By Thomas Hughes
Bay City News

Preparations for emergency repairs to the McNears Beach Fishing Pier in San Rafael were approved Tuesday by the Marin County Board of Supervisors, about three months after a concrete vessel came unmoored and smashed into the pier, causing structural damage.

The end of the pier at McNears Beach Park was closed following the March 21 storm damage because of concerns the pier might collapse, but people have been ignoring fencing and signage and passing underneath in kayaks and on the beach at low tide, according to Chris Chamberlain, a Marin County Parks representative.

“We’re concerned about their safety,” Chamberlain told the board.

That added urgency for the Parks department, which requested up to $1.2 million from the board.

The unanimous vote Tuesday allows the director to move forward with putting the project out for competitive bids.

Assessments made by the engineering firm Liftech Consultants Inc. determined the deck of the pier is about 4 inches lower than before the impact and is supported by remaining, damaged concrete piles.  Damage was sustained to a critical concrete pile and joint at the pier head, where the vessel collided. Curbs were damaged, some railings were ruined, and a water line was broken.

But most concerning is the overall structural integrity of the pier, which Liftech’s assessment said was at risk of partial or total collapse.

The damage “poses an imminent risk to property, human life, and the environment,” the assessment said.

The 40-foot vessel came unmoored during a severe storm. It broke apart upon impact and parts of the boat sank. Submerged wreckage is leaning against another pile and needs to be cleared to determine if further work will be needed.

The situation is even more precarious because of seismic blasts from nearby Dutra San Rafael Rock Quarry that can be felt around the pier, according to the Parks Department report.

Usually, the vessel’s owner would be liable for such repair costs, but the owner did not have insurance, Chamberlain said, in response to a question from Supervisor Eric Lucan.

Permits from regional, state and federal regulators are also needed before construction can begin. Once the work starts, repairs are expected to take 83 days, according to the Parks Department.

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