Work has begun to install 830 corrosion-preventing anodes on the pilings in Heritage Harbor and The Marine Service Center.
The anodes are pieces of oxidizing metal that protect the steel pilings and piers from underwater corrosion. During a routine check of the pilings last year the borough discovered that anodes had never been installed during construction of Heritage Harbor in 2009.
The Marine Service Center boat haul-out pier and T-dock also were not fitted with anodes when they were designed and constructed.
The total project is estimated to cost $931,000, funded by the Port and Harbors reserve.
A crew of divers with Juneau-based Global Diving and Salvage arrived March 27 and began work on the installation March 29. The project is estimated to take 28 days, said Harbormaster Steve Miller.
Work began at The Marine Service Center, and four divers will work seven days a week for 12 hours a day until the project is finished.
Depending on other work going on at The Marine Service Center, Miller said the divers may move back and forth between there and Heritage Harbor to make the most efficient use of their time.
Miller said they don’t anticipate needing to move any vessels for the project as the crew is used to working in harbors and around boats.
Miller said he is unsure why the anodes weren’t installed during the original construction, but that it was likely to cut costs. Heritage Harbor was constructed mostly with grant money, which often adds extra pressure to stay within the budget, he said.
Installing anodes will help preserve pilings for an added 20 to 30 years, Miller said.
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