Martin County Boat Ramps: Open Or Closed?

Boat ramps in Martin County, Florida, have been subject to closures and reopenings in recent years due to various factors, including the COVID-19 outbreak, special events, and construction projects. During the COVID-19 pandemic, county boat ramps were closed on Saturdays and Sundays, with exceptions for licensed commercial fishermen who could use the Sandsprit ramp on weekends. In addition, Martin County has also undertaken a $2.4 million boat ramp replacement project at Sandsprit Park, which led to the closure of one boat ramp for construction while the other was reopened. These dynamic situations highlight the importance of checking with local authorities or reliable sources for the most up-to-date information on boat ramp accessibility in Martin County.

Boat ramps at Sandsprit Park

Sandsprit Park has some of the busiest boat ramps in Martin County. In 2023, the county embarked on a $2.4 million project to replace the east and west ramps, which were showing signs of deterioration after 30 years of use. The east ramp, which features three docks, reopened in September 2023, while the completion of the west ramp construction was scheduled for January 2024. The new ramps are designed to last 30-40 years and accommodate rising sea levels due to climate change.

The boat ramps at Sandsprit Park are widely used by boaters of all sizes, from small vessels to large boats, and even some commercial vessels. The ramps offer quick access to the inlet and the rivers, making them a convenient choice for many. The park provides ample parking for trucks with trailers and has pavilions available for rental for parties and events.

The park itself offers a beautiful waterfront setting with a boardwalk circling its perimeter. Visitors can enjoy fishing, walking, running, and biking, and boat-watching. There is also a children's playground and an outdoor workout area. The restrooms in the park are noted to be clean and well-maintained.

Before visiting Sandsprit Park and using its boat ramps, it is advisable to check with local authorities or the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission for any temporary closures due to special events, weather conditions, or repairs.

Coronavirus control measures

The following measures can be implemented to control the spread of COVID-19:

• Social distancing: Maintaining a distance of at least 2 metres from others, avoiding gatherings, using remote technology to communicate, and avoiding non-essential use of public transport.
• Case isolation: Symptomatic individuals should remain at home for 7 days and avoid all social contact.
• Voluntary home quarantine: If a symptomatic individual is identified in a household, the entire household must remain at home for 14 days.
• Social distancing for those over 70: Individuals over 70 years of age should practice social distancing and maintain a distance of 2 metres from others.
• Social distancing for the general population: All individuals should practice social distancing, reducing all household contacts, and working from home if possible.
• Closure of schools and universities: All schools should remain closed, and only 25% of universities should remain open.
• Strict handwashing habits and respiratory hygiene: Adhering to proper handwashing techniques and respiratory hygiene, such as covering the mouth and nose when coughing or sneezing, is essential to curb the spread of respiratory viruses, including COVID-19.
• Use of personal protective equipment (PPE): The use of PPE, such as surgical masks, respirators, goggles, and gowns, is crucial for healthcare professionals working in close contact with infected patients.
• Rapid isolation and optimised care: Individuals who test positive for COVID-19 should be rapidly isolated and provided with optimised medical care.
• Contact tracing and quarantine: Contact tracing is vital to identify and quarantine close contacts of infected individuals, helping to prevent further spread.
• Testing and diagnosis: Testing and diagnosis play a crucial role in identifying infected individuals and confirming COVID-19 cases.
• Supportive management: The level of supportive management depends on the severity of the disease, the feasibility of quarantine, and the need for hospitalisation. Asymptomatic individuals require monitoring and supportive care, while adults with mild infections can typically be managed at home.
• Intravenous fluid administration: Conservative fluid management is recommended for patients with severe acute respiratory infection (SARI), and intravenous fluids should be used cautiously to avoid impacting oxygenation.
• Oxygen therapy: Supplemental oxygen therapy is crucial for patients presenting with SARI, hypoxaemia, or shock, with specific target SpO2 levels for different patient groups.
• Mechanical ventilation: For patients failing standard oxygen therapy, advanced oxygen therapy or mechanical ventilation may be necessary.
• Corticosteroids: Corticosteroids should not be routinely administered for viral pneumonia unless clinically indicated or part of a clinical trial.
• Antimicrobials: Empiric antimicrobials should be administered within 1 hour of assessment for patients with community-acquired or hospital-acquired pneumonia, following local guidelines.
• Non-invasive ventilation (NIV): The use of NIV methods, such as continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP) or bilevel positive airway pressure (BiPAP), has shown benefits for patients with COVID-19.
• Endotracheal intubation: Endotracheal intubation should be performed by experienced clinicians using protective equipment if deemed appropriate.
• Invasive mechanical ventilation: Severe COVID-19 cases may require mechanical ventilation with specific settings, such as low tidal volumes and target plateau pressure.
• Extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (ECMO): ECMO should be considered for COVID-19 patients with refractory hypoxemia despite lung-protective ventilation.
• Fluid resuscitation and vasopressors: Fluid resuscitation and vasopressors may be necessary for patients with septic shock, with specific considerations for adults and children.
• Antiviral medications: Remdesivir, a broad-spectrum antiviral agent, has shown efficacy in inhibiting COVID-19 in vitro and is being studied in clinical trials. Chloroquine, an antimalarial drug, has also shown promising results in treating COVID-19.
• Public health education: Providing accurate and timely public health education based on scientific evidence is crucial to inform the public, reduce anxiety, and prevent misinformation.
• Containment strategies: Implementing strict containment strategies, such as restricting human movement and suspending flights and trains, can significantly contribute to reducing the number of reported cases.
• Non-pharmaceutical interventions (NPIs): NPIs aim to suppress or mitigate the disease by reducing the Reproduction Number (R0) to less than 1. Social distancing, case isolation, voluntary home quarantine, and school closures are examples of NPIs.
• Combination strategies: Combining social distancing with case isolation, household quarantine, and school closures can effectively reduce the number of critical beds required and decrease the number of deaths.
• Adaptive triggering strategies: An 'adaptive triggering' strategy with 'on' and 'off' thresholds can be employed to adjust social distancing measures based on the number of ICU admissions.

