Repairs are being made this week to the Port of Port Townsend’s protective breakwater.

American Construction Co. of Tacoma has moved a barge and crane into position near the breakwater, and expects the project to take one week, according to a port district press release. The port’s contract with American Construction gives the project cost as $206,016.

The rock breakwater protects the public moorage from winds and high tides. It is divided into two sections: the original 550-foot section, which was built in the 1950s at the marina entrance to protect what initially was a small boat basin; and an attached 1,950-foot section, which protects the large Boat Haven built in the early 1960s.

The integrity of the structure is at risk, according to Sam Gibboney, port district executive director, which is why the emergency, and temporary, repairs are being undertaken.

According to a consultant’s report, the breakwater has eroded to the point where the stones of the outer-armor layer are rolling down the slope, and the under-armor layer is exposed to waves, leading to the creation of several sinkholes on the top of the breakwater.

The port commission approved the project after port staff presented findings of an assessment completed by Mott MacDonald, a coastal engineering firm.

The engineer concluded that the need for an immediate repair was “very high,” and that a delay would leave the structure vulnerable. Port staff concurred that delaying action could lead to accelerated additional damage and potential for a breach under even non-extreme storm events, according to a press release.

The American Construction barge is to remain just outside the breakwater for the project’s duration. Construction is to be staged and in accordance with the project permit, must avoid any impact to nearby eelgrass. Construction is to take place during daylight hours; some inspections are scheduled to occur at night to coincide with low tides, according to a press release.