Important Update about Pier 4

To our Courageous community:

I’m writing to share some important news that we recently received about Courageous Sailing’s Pier 4 home. As you may have heard, the BPDA (Boston Planning and Development Agency, who owns Pier 4) is at least partially closing down the pier for repairs for the remainder of 2022, based on the results of a recent structural survey they commissioned. You can read the BPDA’s original announcement providing more details below.

This news came as a surprise to us, and of course it will have a major impact on Courageous, our sailors, and the communities we serve this year. At this point, we are still waiting for clarity on some key questions about access to our boathouse and floating dock. The engineers were back yesterday to make some final assessments as to what extent the pier can remain in use, and we expect to know more within a few days. We will send an update as soon as we have their final determination.

In the meantime, here’s what we DO know. First and foremost, I want to assure you that shutting down for a year–especially after the pandemic challenges we faced together in 2020 and beyond–is simply not an option for our organization, staff, and the thousands of kids and adults who depend on us. The City of Boston and the BPDA have been incredibly supportive and are deeply committed to working with us to keep Courageous up and running while repairs are completed. With the BPDA’s help, we are exploring nearby alternative locations in the Charlestown Navy Yard, in case we cannot use Pier 4 for the upcoming season.

Our successful navigation of the pandemic shutdowns has proven that Courageous is capable of making the best of any situation we’re faced with. We’re putting our problem-solving abilities to work for our spring high school sailors, our school-day students looking forward to sailing, our adult members, and most importantly, the hundreds of young people who plan to spend their summer learning and sailing with Courageous. Since we won’t be able to host tent events on Pier 4 this summer, the City is aiding in our search for alternative venues for Make-A-Mark and the other events that generate a big part of the funds we need to ensure that all kids, regardless of financial means, can participate in Courageous programs.

We are optimistic that, with the help of the BPDA, our neighbors, supporters, and the City of Boston, we will be here to provide learning opportunities and Boston Harbor access in 2022 and for years to come. As the situation develops, we’ll keep in touch about our plans, how different programs may be affected, and how you can help.

On behalf of the Courageous family, thank you for your support.

All the best,

Dave DiLorenzo

Executive Director

Announcement from the BPDA

Pier 4 of the Charlestown Navy Yard subject to temporary partial closure for 2022 due to identified structural deficiencies

As part of the BPDA's ongoing proactive capital maintenance and repair program, Pier 4 was recently subject to an inspection and assessment by the Waterfront Structures Division of GEI Consultants. This inspection is part of a multi-million dollar BPDA project to inspect and improve the waterfront infrastructure near Shipyard Park, Pier 4, Dry Dock 2 and the surrounding area in the Charlestown Navy Yard.

Recent above and below water inspections of the Pier 4 facility have resulted in findings that warrant a partial closure of the pier pending immediate repairs.

At issue is the identification of serious corrosion of the steel pipe piles supporting the pier. With the corrosion of the steel, all that remains supporting the pier is the unreinforced concrete infill inside the steel pipe pile. This condition results in no lateral capacity of the pier, putting it at risk for structural failure and sideways collapse.

As a result of these findings, GEI has recommended prohibiting the mooring and berthing of vessels, as well as prohibiting loads from vehicles and cranes, restricting access to the pier for pedestrian uses only.

The BPDA is pursuing emergency repairs, estimated at $2M, which would install reinforced concrete jackets to 60 of the pier's batter piles, restoring lateral stability. The engineering design of this work is already underway, and construction is expected to be completed by the Fall of 2022. With the emergency repairs complete, the BPDA will implement additional repairs to address less urgent deficiencies to ensure the longevity of the structure. This work would likely be completed in 2023.

As a result of the temporary closure, a significant portion of the operations of Courageous Sailing will likely be displaced from the pier. The BPDA is working closely with Courageous Sailing to identify alternative locations and accommodations in an effort to continue their operation through the 2022 season. The BPDA anticipates that Courageous will be able to fully return to Pier 4 for the 2023 season.

The nearby berthing of the MBTA ferry service between Long Wharf and Pier 4 will not be impacted by these findings, as the ferry utilizes a floating dock supported by piles that are structurally independent of pier 4.

Shipyard Park and Pier 4 are incredibly important public open space amenities and the BPDA is committed to preserving and enhancing these public parks in perpetuity.

While less urgent, the BPDA anticipates running a project within the next year to provide a similar comprehensive engineering assessment of Pier 5, which has been permanently closed to public access due to similar corrosion. This project is intended to yield construction designs and budgets for Pier 5's reuse and/or demolition.

Questions can be directed to Jason Ruggiero at jason.ruggiero@boston.gov