Fernandina Marina Nearly Full as Revenue Jumps $395,000 and Expansion Questions Surface

By Mike Lednovich/Editor

FERNANDINA BEACH — The Fernandina Harbor Marina continues to outperform last year's financial results, with total revenue up nearly $395,000 year-to-date as transient boat traffic and dock occupancy remain strong, Marina Manager Chris Ferguson reported Monday to the Waterfront Advisory Board.

Ferguson told board members the city-owned marina generated $2.82 million in revenue through May, compared to $2.42 million during the same period in 2025, an increase of $394,480. A financial summary presented to the board showed transient revenue running nearly $91,000 ahead of last year, while annual dockage revenue was approximately $61,000 ahead.

"Marina is staying really quite full," Ferguson said. "Got a number of large boats in currently from a transient perspective, and the way this just continues to grow. So, we're excited about that."

The marina recorded nearly $150,000 in transient dockage revenue during May alone, generated from 877 transient boat nights. Ferguson described the month as "super strong" and "extremely busy."

Fuel sales also remained robust, topping $511,000 for the month on more than 87,000 gallons sold, although net fuel revenue lagged behind 2025 due to sharply higher wholesale fuel costs earlier this year.

"The cost of fuel absolutely killed us," Ferguson said. "In order to drive transient revenue, to be able to move volume, we had to drop our price."

He said marina management deliberately accepted lower fuel margins to attract boaters, many of whom choose marinas based largely on fuel prices.

"We knew we were going to have to take a lower margin to be able to do that, but traffic is everything," Ferguson said.

The strategy paid off, he said, as transient traffic surged despite fuel revenue margins declining.

At one point, wholesale fuel costs approached $5 per gallon, which would have required marina fuel prices nearing $8 per gallon to maintain normal margins.

"Captains, owners aren't calling to inquire what our daily dockage rate is. They're calling and inquiring what our fuel is," Ferguson said. "Especially when they're taking 1,000, 2,000, 3,000 gallons at a pop."

Fuel costs have since fallen and the marina has returned to its standard pricing margins, he added.

The marina also remains under budget on repairs and maintenance expenses by approximately $77,000, although Ferguson said several projects are currently underway and will be reported to the board next month after completion.

During discussion, Waterfront Advisory Board member Mike Sharpe asked whether a proposed marina component being discussed as part of future waterfront redevelopment would become part of the city's marina operation.

Ferguson deferred to city staff overseeing long-term waterfront planning but made clear he believes additional slips would be quickly absorbed by market demand.

"If I had my druthers, I would love to see us expand our marina," Ferguson said. "Do I think we could fill them quickly? 100%."

He pointed to the marina's waiting list and the number of transient vessels turned away during peak season as evidence additional capacity is needed.

Board members also discussed whether the city's paid parking program has generated complaints from marina customers.

Ferguson said marina management has received relatively little pushback, largely because long-term marina customers receive parking placards that allow overnight parking in designated non-paid parking areas south of the boat ramp.

"We haven't received a lot of pushback," Ferguson said. "The fact that we have the window placards has been a real benefit."

He acknowledged that having to park farther from vessels can be inconvenient during bad weather but said the overnight parking issue has largely been resolved.

Ferguson concluded his report by highlighting a steady stream of five-star customer reviews and positive feedback about both the marina and Fernandina Beach itself.

"I don't think I've ever seen, and I've been doing this a long time, a better location for a marina than to have a beautiful waterfront community like Fernandina Beach literally steps from your vessel," Ferguson said.

Looking ahead, Ferguson said June is tracking similarly to May, although transient traffic is beginning to taper as the seasonal migration of boaters winds down.

"There's many days that we're still having to really work our berthing plan to be able to accommodate the traffic that is coming in on a nightly basis," he said.