A section of O dock sinks over Memorial Day weekend

A section of dock at the Point Roberts Marina partially sank over Memorial Day weekend after two days of negative tides.

Debra Potter, the marina’s bookkeeper, said the damage to O Dock was unexpected and that boaters moored at the affected dock have already been relocated to a functioning dock. No injuries were reported.

Potter said the marina had hired Marine Floats, a Tacoma-based dock construction and maintenance company, to conduct a full survey of the marina’s infrastructure before the incident occurred.

“We do have plans to fix it,” Potter said, adding that the marina signed a six-month maintenance contract with the company and is awaiting recommendations on repairs and long-term replacement priorities from its inspection report.

Potter said the marina owners, who are currently overseas, have been informed of the situation.

The marina is also moving forward with additional safety upgrades in coordination with Whatcom County Fire District No. 5. Potter said mobile fire-suppression pumps have been ordered for every other dock following recommendations from Fire Chief Christopher Carleton.

Also, Potter said the marina signed a contract May 26 for new office software through Dockwa, a boating reservation platform that allows boaters to reserve slips and moorings, manage contracts, and make payments online. Potter said the system is expected to reduce phone tag and give boaters more control from their phones.