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Advisory board resists proposed 150-foot reserved berth, urges status quo for B3 tenderfloat after public pushback
Summary
After hours of public comment from tour operators and fishermen, the board directed staff to recommend maintaining open moorage after cruise ships depart and deferred a proposal to auction a 150-foot reserved overnight berth at the B3 inside float.
A proposed auction to reserve 150 feet of the B3 inside float for overnight moorage drew sustained public opposition at the Ports and Harbor Advisory Board meeting on Jan. 13, and the board ultimately directed staff to maintain the current open-moorage policy after cruise ships depart.
Staff outlined the proposal after earlier public complaints that one tour vessel had taken a de facto permanent position in the float. The suggestion was to auction 150 feet of the inside float to the highest qualified bidder for the 2026 cruise season, with a suggested minimum starting bid of the daily moorage rate plus 5% and electricity charged at the daily rate. Staff said the approach was intended to make any special arrangement "above board" and transparent.
Local tour operators, small charter owners and commercial fishermen told the board that reserving a large chunk of the float would harm smaller local operators who rely on frequent, short "turns" to make a living. One presenter said losing access to quick loading and unloading would reduce the number of turns and cut both city and operator revenue. Several participants urged consistent enforcement of existing open-moorage rules rather than creating reserved private use.
After extended discussion the board reached consensus that, provided rules are enforced equally, the inside float should revert to open moorage once cruise ships depart and that the proposed 150-foot lease should not be advanced in its current form. A member made a motion to "maintain status quo" (no dedicated 150-foot reserved lease) and to defer the leasing proposal; the motion was seconded and supported by the board.
Why it matters: Tour operators said the float's availability for quick passenger turns supports many small local businesses and contributes sales tax and port fees. Board members said leaving the float open after ships depart preserves access and avoids privileging a private operator unless a formal lease and higher fee structure are approved transparently.
What happens next: Staff will report the board's recommendation to council; the council and corporate relations committee will weigh whether to pursue a leasing approach, change enforcement, or leave the rules as written.
