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HomeMy WebLinkAboutexhibit attachmentHATTACHMENT H Harbor Operations Plan Flagstone Island Gardens Mega -yacht Harbor General Harbor Operations Plan Revised July 9, 2004 PROJECT DESCRIPTION The project consists of the re -configuration of an existing marina into a 50-slip international mega -yacht harbor to accommodate vessels up to 500 feet in length on 13.35 acres of submerged land owned by the City of Miami. Two symmetrical piers form the inner harbor basin and external marginal dockage. The double -level main (inner) pier arms extend 455 feet into the Bay, connecting at an "elbow" to two terminal pier arms extending approximately 375 feet' each, for a total linear length of approximately 1,660 feet. The lower level of the main pier arms provide a secure corridor for incoming international passengers and cargo, as well as access for security - cleared harbor service personnel to supply and offload the vessels. The upper level of the main pier provides a public access corridor into Biscayne Bay, a key component of the City of Miami's public referendum for this facility; this upper level also provides passenger access to mega -yachts once they have cleared customs by way of stairs/lifts. A marginal dock supports mooring of service vessels within the harbor and Mediterranean -moored vessels along the bulkhead exterior to the main piers. A separate dock has slips for fishing and charter water taxi vessels. Both the upland facilities that will support the harbor and submerged lands owned by the City have been leased to Flagstone Island Gardens, LLC. Dredging 217,000 cubic yards of submerged shoal area is required to provide adequate water depths for safe navigation and mooring of mega -yachts. The proposed water depths are primarily — 18 feet NGVD, ranging down to — 25 feet NGVD to accommodate deep keeled vessels. Miami -Dade County governs variances for prohibited floating structures and prohibited fixed structures. The Applicant has requested a variance in order to complete the project in accordance with the terms of Code Section 24-59.1, governing the prohibition of non -water dependent structures. Pursuant to discussions with ageificy staff, the following project elements that are required for the function of the marina may reiquire a variance from this code provision: 1. Planters and associated landscaping of approximately 240 linear feet along each edge of the two upper level main piers. These planters improve the aesthetics of required security devices (10' high fencing — planter buffer in lieu c f razor wire), provide shade for pedestrian benches recessed into the planters, and provide a corridor for conduit (planters will be drained by pipe to the uplands); 2. Security fences along both edges of the upper deck of the main pier arms. Eighteen (18) gates are located on the main pier arms, which limit access to the lower pier to individuals with security clearance. Additionally, approximately 4 ADA compliant lift features for wheelchairs are proposed on the main pie arms; Flagstone Island Gardens Mega -yacht Harbor General Harbor Operations Plan Revised July 9, 2004 Page 2 3. Eighteen (18) equipment/maintenance storage lockers located beneath the 18 sets of access stairs on the main piers containing hoses, trash receptacles, recycling receptacles, and other equipment required to service the docks and mega -yachts; 4, Two (2) metal pylons/towers defining the entrance to the harbor on the terminal pier arms (see attached sketch sheet 25); and 5. Two roofed observation and security stations at the waterward end of the upper level piers; these structures provide shade for pedestrians and a security node. The City of Miami has requested the roofed structure (see attached sketch sheet 24). NAVIGATION Slip Confisuration: For the Flagstone Island Gardens Mega -Yacht Harbor (Harbor), marginal dockage along the south and north side of the piers provides opportunities to accommodate vessels ranging from approximately 70' to 465.' This slip mix will be adjusted to meet market demand and to maintain revenues for the Harbor operation. Larger vessels are preferred since they provide the highest revenue per foot of slip space. Options for on/off season slip mixes are provided, and will be adjusted as directed by Flagstone Management. The center portion of the harbor has specific slip dimensions to accommodate vessels ranging from approximately 100' to 160.' A turning basin within the confines of the pier arms is provided to facilitate vessel maneuvering. Most modern vessels of this size are equipped with thrusters in conjunction with twin engines to provide very efficient turning capabilities. Mooring piles are provided in the center harbor area for breasting of vessels during docking operations. The Harbor Master or local pilots will provide docking assistance with harbor personnel trained in the safe mooring of these vessels as the vessel is positioned into its slip. The captain of each vessel will specify the safe mooring configuration at his discretion based on the'cleats and piles provided. Fenders are provided to maintain 4 feet of standoff at full compression for the deep drafted floating docks, and yachts may provide their own supplemental fendering as shown in the following photographs. Flagstone Island Gardens Mega -yacht Harbor General Harbor Operations Plan Revised July 9, 2004 Page 3 Channels/Markers: The Harbor will have a web site with slip mix and channellslip depths for review by incoming vessels; or copies can be transmitted via hard copy delivery or facsimile. Inland rules of navigation will apply to the harbor and approach channels. Captains of incoming