Fernandina Marina to open after repairs from Hurricane Matthew

Crews have started repairing the Fernandina Marina that was damaged by Hurricane Matthew.

The marina has been closed since October, which is keeping neighbors and visitors away from the area. The marina is usually the first stop many tourists make as they head south.

The marina manager said about 15,000 boats visit the marina every year and the marina's closure has been hurting business.

“After the storm, we had no boats in the marina and no transient boats or short term boats since then," Marina manager Joe Springer said.

Kevin McCarthy owns Amelia River Cruises and Charters. His business had to be moved after the docks could no longer support his boats.

“We’re now on the southern end of the marina and normally we’d be at the foot of Center Street and that’s a much better position for us,” McCarthy said.

But there’s some hope hope for these business owners. McCarthy said the marina has started 10 projects while the waits to see what the Federal Emergency Management Agency can do for the rest of the marina.

One of those projects includes dock repair for the north end, where McCarthy usually docks. “It will increase the business considerably,” McCarthy said. Springer said crews have been repairing the boat ramp and docks.

The projects will be finished in the next two to three weeks.

When the smaller work projects are done in the next few weeks and more spots open for boats, the marina manager asks that people call ahead if they’re coming to visit to make sure there’s an available spot to dock.

Cox Media Group