Boca Grande Fishing Pier still closed; damage to land

There is no timeline yet for the reopening of the Boca Grande Fishing Pier, closed by Charlotte County after Hurricane Debby.

But in a review Tuesday by the Boca Beacon, the erosion appears to be in places along the approach path to the pier, and there is no apparent damage to the pier itself. 

Charlotte County is reviewing a fix.

“We do not have a timeline for reopening the pier at this time,” said Breanna Benevenga, of Charlotte County in an email to the Beacon. “It’s closed due to the storm damage and it is not safe.”

The damage appears to the east side of the approach path mound, where the rip rap has washed away. In all cases, the asphalt path was still intact. From the bank, one can actually see old creosote-coated railroad ties, which were used as fill for the Charlotte Harbor and Northern Railway, later Seaboard Air Line, which eventually became part of CSX before it was shuttered in 1981.

This Tuesday, fishermen Kelly and Cameron were out enjoying the pier, and had ignored the sign and safety tape.

“I came all the way from the other coast,” said Kelly, who had caught, and thrown back, grouper, mangrove snapper and a nurse shark. They were not about to miss fishing in Boca Grande.

He and another fisherman, Cameron, had a construction job in Venice, and made time to visit between jobs.

Currently the area around the pier has attracted two boats. Both of the boats had been marked by the county and the state for removal, but were still there. There is no chance they can move on their own; Fun Work has no mast, and Exit 16E no motor.

During Debby, the sailboat Fun Work actually became lodged into the end of the old railroad trestle piers, like a forward trophy.

There are two boats along the path. There is also the cabin cruiser, Exit 16E, lodged to the side of the approach path to the pier. That one has a creepy element. Not only is the boat heeling next to the access path, but curtains from the inside are flapping in the air, making it looked lived in.

Those asked from around the north end of the island have not seen anyone in the boat, which is perhaps named for a New Jersey Turnpike exit in Secaucus.

The boats are currently being investigated by the Charlotte County Sheriff’s Department as derelict vessels.

Below, photos of the area around the pier and the derelict boats: