be a secret to good planners and designers.
BUT ……… good planners and designers don’t spend their lives indoors.
They hang out by the water.
A good planner and designer isn’t just born with a stroke of “genius” to produce good plans and designs.
The GREAT ones live and breath this stuff. It’s what drives them to do the best they can. Every chance they can.
One thing to always keep in mind ………. God is not making any more of this real estate. Or not much in the span of our lifetimes.
So don’t misuse it, abuse it, or screw it up. Too many people are counting on you to get it right – the first time!

37. The waterfront is a magnet for all people, for all reasons.
Whoever the folks are that manage Park Royal seem to be doing a good job of maintaining the pathways
So they remain useable for people with all abilities.
This is a crushed gravel path which is easily walkable, bikeable, and is user friendly to folks with limited
abilities. Well done!!!
Easterly Groyne

38. The waterfront is a magnet for all people, for all reasons.
What I really like about this rock protection for the beach is the big cavities between the rocks, as well as the
jaggedness of the entire structure. This rock structure is as effective as protective structures come in absorbing
wave energy and minimizing waves bouncing “reflecting” off the structure.
Again ………. Well done!!!
Easterly Groyne
Westerly Groyne

39. The waterfront is a magnet for all people, for all reasons.
As I was standing on the easterly groyne my mind wandered off to Rosewood Park in Highland Park, Illinois on
Lake Michigan. Park Royal does not have offshore breakwaters like Rosewood Park, but the groynes shape the
cobblestone and sand beach into a curved shoreline. Basically the beach material is trapped between the two
rock structures so a beach is maintained for people and dogs alike.
Again ………. Well done!!!
Beach
Westerly Groyne

46. The waterfront is a magnet for all people, for all reasons.
Well done!!!
Beach

47. The waterfront is a magnet for all people, for all reasons.
Well done!!!
Easterly Groyne
Beach

48. The waterfront is a magnet for all people, for all reasons.
Well done!!!
Beach

49. The waterfront is a magnet for all people, for all reasons.
This is the first time I’ve been to Park Royal but it was well worth the walk from the shopping mall where I had to park my car.
And even then I was about as far west as a person could be since the mall parking lot was full in the afternoon. And for one good
reason at least. It was the closest parking to the park. Unless you came in by boat, jet ski or SCUBA.
I do not know the history of the park but I do not think the cobblestone and gravel was imported from somewhere else as an
“engineered” beach. Rather I think what is there is native to the nearshore area.
The large logs may be from slightly further away.
In Wisconsin which is where I live and plan and design many coastal engineered projects our state regulatory do not permit a
native sand most of the time. They require the stone used for the beach comes from a pea gravel source. Why??? The intent is
to try to have the best of both worlds. 1) Stones that are not to big or sharp that neither people or dogs want to be on them,
and 2) large enough so storms do not resuspend the material and carry it away from the beach location. Wisconsin’s regulatory
framework follows this slide.

52. The waterfront is a magnet for all people, for all reasons.
When I saw tree stumps like this I felt like Dorothy in the Wizard of Oz who knew she wass not in Kansas when
the tornado set her house back on Terra Firma.
I knew I was no longer in Wisconsin.

53. The waterfront is a magnet for all people, for all reasons.
Park Royal Location Map
PARK ROYAL
Vancouver, BC
STANLEY PARK
Vancouver, BC

54. PARK ROYAL
Vancouver, BC
Westerly Groyne
Easterly Groyne
Beach
The waterfront is a magnet for all people, for all reasons.
Park Royal Location Map

55. Westerly Groyne
Beach
The waterfront is a magnet for all people, for all reasons.
A “true” coastal engineer is someone who has spent plenty of time learning and observing the dynamics of the
nearshore environment and trying to make some sense as what is going on. One common thread for nearshore
environments pretty much around the world is they all act about the same way. If you are a good learner, and
observer, and questioner, you begin to see parallels in what is happening along shores worldwide.
The photo below is a case in point. Sunday the ocean was calm and it was not possible to tell how the beach is
impacted by waves unless you understood what the “signs” suggest. On this westerly end of the beach the
stone are larger. The easterly end has small stones, and sand. Waves “sort” beach material. Where there is
larger stones generally that means a rougher wave climate. Sometimes the beach is also steeper. The smaller
stones and sand have been resuspended and transported elsewhere. Maybe down the beach which we call
longshore transport, or into the water body carried by rip currents. When the lighter material moves offshore
and settles into deeper water where waves and currents can no longer rile things up it is now out of the beach
nourishment system for a long, long time. Many times forever.

56. Westerly Groyne
The waterfront is a magnet for all people, for all reasons.
As I said earlier for the Easterly Groyne whoever the folks are that manage Park Royal seem to be doing a good
job of maintaining the pathways. You can see there is some scouring of the path on the beach side of this
westerly groyne. Some folks might say “shit happens”.
But a good parks crew will fix it up whenever it starts to get like this so 1) the groyne does not get breached
causing significant damage, and 2) people can safely use the path without getting hurt.

