So, You Want To Build A Dock...
by Bob Baskervill of Coastal Marine Contractors
Most waterfront property owners want a dock in front of their house before they have a house. " Why not, honey, we can live on the boat and watch them build the house." Yeah right, uh-huh. Seriously, a nice dock attached to your land, with your boat in front of your house can be very satisfying and rewarding. Pamlico County is blessed with rivers, bays and creeks. Most of the waterfront property is suitable for dockbuilding but all docks may not be suitable for boats because of limiting factors such as depth or exposure. However, they may be perfect for fishing or entertaining. Make sure you build your dock to suit your needs.
Some of the Most Frequently Asked Questions
Q. Can't the guy building my house just build the dock, too?
A. Maybe, but probably not. An experienced Marine contractor has special equipment for working over the water. He or she is a specialist, just like an electrician or a plumber.Q. How long can I build my dock?
A. No longer than the permit specifies.Q. Permit? What permit?
A. The (CAMA) Coastal Area Management Act permit. All construction in areas of environmental concern (AEC) must have a valid CAMA permit. "It is the purpose of the state guidelines to ensure this uniformity and consistency in the local land use plans and the regulation of critical resource areas or AEC's, through the establishment of unified policies, criteria, standards, methods and processes."Q. Oh, my goodness, that sounds like a big deal. Shouldn't we start working on that right away?
A. In some cases yes, but for a residential dock, no wider than 6 feet, no longer than your neighbors, and your platform (tee or ell) no greater than 500 square feet, that does not come closer than 15 feet from the riparian lines of the adjoining property owners and has no more than 4 slips, it is a simple process.Q. That easy, huh?
A. It's like this; The CAMA regulations are designed to be fair and help the rights of everyone. Obviously the greater impact one proposes to make on AECs, the more hoops and loops one must jump through. The division of Coastal Management, your local CAMA officer (building Inspector) or your Marine contractor can help you understand and obtain the proper permit.Q. OK,OK, I can get a permit, how do you get those poles to stick up out there in the water?
A. They are driven in with a pile driver from a barge.Q. My brother-in-law just washed his down himself. Isn't washing them down cheaper and just as good?
A. It is no cheaper and not as good. If you wash them in, Mother Nature washes them out. Note: Some cases of extremely shallow water leaves you no option but to wash them down.Q. My property has a lot of marsh. How can you drive pilings there?
A. By hand with special equipment and it is not easy.Q. What kind of wood do you use?
A. Southern Yellow Pine pressure treated with copper chromium arsenate (CCA). The pilings are 2.5 CCA, Marine grade because of contact with Marine organisms. The framing and decking are .40 CCA ground contact, which stay above the water.Q. What kind of nails do you use?
A. Hot dipped galvanized. Same for the bolts.Q. What about a floating dock?
A. They work fine in areas with divurnal tides, however in Pamlico County wind drives the tides so fixed docks are more appropriate.Q. OK, everything looks good, can you have my dock done by the end of the month?
A. Can pigs fly? Here is the scenario: Marine contractors are restricted by such factors as wind, rain, high water, low water, distance and logistics of moving from job to job. They are typically booked six months or more in advance. However, by getting in line as soon as possible one may expedite construction by being in a geographical area the company is moving into. This eliminates expensive mobilization fees for the customer.More information can be obtained from The Division of Coastal Management, Pamlico County Building Inspector or Coastal Marine Contractors.
More dockbuilding guidelines from Gator Dock in Florida www.gatordock.com/general.htm