Safe Harbor Marinas has welcomed Front Street Shipyard into its network following the completion of local regulatory approvals in Belfast, Maine, marking a new phase for the waterfront facility established in 2011.
Front Street Shipyard operates as a full-service yacht yard, marina, and custom boatbuilding and refit facility. The site has a lifting capacity of up to 485 tonnes and provides berthing and storage for vessels up to 60 metres. Facilities include wet slips, transient slips, dry storage and winter storage.
In December 2025, JB Turner, president of the Front Street Shipyard, confirmed that the business had reached its 15th year of operation and that the ownership transition followed long-term planning by the shipyard’s founders. According to a message shared by Turner, the process focused on finding a suitable new owner to support the business and its future direction.
“Our goal has been to identify a new owner who can bring additional investment and resources to further support our team, our facilities and our waterfront community. After exploring several opportunities, we believe we’ve found the right group to carry this vision forward,” he said.
Turner also confirmed that he will remain in a leadership role for the next several years.
Regulatory steps required for the transaction progressed throughout 2025. In October, Safe Harbor Marinas, through Greg Glavin, regional vice president, formally requested approval from the local planning board for a change of ownership under contract rezoning and master agreements. The request referenced an agreement of purchase and sale dated 7 April 2025 between Safe Harbor and Dubba LLC.
In that request, Safe Harbor stated its intention to maintain the site as an active marina and boatyard. The company also mentioned plans for continued investment, estimating $5 million USD in spending during the first three years of ownership.
The final municipal approval came in December 2025, when the Belfast City Council voted unanimously to approve a contract rezoning amendment.
Safe Harbor currently owns and operates more than 150 marinas and shipyards. In February 2025, investment firm Blackstone agreed to acquire Safe Harbor Marinas from Sun Communities, Inc. in a transaction valued at more than $5 billion.
