The island of Ofu has an area of about 4.8 sq km (3 sq miles). It is of vol- 
canic origin and is encircled by a fringing reef. The reef generally ranges from 
300 to 600 m (1,000 to 2,000 ft) in width, with depths varying from 0.3 to 1.8 m 
(1 to 6 ft).’ Ofu Harbor is situated on a reef platform off the northwest coast of 
the island (Figure 2). The project, constructed in 1975, utilized a portion of an 
existing natural channel through the reef. It consisted of a 5.5-m-deep (18-ft- 
deep), 40-m-wide (130-ft-wide) entrance channel approximately 67 m (220 ft) in 
length and a 4.9-m-deep (16-ft-deep) turning basin with horizontal dimensions of 
approximately 91 x 91 m (300 x 300 ft). Material from channel and turning 
basin dredging was used to construct a 12,140-sq-m (3-acre) landfill adjacent to 
mooring areas and for protection of the harbor from wave action (CEPOD 1973). 
The landfill, where exposed to wave action, was armored with a stone revetment. 
The revetment was placed on a slope of 1V:1.5H and consisted of armor stones 
ranging from 910 to 1,815 kg (1 to 2 tons) and underlayer stone ranging from 
450 to 910 kg (0.5 to 1 ton). Figure 3 is a plan view of the originally constructed 
breakwater. 
TAUSA POINT 
OFU HARBOR 
NUUTELE TUAFANUAI 
ISLAND 
Q {SLAND OF OFU 
PACIFIC OCEAN 
SCALE IN FEET 
Figure 2. Location of Ofu Harbor 
In 1981, the Ofu Harbor revetment was severely damaged by tropical storm 
Esau, with subsequent repairs completed in 1982. Then in 1990, Hurricane Ofa 
struck American Samoa and the revetment again sustained severe damage. 
Before the structure could be rehabilitated, Cyclone Val further damaged it in 
1991. The revetment was almost completely destroyed. Armoring and under- 
layer stone on both the harbor and sea sides required complete repair. The 
' All elevations and depths cited herein are in meters (feet) referred to mean low water (mlw) 
datum. 
Chapter 1 Introduction 
