Committee approves modest increase to maritime center transient boater rates

The Charleston City Committee on Special Facilities voted May 7 to approve staff recommendations that include raising transient boater rates at the municipal maritime center from $2 to $2.75 per foot.

Mister Froelich, a city staff member, told the committee the city’s transient rate — $2 per foot — is “the lowest by far in the area,” and cited a recent study comparing local marinas. He said Cooper River Marina charges about $2.75 per foot and other nearby facilities range from about $3.30 to $6 per foot depending on season and location.

The rate increase is intended to bring the maritime center more in line with nearby marinas and to better position the facility ahead of planned capital work. Froelich said staff are completing a dock feasibility and cost-estimating report that will support an application for a boating infrastructure grant; the grant could help fund dock replacement and a redesigned layout to reduce silting and improve access.

Council member Balton moved approval of Froelich’s recommendations, and Froelich seconded. The committee voted in favor; the chair declared, “the ayes have it.”

Froelich also updated the committee on the Spirit of South Carolina, noting the nonprofit overseeing the vessel has reorganized leadership, has been fundraising and scheduled the boat to splash down next week and return to the maritime center. He said new license agreements for commercial vessels are being drafted.

City staff said the maritime center will revisit rates again after dock improvements and any grant-funded work are in place to assess whether further changes are warranted.

Next steps: staff will finalize the boating infrastructure grant application and return to council with project details and any recommended future rate adjustments.