City Considers Live-Aboard Vessels at Gulfport Marina

Currently, people are not allowed to live on their boats or vessels in the Gulfport Municipal Marina. Recently Gulfport Mayor Mike Yakes asked city staff and the Marina Habormaster to look into the possibility of allowing "live aboards."

During Thursday's City Council Workshop Harbormaster Denis Frain explained how much it would cost to upgrade the facilities in order to accomomdate "live aboards."

Cost of Improvements:

• Additional support building for expanded restrooms, showers, laundry lockers and day room: $200,000
• Installing additional pump-out equipment: $22,000
• Additional Marina staff (facility will need to be staffed 24 hours per day for security and service related issues) 1.5 part-time employees: $55,000
• 20 aluminim ladders for vessel access: $5,000
• Adding 20 mailboxes: $1,200
• Installing CATV system (cable tv): $5,000

Total Capital costs: $233,000

Frain says the Municipal Marina has room for 195 vessels but currently only has 67 slips. He proposes that they allow 10% of the total slips to be designated as "live aboards"; that would equal about 20. While the change would generate revenue, the city will have to figure out how to pay for the upgrades if officials move forward with this proposal.

Frain says this is a lifestyle that could be an added appeal to the city. People say they're “living the deam” and they have “nothing to tie them down, they can come and go as they please.”

Generating Revenue

• Current basic slip rental rate of $353.96 per month
• Proposed live aboard premium of $150.00 per month
• If all 20 are filled for one year = $120,950.40

The upfront cost and uncertain predictions about the number of live aboard slips is cause of concern for city council members.

What does the Council think?

Council Member Barbara Banno says she support the Marina and agrees that it is one of the most profitable pieces of the city but, she's concerned with the "immediate output of money" that the project would cost. "We would have to come up with another $233,000 dollars when balancing the budget next year which as well all know is extremely hard."

Banno says she's also considering what she's heard from her constituents and some of them do not want the Marina to allow people to live on their boats.

While having 20 "live aboats" would generate $120,950.40 annually, that's only a $36,000 increase. If those same 20 slips were filled for the $353.96 fee, the total after 12 months is $84,950.40.

Council Member Sam Henderson pointed out that it would take more than six years to "pay it off."

"I think it would be a good source of income down the road. But the payoff rate is a bit of a long shot."

Vice Mayor David Hastings brought up how to fund the project, asking if the city is able to utilize funding from the "Penny for Pinellas" sales tax which is used for capital improvement projects in the county.

Council Member Jennifer Salmon questioned if we could charge more than what's proposed.

"The more amenities you have the more you can charge of liveaboard premiums,” Salmon said.

Mayor Mike Yakes said, "I support it, I think we can look at other funding. It is something of interest that there could be other funding. We have to look at all options out there.”

Yakes added, “I’ve spoken to a lot of the residents. The strong points, possibly reducing vandalism or burglary theft, I think is an advantage, I’d like to go forward with the concept and ideal.”

What do residents think?

Al Davis, a 50-year-boater, says the city should allow people to live in their vessels in the Gulfport Municipal Marina.

Pat Dunham says she is "shocked" to hear how empty the marina is. Dunham agrees with Davis stating that "live aboats are the finest community of people on the planet."

"When you have rules like most marina's do, the marina's are beautiful. You wouldn't even know. We've been boaters for over 50 years and I've lived aboard in Conneticut . . . Jacksonville, Daytona, Madeira Beach, Blind Pass and two in Fort Myers and Punta Gorda."

Dunham also emphasized that allowing people to live on vessels provides added security in the marina and helps generate revenue for the city.

What's next?

City Manager Jim O'Reilly said he will put together a proposal and bring it back for discussion during the budget process for fiscal year 2013.

What you can do:

Contact your leaders and share your concerns, ideas and suggestions:

• Mayor Mike Yakes: myakes@mygulfport.us
• Vice Mayor David Hastings: dhastings@mygulfport.us
• Council Member Barbara Banno: bbanno@mygulfport.us
• Council Member Sam Henderson: shenderson@mygulfport.us
• Council Member Jennifer Salmon: jsalmon@mygulfport.us