A marine bulkhead is an earth retention system constructed in a water environment that has water access on one side of the earth retention wall. Often, bulkheads are used in conjuction with dredging in ports or marinas.

Marine bulkheads are a special category of earth retention systems. While their analyzed similar to standard deep excavations, their design life is much longer and they are exposed to aggressive water environments. Marine bulkheads are usually formed from steel sheeting protected from corrosion by coating or other means.

The bulkhead sheeting can be cantilever or supported by one level of bracing. In the overwhelming manority of bulkheads no more that one level of supports is used primarily due to construction feasibility (very difficult and uneconomical to install supports underwater). When used, typical supports consist of deadman anchors, dead man sheets, internal tierods, or tiebacks.