Last Friday the Town of Fort Myers Beach launched its brand new $100,000 boat from the United States Coast Guard property under the Matanzas Pass Bridge. If you missed our live broadcast of the event you can watch it HERE or HERE.
We also did a quick video interview with Harbormaster Curtis Ludwig that you can watch HERE. Watch Anchorage Advisory Committee Chair Chris King christen the boat HERE.
The vessel was purchased with funds recovered from a 2024 code-enforcement lien, meaning no current-year taxpayer dollars or unbudgeted funds were used.
The 26-foot Skully Aluminum Craft landing vessel is built for durability and shallow-water performance. It will replace the town’s aging pontoon boat, which is in disrepair and scheduled for decommissioning. Because the current vessel cannot effectively cover the full island, this replacement will allow Marine Operations to reach all service areas and respond more efficiently to environmental and maintenance needs.
This aluminum landing craft includes a bow door, davit, and winch system designed for hauling equipment, materials, and debris. These features support essential operational tasks and enable staff to better maintain the island’s shoreline, waterways, and public infrastructure.
