By Dawn De Busk

Staff Writer

NAPLES— For the first time in about 15 years, the Naples Marine Safety boat that tows the fireworks barge on Long Lake was unable to do that job.

Naples Fire and Rescue boat filled in. 

Unfortunately, on July 1, the motor blew on the 2007 Polar 1810 Bay Boat, which is the primary patrol vessel for marine safety, according to Harbormaster Shawn Hubert.

“On Friday, July 1, in the late afternoon, one of the deputy harbor masters was out on his regularly assigned shift, and reported some engine troubles on our primary patrol boat. He was able to limp it back to the marina,” Hubert said. 

The boat was taken to Naples Marina, where it was discovered “the head gasket was blown on that motor. It would be more expensive to rebuild than to buy new,” he said.

On Monday, Hubert presented his case to the Naples Board of Selectmen for getting a new, faster motor for the patrol boat.

The majority of the selectmen decided to go slow throttle on buying a new motor for the aged boat. Three of the five selectmen voted against purchasing the new motor.

Selectman Kevin Rogers made the motion to take $12,800 from NMS Capital Improvement Reserve account, buy the motor, and put that boat back on water for season.

The vote was 2-3, with Selectmen Colin Brackett, Ted Shane and Bill Adams opposing the purchase.

“I want to make sure the boat is worth the money before we put this motor on it,” Shane said. 

Bill Adams asked, “What is the turnaround time? If it is 4 weeks for the motor to be installed, it would already be August” before the boat is back on the water.

Brackett said that the boat is already at Naples Marina. Therefore, the service department could answer some of the board questions about the expected lifespan of the boat. If needed, the board could always call an emergency meeting to allocate the money for the motor before the summer is over, Brackett said. 

“Those would be the questions: Not only is the boat worth it but also what is the turnover,” Rogers said.

Earlier in the conversation, Harbormaster Hubert talked about the benefits if the patrol boat were outfitted with a 150 horse-power (HP) motor, instead of replacing the 115 HP motor.  

As cited by Naples Marina, the estimated cost of installing a 115 HP motor was $10,000; and the price of putting a 150 HP motor was $12,800. Hubert pitched the idea of buying the bigger, more expensive motor.   

“We have had an issue with this boat since day one. It has been underpowered. It has a 115 now. It can’t get out of its way. It is all fiberglass so it is very heavy. It tows the fireworks barge. That motor works really hard to tow whatever it is towing,” he said.

“We would like to potentially upgrade to 150 horse,” Hubert said. “It is going to give that boat a few more years. I do think we could keep that boat for several more years anyways.” 

Chairman Jim Grattelo spoke, saying, “You are here because you don’t have money in your budget.”

Hubert answered, “We want to take it out of capital improvement reserve.”

Grattelo clarified, “Out of your reserve, not our Unassigned Fund Balance.”

Selectman Rogers commented, coming from the viewpoint that marine safety needed more presence on the water during the height of boating season.

“It is a necessity more than anything,” he said, adding. “That doesn’t sound like a bad price at all.”

Selectman Shane wanted more answers before shelling out more money. 

“You [Hubert] mentioned the hull has stress cracks in it. That is more money down the road,” Shane said. “Is it wise for us to use the backup boat right now, and think about purchasing a new boat with next year’s budget?” 

Hubert addressed the stress crack issue.

“I do believe we can get a few more, good solid years out of it before looking at replacing it or repairing any of those stress cracks,” he said. 

It was determined that the motor on the backup patrol boat is about five years old.

Selectman Brackett said, “I’m siding with Teddy. Let us have the backup boat re-evaluated for now before we drop $12,500 on a new motor.”