Although still too early to know final costs, local marinas and boatyards contacted by the Register reported that docks and pilings bore the brunt of the damage from the recent storms and record-breaking high tides, which reached a mean lower water level of 14.57 feet on Jan. 13. It will take some time to repair and replace damage but fortunately, they will be able to open for business when the boating season begins.

Frank Luke, owner of P E Luke Boatyard in East Boothbay, reported their dock floated with both the first and second storms. When it came back down, the dock was damaged and the pilings were loose.

One year ago, the dock sustained what Luke described as "a heavy loss" and at the time John Hennessey put it back together. Luke said they can shore up the dock and use it for the coming season, but long term will have to raise it 4-5 feet. He said overall they fared better than other docks to their north and south on Linekin Bay, which were eliminated.

He told of receiving a call from a neighbor to the north, asking him to take a photo of the damage to their dock. "There's nothing there," he told them, "It's gone."

"It's going be different," he said. "The height of the water in the Gulf of Maine has gone up faster than we thought."

P E Luke will also be able to assist owners whose private docks were destroyed. Luke said the business will be able to put the boats in storage in their boatyard overboard this season.

"It's a long haul to overcome the damage of this storm," Luke said.

Kim Gillies, owner of Boothbay Harbor Marina, said they were lucky, with "minimal" damage overall. She credited their location in the inner harbor with sheltering the marina and the working boats there.

The junction box for electricity to the marina was submerged and she also reported that the bathrooms were flooded. In fact, she added, "The ramp was so high it rubbed the window sill off the bathrooms." But overall, the damage was "minimal." Their docks held and the working boats there were all right.  "We're fine for the upcoming season and we're already taking reservations."

Gillies said she feels very lucky to be part of such a caring community. "Everyone checked on each other asking 'What do you need? How can I help?'"  She said that people who live in close knit coastal communities know what a privilege it is to live here and look out for each other. 

Dan Miller, who owns Ocean Point Marina, said damage there was to the docks in front of the office and the buildings, which flooded with 1-2 feet of water. "I think we'll be able to get most of our docks in place," he said. Asked if he noticed high prices for materials after the storms, he said he hasn't tried to purchase any. "But there will be a high demand for dock builders," he noted.

"We were pretty lucky; our main boatyard on Southport had minimal damage," Audrey Hodgdon, director of sales and marketing for Hodgdon Yachts reported. That damage amounted to 3-4 inches of water in the offices and required new carpeting, "But nothing too significant." She credited the protection afforded by the boatyard's location.

The same is true for Hodgdon's facility in Boothbay Harbor. Although photos of the building look dramatic, she told the Register any damage there was also minimal.  

"Our facility is unique," Dennis Gunderson, manager of Bristol Marine's Shipyard in the harbor told the Register. "We were impacted significantly because the majority of our working waterfront is on a pier."

Gunderson pointed out that fortunately the shipyard has protection from the southeast.

While there was some interruption the week of the event and the week after, the shipyard's #1 goal is to keep their 22 employees working. Gunderson said that the team is continuing with projects and they will continue to provide customers with a "level of service we're proud of."

"The biggest hurdle is deadlines for launching boats this spring and we're working to meet our obligations," he continued.

Buildings other than the office buildings were flooded twice with 8 inches of water. This damaged the large electrical motors powering winches that operate the 150-ton and 700-ton marine railways that haul out larger vessels. "It damaged critical infrastructure, tools, machinery and heavy equipment."

"We're checking piling by piling underneath the pier structure," he said. "That's hundreds of pilings and multiple hundreds of posts that support our property. We can't take it for granted anymore."

Gunderson praised Maine Maritime Trades Association for actively working on behalf of its members to help survey the damages.   

Like other marina and boatyard owners, Amy and Dusty Goodwin of Blake's Boatyard also had their hands full with both high tides. "Luckily," Amy wrote in an email to the Register, "the boatyard sustained no damages being so protected from the south."

"We will be OK for the start of the season, although I’m sure we’ll be way behind schedule...trying to keep the crew on rebuilding as long as possible..."

She reported that the Jan. 10 tide floated their barge off the railway. She said it was actually a blessing because Dusty took it out to a mooring and used it "nonstop" to clear debris from around McKown Point and in town.

Gillies noted his efforts in her Scuttlebutt blog of Jan. 15, (https://www.boothbayharbormarina.com/post/look-for-the-good-january-15-2024). "I saw Dusty and his crew working long and diligently gathering up gangways and floats like they were souvenirs then tucking them safely in the cove till they can be assessed and hopefully returned to their proper homes."

"Kim is correct," Amy said, noting that they have been trying to save and reuse what they can but, "Everything was tumbled, tweaked and cracked, once that happens the structural integrity is gone."

Going forward, Amy described a "whirlwind" for Blake's - assessing properties and trying to stabilize what remains, clearing debris and working on permitting for rebuilding. 

Blake's had two customers in different areas of the peninsula that lost piers because ledge under their docks broke free. "Some of the rocks and boulders that have moved are the size of small cars! It’s just really hard to wrap your head around it," she reported.

"With just over 30 customers who need emergency stabilization or a complete rebuild it’s going to be a long process. We have a small crew, but they are an incredible group of hardworking guys, we’re very thankful to have each one of them on our team for this challenge," she wrote.

Unfortunately they had to inform some people that their piers didn't survive the storm, but most of their customers have been very understanding. Like Gilliies, Amy speaks highly of the community pulling together, with neighbors offering the use of their property for docks and debris rescued from the high tide. "We’re incredibly thankful to be surrounded by such great neighbors, customers, and our amazing crew," she said.