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Block Island harbormaster outlines pump‑out best practices to Fort Lauderdale board
Summary
Kate (Block Island harbormaster) told the Fort Lauderdale Marine Advisory Board on July 8 that Block Island operates five purpose‑built pump‑out boats, offloads to the town sewer and pumped about 80,000 gallons last year.
Kate (Block Island harbormaster) presented the board with operational details and best practices from Block Island, a small New England harbor that runs a multi‑boat pump‑out program and extensive water testing.
Kate said her fleet includes five purpose‑built pump‑out boats; one boat for Old Harbor holds about 320 gallons and larger boats in the fleet hold up to 420 gallons. She told the board her crew pumped “a little over 80,000 gallons” last year and that the town offloads pump‑out waste to the municipal sewer at an on‑shore station. Kate said three of her staff both operate and maintain the boats and that federal grant programs cover maintenance and staff costs, while a modest $5 marina pump‑out charge preserves grant eligibility for the program.
Board members asked about hours of operation, seasonal service levels and how moorings are managed. Kate said the pump‑out service runs seven days a week from Memorial Day to Columbus Day with at least three boats underway on busy mornings. She also said the town may fine violators up to $2,000 and ban them from the harbor for illegal discharge.
Panelists and board members discussed elements Fort Lauderdale should consider if it expands pump‑out services: making the service free or easily accessible during an initial uptake period, clear signage and VHF radio availability for users to call pump‑out boats, and public outreach (including school engagement) to build long‑term stewardship.
What happens next: the board asked staff to explore pilot options, signage and public‑education programs, and to consider grant paths and seasonal service designs informed by Block Island’s model.
