Do you own or rent a larger (26’ or longer in length) recreational vessel? If so, you understand that it can be difficult to plan a visit to a popular boating destination because of a lack of available transient dockage for bigger boats. With that in mind, the Department of Natural Resources has been working with the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (FWS) and several local jurisdictions to help address your needs.
The federal Boating Infrastructure Grant (BIG) Program is administered by FWS and provides grant funding to states to create or improve tie-ups and related services needed by recreational transient vessels 26’ or more in length while staying no more than fifteen consecutive days. Services vary from facility to facility; however, all BIG-funded facilities must have and maintain at least 6’ of water (mlw). For further information about BIG grant requirements and funding opportunities, please visit http://dnr.maryland.gov/boating/Pages/big.aspx
Below is a list of facilities in Maryland that have received federal BIG grants.
Please contact each facility for up to date information before your visit!
City of Annapolis
Annapolis City Dock & Main Mooring Field
BIG funding was used to assist the City of Annapolis with the renovations of the Annapolis City Dock which is located on Spa Creek/Severn River in the heart of historic Annapolis. BIG funding was also used to upgrade mushroom moorings in the City’s main mooring field to Helix moorings capable of accommodating vessels up to 55’ in length. Annapolis is a premier recreational boating destination and is rich in cultural, historical, and outdoor activities. The U.S. Naval Academy is a short walk away and several restaurants are nearby.
Lat/Long: 38º58’36.08”N / 76º29’07.50”W
Contact: 410.263.7973 or https://www.annapolis.gov/165/Harbormaster
City of Baltimore
Baltimore Inner Harbor Marine Center
BIG funding was used to assist the City of Baltimore with the complete renovation of the Baltimore Inner Harbor Marine Center. Located on the south end of the Inner Harbor, the marina is within walking distance of the Baltimore Visitor Center, the National Aquarium, the Maryland Science Center, Oriole Park at Camden Yards, M&T Bank Stadium, and downtown shopping and dining.
Lat/Long: 39º16’56.92”N / 76º36’37.52”W
Contact: 410.837.5339 or http://www.baltimoremarinecenters.com/Inner-Harbor.aspx
Finger Piers West Shore Baltimore Inner Harbor
BIG funding was used to assist with upgrading the electrical service at the Finger Piers West Shore Baltimore Inner Harbor, which is located at the west end of the Inner Harbor adjacent to the Baltimore Visitor Center. The facility is within walking distance of the National Aquarium, the Maryland Science Center, Oriole Park at Camden Yards, M&T Bank Stadium, and downtown shopping and dining.
Lat/Long: 39º16’59.27”N / 76º36’39.58”W
Contact: 410.394.3174 or http://www.baltimoredockmastersoffice.com/
Harbor East Marina
BIG funding was used to assist the City of Baltimore with the complete renovation of Harbor East Marina. Located in the northwest harbor of Baltimore, Harbor East Marina is within easy walking distance to Inner Harbor attractions as well as local retail businesses and hotel accommodations.
Lat/Long: 39º16’52”N / 76º36’10”W
Contact: 410.625.1700 or http://www.harboreastmarina.com/
City of Cambridge
Cambridge Municipal Yacht Basin
BIG funding was used to assist the Town of Cambridge with funding seven transient slips at Cambridge Municipal Yacht Basin which is located on the Choptank River near the mouth of Cambridge Creek. Cambridge is one of the oldest colonial cities in Maryland and is known for its rich history, beautiful buildings, vibrant arts scene, one-of-a-kind shops, restaurants, and services.
Lat/Long: 38º34’38.25”N / 76º04’13.64”W
Contact: 410.228.4020 or https://www.choosecambridge.com/154/Marina
Town of Denton
Choptank Crossing
BIG funding was used to assist the Town of Denton with the construction of an approximately 210’ wharf which accommodates transient boats along the Choptank River in Denton. The dock does not have utilities but it is located within walking distance (about ¼ mile) of historical attractions, restaurants and shopping.
Lat/Long: 38º53’17.22”N / 75º50’19.35”W
Contact: 410.479.2050 or http://www.dentonmaryland.com/
Town of Oxford
Oxford Town Dock
BIG funding was used to assist the Town of Oxford with the renovation of the Oxford Town Dock which is located on the Tred Avon River adjacent to the Oxford ferry boat landing. Oxford is one of the oldest towns in the United States and, in 2011, the readers of Yachting Magazine voted Oxford one of the top 50 waterfront towns in the world. The Oxford Town Dock (also known as the N. Morris Street Timber dock) provides boaters with easy access to the Town’s historical and cultural sites as well as a variety of restaurants.
Lat/Long: 38º41’38.02”N / 76º10’27.15”W
Contact: 410.226.5122 or http://www.oxfordmd.net/
Town of Port Deposit
BIG funding was used to assist the Town of Port Deposit with the installation of a floating dock that provides boaters with easy access to the historical and cultural attractions of Port Deposit. Located on the banks of the Susquehanna River, the area was visited by Captain John Smith in 1608 and the Town later became a “port of deposit” for trading ships sailing up the river to meet and exchange goods with rafts and arks from Philadelphia. The entire town was placed on the National Historic Register in 1978 and prides itself on maintaining its historic character while moving into the future.
Lat/Long: 39º36’11.64”N / 76º07’05.20”W
Contact: 410.378.2121 or http://portdeposit.org/
Somers Cove Marina
BIG funding was used to assist Somers Cove Marina with upgrading the electrical service at the marina’s transient slips. Owned and operated by the Maryland Department of Natural Resources, Somers Cove Marina is a 485-slip facility that is located in the Town of Crisfield which is off Tangier Sound, near the mouth of the Annemessex River. The Town of Crisfield goes back nearly three hundred years and many crabbers and watermen still bring their catches into the nearby seafood packing plants. Shuttle service is available to take visitors to nearby historic and cultural sites.
Lat/Long: 37º58’35.00”N / 75º51’21.82”W
Contact: 410.968.0925 or http://www.somerscovemarina.com/
