by Mike Sharkey
Staff Writer
Backers of a plan to bring the U.S.S. Adams to the Southbank to serve as a Naval Museum, tourist attraction and event site were back in front of the Jacksonville Waterways Commission Thursday.
Bert Watson, government relations coordinator for the Adams, told the Commission there are three major hurdles — a suitable city and location, approval from the Navy and funding — that must be overcome in order to secure the retired ship and moor it just east of the Acosta Bridge. Watson said progress is being made on all three fronts, however there is still plenty to do before the Adams becomes a mainstay of the Downtown neighborhood.
“The first is critical and we’re done with that,” said Watson. “City Council unanimously approved a resolution endorsing the project.”
According to Watson, it will take between $3.5 million and $4 million to bring the ship to town. That cost includes towing, renovations and a location to display the Adams. Watson said he has started the initial fundraising, but expects it to take at least a year to raise the money and prove to the Navy the Jacksonville community is serious about the project. He said a similar project in San Diego involving the U.S.S. Midway was funded primarily — about three-quarters — through in-kind donations.
“The financing is a major component and I wanted to make sure you knew our progress,” Watson told the Commission.
If approved, one of the issues Watson and the Commission have addressed in the past is parking in the area and the possibility that the Adams would interfere with both other boat traffic and how the currents would change, if at all, in the area. Watson says parking is an issue now and will be an issue no matter what due to the current and planned growth in the area. He also said the Adams would not affect the currents in the area any more than the two boat slips adjacent to River City Brewing Company. Dredging will have to be done, but Watson said that’s so the tugboats can maneuver in the area, not for the Adams.
“I wanted to show you we have gone a long way down this road,” said Watson, adding he’s surprised by the few difficult issues that have arisen.
If approved, Watson would like to see the Adams become another Downtown attraction for both locals and tourists. He sees the day people get on a water taxi further east on the Southbank, ride to the Adams, take a tour, eat lunch or have a drink, get back on the water taxi and head to the Northbank for more.
Financially, Watson plans to raise the money through private donations, in-kind donations and selling memberships. For example, he said 100 “Commander” level memberships are available for $5,000. He said he already sold one of the two-year memberships. Watson also said former seamen aboard the Adams have already planned a reunion for sometime in 2010.
“We are putting heads in beds before we even get the ship,” he said. “We want to show the city this is a good endeavor. If you think the parade of lights is fun, wait until you are on the bow of my ship for that or the Fourth of July.”
Commissioner Steve Nichols stressed the importance of assuring the public boat ramp next to the proposed site stays accessible.
“You will have a public relations issue if you close that ramp because you add a ship,” said Nichols. “That’s a real concern I have.”
Watson said he’s aware the ramp is an asset and assured Nichols is would remain open. Watson said he will now spend the next few months raising money and seeking Naval approval, an aspect of the process that includes an over 800-page application.
Another major topic the Commission touched on but will likely become bigger over the next several months is the number of abandoned and derelict vessels in local waters.
“There are 87 boats we are worried about,” said Sgt. Leonard Propper of the Jacksonville Sheriff’s Office Marine Unit.
According to Propper, derelict vessels are a major problem in both the St. Johns River and the Intracoastal Waterway (ICW). The vessels are either registered to an out-of-state individual who can’t be found or they are untraceable. The boats are usually anchored in the middle of the night and abandoned.
The problem sounds simple enough to solve: monitor the vessel, determine after a set period of time it has been abandoned and tow it to a junk yard. However, Propper said jurisdiction gets in the way of common sense. He said the state’s waterways are controlled by the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission, which has complicated laws that define derelict vessels. For example, it’s legal for a boat owner to remove the boat’s engine and declare it a barge, which is virtually untouchable under state law.
Propper said he and his staff of five patrol the Duval County waterways constantly, but their hands are often tied for months, regardless if they are sure a vessel is derelict — many of which are in disrepair and/or sinking.
“The State has no means to remove the vessel, but we do. The JSO has no means to declare a vessel derelict,” said Propper. “The City does not have jurisdiction on the river.”
Waterways Coordinator Jim Suber said he has gotten purchase orders to remove three boats from the Trout River and one from ICW within the next week or so. Propper said word has gotten out that his unit actively pursues derelict vessels and, as a consequence, Nassau and St. Johns County are started to see more abandoned boats.
“The word is out that you will be towed,” said Nichols.
Waterways Commission and City Council member Ray Holt represents the Heckscher Drive area. In early June, he is meeting with riverfront residents who have complained about the growing number of derelict vessels in the area. While Propper warned Holt things could get nasty in the meeting, Holt would like to pursue tougher state laws by starting with the Duval Delegation.
“This is an ongoing problem and we all feel like our hands are tied,” he said. “I want to get where we can make progress faster. It’s very frustrating.”
Holt said there are areas near Heckscher where multiple derelict vessels are moored to each other. He said as hurricane season approaches, those boats are potential major problems.
“Some are tied with ropes that don’t look like they could handle a hurricane,” said Holt. “Those boats are going to get thrown into something. I’d like to solve the problem or at least speed it up.”