BRADENTON BEACH – The aging wooden jetty at the southernmost end of Coquina Beach is scheduled to be refurbished next spring and extended back to its original length.
The jetty, which extends into the Gulf of Mexico at Longboat Pass, was built in the 1950s and is made of squares of timber that are filled with rocks, according to Manatee County Parks and Natural Resources Department Director Charlie Hunsicker.
Built in the 1950s, the Coquina Beach jetty resembles a wooden railroad bridge. – Joe Hendricks | Sun
“The structure is about 70 years old and it looks sort of like an old railroad bridge. The waves have been hitting this structure of 70 years and it’s finally taking its toll on the last 40-50 feet. Some of the wood is breaking apart and the fasteners and bolts are rusting out. Some of those rocks are now spewed on the bottom of the Gulf,” Hunsicker said. The iconic jetty will be restored to its original length, around 30 feet, he added.
“The jetty was intended to hold the Coquina Beach sand from going into Longboat Pass and it did its job for the longest time, but it started to get a little leaky. So, about eight years ago, we experimented with putting in a tube filled with sand and laid it against the north side of the jetty. It’s like a hot dog filled with sand. This tube stopped the movement of sand that would have gone through the leaky part of the jetty. If this tube did its job, we could observe that the pass wasn’t filling in as fast as it had been. It worked. The tube was only intended to be there for three years, but it’s hung in there ever since,” Hunsicker explained.
A sand-filled tube was previously placed alongside the jetty to help prevent beach sand from entering Longboat Pass. – Joe Hendricks | Sun
“Now we’re going to replace it (the tube) with a permanent and impervious sheet pile wall that will be driven down into the sand at the same elevation as the rock jetty. A sheet pile wall is a steel wall that’s driven into the ground. When we put in the sheet pile wall against the existing structure, that will replace the tube of sand, and we are going to replace the broken-up pieces at the western end of the jetty. There’s not going to be a wall there that you can’t see around, nothing like that. The top of the jetty will stand about three feet above the sand,” Hunsicker said.
The jetty extends out into the Gulf of Mexico, near Longboat Pass. – Cindy Lane | Sun
BRADENTON BEACH – Due to liability and maintenance concerns, navigational markers will not be installed in the recently dredged channel between the Bridge Street Pier and the Coquina North boat ramp.
Over the years, the channel that runs parallel to Bradenton Beach’s bayside shoreline and around Leffis Key became too shallow for some boats to navigate.
Using a state appropriation and a West Coast Inland Navigation District (WCIND) grant, the Bradenton Beach Community Redevelopment Agency (CRA) had the channel dredged in 2021 to an average depth of at least 5 feet. The dredging project did not include the installation of channel markers.
The possibility of installing channel markers was a topic of discussion during the March 2 CRA meeting and the March 3 city commission meeting.
During Wednesday’s meeting, city attorney and CRA liaison Ricinda Perry said some additional seagrass and mangrove plantings would occur as early as this month to complete the project-related seagrass and mangrove mitigation requirements.
CRA member and City Commissioner Jake Spooner expressed his desire for channel markers. – Joe Hendricks | Sun
CRA member Jake Spooner then asked about channel markers.
“We did this nice thing, but nobody knows where to go,” Spooner said of the dredged channel.
Commissioner Jan Vosburgh also expressed concerns about the channel not being marked.
CRA member John Chappie said the channel has always been used by boaters, and even though WCIND designated that area as a navigation channel, to his knowledge the channel has never contained channel markers.
“If we put markers in, we are responsible. We are liable for it. The county doesn’t even do it unless they absolutely have to,” Chappie said.
This aerial photograph provides a north to south view of the dredged navigation channel. – City of Bradenton Beach | Submitted
CRA Chairman Ralph Cole said the installation of channel markers would include a Coast Guard permitting process that if approved would then require the city to maintain the markers and replace any markers that became damaged or went missing.
“If one disappears and someone runs aground because it’s not marked clearly, then you’re liable,” Cole said of the city’s potential responsibilities.
