ICW Free Docks
Media & Communications
Description
ICW Free Dockage is a guide listing for complementary and almost free offerings from towns and communities along and near the Atlantic IntraCoastal Waterway. You may ask how does it work and why are some docks free and at others you will incur transient fees.
Commercial marinas are "for profit." They are businesses and must charge for services and product in order to generate revenue to maintain their existence. Therefore, these commercial marinas must charge transient boaters a fee for overnight rental of their docks as well as services provided such as electricity, use of bathhouses, and possibly even water. Fees and rates vary drastically between marinas but will range from less than $1 per foot (length of your boat) to over $3 per foot and often will include a separate charge for an electrical hookup.
Free Dockage is offered by many communities to attached cruisers to their town knowing that you will spend money with their local merchants. A Chamber of Commerce, or Tourism Board, or town government is all about promoting their community and attracting outside dollars for local business revenue as well as tax dollars. Free Dockage is really a win/win situation for the boaters who are traveling the ICW. In exchange for a free place to park your boat overnight or for a couple days you reward the community with your shopping dollars. After all, we have to buy groceries, fuel, and other necessities of life somewhere!
Enjoy using the Guide to ICW Free Dockage and be sure to