Flagstone Island Gardens Mega -yacht Harbor General Harbor Operations Plan Revised July 9, 2004 Page 4 vessels will rely on this data in addition to nautical charts for navigation. The Harbor Master will also serve as a source of information for safe navigation, and vessels can rely on his expertise. Most of these vessels are also represented by brokers or management representatives who are professional consultants. Arrangements are made well in advance at all ports of call. Draft of Harbor/Draft Limitations: In order to address and ensure that water quality is preserved within and adjacent to the Harbor, at (east 3 feet of clearance will be required for all vessels between the deepest part of the vessel and the submerged land. In those areas dredged to —18 feet NGVD, the maximum vessel draft will be limited to —15 feet NGVD. For the southwest area dredged to —25 feet NGVD, the maximum vessel draft will be limited to —22 feet NGVD. The Harbor Master will ensure draft limitations are enforced. Piloting of Vessels: The majority of vessels calling on the harbor will be piloted by licensed captains. Vessels of a certain tonnage, average size approximately 120' or greater, will be navigated by Biscayne Bay Pilots in accordance with local vessel traffic rules. All vessels in excess of 90' will likely be piloted by licensed captains and have a professional crew to assist in docking and securing the vessel in the slip. The Harbor Master, employed by Flagstone, will only allow one vessel to enter/exit the harbor at any given time under management supervision. The Harbor may employ a small tug to assist larger vessels upon request. Vessels docking on the outer docks will use the cruise ship turning basin for additional maneuvering area. Larger vessels will likely back into the marginal slips. No operations will be conducted when cruise ships are in transit through Government Cut, as directed by the Captain of the Port. HARBOR SECURITY AND INSPECTIONS PROCEDURES Security and Federal Inspections: All conditions of arrival and departure of vessels from or to foreign ports, as well as design of and access to all parts of the Harbor are subject to the Island Gardens Security Plan, required by the U.S. Department of Homeland Security (USDHS) consistent with Federal Statutes. This Security Plan was developed consistent with consultation with the USDHS; the final security plan will be reviewed and coordinated with the USDHS approximately 6 months prior to opening the harbor. Due to the nature of the information included in the Plan, the security document and any subsequent revisions will be exempt from public disclosure in accordance with the Maritime Transportation Security Act, 46 U.S.C. Section 70101 (d). Ninety-nine percent of all large yachts are foreign -flagged. All foreign arrival ships will provide prior notice to the U.S. Coast Guard (USCG) consistent with current prevailing US Department of Homeland Security policies (96-hour advanced notice typical). Under current policies, vessels in excess of 120 feet will be piloted into the Harbor by Biscayne Bay Pilots or other USCG approved registered pilots. Mega -yachts arriving from the Atlantic Ocean will travel through Flagstone Island Gardens Mega -yacht Harbor General Harbor Operations Plan Revised July 9, 2004 Page 5 Government Cut to reach the Harbor, unless otherw.ise restricted to alternate routes by the U.S. Coast Guard and the Department of Homeland Security. All vessels arriving from foreign ports will be under the jurisdiction of the USCG until they are docked in their slips, at which point they are tumed over to the jurisdiction of the City of Miami Police Department. All baggage, passengers, and refuse from vessels from foreign ports will be escorted from the ship under secure conditions through a "sanitized corridor" connecting each slip to the landside Federal Inspection Station. This corridor will be isolated from all other non -secure areas, persons, and material. This corridor will be the portion of the lower level of each pier that is below the upper pier level. It will be rendered secure by retractable security grilles that will enclose this corridor during the processing of vessels arriving from and departing to foreign ports, as well as by other operational security procedures, and will minimize negative operational impacts to the balance of the harbor slips and operations. The sanitized corridor at the lower level of each pier is directly connected to a landside sanitized corridor that leads directly to the Federal Inspection Station. All persons, staff, baggage, and other material will be processed through landside immigration, customs, and U.S. Department of Agriculture inspection procedures at the landside Federal Inspection Station on the basement level (see attached basement level design — sheet A2.200). Simultaneously, federal customs and agricultural inspectors will inspect the vessels. All trash will be disposed of consistent with procedures required by the US Department of Agriculture. Security Equipment: Security equipment such as camera/video monitors are located throughout the Project facilities. The harbor entrance pylons and other high vantage points (including the control tower on the uplands) house lights that are required to illuminate the harbor during elevated security periods. Radar devices are also required to confirm the facility is adequately secured. The specifics regarding security features of the site are confidential. Secure Harbor Access: All sanitized corridor (lower pier) intersections with service circulation will be secured by means of gates that remain closed until passage of all arrivals/departures are secured within