The north and south Coquina boat ramps in Anna Maria are once again open to the public. The north end of the ramps just reopened this Tuesday.

Manatee County officials stated that hurricanes Helene and Milton significantly impacted both ramps. The county has completed repairs to the ramp infrastructure to ensure safety and usability.

Scott Moore, a charter boat captain who has been working out of Anna Maria Island since the 1970s, praised the ramp: “This ramp here is probably the best in the county,” he said.

In recent years, this ramp was Moore’s preferred choice, but he had to find alternative routes to the open water after the storms. “We had boats that came in here during the storm and blocked it. They had to be removed, and it was unsafe with all the debris and stuff that had to be cleared,” Moore explained.

The boat ramp was renamed in Moore’s honor last May. Previously known as the Coquina North Boat Ramp, it is now the Scott Moore Boat Ramp and served as a sifting site to clean the dirty sand.

Manatee County officials confirmed that the boat ramps are back to normal operation. “This is a big deal that the north ramp is open. There are a lot of boats going out of there,” Moore said.

Moore noted that the ramp is frequently used by fishermen and charter captains. With many area businesses affected by the storms, every bit of normalcy helps the industry.

With the boat ramp finally reopened, Moore hopes for smooth sailing once again for local charter captains.

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(Image credit: Spectrum Bay News 9/Julia Hazel)