DLNR scores boat owners for lack of appreciation

With the refusal of the majority of boat owners to transfer to the Outer Cove Marina, Department of Lands and Natural Resources acting Secretary Richard B. Seman yesterday lamented what he described as apparent lack of appreciation on the efforts of the agency to accommodate their needs.

The $75,000 worth of fenders ordered by the department recently arrived and will be installed soon to provide some form of protection to the vessels that will be relocated there.

“It makes it really hard for us to determine what else can we really do. We are trying to accommodate their needs but then they develop other reservations later on,” said Seman.

The department has entered into an agreement with several boat owners for the use of the Outer Cove Marina, but most of them have already decided not to relocate their vessels claiming that the marina is unsafe. “Such move has made it difficult for us to enter into another agreement without having any apprehension that the people who signed it would be pulling out later on,” he said.

Although the department is now locked in a legal battle with the Marine Revitalization Corp., the non-stock non-profit organization that built the marina, Seman said DLNR is still committed to establish a breakwater there to prevent big waves from hitting the vessels.

“It is something that has to be done regardless of who owns the marina,” said Seman.

The controversial marina, which was built at the cost of $3 million, began operation in late part of 1998. It includes the berthing area, water and sewerline facility and the Mobil convenience store.

During a recent public hearing, boat owners strongly criticized the fees which they would be paying when they transfer to the marina at this time when the tourism economy has been on a downturn.