By By CHRIST PROKOS
christ@wdnweb.com
Managing Editor
In cruising circles, Washington has developed the reputation as a great place to drop anchor with one drawback: fill up before you go. Boaters who ventured up the Pamlico River were forewarned of a shortage of diesel fueling facilities.
Captains and their crews now have one less worry on the Inner Banks as Washington’s Parks and Recreation Department reached an agreement with Fountain Powerboats to make diesel fuel available to boaters.
“It’s been a major problem for years,” said outgoing City Manager James C. Smith. “The only place you could get (diesel fuel) was at the Washington Yacht and Country Club, and that was for members only. We had concerns expressed by people who would have liked to come as they came up the Intracoastal Waterway, but they were concerned.”
Boaters interested in topping off their tanks need to follow specific procedures. Fountain Powerboats’ diesel fuel sales are made from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Mondays through Fridays (excluding holidays). Prices for the diesel fuel are at fair-market value and must be paid for by credit card only.
Don’t expect to pull up to the dock and say “fill ’r up” as all sales are by appointment only. Boaters must request an appointment from the Washington dock attendant, who will document the request and call Fountain Powerboats to make the arrangements. Once scheduled, the dockmaster will inform the boater of the appointment time.
The fueling dock at Fountain Powerboats is approximately 1 1/2 miles from the “pump-out” station at the city’s waterfront docks. Sailors should note that the water depth at Fountain is approximately 5 feet.