Naval Facilities Engineering Command (NAVFAC) Southeast awarded a more than $23 million contract Sept. 22 to Orion Marine Construction, Inc. of Tampa, Florida, for Wharf Bravo recapitalization aboard Naval Station (NS) Mayport, Florida.

"The entire Wharf Bravo, which includes wharves B-1, B-2, and B-3 will be repaired during this renovation," said NS Mayport Commanding Officer Capt. David Yoder. "The current Wharf Bravo has served the fleet well for several decades and is showing signs of wear due to age. This project will revitalize the wharf and ensure that NS Mayport is postured to continue providing effective and efficient support to the fleet for years to come."

NS Mayport is homeport to 17 surface combatants, one Military Sealift Command ship and one Coast Guard cutter and routinely hosts port visits by various deep draft ships undergoing training with Afloat Training Group Mayport.

The Bravo Wharf is a medium draft general purpose berthing wharf that was constructed in 1970 and lies at the western edge of the NS Mayport turning basin. The berth is capable of berthing ships up to and including large amphibious ships and is one of three primary ordnance handling berths.

"An underwater facilities inspection completed in June 2008 rated the wharf as fair and projected future degradation," said NS Mayport Public Works Officer Cmdr. Luke Greene. "A major structural repair of the wharf was determined necessary to maintain the long term serviceability of the structure."

The award calls for ships berthing wharfs B-1, B-2, and B-3 to be repaired by providing a replacement steel sheet pile bulkhead which will tie into the existing steel sheet pile structure. Concrete fill will be placed between the existing and new steel sheet pile bulkheads. A concrete pile cap and concrete encasement of the sheet pile will follow. The asphalt wharf deck will be repaved and repairs will be made to electrical and mechanical shore utilities, area lighting and the Anti-Terrorism / Force Protection waterfront enclave facilities.

The project is expected to be complete by September 2017.

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