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Fishermen defend long-standing launch practices as board examines ramp wear
Summary
Public commenters and board members debated whether repeated skiff launches have scarred the Bar Harbor launch ramp; fishermen said marks are cosmetic after hundreds of launches, while others urged solutions to prevent future cracking.
At the start of the Ports and Harbor Advisory Board meeting, public commenters raised concerns about parking at the harbor office and later addressed ramp wear at the Bar Harbor launch ramp.
A commercial-fishing representative said the ramp design changed when it was rebuilt in 2012 and reported roughly 432 skiff launches over 13 years; he and other fishermen said the visible marks are cosmetic and do not shorten the ramp's life. "We went through 13 years of skiffs we've hauled and launched," a commenter said while describing the marks left on the ridged ramp surface.
Board members and other attendees also inspected the ramp and acknowledged drag marks exist; one member said the scarring looks "negligible" for the number of uses but voiced concern those marks could turn into larger cracks over time. Several participants suggested a cooperative solution between ports staff and fishing interests to limit wear and plan for replacement when the ramp's lifespan requires it. One board member offered to draft a memo to council to start the conversation.
Why it matters: The ramp is an operational asset for commercial fishermen and recreational users. Port staff noted they do not own all adjacent parking and that some spaces are set aside for city rigs and employees, which has fueled parking complaints upstream of the ramp debate.
What happens next: Board members suggested staff prepare a memo for city council outlining the issue and options; no formal policy change was made at the meeting.
