Scuttlebutt: Sawpit Boat Ramp Again In Dire Straits

 I'm not sure if I make my point clear in the video - I don't have a prepared script. In a nutshell, you'd think from all the news reports about our State of Florida's thriving economy that State could at least maintain the assets that they have, much less provide decent facility for we boaters to access the water. Those access's are severely limited in our area - the Fernandina City marina is hindered by its poor location,  traffic and parking issues. The County's Goffinsville Park is closed for 9-12 months due to poor planning and engineering. The County's Dee Dee Bartels Park is dangerous to your boat and guests due to boat wakes, and once again, the Big Talbot Island State Park ramp at Sawpit is going to pot.

My Plan for Sawpit Redesign

It's just plain crazy how our public officials seem to disregard the tax paying boating public. City of Fernandina commissioners are moving ahead with a Waterfront Park that will severely limit boaters using the marina ramp. In the Nassau County, Dee Dee Bartels is dangerous to use when there is a west wind, and hazardous to your boat anytime you launch due to the disregard of the No Wake zone. Goffinsville Park is a nightmare to use when there is a swift outgoing current, and even those of us that launch and load everyday, our trailers take a beating there having to come in "hard" to beat the current. 

And then there is Sawpit Creek boat ramp, down at Big Talbot Island. The south dock was damaged by a storm 7-8 years ago has been abandoned. The north floating dock was damaged over a year ago and there seems to be no repairs in in the foreseeable future.  It appears the State is more interested in funding researchers and studies  rather than insuring public access to their waters. 

With all the taxes you pay, shouldn't we have better?  You have to wonder if those managing this boat ramp even want the general public using it. What happens when another storm really damages it? Will it ever be repaired? Or will it just "go away"?  Kinda like that south dock has been abandoned. I think we should all ask those officials that we pay to FIX the dang boat ramp. And while they are fixing it, improve it!  Here's my idea:

Click on image to enlarge

1) The north floating dock needs to be repaired

2) An extension floating dock should be placed north running parallel with the bank

3) A new south floating dock needs to be installed to replace the old pilings

4) An extension floating dock should be placed south running parallel with the bank

5) The temporary parking area needs to be extended a few feet to accommodate vehicles unloading. 

6)  The right angle area needs to be paved to facilitate boat trailer turning

7) The landing area needs to be repaved

8)  A No Wake zone needs to be instituted with signage installed.

Ask them to get it done!

Michelle Waterman, Big Talbot Island Park Manager   Michelle.Waterman@FloridaDEP.gov

Raymond Semanchik, Parks Manager  raymond.semanchik@floridadep.gov

Clay Yarborough, State Senator Contact - Clay Yarborough | Clay Yarborough

Dean Black, State Representative Contact Form