DANIEL S. NATCHEZ and ASSOCIATES, Inc.

WHAT ARE THE NEW RULES IN THE U.S.?

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The new rules can be found at  http://www.access-board.gov The industry has been working with the Access Board and the following relates to the what is contained in the final rule making.

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GANGWAYS - Length and Slope – PERHAPS THE MOST SINGLE SIGNIFICANT issue to face marinas.

• Gangways as defined - must meet 1:12 with certain exceptions.

• Allow compliance with ADA by providing one gangway up to 80 feet in length without the requirement for intermediate landings, switchbacks or two or more gangways.

• Numerous Technical Requirements including transitions plates, cross slopes, railings, etc.

• Minimum of one Accessible Path and Gangway

• Grouping of Accessible Slips

• Slope Exception for Launching Ramps

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Specific applicability of the overall ADA accessibility rules is somewhat complicated, and the specifics can differ based upon whether you are a governmentally owned vs. non governmentally owned facility, etc., but it basically boils down to:

• "Fix what you touch"

• "20% rule" - any time an improvement is made to a primary function area,  up to 20% of the cost of the project must be spent on improving the accessible path.

• "Cheap & Easy" - actively remove barriers where readily achievable

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While ADA has applied to most boating facilities for some time, just how they were to comply was particularly vague. Now there is a section of the ADA law specifically discussing compliance for recreational boating facilities, including docking facilities as well as launching ramp and fishing facilities.

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ADA effects not only bathrooms and parking spaces, but also accessible routes (including paths, sidewalks, ramps, gangways, fixed piers and floating docks), almost any construction activity, work areas, and hiring and firing practices, as well as numerous other accommodations that may have to be made for customers and employees as well. ADA effects upland, shoreline interface and in-water physical facilities as well as a whole host of other issues.

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Throughout the rule making process, the recreational marine community has been well represented. In an effort spearheaded by Dan Natchez, together with numerous national and state recreational marine organizations, a coalition was formed consisting of marine trades organizations throughout the US as well as state agencies in the western states. The Consensus group’s ideas were crystallized in writings and filings by Dan Natchez working together with Bill Curry, Supervising Civil Engineer - California Department of Boating and Waterways, as well as Dave Obern, Boating Facilities Manager - Oregon State Marine Board.

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As one is undertaking improvements and changes to a facility, the NEW ADA requirements should be part of the plan.

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FOR THE REST OF THE WORLD

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On a more global basis, PIANC (the World Association for Waterborne Transport Infrastructure, though still using the acronym of its former name, the Permanent International Association of Navigation Congresses), through it's Working Group #14 (of which DSN&A was a member), has created an international guidance document of conceptual goals to strive for in providing accessibility through recreational boating facility design. That document can be found at the PIANC website, which is www.pianc.org.

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For the latest update and/or further information – contact us.