57. Westerly Groyne
The waterfront is a magnet for all people, for all reasons.
The waterfront “is” a magnet for all people, for all reasons. Here is another case in point.
As I got closer to the westerly groyne I saw this photographer with his camera mounted on a tripod aiming the camera down at the water.
That threw me for a loop since I also love taking photographsbut for the life of me who would appreciate just a water shot. So I went up to
him and asked “what are you taking a picture of?”
He then told me he loved the way the small surface waves were bouncing here and there and hoped this collage of waves coming from many
directions would make him a million dollars. Interesting. So then I asked if that was $1,000,000 Canadian, or $1,000,000 US. For whatever
reason they are not the same amount of money.
Humor aside he obviously was fascinated by what he saw and was trying to capture it in a photograph. All in all he seemed like he had a
good head on his shoulders so I asked if it would be OK for me to get a closer photo myself. For me though I wasn’t going to try to do one
better than he in his efforts. But rather I was fascinated in the moment watching him and that’s the photograph I then took on the next
slide.

58. The waterfront is a magnet for all people, for all reasons.
The waterfront “is” a magnet for all people, for all reasons.
Up until now the only “catchers” I knew were baseball catchers, and wind catchers.
Today I realized there were also “wave catchers” out and about.
He may be laughing all the way to the bank. Good for him. You have to follow your heart.

59. STANLEY PARK
LION’S GATE BRIDGE
The waterfront is a magnet for all people, for all reasons.
The waterfront “is” a magnet for all people, for all reasons.

60. The waterfront is a magnet for all people, for all reasons.
The waterfront “is” a magnet for all people, for all reasons.
Was I lucky. I have only been to Vancouver three times in my life. And each time the weather was great.
So it was a little disconcerting when I would stop people biking or walking along the trail and “to a person” they said ………..
Wow you are one lucky guy from south of the border. You should have been here yesterday. Or come back tomorrow to find out what the
weather here is really like.
It really was a beautiful early spring day. I hope you Canadians don’t build a wall.

61. The waterfront is a
magnet for all people,
for all reasons.
Two can place this game.

62. So really who am I that EPIC invited me to teach a
course in the planning, design, construction, repair
and renovation of docks and marinas? Training other
engineers and planners is serious business. And the
price to attend is not cheap.

67. Going Through Three Gorges Lock and Dam
November 2016

68. So who were some of my mentors that taught me the ropes?

69. So who were some of my mentors that taught me the ropes?

70. Phil Keillor
Since I am a pilot I used to
take Phil flying along the
Lake Michigan coasts and
we would have coastal
engineering discussions
about what we saw.
Dave Wentland
I was PADI SCUBA
certified in 1971.
This is one of several dive
masters I would hire to
help with my underwater
inspections and
photography.
For many years we did all
of our own soundings for
our harbor, marina, and
lake dredge projects.
We used Trimble
sounding equipment and
HYDROpro software.

72. Examples of Planning and Design
Resource Books

73. You can see from the covers my
Shore Protection Manuals have been well used.

80. This is the book we will use for the course
Free use granted by Dr. Ron Kollmeyer (co-author) to Dave Wentland for the course
Link to download book provided by EPIC

89. Ala Moana Reef

90. I have been an
exhibitor or attended
many trade shows on
coastal engineering
and harbours, docks,
marinas, and
numerous waterfront
development topics.

100. Government
Support
$ 101,110
Town of Lyndon Boat Launch and Parking
Wisconsin River
Lyndon, Wisconsin
$ 3.2 Million State of Wisconsin
$ 800,000 Door County
Harbor of Refuge and Boat Launch
Bay of Green Bay, Lake Michigan
Door County, Wisconsin

102. Marquette Marina
Marquette Marina
Marquette, Michigan

113. Grand Marais, Michigan
Lake Superior

114. Fiji Islands
South Pacific
Hawaiian Islands
New Zealand
Damage at Levuka, Ovalau
From Cyclone Winston

115. My first experience with coastal and waterfront projects
Peace Corps Volunteer
Title: Rural Development Advisor
1974-1976
Fiji Islands, South Pacific

116. Why is the fuel dock
underwater?

117. All the locations with
lat/long were set using my
smartphone and a Trimble
plugin that provided
centimeter accuracy. Rented
the Trimble plugin for $200
for four days.

