HomeMy WebLinkAbout2008-05-14 Harbor Committee Minutes
City of Bangor
Harbor Committee Minutes
Meeting: Wednesday May 14, 2008
City Development Office
Committee Members in Attendance:
Richard Reinhart; Daniel Cassidy; Robert Woods, Daniel Field
City Staff:
Jerry Ledwith, Harbormaster; Jim Ring, City Engineer
Guests:
Dean Wiseman
April Minutes were accepted.
1. Points East will be bringing their flotilla to Bangor as part of their cruise of Maine Rivers. They have
requested a speaker on the history of the River and Port. Robert Woods has graciously agreed to do this.
The Lower Penobscot Watershed Coalition is planning an event on the waterfront July 26. Details are not
yet available
2. Small Craft Access –
The upsteam dock will have a “low dock” addition on the downstream side. Gangway modifications
appear to be too complicated to carry out this season.
Long range plans will focus on the downstream portion of Dunnett’s Cove.
3. Hodgdon Marine – The proposal for a shipbuilding facility on Bangor City Property continues. This
property is in Hamden, and thus would not be under the oversight of our Committee or Harbormaster.
4. Historical Guide – Robert Woods has been quite active in researching the waterfront history, including
many original documents. Later this summer he anticipates having an initial collation of information.
Current suggestions are that this information be utilized:
for a “site specific” guide to the waterfront and the river to Bangor
for informational signs on the riverfront in Bangor (and probably also Brewer)
other applications are also being considered
5. Moorings
Because the river to the Chamberlain Bridge is under active Commercial Utilization (i.e. the cruise
ships), the prior mooring field approved when this area was not being commercially used must be
limited. This means sites close to the Bangor side are eliminated. There appears to be some space
on the Brewer side. How limited this space may be will need to be worked out with the Army Corps
of Engineers. This will be pursued in time for this season. Shawn Mahaney of the Army Corps of
Engineers has already accepted an invitation to the Committee Meeting in June.
Moorings below the Chamberlain Bridge are imperative for sailboats whose masts will not clear the
bridge.
The mooring field for motor boats above the Chamberlain Bridge is not affected.
Dean Wiseman presented a different concept for moorings. Rather than the traditional single
mooring stone/chain mooring, his diving company is suggesting a pilot project for a “caternary
system” of a single long large diameter (? 2 inch) nylon rope between two large mooring stones,
with individual moorings tied on. Double securing points for each mooring site would decrease
scope. Under this pilot project, the proposal is for the City to provide materials, and the company to
set the gear without charge. Details of the specific gear and the method for testing its capacity need
to be worked out. Dean will follow up with Jim Ring.
Waterfront Marine has also expressed some interest in setting up some moorings.
$3,000 was proposed in the city budget for moorings, but not yet approved.
6. Docks
Seasonal installation progressing as the river currents start to subside
Dock space renewal is down, which should help accommodate the desire for some free dock space for
visiting boats.
7. Port Security
Under Homeland Security there will be $21,000 available for port security some of which will be
applied to video camera(?s) for dock surveillance. Details are still to be worked out.