MARBLEHEAD — Despite an uncertain few months ahead, boaters are cautiously optimistic that Marblehead’s typically-thriving waterfront industry will operate with a sense of normalcy this summer.
However, visitors to the popular warm-weather destination should still expect to see some notable differences, courtesy of COVID-19.
“The biggest difference we have going on in the harbor is the limitations on public accessways and floats and docks. And launch services to get to boats and docks have also been delayed in opening,” said harbormaster Mark Souza. “The (seasonal) process has been a lot slower than normal, obviously … (and) the boating public has been anxious due to some of the restrictions holding people back from either launching their boats or servicing their boats.”
Souza added that after May 25 — which is when Gov. Charlie Baker has announced some industries, including commercial boating, will be able to reopen — the Marblehead boating community will likely have a better idea of what it faces in coming months.
“We’re trying to give as much information and apply as many guidelines as we can to help people enjoy their waterfront,” Souza said, adding later: “I’m a firm believer that the
waterfront is going to help morale. Everybody’s so restricted from doing anything, and I think opening it up will help take a lot of stress off of municipalities.”
Hit especially hard by virus restrictions has been the town’s recreational boating industry, although Souza said its second biggest industry, commercial fishing, has remained relatively unaffected by the chaos of recent months.
“Commercial fishing was exempt from the beginning,” he said. “The only thing (fishers) really had to be aware of was the trickle-down effect. People aren’t going to restaurants, so the demand for that type of food hasn’t been as high, and so that catch hasn’t been as expensive or as in-demand as it normally is.”
Faxon Michaud of Titan Guide Service — a saltwater fishing guide business on the Marblehead waterfront — said his season this year began exceptionally late due to state restrictions, although with his boat already paid for in full, Michaud said he’s in a better position than some of his colleagues who rely on a busy season to help pay back outstanding boat loans.
“Basically I had zero business, when normally I usually have a decent amount by now,” he said. “When the governor announced on Monday (that recreational boating could reopen), I had an explosion of business.
“It was really great and kind of unexpected, but as a for-hire guy, hopefully this summer should be relatively normal. I’m in a lucky position that my boat loan is paid off because I finished my boat loan a couple of years ago, but I have friends who have new boats and brand new boat payments, and those guys are kind of up the creek.”
When it comes to what lies ahead, Souza explained he feels optimistic but is still “planning for reality.”
He also added that he thinks residents won’t see a difference any time soon when it comes to guidelines for personal protective equipment and social distancing, but thankfully restrictions won’t mean the end of summer activities entirely.
“I think it’s going to be a norm going forward, but what I’m seeing is the public is finding a way to adapt to that,” he said.
Michaud said that even though he’s able to resume operations, his business still faces heavy regulations. However, the onus is now primarily on individual boat captains to reinforce social distancing guidelines.
“It’s definitely going to be difficult but also very doable,” he said. “It’s a different environment, business-wise, for everybody right now.”