118. So you want to create a waterfront feature……..
How do we get from idea to reality?

124. Docks and marinas come in
all sizes and flavors

130. Yacht Club of Sister Bay
Navigation Channel Groin Extension
Footprint of Existing Groin on Lakebed
Width 48 ft. – Cyan
Length 72 ft. - Cyan
Prepared by:
Dave Wentland
Coastal Engineer
Docks & Marinas, Inc.
10/17/2014
Measurements from
Google Earth
Imagery Date: 10/10/2013
Tools like Google Earth and Microsoft Bing Maps for the air
photography and accuracy, measurements, time lapse,
ability to overlay other images and scale, and Google’s kmz
attribute for sharing have revolutionized our ability to
investigate, analyze and design projects.
I use Google Earth for all my projects.
The Internet and knowledge available through it are totally
amazing. And the knowledge base is growing constantly.

156. DINO6 Hydraulic Dredge
GEOFORM INTERNATIONAL
Olathe, Kansas

170. Projects I have been involved near Richmond, BC
Page Point Marina and Formerly Proposed Ladysmith Marina
Ladysmith, Vancouver Island, BC
Ladysmith

171. Ladysmith, British Columbia
Page Point Marina
Formerly Proposed Ladysmith Marina
(former coal dock site_contaminated from coal)

172. Formerly Proposed Ladysmith Marina Site
(Former Coal Dock)
Vancouver Island, BC
September 2012

173. September 2012

174. Ladysmith Area
Vancouver Island, BC
September 2012
John Collins
Collins Company
Camano Island, WA USA
I flew out to John’s office on Camaino Island in the Puget Sound
September4 2012. We then flew from Camaino Island to Nanaimo,BC. The
developer for the former Ladysmith coal dock site, as well as a proposed
Page Point Yacht Club expansion picked us up at the Nanaimo airport and
then we went to both sites.
Dave
(Engineer)
John
(Marine Contractor)
Fritz
(Developer)

175. Note:
I met John and his family for the first time when I flew out there
September2012. They lived on Camano Island in the Puget Sound.
Several months later John passed away. He was in his 80s I believe
blessed with a wife and many children, grandchildren, and great
grandchildren. A daughterand son now own the business that
manufacturers air pile hammers.

176. Former Coal Loading
Site and Dock
Ladysmith Municipal
Marina
One of Several Proposed
LayoutsSeveral Years Ago
(nothing has been done yet)

177. Ladysmith Waterfront Development
Themes

181. Prepared by:
Dave Wentland, P.E.
Coastal Engineer
Docks & Marinas, Inc.
2013

197. Expansion Ideas Developed by Structurmarine, Developer, and Dave Wentland, P.E.
2013

198. Expansion Ideas Developed by Structurmarine, Developer, and Dave Wentland, P.E.
2013

199. Expansion Ideas Developed by Structurmarine, Developer, and Dave Wentland, P.E.
2013

200. Expansion Ideas Developed by Structurmarine, Developer, and Dave Wentland, P.E.
2013

201. Presentation Prepared by Developer
to Potential Investors
2013

202. Expansion Idea Developed by Developer
2013

203. Expansion Idea Prepared by Developer
2013

204. Structurmarine Capabilities

205. Structurmarine Capabilities

206. Eaton Lighthouse-SS

207. Eaton Firehouse

216. The Marina at Caesar Creek
Waynesville, Ohio
Floating Docks and Gangways Built
and Installed by Structurmarine

221. Novia Scotia
Photos sent to me from a gentleman owning this property.
Wanted to know what to do.

227. Location of Dave’s
Property and Dock on
the Fox River
Town of Rockland,
Wisconsin USA

228. This is my personal situation right now
We live on the Fox River just south of Green Bay, Wisconsin.
Built our dock in 1998. Never since then have we had ice shoving against our
dock as this winter. I know there is some damage.
But thankfully it could be MUCH worse if not for the heavy design and massive pilings.
You must ALWAYS keep in mind this fact.
Waterfront development is far more complicated then on land.

229. First time since we owned this riverfront property we bought in 1996
has there been an ice jam down river from us. This caused the river
water level in late January 2019 to be about 18 inches higher than
normal by our dock. Our fixed dock was under water except for the
upper portion of the vertical piles.
After several weeks the water level went
down to its normal level causing a
massive sheet of ice about two feet thick
on top of the walkway of our dock. If the
water drops any further the weight of the
massive ice sheet may cause all the
structural members of our dock, except
for the vertical pilings, to collapse.
NEVER UNDERESTIMATE WHAT MOTHER NATURE COULD DO!!!!

231. Now it’s March 5 (Tuesday afternoon)
Enough of me talking………..
It’s time to discuss your possible waterfront projects
and see what solutions we can think of…………
And when this day is done…………….
Thank you for attending this course offered by EPIC Training
25 years of service
Planning, Design, Construction, Repair and Renovation of Docks and Marinas
Richmond, BC. Canada
March 4-5, 2019
Instructor:
Dave Wentland, P.E.
Coastal Engineer
Docks & Marinas, Inc.