[Gerry Zagorski]

Leonardo did not sustain as much dock damage as Atlantic Highlands. Having said this, I was in the area over the weekend and it looks like there is a lot of work, heavy equipment and materials over at Atlantic Highlands and nothing going on over at Leonardo.

I know of some people that were on the list at Leonardo and got slips, although I don't know if they have any left. It's my undestanding Leonardo is going ahead with the plans to dismantle the one fixed peer they have and putting in 2 new floating docks in addition to the one they already have. It's also my understanding that the concession stand and the office building with bathrooms and showers have been condemed. Given how slow the state moves, I would say it's going to be a while before those buildings are replaced and the new floating docks are installed.

I also heard that Atlantic Highlands is replacing all but 2 of their fixed peers ( Franks and the Gas Dock) with all new floaters. Since the Marina is so vital to the town, I would bet this work gets done sooner rather than later and will likey get completed before Leonardo but who knows. Floating docks go in a lot faster then fixed docks so once they start it should go pretty fast.

A few other notes... At Leonardo, most new slip holders are given the slips along the bulkhead on the lauch ramp side and are moved further back in the marina over time. So, if a floating dock is important to you, you will likely not be on a floater in Leonardo. Same type of thing used to happen over at the Atlantic Highlands. You start off on Franks and get moved to more protected slips over time.... Since they are installing a lot more floaters then Leonardo, I would think your chances of being on a floater will be better there.

If I were you I would call each or wait it out to see which marina is making the best progress.