SALEM — Local boaters have a new "state-of-the-art" ramp to launch their vessels into the water regardless of low tide.
Mary Griffin, commissioner of the state Department of Fish and Game, visited Salem yesterday morning for a ceremony to celebrate the new two-lane boat ramp and float and dock system at McCabe Marina, which replaced a dilapidated structure.
The end of the new ramp is submerged in more than 4 feet of water even during low tide, according to Jack Sheppard, director of Fish and Game's Office of Fishing and Boating Access.
"It's state-of-the-art," Sheppard said as he stood aside the new, $480,000 ramp, which is on the shore by the Kernwood Bridge at McCabe Park.
Roughly 15 people attended a ribbon-cutting ceremony at 10 a.m. yesterday to celebrate the state-funded project, which commenced in April and wrapped up construction earlier this month.
"It was our most expensive construction project of the entire year," Griffin said as she stood on the new dock in the sunshine.
Local officials said they advocated for more than a decade to replace the weathered boat ramp, with funding continuously budgeted but then reduced or cut.
"It was a 40-plus-year-old boat ramp that was in terrible condition," said Sheppard, who is also the chief engineer for Fish and Game. "It's an important location in the city."
Doug Bollen, director of the Salem Park, Recreation and Community Services, said the city contemplated closing the ramp the last two seasons because the cement was broken and the rebar was sticking out.
"It went from probably the worst boat ramp in the state to probably the best," Bollen said.
There are 125 moorings at McCabe Marina, and it's a popular spot for fishermen to take out boats in the mornings and families in the afternoons, according to Brenda Watson, who manages the marina. It costs $5 to use the boat ramp.
Watson said the old ramp was so shallow at low tide that she wouldn't let boaters launch.
"This was famous for eating vehicles and trailers," said Watson, who hung red, white and blue bunting on the poles along the new pier. "I'm walking on clouds now. It's great to watch my boaters be so happy and come in and go out at low tide with no trouble."
Sheppard said the new concrete boat ramp has a long life in salt water; the dock features a float system with a 20- to 25-year life span, and the planks are a durable South American wood called Ipe, he said.
He said the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service reimbursed the state for 75 percent of the project.
Salem resident Tim Ready, who has moored his boat at McCabe Marina for nearly 30 years, praised city officials for the new ramp.
"It provides first-class recreation to the citizens," said Ready, who is also a member of the city Planning Board.
Mayor Kim Driscoll addressed the small crowd during the ceremony, as did Griffin and state Rep. John Keenan.
"This project was my very first earmark I had as a rep some six years ago," Keenan said.
Others in attendance included Harbormaster Peter Gifford, city Councilor-at-large Joan Lovely and Rinus Oosthoek, executive director of the Salem Chamber of Commerce.
"Projects like this don't happen without a great partnership," Griffin said of working with Salem. "It's a great, state-of-the-art facility that can be used by all."
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