By MADDY VITALE
The Tennessee Avenue Boat Ramp in Ocean City gives boaters and other watersport enthusiasts a prime location to access the picturesque back bays, while being affordable.
But the docks at the city-owned site are weather-beaten and narrow and the ramps need to be improved to make the facility better and safer, city officials said.
During its July 6 meeting, City Council authorized going out to bid to have the facility improved and to also perform bulkhead work. Officials say the project will completely transform the facility.
According to information provided by the city, the boat slips would be longer and there would be new ramp structures. The project would also entail a reconfiguration and construction of a new boat ramp and associated piers, ramp structures, and docks for the benefit of the city’s residents and visitors. Most importantly, the upgrades will bring the facility into compliance with ADA regulations.
As currently configured, the boat ramp poses potential dangers to boaters. The existing boat ramp is not long enough for optimal use, according to the city.
Matt Roselle, of Ocean City, and his girlfriend, Heather Murray, are two watersport enthusiasts who enjoy using the public facility.
They were getting ready to go out on their jet ski and enjoy an afternoon on the water on Saturday.
Roselle also uses the boat ramp to take out his 18-foot boat.
“I’ve been using the boat ramp for five years now,” Roselle said. “I live on 17th Street. It’s easy to find street parking and a lot more convenient and cost effective than the marina.”
It costs $12 per day to launch a boat. Boaters can also purchase a season pass for $120.
But there are some improvements needed to the facility, Roselle pointed out.
“The worst part is at low tide. When it is very low tide it is sometimes difficult to get in,” he said. “It would be better with wider slips to get out and into the water. Some of the docks are rotting and parking gets a lot crowded.”
Mayor Jay Gillian said that when the project is done it will be a beautiful public facility with much-needed improvements for boaters and others who utilize the ramp.
“This is one of the issues where we have to redo the boat ramp and also do flood-mitigation work,” Gillian said in an interview Saturday. “Not only will we enhance the boat ramps, but we will put flood gates in, which will help the whole city.”
The result of the renovation would be that residents and visitors would be able to safely navigate a new dock system to use the ramps and docks. The proposed reconfiguration and renovation would provide handicapped access to the ramps.
In addition, the entire parking lot will also be reconstructed, raised slightly, and repaved, according to the information from the city.
As for flood mitigation, new permanent bulkheads would be installed along with removable bulkhead sections along the boat ramp and dock area to provide for flood protection for severe storm conditions.
“That is what we do. We look at what we need to do to fix things and also find ways to improve and enhance things,” Gillian said of adding the flood-mitigation component to the facelift.
In 2018, the city made improvements to the facility, which included new padding on the pilings for the floating docks to protect boats from damage. The parking lot was repaved and 10 tons of sand was brought in to cover a badly eroded area at the water’s edge.
But over time and many storms later, the upgrades and improvements have deteriorated.
Still, the facility is a popular spot for boats and watercraft.
Each summer there are about 2,500 launches of boats and watercraft.
Greg and Emily Allen, of Philadelphia, whose family has a home in Ocean City, brought their 9-month-old son Linus for some fun on the water in their boat.
They have used the public boat ramp for about four years.
“I’m mostly satisfied,” Greg said. “It is obviously old and the ramps could be better. It would be great if the ramps are improved a bit. They are stable, but old.”
Chris and Dawn Nowmos, of Ocean City, enjoyed a day on the water on their jet ski. The couple said that they love the convenience of the boat ramp.
“I like that there are three docks,” Dawn said.
While both Chris and Dawn Nowmos said that it would be nice to see some improvements, they noted that they have enjoyed the use of the docks over their seven years living in Ocean City.
“It has worked out fine, but sure, it would be nice if they were improved,” Dawn said.
For more information about the Tennessee Avenue Boat Ramp, visit https://www.ocnj.us/boatramp.
