90 boats given 48 hours notice

[Vasco]

At Green Cove Springs.

Dangerous Piers Cause Marinia To Close!!!!



GREEN COVE SPRINGS * On Tuesday, March 3, boat owners tied up to docks 11
and 12 in Green Cove Springs Marina, to the floating docks between them and
to the bulkhead were told they must move their boats no later than 4 p.m.
Thursday, March 5. They were told that the docks required extensive repairs
and that they were scheduled to begin Monday, March 9.

That’s a pretty tall order to be accomplished in just 48 hours.

Office Manager Crystal Williams said there are some 91 boats tied up at the
marina and about 25 more on various legs of cruising to the Bahamas. These
owners, Williams said, “…have been notified by email and when they return
they should be prepared to go into storage that same day.”

The marina has a storage yard where some boats can go but they cannot be
lived on or worked on there. There also is a work yard; boats taken there
still may be live-aboard.

Clay County Port Executive Director Ted McGowan said engineers informed him
last week that the dock's pilings had deteriorated badly and they had to be
evacuated immediately.

McGowan said that to underscore the severity of the situation, Reynolds
attorneys notified Bob Speakman, owner of the marina, that vacation had to
be within 48 hours.

McGowan said the docks, built in 1946, had steel pilings and concrete decks.
Says McGowan, “We’ve been monitoring the docks for years but, in the past
two years, the salinity in the St. Johns River has increased dramatically
and the steel pilings have deteriorated far more rapidly than anticipated.”

John and Petra Kowalchack of Lexington, Va. have been coming to Green Cove
Springs for years. The first year they sailed their vessel, “Ragtime Duet,”
down but have stored it here since and driven.

Like so many others at the marina, Petra says, “It’s like a family. Everyone
knows everyone and we all help each other. For some people, this is their
home.”

John says, “This place has become an icon.”

John says they are more fortunate than some others; they have a place for
their boat to go.

Tor Pinney has been sailing from place to place, “…most of my adult years.”
He too commented on the family atmosphere. He had been planning to leave
later in the spring. “I just had to move my schedule up a little,” he said.

Some others aren’t so lucky.

One person who lives on a house boat built on pontoons also works all day
and has no opportunity to search for a place and is desperate. It’s
particularly difficult because leasing offices for marinas and apartments
usually are closed by late afternoon.

Once the docks are repaired, current tenants will be called and told they
can “come home.”

For most of them that day can’t come fast enough."

[scallywag]

Yes, and that is where the N.E. Florida Spring Fling is to be held. Have not checked with the powers to be, it is a consensus, for the moment no new location is being discussed. We had such a great time last time I would hate for the location to be changed.
John

[sailorgal]

Actually, I think this is the older Green Cove Springs marina that they are talking about. It is a little south of where the Spring Fling will be. The spring fling will be at Reynolds Yacht center.

[scallywag]

I do not know for sure. I do not know how many docks are at Reynolds Marina. It was reported by Jax News.John

[GordMay]

Originally Posted by sailorgal

Actually, I think this is the older Green Cove Springs marina that they are talking about. It is a little south of where the Spring Fling will be. The spring fling will be at Reynolds Yacht center.

Green Cove Springs Marina
851 Bulkhead Rd
Green Cove Springs, FL 32043
904-284-1811

Reynolds Park Yacht Center
1063 Bulkhead Road
Green Cove Springs, Fl 32043
Phone: 904-284-4667
Toll Free: 866-FOR-RPYC (367-7792)
Web: http://www.rpyc.info/services.html