Cole also said the city could be held liable if a boater was injured or a boat was damaged as a result of running into a channel marker.
“It would be nice if we had some way of showing people. We spent all this money to make that happen and now it’s there but nobody knows where it is,” Spooner reiterated.
Chappie said he’s never heard anyone say they couldn’t find the channel and he noted most boaters have depth finders and/or GPS navigation devices on their boats.
Spooner wondered if the GPS information for the channel has been updated to reflect the deeper depths produced by the dredging.
This permitting map indicates where the dredging took place along the bayside shoreline and intersected with a county dredging project that extended south to Longboat Pass. – City of Bradenton Beach | Submitted
When addressing another concern, Perry and Police Chief John Cosby said they’re not aware of any of the liveaboard boaters mooring their vessels in a manner that encroaches on the navigation channel.
The channel marker discussion resumed during Thursday’s city commission meeting.
After Perry displayed aerial photographs of the channel area, Cosby noted there have not been any markers in that channel in the past and Manatee County has no plans to install them.
Cosby said boaters should be able navigate the channel without markers and should avoid the area if they have any navigational concerns. Chappie noted boaters must assume their own navigational responsibilities when using the channel.
Thursday’s discussion ended with no formal action being taken and the discussion appears to have run its course.
BRADENTON BEACH – Paradise Boat Tours General Manager Sherman Baldwin questions the county’s request that he no longer refuel his tour boat at the county-owned loading dock near Longboat Pass.
The loading dock and seawall are located near the mouth of the pass, at the south end of the Coquina South boat ramp area.
For several years, Baldwin and his employees have used a modified pickup truck to refuel the tour boat at the county-owned loading dock, rather than pay the higher cost of refueling at a marina.
Concerns expressed
On Monday, Dec. 14, Baldwin addressed his concerns in an email to county commissioners, County Administrator Cheri Coryea and several county staff members.
His email noted he’s been using the county loading dock for nearly seven years.
“During this time, our refueling operations have been inspected by The United States Coast Guard, the Florida Wildlife Commission, Manatee County Marine Sheriff’s deputies and Bradenton Beach officials. All without incident or infraction. Two years ago we were asked to elaborate in writing our refueling protocols by the city of Bradenton Beach prompted by the Manatee County Parks and Natural Resources Department, specifically Alan Lai Hipp. All seemed good,” Baldwin stated in his email.
The fuel travels through a hose from the storage tank in the bed of a pickup truck and into the tour boat’s two 44-gallon fuel tanks. – Joe Hendricks | Sun
“However, six weeks ago sheriff’s deputies informed us that they have been instructed to prevent us from refueling there anymore, and that it was Alan Lai Hipp who they received their instructions from. In fact, if we refueled there again, we would be subject to arrest,” Baldwin wrote.
“We invested over $10,000 in modifications to a Ford F150 to be in compliance with federal regulations and now we are told to cease fueling operations without hearing or recourse. Marina fuel is over $2 more per gallon than the street price. This additional cost will force us to terminate at least one employee due to an increased fuel cost of over 65%, representing almost $650 per week loss. We were informed that our only option is to attend and speak at public comment at a commission meeting,” Baldwin wrote.
His email then stated his intent to refuel at the county dock at 9 a.m. on Thursday, Dec. 17 – even at the risk of arrest.
On Tuesday, Dec. 15, Coryea sent the commissioners the response she received from Parks and Natural Resources Director Charlie Hunsicker and his staff.
“This vendor was observed using this facility without permission in reports we received from Property Management Parks Maintenance and Public Safety Marine Patrol staff over several months – prior to our department issue of written notice to discontinue unauthorized use in 2019,” Hunsicker stated in his email to Coryea.
“In February of 2020, we engaged in several written exchanges with the vendor in response to letters of concern posted by this vendor to the board of county commissioners which asked for permission to continue private vessel refueling operations at this location. This operator refuses to accept our recommendations as manager of this dock space which have been clearly and repeatedly communicated with him,” Hunsicker wrote.
“Despite claims to the contrary, this private business operator never received permission from our department to operate a private vessel fueling operation at this location; nor does the city of Bradenton Beach have any record of approval.
