Boaters planning to use the Lighthouse Park boat ramp should brace for some disruptions, as announced repairs to the adjacent floating dock kick off starting next week. According to a City of St. Augustine alert, work is scheduled to begin tomorrow with a work barge making its appearance, and the floating dock is set to be off-limits from Monday for an estimated two-week period, barring any unforeseen complications or poor weather, which could push completion into the second week of December.
While boating enthusiasts can still access the ramp itself, they're advised to expect some delays or constrained access since repair work and equipment could cause some minor complications, now, despite the ongoing project visitors should note that the ramp will remain operable but exercises some patience during the construction phase could go a long way.
The need for repairs stems from the toll taken by Hurricanes Helene and Milton back in 2024, which left the floating dock's wooden structures and thru-rods in disrepair. A lag in FEMA reimbursements led to a resourceful collaboration, with funding secured from both the Florida Inland Navigational District (FIND), for 25% of the cost of the repair project, and additional funding from the St. Augustine Port, Waterway, and Beach District (Port District), ultimately making the ongoing repairs possible.
The Lighthouse Park boat ramp dock, built in 2008, is not just a local staple but also a critical maritime node within a nautical mile of the St. Augustine Inlet, the principal inlet servicing the City of St. Augustine, St Johns County, and neighboring inland counties, that it has served over the years to facilitate public access to waterways, and has also played a key role in ecological management by aiding in the removal of derelict vessels from surrounding waters.
