MANTEO, N.C. (Sept. 15, 2008) - Recreational boaters looking for access to Manteo’s historic waterfront from nearby Shallowbag Bay, the Roanoke Sound and beyond have a new option with the opening of Marshes Light Marina.
Developer Kitty Hawk Land Company says the new marina is opening with 45 full-service dock slips already completed and another 113 slips approved by the Town of Manteo. In addition, Marshes Light Marina provides boaters with picturesque views and a 5-minute walk along a new boardwalk to Manteo’s nearby downtown shopping and restaurants.
The new marina is part of Marshes Light, the new waterfront community of townhome flats, villas and single family home sites designed to carefully blend in with the coastal traditions of Manteo and Roanoke Island.
A small dock master’s office is being completed this month and will provide ice, soft drinks, snacks as well as marine products, according to the marina’s dock master, Joe Chambliss. Restroom facilities are also available on site.
The new marina provides transient recreational boat slips by the day, week and month as well as a limited number of slips for purchase by individuals and Marshes Light property owners. Boat slip sale prices start at $75,000.
Marshes Light Marina’s slips can accommodate recreational boats up to 70 feet with running water and 30 and 50-amp shore power service, according to Chambliss. The marina is under 10 miles by boat from the IntraCoastal Waterway and some 15 miles from Oregon Inlet and the Atlantic.
“We’re very excited about Marshes Light Marina which offers a new dimension to living in the Marshes Light community and blends in so well with the historic character of downtown Manteo and the waterfront,” said Lee Whitley, director of marketing and sales for Marshes Light. “These are some of the most beautiful views available of Shallowbag Bay.”
The new waterfront boardwalk and marina at Marshes Light connects seamlessly with Manteo’s well-known boardwalk, extending literally to the last marina slip well out into Shallowbag Bay. The boardwalk is a regular favorite of walkers who enjoy the Manteo waterfront views, including a direct view across the bay of the Elizabeth II, the replica English ship that English explorers sailed to arrive at Roanoke Island some 425 years ago. The boardwalk also offers walking access to the state-operated Festival Park.
To introduce boaters to the new marina, Marshes Light is allowing the first 50 boaters who apply to have free weekend slip access through December 2008. Those not among the first 50 boaters who apply are entitled to a specially discounted transient rate through
December 2008.
Marshes Light and Kitty Hawk Land Company are making plans for construction of the additional marina docks, including a design to minimize wave disturbances in the marina. The marina also hopes to eventually have a full ship’s store as it grows, said Chambliss. Sound Marine Inc. of Wilmington is providing assistance with the launch and operations of the marina.
Marshes Light Marina is located on Shallowbag Bay just south of the entrance to Manteo’s downtown waterfront and is within easy walking distance of Manteo’s Town Marina. For boaters using the Global Positioning System (GPS), the new marina is located at Latitude 35 deg. 54.327' N and Longitude 75 deg. 40.143' W.
For more information about the marina, call Chambliss at 252-327-9803, e-mail marinainfo@marsheslight.com or go to http://www.marsheslight.com/. Visit the Marshes Light decorated model home at 326 Fernando Street in Manteo. For more information about Kitty Hawk Land Company, visit http://www.kittyhawklandcompany.com/.
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