Ocean Gateway Pier II explained

Ocean Gateway Pier II is a floating deepwater cruise ship pier located at the Ocean Gateway International Marine Passenger Terminal in Portland, Maine.

Construction of the pier began on 1 November 2010 with a groundbreaking ceremony attended by Maine governor John Baldacci and city officials.[1] It was opened on 10 September 2011, when Enchantment of the Seas became the first vessel to dock at the pier.[2]

The total cost of building the pier was about $6 million, paid for by a state transportation bond.[2] It was built by the Reed & Reed construction company, which submitted a bid about $1.5 million less than had been budgeted for, allowing an extension of the pier by about 100feet over the original plan and the addition of water and electrical services.[2]

The pier is composed of a 124feet floating barge, anchored to the seabed, at the center of the structure for embarking passengers onto ships, with the remainder a gangway wide enough to accommodate vehicles the size of a golf cart. The gangway is supported by individual pilings and clusters of three pilings. The pier is able to accommodate ships as large as 1200feet long.[3]

References

43.6596°N -70.2432°W

Notes and References

  1. Web site: Maine Breaks Ground On The Ocean Gateway Pier II . GovMonitor . 30 October 2011 . https://web.archive.org/web/20101231132546/http://www.thegovmonitor.com/world_news/united_states/maine-breaks-ground-on-the-ocean-gateway-pier-ii-41779.html . 31 December 2010 . live . 1 November 2010.
  2. Web site: Pier without peer in Maine . . 30 October 2011 . https://web.archive.org/web/20120612031351/http://www.pressherald.com/news/pier-without-peer-in-maine_2011-09-15.html . 12 June 2012 . live . 15 September 2011.
  3. Web site: On eve of construction, critics say floating pier too limiting . . 30 October 2011 . https://web.archive.org/web/20120612031442/http://www.pressherald.com/news/on-eve-of-construction-critics-say-floating-pier-too-limiting_2010-09-02.html . 12 June 2012 . live . 2 September 2010.