Emergency work starting on OB Pier

It’s been a year since the OB Pier was partially closed after sustaining heavy damage due to high surf, and last week the city finally began setting the stage for initial emergency repairs.

Spokesperson for the city clarified that this is not the $8.4M fix.

“The contract for the emergency construction that crews are currently setting up scaffolding for in an amount not to exceed $450,000. The $8.4 million from the state will go toward the future project that will address the Ocean Beach Pier’s long-term future.” Scott Robinson, supervising public information officer for the city of San Diego explained.

Scaffolding has been erected at the west end of the pier, bridging the upper deck. A section of scaffolding erected under the pier will serve as an access point for divers.

“The repair work has not yet started,” Ruben Minjarez told me.

Minjarez is the lead diver & supervisor for American Marine Corporation who have been contracted for and with the city and TC Construction to do “some repairs and maintenance here on the Ocean Beach Pier.”

He and his team were standing by, eager to dive in and start repairs on two damaged pilings.

“We have a four-man dive team. One diver in the water at a time but that won’t be happening today or tomorrow or anytime soon,” he said while side-eying the heavy surf. “Scheduling is currently in the works, and it’s all weather dependent – tides, surf, swell, king tides…we’re just on the set up part – material, procurement, access point. Access is not doing too good right now.”

On January 25, less than a week after it went up, the scaffolding under the pier was removed due to weather.

“The temporary removal of the scaffolding platforms is a planned precautionary operating procedure when high or king tides are forecasted,” the city representative explained. “This planned response will be implemented whenever tide levels reach the scaffolding, and any removed sections will be reinstalled as soon as tidal conditions subside and forecasted weather conditions allow for it.”

Minjarez, who has already inspected the damage underwater, added that if scaffolding stage is removed, he’s not worried about access, the city has options. “I know there are load restrictions on the pier…the city could use a bridge inspection machine to lower personnel but that’s not my area of expertise – I work on the water and in the water.”

Once work resumes, it could take up to two weeks for scaffolding to be erected and eight weeks for repairs. Once completed, the entire pier will reopen to the public.