Privatization Of Atlantique Marina Means Increase In Docking Fees

FIRE ISLAND, NY —Some South Shore residents who regularly use the Atlantique Marina on Fire Island to dock their boats during the summer are fuming about the Town of Islip hiring private companies to manage the facility. For decades, the town managed the marina, just west of Ocean Beach, but now private companies hired by the town will increase fees for docking, and eliminate senior and veteran discounts, the residents say.

Diane Setter is president of the Atlantique Boat Owners Association (ABOA) which organized a protest at Islip Town Hall last week. In a news release the ABOA outlined its major grievances with the marina's privatization.

"Atlantique Park will now be open to non-residents —residents from all over the country can use this park although Town of Islip residents’ taxes are helping to fund it. Historically, non-residents were only allowed in our marina Monday through Thursday and they left by Friday morning."

"During this time of COVID, outdoor recreational areas are more important than ever, and are being taken away from the taxpayers," the ABOA stated in the news release.

The president of Strong's Marine, one of the two companies along with Al Grovers High and Dry Marina, told Newsday this week that the fee increases are necessary because the marine was neglected for years.

"We believe that [fee increases are] very fair and we’ve asked people to have a little patience. Next winter they’ll see there were very significant investments."

The ABOA's position is that taxpayers shouldn't be made to to incur the costs of the upgrades that weren't maintained through taxes.

"Due to years of neglect and mismanagement, the Town of Islip has decided to lease out the marina to a private company who will in turn make necessary upgrades while running the marina. But by doing so, Town of Islip residents, some of the highest taxed homeowners on Long Island...will be forced to pay nearly 50 to 100% increases in daily docking fees, while still footing the bill for required town boating permits and recreation cards. Senior, veteran and weekly discounts are being suspended, and fees are stated to be raised annually by the private company."

"The boating and beach-going community is outraged, those who are aware of these changes, of course. There has been a lack of communication with residents on the Town of Islip’s part and officials have yet to make these changes be known to the public. "

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