Renovations of NOAA’s pier facility on the Cooper River will support new research missions

NORTH CHARLESTON, S.C. (WCBD) – The National Oceanic Atmospheric Administration is renovating its ship pier and facility in North Charleston to better support research missions in the Atlantic Ocean.

Regional partners joined the agency on Tuesday morning to break ground on the project.

Renovation plans include demolishing and building a new pier including shoreside power for ships, a warehouse, a sea wall and living shoreline, and other supporting infrastructure.

NOAA says the upgrades will help its ships Ronald H. Brown and Nancy Foster – both of which call Charleston their home port – have a designated place to dock and better accommodate research missions in the Atlantic.

A $59.8 million renovation contract was awarded to Manson Construction Company last September. Leaders say the project is partially funded by the Inflation Reduction Act, which is part of President Biden’s Investing in America agenda.

“President Biden’s Investing in America agenda – and the historic Inflation Reduction Act – has made it possible for NOAA to renovate this pier facility in North Charleston and make way for more vital climate and ocean research for decades to come,” said U.S. Secretary of Commerce Gina Raimondo.

“Many of NOAA’s investments in infrastructure over the next several years are made possible because of funds from the Inflation Reduction Act,” said NOAA Administrator Rick Spinrad, Ph.D. “Investing in our shoreside infrastructure helps NOAA meet essential at-sea data collection requirements that support enhanced economic security, public safety and homeland security for many years to come.” 

The pier and facility are located along the Cooper River.