As I sit here and write my first blog post/newsletter update to everyone as your new President I would be remiss if I did not take a moment to thank all of the hard work that has gone in over the last 4 years by everyone on the board of directors. And while the Buoy Lighting may have been my passion, it was your support that made it come to reality, thank you all. I also want to take a moment to thank all of the donors who graciously opened up their minds , and wallets, to this great idea for the benefit of all those who transit the McKinley Marina Basin. THANK YOU!
On to the purpose of this update, the BUOY LIGHTS! For those who have been down to the marina at night, despite the fog's best efforts, the lights have been bright and shining and lighting the way for night time passage makers through the marina.y
As of this writing to my knowledge there were still a few buoys left to be placed due to anchoring ground tackle and hardware issues but they are expected to be in the water in the next few weeks.
Unfortunately I have not had the opportunity to traverse the marina at night and see how the buoy lights work for myself but of those people I have had the chance to speak to they tell me that the lights are simply amazing and they cannot believe we didn't do it sooner.
Which brings me to why we didn't, MONEY! To purchase all the buoy lights was just over $2,000.00 which was paid for partially by McBOAT and majorly by donations like those from the Milwaukee Harbor Yacht Club and Individual Marina Tenants/McBOAT Members. Installation was donated by Mike Johnson of Permay Plastics (Thank you again!) which we estimate at another $1,500.00 if it had to be paid for. Money makes it all go around and eventually these lights will need to be replaced and/or repaired.
This is why McBOAT has set up a Buoy Light Maintenance Fund. This fund will only be used to pay for Buoy light repair and replacement, and may not be used for anything else. Currently this fund is a bit in red as we borrowed against it to buy the last few lights so that the entire marina could be light for the 2018 season. But that also means we need your help even more. McBOAT will be accepting donations specifically to this fund year round on our website under the "Buoy Lighting" Tab. Or you can simply click this button here to be taken directly to paypal to donate whatever you feel appropriate to maintain the buoy lights of McKinley Marina.
*Remember funds donated to the Buoy Light Maintenance Fund may not be used for any other purpose but buoy light repair and replacement.
Thanks for reading and have a safe time out of the water! Happy and Safe Boating!
Your President,
Brent Holmes