The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Services awarded the Boating Infrastructure Grant, which will go toward the cost of installing trsaformers to boost power on the dock from 208 to 240 volts, replacing about 12 random anchor sites with about 16 moorings in the harbor, and replacing two rusted electrical disconnect systems.
The grant will cover up to 75 percent of the project’s $133,000 budget, Harbormaster Rick Griffin said.
Griffin contracts with the city to run the Downtown Marina and would be in charge of a mooring field. Boat owners can now drop anchor in the harbor, and he has little control over how long their boats stay, how they are anchored and waste disposal.
“What we’re mostly concerned about is getting a little control out there,” he said.
With a mooring field, which the city is still seeking a permit for, he could better regulate the area. Instead of anchoring for free, however, boat owners would have to pay a fee. Early estimates of mooring 
fees were $15 to $20 a day or $200 to $300 a month, Griffin said.
The improved electrical service could draw some boaters, he said, because the existing setup is inadequate, especially for large boats heavily equipped with technology.
Work could begin as early as July 1 and continue through December, but Griffin said he does not expect the changes to disrupt the annual Water Festival, scheduled for July 13 through 22.
[:0] Can they pull up my mooring? Its been there for over 10 years??
What do you think? They can do this? I just dont know what to think.
16’ McKee-Craft 90-hp Johnson. Fast dry and un-sinkable
Where you been Capt Curt??? Folks on here were wondering awhile back.
NN
06 200 Bay Scout 150 Yam
www.joinrfa.org/
i was wondering the same thing double
Those prices seem extremely high for a mooring.
I suspect that the mooring is yours, but the Beaufort River bottom that your mooring is sitting on is owned by the state of SC.
The mooring field may have already been permitted by OCRM and the Army Corps many many years ago, or they may be getting ready to go through the permitting process. I’m not sure what the status is.
Either way, the marina/city would have control over that area of river bottom, similar to when a marina or private dock owner takes control over state-owned marsh/river/creek when a dock is constructed.
Municipality-owned mooring fields are very common in the north east, Florida, US Virgin Islands, etc, so I’m sure many legal battles have already been waged over what is right and wrong. Not sure what would happen if you decided to anchor out or moor your boat inside the permitted mooring field. You could always move it just outside the designated mooring field.
Sea Hunt 207CC,Yam 150
www.abfishcharters.com
Hi Guys, I have been tied up all winter and spring with this new hobbie of sailing. I spend more time fishing in the late summet and Fall fishing and shrimping. I come on and read sometime, Just to keep up. I did catc a 70 lbs Ray like 5 weeks back off the neighborhood dock. Got it to the top and cut the line. it was like fighting a 5gallon bucket full of sand. hope all is well with everybody. AAs to the mooring field I guess your right Beaufort Boy. It will not be too hard to move over to Factory Creek or Battery Creek for that matter. I just like were I am. Thank for the advise .
16’ McKee-Craft 90-hp Johnson. Fast dry and un-sinkable