Earlier this month the Fort Myers Beach Town Council approved a $194,000 contract with a company called Sole Source to install 70 mooring balls. That money is 90% FEMA reimbursable. The Florida Department of Emergency Management will cover 5% and town taxpayers will pitch in just under $10,000.
Environmental Project Manager Chad Chustz says all mooring field balls east of the Matanzas Pass Bridge were damaged or destroyed by Hurricane Ian. They have not been used at all since the storm. Chustz is hoping the contractor can have the new system installed by the first quarter of 2024. “The new systems will be installed as soon as the systems are built and the contractor is able to mobilize to install them.”
The west mooring field did have 19 balls open but 6 of those were taken offline do to issues with the channel alignment and damage from the USACE dredge project. The 13 remaining have been open to be rented out for wet storage. On November 1st, the 13 balls will be available for liveaboard rental again with the upland services offered from Matanzas Inn.
The town has reached an agreement with Matanzas Inn Management to resume upland services and mooring facilities for dinghies and the Town’s pumpout boat to service the field. The town will pay Matanzas Inn $36,000 for one year of upland services which will allow boaters to use showers, bathrooms and laundry in their facility.
The town will also lease a mobile office for Harbor Master Austin Gilchrist who’s responsible to enforce the rules of the mooring field. The mobile office will cost $8,305.99. Previously the town had been renting space from Harbour House for an office, which is not being considered as a long-term solution.
Vice Mayor Jim Atterholt said at the last town council meeting he wanted to see the mooring field break even and not cost the taxpayers any money. “That should be our goal, to cover the cost.”
The town is hoping to have a temporary dinghy dock installed by January 2024.
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