Future Uncertain for Shipyard Quarters Marina as Eviction Deadline Nears

A Suffolk County judge on Wednesday ordered that Martin Oliner and the Shipyard Quarters Marina LLC take immediate steps toward improving the situation at the marina, located on piers 6 and 8 in the Charlestown Navy Yard

But what that means for boat owners who have been ordered to vacate the premises by 5 p.m. Thursday is so far unclear.

The motion for a preliminary injunction against Oliner filed by the state attorney general’s office does not give an immediate deadline for boat removal, instead allowing the marina owner until the end of the boating season on Oct. 31 to clear vessels from the property except in areas deemed unsafe.

But that stipulation was not included in the notice posted Tuesday evening on all boats in the marina.

On Wednesday, Suffolk County Judge Elizabeth Fahey extended a temporary restraining order against Oliner, which requires the marina owner to meet most of the conditions set forward by the attorney general’s office in the original motion. Fahey still has not made a decision about whether to grant the preliminary injunction.

Those conditions include hiring a professional engineer and an electrical engineer within five days of the order to review the conditions at the marina and report back to the state, among other actions. 

Attorney General Martha Coakley on Wednesday spoke out against the order to vacate the marina, which was not issued through the courts.

“Shipyard Quarters Marina continues to suffer from serious structural problems placing the public at risk. This latest action [the eviction] is just another example of this owner dodging his responsibility to correct this dangerous situation for boat owners and the general public,” Coakley said in a statement. “Our primary concern is for the safety of the boat owners and we continue to explore all legal options. We’re also working with Mayor Menino’s office and the MassDEP to provide services for them.”

In a note to boat owners, representatives from Shipyard Quarters Marina said fees paid beyond Aug. 15 would be refunded and that the marina would help boat owners find alternative locations.

However, finding another place to dock in less than 48 hours has proven difficult for some. One person commented on a Patch article that she had tried several marinas and had so far been unable to find a slip for her boat, which is larger than 40 feet.

The notice posted by marina officials does not specify what will happen to boats left behind after the Aug. 15 deadline.

The marina employee who answered the office phone Thursday afternoon declined to answer that question and would not refer Patch to someone who could answer it.