COPRI Boston Chapter Update
By Matthew Page, PE, Associate Principal, GZA GeoEnvironmental, Inc., and COPRI Boston Chapter Chair
Posted
in
Featured Groups
Sharing technical knowledge and lessons learned that influence the often challenging and ever changing harsh marine environment of the ports and harbors industry is a key goal of the ASCE Coasts, Oceans, Ports and Rivers Institute (COPRI). The 2022-2023 year brought the return of in-person events for COPRI Boston Chapter as well as great opportunities to learn and share some of this knowledge.
On the national level, the Ports and Harbors Committee of COPRI of ASCE and the permanent International Association of Navigational Congress (PIANC). PIANC collectively held their 16th triennial PORTS conference in Honolulu, Hawaii in September 2022. This sought after event drew an international crowd of over 750 engineers, owners, operators, contractors, and suppliers from the private and government sectors, including many members of BSCES. The event took place over four days and included over 150 technical papers and short courses being presented: disseminating technical knowledge and celebrating achievements within the ports and harbors community.
We are excited to announce that the 17th PORTS conference is coming to New England in early June 2025. The event is planned take place in Providence, RI, and will be a great opportunity to connect with industry. We encourage members to start thinking about technical papers and look forward to continuing to share knowledge and lessons learned within the industry as well as welcoming the ports and harbors community to the region.
On a local level, COPRI Boston Chapter is looking to gain momentum post-pandemic with more technical presentations and in-person social events. This past March, COPRI Boston Chapter held a dinner meeting at Jacobs in Boston. Julie Eaton Ernst of Weston and Sampson presented on her ongoing work related to the design and construction of several Boston resilient waterfront spaces, including Langone Park & Puopolo Playground in the North End, Moakley Park in South Boston, and schematic design of Carlton Wharf and Lewis Mall in East Boston. The focus of the discussion was related to integrating climate resilience in the public realm, and some of the technical challenges engineers face given complex subsurface conditions, aging seawalls, and stormwater management.
Members of COPRI Boston Chapter at the group's March event
We encourage folks either practicing or interested in the Offshore Wind industry to be on the lookout for our upcoming one-day offshore wind workshop planned for early fall 2023. The intent of this workshop will be to bring together students, engineering professionals, developers, and contractors for a full day series of lectures from speakers deeply embedded in the offshore wind energy industry. Participants will gain understanding of different facility types, development of design criteria, design and rehabilitation of waterfront structures, and constructability considerations.
COPRI Boston Chapter provides technical education and networking for those involved in coastal, ocean, ports, waterways, riverine, and wetland resources. We are always looking for new members! Interested engineers, scientists, and regulators within the private industry as well as government can check out your local COPRI Boston Chapter here or come join us at one of our virtual monthly meetings by emailing COPRI@BSCES.org.