MMS has been working with a dock master in the Sarasota area who sustained considerable damage to his fixed wooden piers during Jeanne. His recovery plan is to assess the total damage with marina consultants and insurance adjusters, and from that information, organize a plan for future development. The owners are excited about reconfiguration opportunities, wet slip expansion, and the addition of a break wall to provide added protection in the event of future hurricanes.

These are two examples of the opposite reaction from owners and operators to the damage incurred during this year’s hurricane season. There are numerous facilities that fall somewhere in between these two examples, and even more that sustained no damage at all. There was a consensus among owners, however, that regardless of the extent of the damage, the more prepared the facility is, the faster it can recover, and the damage incurred is far less than at a complacent facility.

Effects on the state

There is talk and concern that many boat owners, who usually make the trip South during the winter, will not be coming to Florida this year because they fear there is a lack of marina facilities. There may be some boat owners that will have to travel more than usual to get to their boat, but there are a large number of marinas that received very little damage and those facilities are open and ready for business.

The marine industry in Florida represents a huge financial resource and is a vital piece to the economy, creating thousands of jobs and an atmosphere that attracts people from around the world. The industry took a hit this year, but it was not knocked out, and that is a credit to the resiliency of the people in this industry. Many of the marine facilities in Florida did an excellent job preparing for and recovering from the 2004 hurricane season.

Tim Keogh works with regular columnist Dennis Kissman as the Director of Business Services for Marina Management Services, Inc. an international marina management and consultancy firm based in Boca Raton, Florida. He can be reached for comment at (561) 338-5800 or via e-mail at tkeogh @ marinamanagement.com.