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Beach Haven keeps 'no overnight' rule for transient boat slips; police to handle exceptions
Summary
After council and public discussion, Beach Haven council kept the borough's existing rule that transient boat slips are not for overnight docking, while allowing case-by-case overnight exceptions if residents notify police.
Council discussed whether to change the borough's definition of "transient boat slip" (currently any slip where a vessel does not remain docked overnight) to permit up to 24 hours. Supporters of change said a 24-hour allowance might help boaters with temporary mechanical or weather-related issues. Others raised concerns about congestion, fairness and public safety.
Margaret Dimiani, a resident who identified herself from 112 West Avenue, said opening slips to overnight parking would create congestion in an already cramped area with limited public slips and could allow boats to occupy spaces for extended periods. "It will create issues... it's a very congested area," Dimiani said.
Council members and the chief said exceptions could be handled administratively: if a boater needs to leave a vessel overnight due to an emergency or mechanical issue, they can call the police department, report the situation and avoid a ticket. Councilors ultimately indicated they preferred to keep the "no overnight" rule to preserve turnover of transient slips and minimize congestion; the clerk said this was acceptable with the proviso that police be notified in specific need cases.
No formal ordinance was adopted at this meeting; the council ended the discussion with an operational understanding to keep the current "no overnight" policy and use police notifications for exceptions.
