JML Engineering was retained in 2012 by Department of Fisheries and Oceans Canada (DFO) Small Craft Harbours to complete a structural assessment of the Silver Islet Wharf located at the southern tip of the Sibley Peninsula in the Thunder Bay District on Lake Superior.

The structure was a 92.7 m long, U-shaped timber wharf constructed in 1951. The wharf consisted of a transverse timber plank deck and timber stringers supported by timber pile caps and untreated timber piles.

Significant structural deficiencies were observed during the inspection, including very severe abrasion, wear, checking, splitting, and decay of the timber piles. Pile caps were no longer bearing on piles at several locations. More than half of the pile caps were severely decayed or disintegrated.

Based upon the severe deterioration observed at the main load carrying elements, JML Engineering recommended the wharf be closed to vehicular and pedestrian traffic by installing concrete barriers and a chain link fence at the approach.

JML Engineering prepared a Pre-Design Report to investigate replacement options. The report investigated replacing the existing structure with a rubble mound breakwater, a timber pile bent wharf similar to existing, and a closed cell sheet pile system c/w a concrete deck. The sheet pile system was deemed the preferred solution based upon maintaining berthing opportunities for recreational users, providing an effective wavebreak and a safe harbour, and long term design life.

The design, tendering, contract administration and occasional site inspection for this harbour improvement project was awarded to JML Engineering in late 2018. The construction scope of work included wharf replacement, boat launch replacement, rubble mound breakwater rehabilitation, and providing a new floating dock system adjacent to the breakwater.

A comprehensive site investigation was done, and a subconsultant was retained to complete a diving inspection. The design considered live loads due to vehicles and pedestrians, vessel loads such as mooring, berthing, and breasting, and environmental loads such as waves and ice. Water surface elevations are an important aspect of marine engineering. Low, normal, high, and chart datum water surface elevations were carefully considered to determine the top elevation of each structure, to ensure functionality and safety for the end user.

Construction began in January 2020 and was completed in August 2020.