“Despite the operator’s assurance that he has the capability to safely operate his private business from this facility, there are substantial risks to the county unique to marine operations to continue to allow this operation from an unstaffed public facility without extensive provisions for release of liability waiver, environmental damage insurance and other risk management driven considerations,” Hunsicker wrote.
“Use of this dock previously has been limited to and allowed for heavy construction vendors under contract to the city of Bradenton Beach for public pier and dock repairs, the State of Florida for maintenance activities for the Longboat Pass Bridge and Longboat Pass maintenance, and to Manatee County for deployment of material for offshore artificial reef sites and beach renourishment related construction activities.
“Moreover, if a private vendor of any size or complexity were to request to be allowed to operate at this county public facility, any business proposition would have to be thoroughly vetted through a competitive process to open this opportunity to any prospective vendor who would likewise enjoy the benefit of using this public facility without the charges invoked at many private marinas in Manatee County that offer commercial fueling capabilities,” Hunsicker wrote.
Commission discussion
During public comment at the Tuesday, Dec. 15 county commission meeting, Baldwin read his email aloud to county commissioners.
During the discussion that followed, commissioners Vanessa Baugh and Kevin Van Ostenbridge were among those who expressed strong opposition to a business owner being arrested for refueling his boat.
County Attorney Mickey Palmer told the commission the loading dock is located in a county-owned public park and trespassing someone from that public space is not advised.
Palmer also said he’s not aware of any county code or regulation that currently prohibits refueling at the county dock. Palmer recommended the county “stand down” and take no action until this matter is further researched and sorted out.
Commissioner Carol Whitmore expressed concerns about other commercial boat owners, operators and fishermen engaging in similar fueling activities if Baldwin is allowed to do so.
The commission was in unanimous agreement that boat fueling is not a desired activity at that location.
Van Ostenbridge made a motion directing the county attorney’s office to prepare a document that formally prohibits refueling activities at the loading dock – and potentially at county boat ramps as well. That document is expected to be discussed and potentially adopted in January.
Refueling resumes
On Thursday, Dec. 17, Baldwin and Capt. Justin Jones resumed their refueling operations at the county dock.
Captain Justin Jones assisted with last Thursday’s refueling activities. – Joe Hendricks | Sun
Baldwin said he realizes a county prohibition is likely forthcoming, but he can still experience at least one month’s worth of fuel cost savings until then. Baldwin said he’s looked for alternative locations to continue refueling in this manner and has not found one.
Baldwin said one refueling operation provides enough fuel for 10-12 boat tours, and Paradise Boat Tours operates as many as six tours per day.
JEWFISH KEY – Many members of the local boating community refused to let coronavirus (COVID-19) concerns interfere with their weekend fun.
The waters near Jewfish Key were thick with boaters Sunday afternoon. – Joe Hendricks | Sun
At least a hundred boats dropped anchor today near a popular weekend boating destination, the sandbar west of Jewfish Key in the Intracoastal Waterway, east of the northern tip of Longboat Key and south of the Coquina boat ramps in Bradenton Beach.
Some boaters came near the Jewfish Key shoreline and some stood in the water in large groups. At least one boat flew a Confederate flag. Many others flew American flags and quite a few flew Donald Trump flags.
Some boaters near Jewfish Key proudly displayed their presidential preferences. – Joe Hendricks | Sun
Several other boats came ashore at nearby Beer Can Island (Greer Island), actually a peninsula on both sides of the Longboat Pass Bridge.
Beer Can Island (Greer Island) was also a popular gathering spot for boaters this afternoon. – Joe Hendricks | Sun
Near the bridge, five young adults shared space on a small boat while fishing and suntanning with no apparent concerns about social distancing.
It’s hard to practice social distancing on a small boat. – Joe Hendricks | Sun
That was the same story on another nearby boat containing four young adults in swimwear.
These young adults didn’t seem too concerned about social distancing. – Joe Hendricks | Sun
Near the North Coquina boat ramp, a larger, more colorful motorboat approached with at least six older adults gathered in close proximity to each other.
