Fuel Dock
We have slowly been working on the reinstallation of the
marina’s fuel dock. Work delays caused by backordered
materials have been extremely frustrating. Not having a
fuel dock is a hassle for us too, we have to truck in all the
gas we need for our equipment.

Under power, but making way?
Like a tug pushing a heavy barge upriver against a strong
current, it is possible to be under power but not making
way. Our crew worked very hard this past year, and I must
recognize them. Last fall they rescued a sunken dump
scow from Lyons on the canal system, pushed her home,
and refitted her for service during the winter. Our 30 ton
crane was resurrected after a 10 year rest, and placed on
the deck barge they re-plated with 37,600 pounds of steel
the winter of 2007. Repairs to the crane and re-powering
the push boat Aquatic were necessary steps to prepare for
dredging and pile driving. We are now refitted and ready
for service, so I think we are moving with the current now.

Additions to the flotilla
We have sold our old cutterhead dredge to a Jamaican
dredging company and have set the proceeds aside to
purchase a long stick excavator this fall to expedite
dredging operations. The excavator will double or triple our
rate of excavation. Richie re-powered our buoy tender this
summer and we also purchased a 38’ workboat that will be
outfitted with a push knee so we can dispose of the dredge
spoils with two scows and two push boats. We hope to
push our second scow off the canal system this fall,
complete repairs, and get her into service by next spring.

Slow progress
Often I must remind myself that we are working under a 5
year plan to renovate the marina. The permits we now
have in hand took four times longer to obtain than we
were told to expect. The environmental work is crawling
forward with an expected completion date of mid 2009.
After its completion we will know which areas of the
marina we can build, allowing us to install restroom and
shower buildings, a service facility, and new office. Thank
you for your patience during this process.

River Dredging
We had hoped to contract with the Army’s contractor that
is dredging the river to dredge our river docks, but they
ran into equipment problems completing the Federal work
and will be unable to complete dredging for the City or us
this season. The Army does have funding for additional
river dredging next year, so they may be back in the
spring. The Army’s contractor can dredge at a cost lower
than we can due to its larger equipment, so it made sense
get it done quickly and less expensively. We have our
equipment ready now and plan to do the work ourselves.

2009 Dock Pricing
Although most of our labor and material costs have
increased we are not increasing prices across the board.
Slips located off river now have the same rate as the slips
on the river, but will maintain their 25’ minimum charge.

Spirit of Rochester
Within the last month we received the final approvals
necessary to install docks where the Cruise Ship was
docked, making 200’ of river front available for new
dockage. We are now installing piles so we can tie the
Spirit up river to make room for new 40’ piers that will be
installed perpendicular to shore from the bottom of Petten
Street to what is currently dock 5. Moving the Spirit will
also make the Spirit’s old office available, we have parties
interested in making it a seasonal restaurant.

South Basin Docks
We also received permission mid-August to reinstall docks
in the marina’s south basin. We can begin this process
after the fall fish migration period expires in early
December. The new docks will be angled 45 degrees
toward the river to make docking easier, and allowing us
to install longer piers. Dredging will be conducted first, to
make sure all of the building debris is completely removed.

Marina Rules & Violations
Rules are necessary to ensure the safe conduct and
enjoyment of all its members and guests. Not everyone
has the same standards or concept of how they want to
spend their time at the marina. Noise complaints,
unattended guests, speeding guests, theft of blocking
wood, and unsupervised kids have caused a lot of grief this
year. Only one warning will be issued before marina staff
shuts off the power to the member(s) violating our noise
policy for an 8 hour minimum period. Written violations
with a 3 strike policy will be issued for violating the dock
lease or the Marina’s Rules as posted in the Marina Office
or company website. Please respect and obey marina staff,
they are much more tolerant than I am.

Fencing and Security
I have ordered a custom iron sliding gate at the marina’s
entrance. The fence will not be installed until after the fall
hauling is completed. Marina members will be issued a
code to be entered into the keypad to gain access. The
next step will be installing the fence I purchased last year
along the bike path and southern boundary. I hope to get
the fence up during the winter off season.
Sincerely, Steve Gibbs, President