Carter's Wharf
Carter's Wharf
Preserving Working Waterfront and Our Maritime Heritage
Plans for the Carter's Wharf property at 87 Atlantic Avenue, Boothbay Harbor include creating a safe working wharf that will serve the fishermen of the region and provide a "living history" of the fishing industry. The seawall will be rebuilt, the wharf replaced and raised to FEMA flood zone levels, and a new buying station will be built.
Minor Revision Permits Received
May 15, 2023
Army Corps permits were received on January 26th, 2023. Permits from the Department of Environmental were received by BRMF on May 15th. Permits from the Town of Boothbay Harbor were signed on May 16th. These permits include replacement of the existing wharf, a 64x28 Bait Storage & Lobster Tank Building, a 7.9’ x 16’ fuel tank on top of Carter's Wharf and a series of finger floats. The original permits were approved in 2021 but the scope of the project was reduced in an effort to minimize costs so an application for minor revision was
Demolition Complete
The original structure was built in 1960 but a portion of it was damaged during a storm and replaced in 2010. Due to unsafe conditions on the wharf, it is currently closed to the public.
Photo Courtesy of Havana Lyman
Critical Need
In order to provide provide fishermen with safe access to their boats and viewing areas for the public, we need to make major renovations to Carter's Wharf.
An engineering study completed in April of 2019 included the following information:
Based on our observations, the Sea Pier and building are severely deficient compared to the structural design loads associated with the proposed uses. Accessory elements such as the gangways are also deficient. We do not believe the structures can practically be repaired or upgraded in place. Since the building floor appears to be integral with the pier platform, it is similarly impractical to attempt to keep the building, which would also likely need substantial upgrade separate from, and in addition to, the first floor deficiencies. At a minimum the south and west sea walls require repair or reconstruction as well.
Floats
"Sea Pier – South façade; floats have bottomed out at low tide; floats are in varying states of disrepair."
North Platform
"North platform; platform slopes down toward the building and is separating from the building near the northwest corner."
Sea Wall 1
"South sea wall is stacked stones with concrete curb at the parking area; some medium to large stones have dislodged and fallen."
Sea Wall 2
"South sea wall steps down near southwest corner and becomes more of a mound of stones under the building along the west side"
Sea Wall 3
"West “sea wall” has disintegrated into a mound of stones in some areas; wood framing above is difficult to access"
Sea Wall 4
"Sea wall condition near northwest corner; concrete from slab placed above leaked to below; some old formwork remains"
Sea Wall 5
"Some stones have fallen out of the various sea walls"
Wharf 1
"Close-up of failed beams and joists"
Wharf 2
"Failed piles are visible in the water where they have rotten off and fallen over, now forming debris below the pier"
Ramps 1
"Gangways are severely undersized and materially degraded"
Ramps 2
"Gangway connections are inadequate"
Hoist
"Structural support below hoist may be compromised or inadequate"
Wharf 3
"Typical framing consists of 6x8 beams with 2x6 to 3x8 joists and wood piles; many beams and piles are severely deteriorated"
Wharf 4
"The multitude of piles indicates years of bandaid repairs; steel pipe columns and I-beams added previously have also corroded"
Wharf 5
"Some beams have entirely failed; water from interior building operations is not contained and is soaking framing here"
Wharf 6
"Numerous piles have settled or rotten off with only the vertical drift pins preventing them from falling over"
Wharf 7
"Beams have been through bolted to fender piles where structural piles have failed; this condition is inadequate"
Church Pier/Sea Pier
View of (almost) parallel piers (Sea Pier to right; Catholic Church Pier to left)