Boat Salvage Almost Completed At Fairhope Pier

Posted by Publisher on

Fairhope, Alabama 

 

Boat salvage nearing completion.

PIER MARINA

Salvaging boats sunk by last October's hurricane Zeta is almost completed, only one more remains by our count. 

According to councilman Boone, the city plans to take over operation of the marina from restaurant owner Rick Gambino, who has leased the city's pier building for about five years. Operation of the marina is a component of the 15 year lease for the building. The future of the restaurant business itself is still uncertain (it was for sale for some time). 

Electricity to the boats that was knocked out by the storms still has still not been restored, the city's responsibility. 

The restaurant closed in spring of 2020 when the pier was closed by the city early in the covid pandemic state of emergency, and has not reopened.

 

Docks damaged.

15 year lease.


Comments

Anonymous said…
Mr Rick Gambino has not been treated fairly by the City of Fairhope . He is paying out $65,000 of his own pocket for the removal of the sunken boats ..Water & sewer service have not been restored to restaurant since the storm. . When Mr Gambino had a buyer the city would not agree to let him sell . To even open the restaurant at the begainhg of the lease Mr Gambino had to sped many thousands of dollars just to open, Including new a/ c system . He is a restaurateur not a marina operator . The marina was forced on him by the city because of liability .
Sunday, August 15, 2021
Anonymous said…
Actually, Gambinos lease is exactly the same as former owner Bob Popes -- who successfully operated the Yardarm there for thirty years.

Removing sunk boats is the responsibility of the boat OWNER, the problems start when they don't -- or cannot be found.

A couple sunk by hurricane Ivan remained submerged for ten years before Gambino himself removed them in 2015.

Utility services to the pier were restored three months ago (not to the lower level marina though).
Sunday, August 15, 2021
Anonymous said…
Whoever is responsible for leasing out the boat slips should always demand proof of current insurance from the boat owners and include within the lease agreement a guarantee of using that insurance for salvage, if necessary. It's all just paperwork until a hurricane hits.
Sunday, August 15, 2021
Anonymous said…
If you think the Yardarm was successful as a restaurant, please let me sell you the successful triangle property . Yardarm was not open for business for months at a time & the food on a good day was just ok . It never made money .
Monday, August 16, 2021
Anonymous said…
It is about time they cleaned up the mess. I agree it is the responsibility of the owner, and they should be easily found by the boat's registration. But this situation has procrastinated far too long and the city should have had the boats removed and sue owners and insurance companies for restitution.
Monday, August 16, 2021
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