The Sebastian City Council, acting as the Community Redevelopment Agency, is considering options for installing a mooring field near Captain Hiram’s for as many as 17 boats.
Over the years, the issue of mooring fields has cropped up and been shot down more than once. This time, however, Council appears ready to investigate what the costs would be and explore the possibility of a public-private partnership to manage it.
Already, the City has a recognized “special anchorage” area east of Captain Hiram’s – the same location the mooring field would be if approved. That special anchorage area, though, is federally designated and allows boaters to weigh anchor without local permission or control.
City Engineer Frank Watanabe told the Council last week that establishing a mooring field might require the City to designate a harbor master and come up with a way for boaters to discharge their sewage safely – all of which would cost money.
Tom Collins, owner of Captain Hiram’s, addressed the Council, offering his services to manage the mooring field if the Council were to pursue it.
A boat owner himself, Collins said he prefer to moor his boat rather than anchor it when he travels.
“I sleep more soundly at night” when tied to a mooring, he said.
Mooring fields are areas that have secured tethers boats can be attached to that typically are more secure than anchor lines.
Collins said Captain Hiram’s is already equipped with a pump-out station for boat sewage, has dinghy dockage, showers and laundry – all services most boaters expect when paying a mooring fee.
“I don’t think it’s going to be a huge money-maker,” Collins said.
Sebastian resident Ben Hawker cautioned the Council about moving forward on the mooring field. He pointed out that in his nine years of residence the matter has come up twice before and failed.
He questioned the amount of liability the City would take on in the event of a mooring failure, where a boat goes adrift and causes damage. He also raised a concern about the possibility of houseboats mooring in the field on a permanent basis.
Mayor Richard Gillmor said it would be difficult for them to make a decision without knowing the hard costs associated with establishing and maintaining the mooring field.
“I don’t even know how we break even,” Gillmor said.
While Vice Mayor Jerome Adams and Mayor Gillmor voted against moving forward with investigating the issue, the Council majority agreed to at least get the estimated costs before making a final decision.
