SOUTH WHIDBEY: Port to hike some moorage rates

Kira Erickson reports from the Port of South Whidbey meeting of Tue., Dec. 10, 2024 for the South Whidbey Record.

Long-term customers of the South Whidbey Harbor will soon see increases in the rates they pay to moor their boats.

This week, Port of South Whidbey commissioners approved the hikes, which were recommended by a consultant who completed a report earlier this year on the marina located in Langley. However, since most of the harbor’s 42 slips are reserved for transient boaters, the new rates affect a limited number of customers who stay for a longer period of time.

They Said It

In an email, Angi Mozer, the port’s executive director, explained that the rate increases are happening to accommodate higher costs due to inflation, to stay within market rates in the region and to help break even financially. Mozer said the harbor’s net revenue was $10,000 in the negative in 2023 and projected to be about $7,500 in the negative for 2024.

Mozer said annual moorage is extremely limited because of the Washington State Recreational Conservation Office grant used to build the marina and to expand it with the outer breakwater. The funds are dedicated to recreational boating, hence the port cannot infringe on this to accommodate additional year-round moorage in the marina.