Port Sydney Beach Use: Boat Mooring Locations and Safety

The Town of Huntsville is looking for input on the use of Port Sydney Beach specifically to address boat mooring locations and the safety of swimmers and individuals using the beach.

Mooring boats at Port Sydney Beach has been a common use of the area for many years, however there has been an increased demand with new mooring locations expanding from the north side of the beach to the south side of the swimming area. While there are currently no limits or rules in place that govern the mooring of vessels at the beach, the Town of Huntsville would like public feedback on this matter.

Everyone is welcome to participate by sharing their ideas below or by attending an outdoor public meeting on September 21, 2021 from 3:00pm – 7:00pm at the Port Sydney Beach dock. Team members will be in attendance to hear and share ideas with the public. If you require special accommodation, please contact jennifer.kyle@huntsville.ca at 705-789-1751 ext 3821.

Background:

At the July 28, 2021 General Committee meeting, Resolution GC141-21 was passed which directed staff to report back to General Committee with a proposed solution to be in place by 2022 specifically dealing with the number of boats mooring at the Port Sydney beach with full consideration in making the area safer for those using the beach and swim area for committee consideration.

The Port Sydney beach area is well used by swimmers and boats for both launching and mooring of boats. In the past few years staff have noticed an increased demand of outdoor and waterfront space used by members of the public. With the recent beach improvements to the Port Sydney beach it is now not uncommon to find the existing beach area full with users by 10:30am. Presently there are 55 mooring points observed in the waterfront area with confirmed sightings of 39 vessels mooring. Staff are unsure of the usage of the 16 vacant mooring points that were observed. The mooring of vessels has been a common use of the area for many years mostly on the north side of the boat ramp, the increase demand for mooring points has now expanded this use to the south side of the swim area. At present time there are no limits or rules in place that govern the mooring of vessels at the beach area.