ELECTRICAL POWER SYSTEM

The first "need" tackled was the installation of an ekectrical system for both the docks and the uplands. We developed a first-class system design for what was to be one of the two largest power installations on Anderson Island. Work began in November 1995, with pushing/pulling of the 2" electrical conduit down the pier and through the floats, followed shortly thereafter by the same efforts to get the main cable through the conduit. Unfortunately, we were to later find out that our conduit installation slightly conflicted with the Electrical Code, necessitating removal of the main cables to allow correction of the conduit discrepancies. Many work parties were held to get through the trench digging, electrical panel installations, dock wiring, etc., that carried on thru the spring into early summer before we were ready for our first electrical inspection; I say first as it took three more follow-on inspections before we received the state's official seal of approval. Some speculation has suggested that the task of inspecting a 600 amp electrical service system put together by a bunch of "amateurs" may have included an increased inspection focus to assure we met all state requirements.

On July 3, 1996, our electrical system was finally approved for connection to the island electrical distribution system - just in time for the 4th of July Cruise-in of about 35 BYC boats. All was going very well until the power company employees connected the big fuse in the transformer to energize our system. As we all watched, there was a loud bang from a nearby transformer with all power on our third of the island going dead. It's nice to make a positive impact on our neighbors on the island, however, this was not what we had intended. As it turned out, the power company had miswired our connection to their transformer, thereby causing a direct short and a blown fuse, which got everybody's attention. Within an hour or so after correcting the associated problems caused on the rest of the island by this situation, the power company came back to fix their wiring mistake. And, soon, with a very loud HIP-HIP-HOORAY!!! from the BYC crowd, the lights were finally on at the outstation.

WATER SYSTEM

Obtaining a potable water source became a significant challenge. Since the shallow dug wells in the area were starting to get brackish and tending to go dry in the summer, we could not go that route. A drilled well would have to go down to at least 600 feet and could, ultimately contribute salinity to the local wells, for which we would be liable. Therefore, Oro Bay Marina, Tacoma YC and BYC decided to cooperate on the joint purchase and usage of a watermaker. We shared the cost of a reverse osmosis watermaking system that was installed as a waterborne system on the OBM floats to avoid the regulatory requirements imposed upon land based systems serving multiple users. Since OBM had a full time presence and would be the major water user, they agreed to take on the system maintenance responsibilities. To maximize our water storage capabilities, each group initially intended to utilize upland storage tanks for which underground piping was installed. Again, unfortunately, regulatory concerns have prevented that option from being implemented. Ultimately, the waterborne installation was completed with individual supply piping being run to both TYC and BYC floats.

BULKHEAD

Within a few years of completing our pier and float installation, it became apparent that a very aggressive back eddy was scouring our waterfront bank and back-cutting the concrete structure that supported the shore end of our pier plus our bank immediately adjacent to the Tacoma YC rock bulkhead. It was decided that the construction of a rock bulkhead was now a necessity. The membership agreed and Sound Bulkhead, Inc. was contracted 1998 to perform the work for $25,000. Getting over the "paper mountain" of regulatory permits, building permits, design approvals, etc., was, indeed, the long leg considering that the actual work took only one week to accomplish in January of 1999 by using a hydraulic claw operating from a barge filled with rocks. A new twist to the permit process this time included the need to develop an "eagle management plan". Ain't red tape great!

GAZEBO

Photo: Sylvia Wilson

The picnic shelter gazebo was constructed during the period June - August 1997. Due to a non-residential use classification on our building permit, the county required that the gazebo design be engineered to state standards; additionally, access to the structure had to comply with the Act for Disable Americans (ADA) requirements which explains the extensive sidewalk and paved pad. Fortunately, we had club members qualified to get us through this process.

Construction was split into three phases: 1) concrete foundation, slab and sidewalk work, 2) post and beam prefabrication and 3) structure erection and roofing. Capt Jack DeWitt and his crew poured and finished 33 yards of concrete in one very, very long day. Capts Tom Hamilton and Frank Young prefabricated the posts and beams back in Bremerton and readied them for transport to the outstation. Capt Cliff Lillybridge headed the trucking crew for moving the material. Capt Owen Ritter and his crew took over from there to stand everything up, bolt it together and build the roof. Included in the finishing touches was a crew of First Mates who ably painted wherever necessary. A quick glance will confirm that all work done was first class and, without a doubt, this is the stoutest structure on all of Anderson Island.

Considering the distance and relative isolation of the outstation from the BYC home site, all of this major work accomplished at Oro Bay succeeded only through the extensive hard work and time sacrifices given by the many BYC members who lent a hand. One trip to the outstation will quickly reveal to you the results of those efforts.

Submitted by
P/C Bill Burwell
P/C Mike Henry
October 2004