Is an Amelia Island Boaters Advocacy Group Needed?

Maybe I'm just getting old and grumpy, but boy does it seem like we have some crappy boat ramps here in our area. You would think that an island, surrounded by water, would have a plethora of boat launching options. You would think that as affluent as this area is, the boat ramps would be "top notch".  You would think that with what I would consider high property taxes, our State, County and City governments could plan, design and build some decent boat ramps. 

Have you noticed that when some local issue comesup - moving the ball fields from Central Park - removing the playground equipment - a development that is being proposed - those that have an interest in those things will come out of the woodwork, scream bloody murder, and affect decision  making. With all the boaters on or near Amelia Island, I would wonder, what if, we all got together and screamed really loud?

As I write this I have an email in to Nassau County asking the status of the repairs at Dee Dee Bartels Park.  It was damaged last Fall and for months has had one of the two floating docks gated off. For the last few weeks, the dock has been completely removed.  I noticed the first weekend in March that this situation was causing a nightmare for boaters - and it's only going to get worse as we get into spring and summer.

Even when repaired, Amelia Island and Nassau County boaters deserve better.  There's got to be close to a hundred parking spots for trailers at the park, but with only two small floating docks, only four boats can come in at one time, and that's IF they tie up forward on the dock. If they tie in the middle of the dock, only two boaters can be at that dock!  The "no wake" zone is contemptuously ignored by inconsiderate boaters traveling thru the channel. Between the waking from those boaters and a strong west wind, our multi-thousand dollar boats are slammed against the docks. And finally, the County thumbs it's nose at the mention of cleaning tables. Note that one of the biggest complaints I hear against we Charter boat guys is "cleaning fish at the floating dock".  I empathize with the complaints!  But it's illegal to clean fish out in the water; customers want to take their fillets home. We gotta clean them at the dock. Call your County Commissioner! I would gladly pull my boat out and clean the fish upright at a table!

At Dee Dee Bartels Park I would like to see the County:  1) extend the floating docks south (and north if there is room)  2) direct the Sheriff to put some teeth into his enforcement of the No Wake zone, and 3) install cleaning stations. 

I used the Old Town Bait and Tackle boat ramp today(see below, why) Folks need to know that this is a "Private" ramp that the owner allows the public to use. Thank You! Although the ramp is a little rough, the parking lot a little rough and the dock only holds a couple of boats, it DOES have a cleaning table! Wouldn't you know that none of our State, County, and City ramps (in this area) have fish cleaning stations! Crazy huh?

So then you have the City Marina boat ramp. For years it appeared the City Manager and a couple of the Commissioners have been trying to squeeze out the local boaters. Have you noticed how they cater to the boating tourist, but not the local tax paying boat owners?  Pentanque courts were installed on the south end of the boat/trailer parking lot, squeezing the lot just a bit, and actually closing it during the annual Pentanque Tournament(again, Crazy, huh?) New, huge concrete curbing has been installed which makes it more difficult to back into the ramp. There are talks of expanding the Atlantic Seafood building foot print - it would have to go south - and squeeze boat/trailer parking even more.  Even now, due to lack of dredging, the boat ramp is becoming obsolete. And again, no fish cleaning station. You have to ask yourself, "shouldn't a City, on an Island, have a better boat ramp?" Just one?

In Fernandina Beach I would like to see the City pursue a new location for a City park and boat ramp dedicated to boaters. 

After purchasing my bait this morning I made the short trip down to the Sawpit Creek boat ramp, just over the bridge, on the right. This a State ramp, managed by Big Talbot Island Park. It was still dark when I arrived but the yellow tape blocking off the dock was clearly visible. CLOSED!  The floating dock(still usable) had been recently damaged so I assume that it will be undergoing repairs. That aside, the dock south of the ramp has been missing for years - there's just vacant poles. And once again, there is no fish cleaning station.  There are probably at least 50 boat/trailer parking spots for this ramp but only 1-2 boats can be tied up at the dock, depending on the tide level. This is a "one boat launch" ramp with a long lane down to it and it can get crazy on a weekend. 

At Sawpit Creek I  would like to see the State 1) repair the existing dock 2) install a new floating dock on the south side of the ramp, 3) extend a floating dock south from that dock and 4) get whatever authority there is to create a "No Wake" out in front of the ramp and 5) Install a fish cleaning station!  IF they are not going to do it, they need to turn the facility over to the City of Jacksonville and let them do it. 

And finally, there is Goffinsville Park boat ramp, off island. Even though it is off island, it does give area boaters access to waters west of Amelia Island. This is great park, has plenty of parking, has adecent 1-boat ramp, but again, only a "two boat" floating dock (have you noticed all of our Public entities just provide the bare minimum?)  But, no one uses the ramp! Why? The swift outgoing tide makes it very difficult and somewhat dangerous to launch and load there. Those of us that use it regularly have figured it out(I'll "miss" once in a while), but the boater that only launches once a month or every other month typically avoids this ramp. Again, many of our inconsiderate boaters ignore the posted No Wake signs and that, coupled with a strong East wind,  you'll end up going home with some serious dings in your boat hull.

 I was at the ribbon cutting ceremony for this Park years ago and thought it was a wonderful addition to the county. In retrospect, I wonder if the ramp had been located over where the fishing pier is, maybe boaters wouldn't have the swift current issue?

At Goffinsville Park, I would like to see the County 1) figure out how to divert the swift outgoing current, 2) add an additional floating dock south, 3)install a fish cleaning station, and 4) direct the Sheriff to put some teeth into the enforcement of the existing No Wake zone. 

I've been to other county's and have seen first hand some wonderful parks and boat ramps. There are two or three in Jacksonville with huge parking lots and multi-boat launches with plenty of floating dock spaces. We have a growing affluent county and our boat owners are growing in numbers. At this time, two of the four Public ramps are either down or limited in use due to damage.  One of them is limited in use due to the swift currents.  None of them have fish cleaning stations. Floating dock space is limited at all of them. A couple of them are dangerous to our boats or even to life due to poor location or lack of enforcement of No Wake zones. We deserve better. 

Those of us who live here or drive in from off-island deserve better. Again, I would wonder if there was an Amelia Island Boaters Advocacy Group, could we scream loud enough for our representatives to hear us?