If they get there way no more rafting in Old Harbor.


Harbormaster presents ambitious management plan for Old Harbor
By Peter Voskamp




Old Harbor's outer basin filled with dozens of rafted yachts last
July 4 weekend. Harbormaster Chris Willi has proposed a plan to remedy
overcrowding and provide better emergency access for the entire Old
Harbor. Photo by Emily Lindquist

Harbormaster Chris Willi impressed the Harbors Committee with a
PowerPoint presentation on Tuesday night, Jan. 17, detailing a
conceptual plan to rearrange and manage Old Harbor.

It included not only a much-discussed infrastructure rehabilitation of
the south and west docks in Old Harbor's inner basin (new bulkheads,
utilities, planking and lighting), but also a new two-story
office/bathroom/shower facility on the south dock. And, perhaps most
ambitiously, the rebuilding of the Mount Hope dock, a 500-foot pier
inside the eastern breakwater, as well as another brand new dock within
the western breakwater.

Willi stressed that though the creation of new dock space was an
integral part of the plan, the reason for it was not to bring more
boaters to the island, but rather to accommodate fewer boats in a safer
manner, spreading them out to allow for better fire and rescue access.
Also, more revenue could result for the town.

Willi said during a busy summer weekend too many boats anchor
haphazardly along the large breakwater and in the outer basin; at times
dozens of vessels raft up to one another. The town cannot regulate the
number of boats in the outer basin, Willi said, and also has little
access to them in the event of an emergency.

The inner basin is similarly plagued by excessive rafting in the
summer, with rows of vessels tied up side-by-side. The rafted vessels
are not only unable to access any utilities such as water and
electricity, but also are in a very precarious position in the event of
fire or other emergency.

Willi went through frame after frame of the presentation, asking the
commissioners for any suggestions they might have. The presentation,
projected on screen, included historic photographs to illustrate
different points. Willi plans to give a similar presentation to the
Town Council next week.

Police Chief Vin Carlone was on hand and supported the changes "100
percent." Although the new arrangement might create more work for the
police force, Carlone said it would prove a vastly more responsible
arrangement than what is currently in place.

And, as Willi has previously said, the entire project could be financed
with an approximately $3-million bond, which the Harbors Department
would shoulder from its own revenue with no expense to taxpayers.

The inner basin

Apart from the two-story bathroom/ shower facility and extensive
rehabilitation of the infrastructure, Willi envisioned decking over
areas along the west dock that are open and without planking currently.
Also, he suggested moving the bait dock to the end of the inner basin
breakwater on the west side.

Vice Chair Hermann "Bo" Gempp said a roof over the bait dock would
be a good idea, and Gary Hall, a commercial fisherman, said that the
small stone jetty out to the current bait dock would need some
attention because stones are coming loose; and perhaps planking could
be extended to connect to it as well.

Willi showed a proposed stern-to docking arrangement in the inner
basin. He said it would be safer, and more boats could be accommodated
than with a recently proposed two-boat rafting limit for the inner
basin.

Once the changes are in place, the town could charge the industry
standard $4-per-foot dockage fee, instead of the $2.50 it currently
does. Also, the electricity could be metered. There was some discussion
if a flat rate should be charged for power, or if metering would be the
best route.

The outer basin

and western breakwater

Willi's plan showed a dock wrapped within the western breakwater
interior, stretching 800 feet, and 8 feet wide. It would accommodate 40
to 45 slips, and would require approximately 20,000 cubic yards of
dredging. It would also tie into a boardwalk, which has been proposed
in the Old Harbor Vision study, and another small Harbors Department
building would be placed there.

If this dock were installed, no more anchoring would be allowed in Old
Harbor's outer basin, though some moorings would be available.

Mount Hope dock

The plan showed a rebuilt Mount Hope dock (the original was destroyed
in the 1938 Hurricane). At 500 feet long and 8 feet wide, it would
provide approximately 20 to 25 slips. Ten thousand cubic yards of sand
would have to be dredged to accommodate the dock.

Costs

Willi provided a breakdown of cost estimates. The numbers came from a
Narragansett-based marine construction firm that was here in the fall
to work on the new eight-slip marina for Ballard's Wharf. Willi said
the numbers are for current material costs, and could rise by 15
percent in just the next six months.

The inner basin south dock construction cost was estimated to be
$896,000 (the two-story building not included); the west dock:
$201,000; the Mount Hope dock: $610,000; the west breakwater site:
$1,595,000. The total comes to $3,302,000 - not far off from
Gempp's original bond estimate a few months ago.

Willi then provided a detailed breakdown of the potential revenue the
expanded dock areas could bring in.

Based on a 90-day season at 50-percent capacity, the changes could
bring in $607,200; at 75-percent capacity: $897,000; and at 100-percent
capacity, $1,212,000.

Gempp said there would be revenue coming in from Great Salt Pond that
was not included in the figures.

Though he is still awaiting concrete bond service costs from town
Finance Director Tom Moon, Willi outlined the attendant expenses he
expects to come with the new infrastructure (garbage, electricity,
water, more employees, and debt service for example), which would
amount to about $560,000 annually.

Willi also said that if any or all of the suggestions were adopted by
the town, he'd recommend the work not be done in a piecemeal fashion,
otherwise it would not pay for itself. Committee member Renwick
"Pete" Tweedy said that when talking to the Town Council, it must
be stressed that "doing nothing is not an option," given the
deteriorated condition of much of the Old Harbor inner basin.

The group applauded Willi's efforts and offered encouragement.

Willi asked for "devil's advocates," so the presentation can be
made as seamless as possible. He also would like to give the
presentation to the Block Island Residents Association, the Block
Island Maritime Institute and the Fire Department and Rescue Squad.

After the meeting, Willi said that Old Harbor is designated a Type 5
body of water, which is primarily for commercial interests, as opposed
to New Harbor, which is Type 3 for mixed use.

Officer re-elections, boat salvage

The leadership of the Harbors Committee was re-elected Tuesday night,
with William Luddy remaining chair, and Gempp remaining vice chair.

Willi said that tentative plans are underway to remove the 80-foot
Aggressor , a trawler that has been up on the rocks near Black Rock
since Thanksgiving. He said the Coast Guard is satisfied there is no
more fuel on board the boat, and a salvage barge will arrive on Jan. 23
or 24 to lift the boat and take it away.

In February, the Harbors Department will refloat the much smaller
Martin boat still on its side off Mosquito Beach, using a recently
acquired patrol boat, if the owner does not do so on his own. New
regulations allow the department to fine the owner for this effort, and
for not addressing the issue sooner.