HomeMy WebLinkAboutItem #81 - Discussion Itemr
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Seaplane Berthing
Honorable Members
o; the City- Commission
1'. AV. Ai:ciret.•s
City ti'.anag r_r
Letters from Marine Council,
Coral Reef Yacht Club and Dade
Count- Citizens Safety Council
At the January 23 meeting, the City Commission adopted a Motion of
Intent, 75-81:
Motion of Intent to approve the round the world flight by the
"Spirit of Miami, 76" to promote the City of Miami and its
Bicentennial activities, and authorizing the use of the former
United States Coast Guard Base at Dinner Key as the location
where the seaplane can be launched for necessary flights and
where it can be parked for viewing by the public, provided
permission can be obtained from the Federal. Government: and
authorizing the execution of an agreement with Adventurers
Yacht and Sailing Club for the protection of both parties in this
venture.
Subsequently, the City has received the attached three letters opposing
this use of the former Coast Guard property and requesting that it not
be permitted. Staff members have been in contact with Mr. Miles,
informing him of the opposition to this use and to see if alternate
arrangements for berthing the seaplane could be made.
Mr. Miles indicates that the boat launching ramp at the Marine Stadium
would be satisfactory and that the seaplane could be berthed at the
Marine Stadium if this was acceptable to the City. Subject to the approval
of the City Commission, we will so inform, Mr. Miles and request that he
obtain any Federal or State permits required for using the area for sea-
plane takeoffs and landings.
"SUPPORTIVE
DOCUMENTS
FOLLOW"
1
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FEBRUARY 201975
Mn. PAUL ANDREWS
CITY MANAGER
CITY OF MIAMI
DINNER KEY
MIAMI, FLORIDA
DEAR SIR:
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IT HAS COME TO OUR ATTENTION THAT A REQUEST FOR SEAPLANE
BERTHING AT THE OLD COAST GUARD BASE AT DINNER KEY HAS BEEN
MADE BY HAPPY MILES.
PLEASE BE ADVISED THAT THE AREA NECESSARY FOR TAKE OFF AND
LANDING OF THIS PLANE IS HEAVILY USED FOR RECREATIONAL
BOATING, MOSTLY BY CHILDREN. AS YOU RECALL, WHEN THE COAST
GUARD UTILIZED THIS AREA, A 401 PICKET BOAT WAS ON HAND TO
PROTECT SMALL BOATS. SINCE THAT DAY, USAGE OF THIS AREA
HAS INCREASED 100 FOLD. ALSO, IF AN AREA IS TO BE SET ASIDE
FOR PRIVATE USAGE, IT SHOULD BE USED FOR STORAGE OF BOATS
ON TRAILERS, WHICH USAGE IS MUCH MORE IN KEEPING WITH THE
REASONS FOR OUR SUPPORT OF THE CITY OF MIAMI PETITION FOR
OWNERSHIP, OVER THE CLAIM MADE BY THE UNIVERSITY OF MIAMI.
\..E WOULD APPRECIATE YOUR ADVICES IF THIS COMES BEFORE THE
COMMISSION SO THAT WE COULD PROPERLY APPEAR IN OPPOSITION
THERETO.
SINCERELY,
MARINE COUNC I L OF.-GF,,EATER MIAMI
JOHN GREENLEAF, PRESIDENT
JG,t. C
(PaalOrk
2404 5o1rH BAYSHOXE DRIVE
t•11AM1, FLORIDA 33133
February 21, 1975
Mr, Paul W. Andrews
City Manager, City of Miami, Florida
City Hall
3500 Pan American Drive
Dinner Key
Miami, Florida 33133
Dear Mr. Andrews:
I am informed that consideration is being given to operation of a
seaplane in the Dinner Key area.
As someone who has sailed, personally, in adjacent waters for
approximately 25 years and who has been active in group sailing
activities (at the Coconut Grove Sailing Club where I was Commodore,
and at Coral Reef Yacht Club, where I am now Commodore), I can attest
that such a seaplane operation can be life -threatening to sailors.
At one time seaplanes operated in the Dinner Key area. Near misses
were recorded. Meantime, the number of recreational boats operated
in the Dinner Key area has approximately doubled in the last seven
years. It is the South Florida center of recreational boating.
I believe that United States Coast Guard records will provide prime
evidence that mixing seaplanes and boats is not to be desired or
encouraged, but, rather, to -be avoided.
Accordingly, I respectfully suggest that a new seaplane operation,
if essential, be based at some other waterfront location so the
danger of collision with pleasure boats be minimized.
JA
TIMOTHY J . SUi.L 1YL v
CO> L'90D0RE
ti
TJS:Ip
cc: gxecutive Committee
It t .
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).4.1t3•1 Cer)I' 'L4 CITIZENS 401'�v�'li.
February 21 , 1975
Honorable Paul W. Andrews
Manager, City of Miami
P. O. Box 330708
Coconut Grove Station
Miami, Florida 33133
Dear Mr, Andrews:
F F3 t.S,:Kmney
Fread�nt
Yeleh
First V.•. Pres:dent
f3R....hlt'd Foster
�'.cpnrl Vice President
Alex tvt^,Intire
S�r,ret lry
Char'as A. Cotzin
I reSsitrer
Glenn E. Sudduth
E,cacutwe Drector
Mr. Timothy J. Sullivan, Commodore of the Coral Reef
Yacht Club and a Past President of the Safety Council,
has informed me today of a proposal, by a private party,
for the operation of an amphibious airplane out of the
Dinner Key area; and for utilizing the former U.S. Coast
Gu-trc1 property to 1 tse•, launch, and retrieve the aircraft.
In view of the more than 1, 000 boats which are regularly
kept and operated in the immediate vicinity, and the many
transient boaters also commonly- seen there, it would seem
advisable to deny permission for the co -mingling of activities
which appear so obviously ilncompatible.
At Tit. Sullivan's request, w•e are adding this subject as an
agenda item for our Safety Council's Executive Committee
meeting next Thursday, February 27. Meanwhile 1 wanted
to share with you my personal concern about the potential
safety ha1.ard to the unsuspecting boat operators who most
certainly will not anticipate aircraft operations on these
crowded waters.
Should you feel that our Council can be of service, in this or
any other matter, please let me know.
Siltcrely, r a^
Glenn hi. Suddut;
Executive; Director
C1ES:jd
cc: ivlr, E.B.Prt.sidtnt
Jr. 'Timothy J. Sullivan
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