Other government incentive programs

It’s not just the federal government that’s willing to pay for the expansion of transient dock capacity. There are also many initiatives sponsored by state and local governments, which are equally interested in the kinds of projects that attract transient boats.

In Maryland, for instance, the state Board of Public Works recently approved a grant to Worcester County to acquire and develop a marina containing 30 transient slips. The money for this will come from the Maryland Department of Natural Resources Program Open Space, which aims to help provide berthing on Chincoteague Bay in case of a storm or other emergency.

Under New York State’s Canal Corridor Initiative, millions in state and federal dollars have been spent on building transient dockage for boaters visiting local attractions. Recently, Governor George Pataki made $1 million available to the village of Greenport for renovations to its Mitchell Park Marina. Restoring transient dockage is part of a master plan for bringing in tourist trade to revitalize the village’s central business district.

In Cape Charles, Virginia, the state has granted the town funds to construct more than 50 transient slips at the Kings Creek Marina, each with electricity and water.  

Commercial marinas as cruising destinations

Another related trend is the growing number of marinas that also serve as destination resorts or convention centers. Private enterprise is breathing life into this idea with growing success. This means that more marinas are providing attractions such as restaurants, boutiques, swimming pools, golf courses, private beaches, and state-of-the-art conference halls.

A good example is the Hyatt Regency Chesapeake Bay Golf Resort, Spa and Marina, which opened last year on the Choptank River in Cambridge, Maryland. Guests who arrive by boat enjoy privileges throughout the resort, including access to two private beaches and an 18-hole golf course.

There are many examples of marinas that have cashed in on transient guests and cruising tourism. Many have done so with the help of government funding and large capital investments. But this is not always necessary. You need only be a little flexible and creative to generate additional revenues from tourists and transients. When your regulars are away on cruises, you can rent out their slips, with their permission. And, with a few small investments in advertising and improvements to make your facilities more appealing to cruising boaters, your transient space can become a regular and significant source of revenue.

Ron Stone is a senior advisor with the National Marine Manufacturers Association and chairman of the ICOMIA Boating Facilities Committee. He served as NMMA’s director of facilities and government relations for more than four decades. He is the founder of the States Organization for Boating Access.