An impassioned request for five Parking spaces at the Yacht Harbor was made by long-time Party Boat Captain Hal Hagaman and received with equal intensity and understanding by Harbor Commission Chairman Tom Wall.
And while the Chairman could not accommodate the request immediately, he assured Captain Hagaman of the Sea Tiger 2, that he was aware of the problem and would have a solution for him as soon as possible.
Hagaman was not seeking the five parking spaces for himself, but rather one for each of the party boat captains who lease space from the Harbor at Pier One.
The long-time tenant spoke at the harbor Commission meeting this week requesting that at least five spaces be reserved for the businesses who pay rent for their docking privileges but are frustrated regularly on weekday mornings by the absence of available parking places.
Hagaman, who has been working out of the Harbor for more than half a century, starting as a teenager cleaning the charter boat Oasis, said he was denied the right to post cones to block off parking spaces to ensure he and the other four boat captains could operate their businesses in a timely manner when they arrive weekend mornings.
Harbor Manager Lou Fligor explained he banned any cones on parking spaces, because others were doing it as well and the situation was out-of-hand so he banned all cones. Hagaman argued that Sea Streak customers park their vehicles in the lot for closer proximity to the boats for their commutes. Boat owners routinely leave their vehicles in the parking lot overnights when away on their boats for overnight or several night trips. He also pointed out overnight parking is not enforced nor does it cost to park in the harbor, an open invitation for others to park there as well.
Wall sympathized with Hagaman, thanked him for bringing the matter to the attention of the Harbor Commission and noted he understood his frustration and inability to be ensured he could have at least one parking space. He assured the fisherman he would do something about it.
Hagaman said after the meeting he did not think it fair to ask for a parking space for himself without also seeking at least that much for each of the other four head boat captains. He said he limited his request to a single spot for each “because I think that’s a reasonable request.” Those coming to use the boats have additional time and could park further away but preparations for the boats and trips should at least be considered by the Commission.
Hagaman also noted times have certainly changed since he first responded to a request from the Oasis to help out on the boat as he was walking in the harbor one day as a kid. It was his introduction to a lifetime of fishing and leading others to fishing grounds, he said, tracing his history from the Oasis charter boat, to a second larger one, to his going to college and earning a degree in marine environment studies, to his purchasing the Oasis.
He later purchased a boat in Belmar, a head boat he named the Sea Tiger, and in 2004 purchased the Sea Tiger II, the 65-foot craft he operates at Pier 1 for both half day and full day trips seven days a week. He also employs three crew members who have been with him several years. Hagaman also remembers when there were nine head boats in the harbor, but high costs, changes in fishing regulations, and other circumstances have reduced the boats to the current five.
Wall said after the meeting he has several ideas in mind and will brooch them with the Harbor Commission for action as swiftly as possible. He said he recognized the frustration of the boat captains, and recognized and appreciated their value to the harbor, to local resident, and to visitors drawn to the harbor because of the fishing boats. Wall said he feels confident the commission can up with a solution to the problem shortly and will keep Hagaman advised.