Martin County Commissioner Ed Ciampi's Facebook update

Martin County Commissioner Ed Ciampi took to Facebook to share an update regarding the county's boat ramps. In his post, Ciampi informed residents that all county boat ramps, excluding private ramps, would be closed on Saturdays and Sundays. The closures were implemented to control the spread of COVID-19, as boaters had been gathering at the sandbar and tying multiple boats together. The post specified that the ramps would reopen on Monday mornings for weekday launchings, and that licensed commercial fishermen could still launch from the Sandsprit ramp during the weekends.

Ciampi's Facebook update also addressed several other concerns related to the COVID-19 outbreak. He reminded residents to be cautious of scammers targeting the elderly and vulnerable individuals. He provided information on resources for those in need of food, supplies, or financial assistance, including organizations such as House of Hope, Elev8 Hope, and The Boys & Girls Clubs. Additionally, Ciampi offered guidance for businesses seeking financial assistance or advice, directing them to the MC Business Development Board. He also reassured residents that local utility companies had policies in place to provide extra time for bill payments.

The commissioner emphasized the importance of adhering to state rules and directions from the Governor, as Martin County is a "Constitutional" county. He also shared information on Martin County COVID-19 test results and the situation in neighbouring Palm Beach County, which has "Charter" status and can enact more restrictions. Ciampi's update reflected the county's efforts to balance public health and safety while allowing residents to continue enjoying outdoor activities like boating.

While the boat ramp closures may have been disappointing to some, the measures were necessary to prevent the spread of COVID-19. Ciampi's Facebook update provided clear guidance on the closures, as well as valuable information on resources available to residents during the pandemic. It is important for residents to stay informed through official channels, such as Commissioner Ciampi's Facebook page, to ensure they have the most up-to-date information regarding boat ramp access and other important community updates.

The east and west boat ramps

The east ramp, which reopened on September 22, features three docks with a fixed dock and floating docks. The fixed dock is at a set height and could potentially be submerged during an extreme tidal event. The floating docks are accessed via a floating gangway, allowing boaters to move between the ramp and the docks regardless of the tide. The new design accommodates boats of various sizes, from small to very large vessels, and even some commercial boats.

The west ramp, slated for completion in January, will feature a similar setup to the east ramp, with a fixed dock and one floating dock accessed via a floating gangway.

During the replacement project, the county has kept one ramp open while the other is under construction. However, there have been some closures during the weekends due to the COVID-19 outbreak to control the spread of the virus. Licensed commercial fishermen have been allowed to launch from the Sandsprit ramp on weekends.

The Boat Ramp Finder

If you're looking to take your boat out in Martin County, Florida, you'll want to check out the Boat Ramp Finder. This handy tool provides descriptive information, maps, and photographs for hundreds of public boat ramps across the state. It's important to check the status of boat ramps before you go, as they may be temporarily closed due to special events, weather conditions, or repairs.

For example, in 2020, Martin County boat ramps were closed on Saturdays and Sundays due to the COVID-19 outbreak. More recently, in April 2024, one of the two busy boat ramps at Sandsprit Park was closed for construction as part of a $2.4 million boat-ramp replacement project. The east ramp reopened in September 2023, and the completion of the west ramp construction is expected in January 2024.

So, before you head out, be sure to check the Boat Ramp Finder for the latest information on ramp locations and openings in Martin County. It's the best way to ensure a smooth and enjoyable boating experience.

Frequently asked questions