2022 November December Marina World

TALKING SHOP
years, I slowly worked my way
from dockhand to assistant
dockmaster, to dockmaster
to marina general manager.
I’ve had the opportunity to
have worked and managed
several marina properties
over the years in Florida, the
mid-Atlantic, New England, the
Midwest and now the Texas
Gulf Coast. I’m lucky enough
to thoroughly enjoy my job and
absolutely love experiencing
what each new day brings.”
Among his short-term goals
are to expand the marina’s
hospitality services and
guest experiences at Kemah
and incorporate them into
additional marina properties
for Landry’s, and to continue
to improve and add to those
services for marina guests.
“Our biggest challenge is
continually coming up with
new services to our marina
hospitality offerings. I enjoy
meeting and exceeding a
marina guest’s expectations
and assisting them in enjoying
and maximising their valuable
leisure time. A marina
manager’s responsibilities are fluid and
ever changing, which is a big part of the
allure for me.”
Expansion and development
plans
“We just completed the modification of
B-Dock from 42ft (13m) monohull slips
into one 450ft+ (137m+) alongsidetie
dock to better accommodate the
high demand for larger 50ft+ (15m+)
catamarans (see Marina World, July/
August 2022),” Grace says. “With most
catamarans larger than 45ft (14m)
unable to access most of the region’s
marinas due to their mast heights and
bridge restrictions, we decided to take
advantage of our location on Galveston
Bay to offer these larger yachts an ideal
homeport for exploring the bay and
the Texas Gulf coast. The additional
alongside-tie dock will now offer
catamaran owners a Texas homeport
option instead of being forced to keep
their yachts in Florida.”
Future improvement projects include
plans to completely replace the docks
within the marina, and redesign the
layout to better accommodate the
current boating trends of larger yachts
and catamarans, Grace says.
His ambitious plans build upon a
history of upgrades and improvements
at the marina. “In recent years, we’ve
upgraded the marina’s complimentary
Wi-Fi system by placing repeaters out
on the docks, installed a new Keco
pump-out station for guest use, built
a bocce ball court and putting green,
installed guest seating areas with new
propane fire pits and replaced our old
charcoal grills at our dockside guest
pavilions.”
Keeping pace with modern
needs
Currently, the marina boasts more than
400 slips, T-heads and alongside-ties
accommodating vessels from 25ft (8m)
to 100ft (30m) in length. The existing
docks are all floating docks with timber
frame and wood decking, with 30amp,
50amp and single phase 100amp
electric services. Plans for a new 150ft
(46m) fuel dock and ship store are
currently in the development stage.
Other marina facilities include a
tropical pool and hot tub spa, marina
dock carts, laundry, dog walking areas,
yoga sessions and basic boat washing
services.
The marina is currently at 93.5%
occupancy, with a waiting list on larger
slips up to 62ft (19m), as
well as 70-100ft (21-30m)
T-heads and alongside-ties.
While there are no haulout
or boatyard facilities
at the marina, third-party
insured marine contractors
are allowed to conduct minor
repairs on guest boats, and
a large haul-out and shipyard
facility is located just five
minutes from the marina.
Tight security at the
marina allows for visitor
peace of mind. “Security
is not a concern at our
marina because we are ever
vigilant,” Grace explains.
“The marina property is
enclosed by a perimeter
fence with 24-hour guest
access by electronic key card
at our automatic front gate.
Contractors and visitors may
also be buzzed and signed
in by the Marina Office and
dedicated uniformed roving
marina security personnel.
We also provide local
law enforcement marine
vessels with complimentary
slips to support their safety and law
enforcement operations on Galveston
Bay. These law enforcement slips were
purposely assigned at the front of the
marina property with the highly visual
presence of four to five law enforcement
vessels and five to six law enforcement
vehicles providing the marina and
our guests with an additional security
measure by acting as a visual deterrent
for any potential illegal activities.”
Grace is proud of the marina’s
environmental credentials. “We are
a Certified Texas Clean Marina,” he
explains. “Our daily environmental
tasks include removing any trash by
dip net within the marina basin and
cleaning all bird mess from the docks.
We provide our guests with a used
oil and waste water/diesel disposal
centre. This enclosed area also
accepts used battery disposal and is
cleaned and maintained weekly. The
marina has several trash and recycling
containers scattered throughout the
property, which are emptied daily. The
marina also maintains a close working
relationship with the US Coast Guard
and Texas General Land Office in
reporting any possible oil or fuel spills
in Kemah and assisting with minor
clean-ups.”
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www.marinaworld.com – November/December 2022