The plot thickens.
The floating dock for the Historic Bridge Street Pier in Bradenton Beach arrived Aug. 16 at Port Everglades in Fort Lauderdale from the manufacturer in Spain, Ronautica Quality Marinas, but hasn’t been released by port authorities.
According to the bill of lading provided July 31 by contractor Technomarine, the dock left the port in Marin, Spain, July 30 via the cargo ship Atlantic North and transferred Aug. 11 to another cargo ship, MSC Kwangyang. The shipment was due at Port Everglades Aug. 23.
However, a call Aug. 24 to Betalink LLC, a freight forwarder and customs provider listed on the BOL, confirmed the dock parts arrived Aug. 16 at Port Everglades — earlier than expected.
As of Aug. 27, the dock components appeared to be awaiting Technomarine to clear customs.
Technomarine representative Anna Bennett wrote July 31 when she sent the BOL that the city should add about five days to the arrival date “to get the docks out of the port and on a transport truck” to Bradenton Beach.
The contract for the dock was signed by the Bradenton Beach Community Redevelopment Agency with Technomarine in March 2017 and the original schedule indicated installation by September 2017.
Based on the most recent of five schedule updates from the contractor, mobilization and dock delivery is due Sept. 13, installation by Sept. 28, and a punch-list and final inspection should be performed by Oct. 4.
Technomarine is contractually responsible for the dock installation.
According to Bradenton Beach Police Chief Sam Speciale, the lead for the city on the dock project, “hearsay has been floating around” about the status of the dock due to multiple delays since the contract was signed.
“We are contractually bound to Technomarine,” Speciale said Aug. 23. “At the end of the day, all the city is concerned with is getting the dock put in. And, according to the last schedule, they still have time.”
There was no response from Technomarine as of press time Aug. 27.
The remaining balance due Technomarine on the dock is $9,288, to be paid within 30 days of installation.
The total cost for the dock is $119,980 — half of which is matched by Manatee County tourist development tax dollars.
The next Bradenton Beach Community Redevelopment Agency meeting will be at 9:30 a.m. Wednesday, Sept. 5, at city hall, 2017 Gulf Drive N.