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Port approves amended landing-rights deal to expand Tideline water taxi service
Summary
The Port approved a negotiated amendment to Tideline Marine Group's landing-rights agreement, extending the term, adding minimum performance standards and a monthly minimum fee of $300 or 7% of sales (whichever is greater); the amendment requires a minimum average of five paid landings per week and acquisition of a larger, Coast Guard-certified vessel.
The Port Commission approved staff's recommendation to amend Tideline Marine Group Inc.'s Landing Rights Agreement to support growth of a nonexclusive water taxi service at Port landing points.
Maritime Director Peter Daley summarized the key changes: an extension of the contract term (the company asked to move from a five-year term to a 10-year term with a five-year option), the establishment of a monthly license fee of $300 or 7% of ticket sales (whichever is greater) where previously no minimum existed, and new performance standards requiring an average of at least five paid landings per week across the Port—acilities and the acquisition of a larger Coast Guard-certified vessel to increase capacity.
Tideline representatives, including Captain Taylor Lewis and company principals, told the commission the business has carried nearly 3,000 passengers in the past year and is poised to expand service and create union jobs. Veronica Sanchez of the International Organization of Masters, Mates & Pilots also spoke in support and said the company had hired union crew since startup.
After public comment the commission moved, seconded and approved the resolution authorizing the amendment by voice vote; the chair announced "Resolution number 131333 has passed." The staff report said failure to meet the minimum performance standards would void the amendment and revert the operator to its original agreement.
The amendment binds performance milestones to the longer term; staff and the Port will monitor compliance and reserve reversion if milestones are not met.
