Facility Improvements and Long Range Planning

By Lisa Fernandez

Prioritize safety rather than aesthetics; Pursue revenue generating activities; Purchase a dredge to perform annual dredging maintenance rather than contracting out to a for-profit business; Repair the fuel station at Oyster Point Marina; Develop a 10-year plan for facility improvements and replacements, Support our local fishermen.

Safety issues should be the main concern at both marinas. The docks need to be replaced, not just repaired. Dock replacement at Pillar Point Harbor was budgeted in two fiscal years (1998/99 and 1999/00), but never occurred. What happened to the money? The Oyster Point Marina Bay Trail was completed for hundreds of thousands of dollars. Currently, the docks are unsafe and are a liability. The berthers have been waiting long enough for safe docks. Let's give it to them now. It's a lot cheaper than a lawsuit.

2) PURCHASE THE BOATYARD

Without a boatyard, the fishing fleet is doomed. If the boat owners cannot get their boats repaired at Pillar Point Harbor, they can't make a living. By forcing the boats to limp up to San Francisco or down to Santa Cruz, they are in danger of sinking and could create an environmental disaster. This is the lifeline for the commercial fishing fleet and cannot be lost. The Harbor District passed up buying the property before, we can't afford to do it again. It would also be an income-producing asset (one of the few the Harbor District has) if we had to sell it.

Another revenue producing enterprise which the fleet needs is a first rate gear store. You lose a day of fishing when you have to run out and look for gear. That hurts when you have a short fishing season or good weather to fish in.

3) INVESTIGATE BUYING A DREDGE OR SHARING ONE WITH ANOTHER HARBOR

The purchase cost of a dredge is approximately $250,000. The Harbor District just paid approximately $800,000 to have Oyster Point Marina dredged. Sand is constantly building up at both harbors. Dredging is an on ongoing cost, which will never stop. It makes fiscal sense to investigate the purchase of a dredge (similar to Moss Landing Harbor's dredge) or renting one from another harbor. Hospitals share expensive equipment to defray the cost. It is time for the harbors to look into sharing equipment also.

4) FIX THE BROKEN FUEL DOCK AT OPM/P

Imagine the one filling station in your neighborhood being shut down for almost two years even though you are paying for the pleasure of having it there. This is what the berthers at Oyster Point Marina have had to put up with. They have had to go to Coyote Point or San Francisco for their fuel. This situation should have never been allowed to linger that long. It was an undue hardship that was put on the back burner.

5) DEVELOP A 10-YEAR STATEGIC PLAN FOR FACILITY IMPROVEMENTS AND REPLACEMENTS

There needs to be a comprehensive plan as to what the future needs are for the next ten years in order for the Harbor District to plan financially. Important issues that need to be addressed include: (a) parking problems at both marinas, (b) water quality at Pillar Point Harbor, (c) re-configuring the breakwater at both Pillar Point Harbor and Oyster Point Marina, (d) maintenance dredging at both Pillar Point Harbor and Oyster Point Marina, and (e) maintainance of existing buildings.

6) SUPPORT LOCAL FISHERMEN

The fisherman who runs his boat out of Pillar Point Harbor is much like the family farmer. You can have a good year or be devastated. The movie, "PERFECT STORM" gave us a glimpse of the life of the commercial fisherman. Fishermen will go out in bad weather if they think they can make enough to survive the winter. It is one hook, one fish. Some don't come home. I think there is a little bit of hero in all of them. You are up against the weather, gear loss, and boat breakdowns. My fiancé (a former deputy harbormaster at PPH for 8 years) is the Captain for the Fishing Vessel, Pacifica (a long line tuna fishing boat out of Hawaii). I hear first hand of the difficulties he and the other fishermen go through. It is a struggle to make it in this business and I feel that the Harbor District should support them.

We can support them by allowing them to sell smoked fish off the dock so they can get through the winter. The fuel dock needs to be open 24 hours a day. Fish don't sleep in. The small boats can't take the required 600 lbs. of ice in their holds. They should be able to get smaller quantities. The fishermen also need someplace to tie their gear and store it. Lack of medical insurance is a big problem.

Harbor Days should also be brought back. Harbor Days was an annual event started by the commercial fishermen to showcase their catch and promote fish sales. Various vendors participated with all sorts of fish being sold, arts and crafts, and music. This event is an excellent public relations event for the fishermen and should be revived.

Oyster Point is a well-known windsurfing spot. I would like to see other events held at this marina to bring recognition of this facility.