“That will help us maintain a safe and enjoyable waterfront experience for our guests.”
East Point RV and Marina owner Joel Walker says wakes created by boats speeding down the Grand River past his docks along North Beachtree Street in Grand Haven are a safety hazard
“Continuous wave action creates hazards for dock users.”
The wakes are so rough manager Mike Lepo says boat owners rarely dock at one of the slips in the marina
“A rolling wave four to five feet tall can destroy it in a second so people will not come to our dock area.”
Before considering an amendment to the city’s Harbor and Waterways Ordinance, the Grand Haven council will wait for an opinion from the Department of Natural Resources. Council member Sarah Kallio:
“I think it is at least worth asking the DNR to weigh in and see what they have to say.”
Boat owner Mike Joseph is opposed:
“There are way too many no wake on the whole length of the river.”
But Jim Vantol calls it common sense:
“Looks like a very common-sense thing to me. Hundreds of millions of dollars’ worth of potential boats sitting there getting banged all over the place.”
“We are requesting controlled speed area consistent with protections provided other nearby marinas.”
