Plans in Ship Shape for Mooring Field in Boca Ciega Bay

Gulfport may be poised to develop a mooring field in Boca Ciega Bay.

The Tampa Bay Times reports that the city is considering a 25-buoy mooring field that would be limited to sail boats.

The city plans to apply for two grants:

• A grant from the state Department of Environmental Protection would fund 75 percent of the construction.

• The other grant would pay for 75 percent of the cost of a $100,000 pump-out boat. It would be funded under the Clean Vessels Act.

According to the Times:

"Once the field is built, boats currently in the bay that do not choose the transient dock or anchor within the parameters of the mooring field will have to move farther out in the bay."

The city council has been considering the idea of a mooring field for several years, weighing the pros and cons. 

But the council already has expressed interest in expanding the Gulfport Municipal Marina's ship store and adding laundry and shower facilities.