Reserve boat mooring beginning June 1

Local Historic City News reporters learned today that St. Johns County residents will have the opportunity to be among the very first to secure a preferred spot for their boats when the St. Augustine Municipal Mooring Field begins accepting reservations on June 1.

Owners of waterfront property located within the city will be allowed priority for making reservations starting June 1 through June 13. Then, starting on June 14, St. Johns County residents, whether residing in the city or not, may submit reservations. Finally, on June 28 reservations will be open to the general public regardless of residency.

With three areas available, boaters have a choice of mooring their vessels in Salt Run or in Matanzas Bay either north or south of the Bridge of Lions. While the installation of the field is set to begin in July with the marking of the mooring field boundaries, reservations for specific moorings will be accepted during the month of June with priority given first to city residents with waterfront property, then all other city and county residents, and finally the general public regardless of residency.

Whether a boat owner or not, it is clear that the entire community will benefit from the development of an organized anchorage in the city’s waterways. Without designated mooring areas, a live aboard boater may drop anchor for an unlimited amount of time in any location often resulting in some using the bay for “boat storage” in a manner that is dangerous for other boaters and perhaps harmful to the environment.

Moorings organize a harbor in a manner that is safe, secure and environmentally responsible. With vessels restricted to designated moorings, boats are anchored in a safe location away from other vessels and owners must dispose of trash and sewage properly. Additionally, the program will minimize the derelict vessel problem where boat owners dispose of entire vessels which then become the responsibility of the city.

Mooring sites in Matanzas Bay, the San Marco Field located north of the Bridge of Lions and the Menendez Field which is south of the bridge are more expensive that those in the Salt Run Field. Also, rates are higher for live-aboard vessels than “wet storage,” and for those living outside the city or the county.

Reservations must be made in person at the Guest Services Office at the St. Augustine Municipal Marina, 111 Avenida Menendez, between the hours of 10:00am and 6:00pm.

When making a reservation, proof of residency is required by providing a current driver’s license or other valid identification showing a residential address within the limits of City of St Augustine or St. Johns County, a current motor vehicle registration showing a residential address within the limits of St. Johns County and two additional proofs of residency which may include:

* Proof of ownership of their residential real property located within the limits of City of St Augustine or St. Johns County; or
* Current lease for their residential property located within the limits of City of St Augustine or St. Johns County; or
* Voter registration card demonstrating residency within the limits of St. Johns County; or
* A bill for utility services in the name of the resident for residential property located within the limits of City of St Augustine or St. Johns County.

Funds from Municipal Marina reserves will be sought at Monday night’s regular City Commission for the removal of illegal, private and un-permitted moorings still located in city waters.

General Services Director Jim Piggott previously outlined a schedule to commissioners which includes voluntary mooring removals and mandatory removal of remaining vessels.

Completion of the project is expected by the end of August, Piggott said