the Federal Inspection Station and the vessels are cleared. Once cleared, passengers are free to either return to the vessel or depart the Federal Inspection Station either to ground transportation or to landside hotel, restaurants, or service facilities. The use of the lower levels of both piers will be primarily restricted to service access and facilities as well as handicapped access at all other times. Once vessels and passengers have been cleared, primary guest access to vessels will be by means of the upper levels of both piers. To gain access to vessels from upper piers, secure stairs are proposed, spaced at convenient intervals including at the terminus of the main piers for access to the lower terminal pier arms. Identical procedures in reverse will be required for all vessels departing to foreign ports. Public Access and Support: Controlled public access to the upper levels of both main piers will be permitted. Supporting amenities include benches recessed into the planter walls and shade beneath the terminal roofed structure with views out onto Biscayne Bay. Protection from the Flagstone Island Gardens Mega -yacht Harbor General Harbor Operations Plan Revised July 9, 2004 Page 6 elements (by the roofed structure at the end of the main piers) is required by the City; the planter trees that buffer the impact of the security fencing will also provide public benefit by adding shade to the public accessway. Those individuals with security clearance to the lower level can access via gates to specific slip areas or to the terminal pier from the security checkpoint at the terminal end of the main piers. Stairs arid bridges from the upper level pier will access each set of slips. Security clearance procedures will be determined by the US Department of Homeland Security, VESSEL PROVISIONING AND SERVICE In -water Service Vessels: Three service vessels and one non -motorized small barge, controlled by the harbormaster, are proposed to assist with facility operations. These service vessels will range in size but typically be approximately 30 feet in length. The service vessels will not leave the harbor area, but may travel to and from the fishing/water taxi pier. Services include deploying fuel containment booms (from the barge), security services, and providing tug -type assistance to incoming and outgoing mega -yachts. Provisioning: All provisioning of vessels will be serviced from the basement Central Loading Dock where goods will be unloaded from service trucks to dry and refrigerated storage areas, where special holding areas for customs inspections will be provided. Provisioning goods will be transported to the vessels through the basement and onto the lower service level of both piers by means of electric forklifts, electric tow -motors, and palletized carts. Each side of each lower level of each pier will be sufficiently wide enough to permit the passage of these electric service vehicles, pedestrian service personnel, as well as any necessary dock utilities. Fueling and Sewage Pumpout: In order to minimize ship movements, in -slip fueling will be provided at all slips. Fuel will be pumped from basement above -ground fuel tanks contained within secured protected vaults. Gas pumping stations will be remote, one along the perimeter road right of way and a barge connection at the end of the southern pier (see Fuel Spill Containment -Plan attached for your review). Sewage pump -out services will also be provided at each slip by means of vacuum pumps with permanent piping connected to sanitary sewers. UPLAND HARBOR SUPPORT FACILITIES Fishing Pier/Water Taxi Operations: Consistent with USDHS review, local fishing vessels, water taxis, and any other transient vessels will utilize the separate "Fishing Pier" at the north end of the harbor. Fishing vessels will be serviced by fork lifts and palletized carts that will transport fish crates from the pier to the basement Fish Market processing area where they will be cleaned for display and sale in the Fish Market retail area. Flagstone Island Gardens Mega -yacht Harbor General Harbor Operations Plan Revised July 9, 2D04 Page 7 Upland Security Monitorine: The Dockmaster Control Tower is situated on the landside and will rise above the public Promenade by 25 to 35 feet to provide a clear view of the harbor. All landside and waterside security, control, alarm, fire, secure communication and emergency management of the entire property including the harbor will be managed from this location. Adequate space will be provided for each jurisdictional agency as well as an emergency management center within the Tower. Secured emergency access stair and elevators will directly access the Ground and Basement levels. In the basement, secured access and parking will be provided for jurisdictional agencies and emergency teams. Additionally, emergency access routes will circumnavigate the entire property. Security measures are in operation 24 hours per day, 7 days per week. Additional Support Facilities: Other landside support facilities include a Yacht Chandlery, supplies and services, charter offices, land transportation offices and facilities, harbormaster's offices and stores, crew lounges, showers, and toilets, All harbor personnel may utilize the landside hotels, restaurants, retail shops, as well as recreational, cultural, and entertainment activities. Services provided to the vessels will be similar to those provided to hotel guests including room service, catering, and concierge services, in addition to Internet access, TV cable, land phone lines, housekeeping, laundry, and security. tilcfi61Diia.2 Project'20I70I Wemtit Applicationi5(04.07-04) Revised General Operations nand®