Although remaining under active repair, the Dunedin Marina in Florida has officially reopened to the public following months of closure due to widespread damage caused by Hurricanes Helene and Milton.
Structural and electrical failures at the marina prompted the original closure, declared by the Dunedin Fire Marshal due to safety concerns. Damage included the complete destruction of the pier and day docks, collapse of the east seawall, north seawall impairment, damage to the parking area and submerged electrical systems. Several other components, such as water mains, fire suppression systems, main docks, finger docks and pilings, were also affected.
The marina features 192 slips, including 170 for recreational use, nine commercial, several municipal designated areas such as six day docks and four davit slips. The slips range in size from six-metre to 18-metre (25-foot to 60-foot).
Dunedin City Manager Jennifer Bramley said in a statement to ABC Action News: “The damage to our marina was extensive. The day dock, our pier, was damaged and is closed at the east bulkhead wall, which is the sea wall. It pulled away from land, essentially, and created a crevasse which we could not cross to get to A dock, B dock and C dock. We had extensive damage to the electrical system. The pedestals were all demolished by Helene.”
Bramley also stated: “Generation by generation, we’ve worked very hard to keep it the quaint marina that it is right now, and we’re going to do that in the future too. We’re still going to support the nostalgia of the marina, the quaintness of the marina, if you will, and, you know, ensure that it continues as the heart of our community.”
Officials anticipate that full electrical service will be restored by the end of July.
