Beach celebrates mooring ball anchorage
A bright, sunny day was a boater’s delight for a celebration on land at the third annual Cruiser’s Appreciation Day hosted by the Town of Fort Myers Beach Anchorage Advisory Committee and Matanzas Inn held in the Inn’s restaurant parking lot Saturday afternoon. Many islanders revelled in the Town’s success of its 70 mooring ball anchorage at the Matanzas Harbor Municipal Mooring Field in the Back Bay.
“The mooring field means a lot to the Town because it brings a segment of the cruising population which may not normally come to the island,” said Town AAC chair Katherine Light. “They spend money on this island and visit our beautiful beaches. We really want to welcome that segment of the population to our beach.”
Live entertainment, a raffle with donated items from local businesses, a silent auction and food and beverages were featured at the event. Residents of the mooring field received free food.
“Boats, burgers and beer, what more could you want?,” said Event Coordinator Eric Berris, the Town’s public services supervisor in the Public Works Department. Berris shares the field’s management responsibilities with Matanzas Inn manager Jerry Nestor. Mark “Boobah” Hess is the dockmaster.
The mooring field is available for public rental all year long and accommodates vessels up to 48 feet in length. If the Beach is your destination by boat, a dinghy dock (located beneath the Sky Bridge between Matanzas Inn Restaurant and the public fishing pier) is within walking distance to beaches, restaurants, shopping, nightlife and public transportation.
“People know about it, and they certainly appreciate being here,” said Light. “We have a segment of the boats that come back year after year.”
Matanzas Inn has provided upland services for the Beach’s mooring field since 2007. If you need assistance, mooring information can be obtained by phone (463-9258) or by radio (Marine Channel 16). The bathroom, shower and laundry facilities are available each day from 8 a.m. to 10 p.m. The Matanzas Inn Restaurant hours are 11 a.m. to 10 p.m. daily. A bicycle rack, which was provided by members of the Beach Kiwanis Club, is available for use.
“In the laundry room, there is a snack machine, Coke machine, four washers and dryers and a book exchange,” said Nestor. “There’s also a trash facility, fresh water supply and a dinghy dock.”
Mooring ball rental fees -which include the pump-out service and use of the aforementioned amenities and more- are $13 per day or $260 per month. All renters must register with Matanzas Inn upon arrival.