Gulfport Marina Adds Commercial Surcharge, Charter Captains Weigh Moving Boats

The City of Gulfport voted in September to raise slip rental fees for everyone at the Gulfport Municipal Marina, then voted to add a commercial slip surcharge on top of that. The city said the extra money is needed for marina updates, post-hurricane costs, and to offset possible impacts of amendment three if it passes.

Starting Feb. 1, 2027, a six-pack charter boat could face a $200 monthly surcharge. The city council set that figure to rise to $400 a month beginning in August.

Jonathon Ross runs a boat charter out of the marina. He said he may move his business if the fees increase. "It's definitely challenging to try and wrap my head around it," Ross said. He said most charter businesses are weighing whether to absorb the cost or relocate to other marinas.

Scott Hutsko, another charter captain, said the surcharge amounts to a 100% markup on what he pays now. He said gas prices already run five to six dollars and that he has tried not to raise charter prices. Hutsko said the added monthly cost could put small operators like him out of business. He said he is considering moving marinas.

Randel Dunham lives in Gulfport and questioned why charter captains should cover those costs. He pointed to monthly slip payments, the ship store, and fuel sales at the marina. Dunham said tourism would suffer if charter captains leave. Hutsko said he runs about 400 charters a year with two to six people aboard, and that many of those passengers have not heard of Gulfport before.

Hutsko said he hopes the city and commercial boaters can reach a different arrangement. "I'm hoping we can still bring people back to the city from here and find a way to make this work," he said.