These older adults stood in close proximity to one another while enjoying a boat ride. – Joe Hendricks | Sun
According to social media posts and photographs shared by several Anna Maria Island residents, similar-sized boating crowds assembled at Jewfish Key and Beer Can Island on Saturday too.
According to Anna Maria Mayor Dan Murphy, large groups of boaters also assembled at Passage Key and Egmont Key during the weekend.
“In my 35-plus years, I have never seen so many boats around both Passage and Egmont keys. It was wall-to-wall,” Murphy said today.
The impromptu boat armadas occurred during the first weekend that the public beaches were closed in Manatee County, Sarasota County and several other neighboring counties and cities. The beaches were closed as a preventive measure to help slow the spread of the coronavirus.
During a Friday, March 20 press conference at the county administration building in Bradenton, Manatee County Public Safety Director Jake Saur was asked about the status of the boat ramps. Saur said the county had no plans to close the public boat ramps and did not feel there was any need to.
The parking lots at the Coquina North and Coquina South boat ramps were both full this afternoon, but they were quiet and orderly while the boaters enjoyed their time on the water.
The Coquina North boat ramp was full this afternoon. – Joe Hendricks | Sun
Manatee Beach Patrol personnel were stationed at the boat ramp parking lot entrances and they turned away those who wished to park there for non-boating or non-personal watercraft-related activities.
The Coquina boat ramps are located across Gulf Drive from Coquina Beach, where the beach parking lots are closed until further notice. At least half of the 10 or so vehicles parked illegally along the Gulf Drive South right of way near the Longboat Pass Bridge this afternoon received $50 parking tickets from the Bradenton Beach Police Department.
Some who parked illegally along Gulf Drive South received $50 parking tickets – Joe Hendricks | Sun
When asked how things were at the Kingfish boat ramp in Holmes Beach, Police Chief Bill Tokajer said, “All Good. Busy.”
The days for the current Longboat Pass Bridge may be numbered, but the bridge’s number isn’t up quite yet.
During the October Island Transportation Planning Organization meeting, representatives from the Sarasota Manatee Metropolitan Planning Organization and the Florida Department of Transportation gave an update on the planned repairs for the existing drawbridge. Repairs are planned to begin May 1, 2019, but FDOT representative Jim Jacobsen said there would be limited disruption to vehicular traffic during construction.
Jacobsen said the bridge, built in 1957, is functionally obsolete, having served past it’s expected 50-year lifespan by 11 years. The bridge is rated by FDOT as fair, and the project development and environment study to determine if it should ultimately be repaired or replaced will begin in 2020. In the meantime, major repairs estimated at $3.7 million will begin in mid-2019. Jacobsen said the contractor has been given a $160,000 incentive to finish the repairs before Thanksgiving 2019.
Repairs will be made to the sidewalks and traffic lanes to cover potholes and cracks, along with repairs to the steel span to combat rust, correct mechanical issues, repair the supporting concrete beams and protect the undersides of the bridge from erosion. One of the primary goals with these repairs is to correct issues caused by exposure to the harsh environmental elements in the pass and seal the bridge to reduce the effects of rust and erosion in the future.
What motorists can expect, Jacobsen said, is to see nighttime lane closures between 9 p.m. and 6 a.m. with 15-minute-long temporary bridge closures allowed between 11 p.m. and 6 a.m. to move equipment. Detours where the bridge will be completely closed to traffic from midnight to 5 a.m. for two nights only, have already been mapped out. Jacobsen said the United States Coast Guard has already approved the bridge closures.
Bradenton Beach Mayor John Chappie requested that FDOT keep Bradenton Beach and Longboat Key police in the loop regarding lane and bridge closures. Jacobsen agreed, adding that the lane closures will be optimized to allow emergency vehicles through the construction area if necessary. He said lane closures are not allowed for Friday and Saturday nights. Prior to the start of construction Jacobsen said an environmental review of the area will be done to ensure that lighting for the project does not adversely affect nesting sea turtles on the beaches.
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