Pay By Phone Pilot Program Update

I recently mentioned a new pilot program put in place on June 1, 2021 at Jarrell Cove Marine State Park. Each mooring buoy at the park now sports a sticker stating:

PAY ON SHORE: $15

or PAY BY PHONE

$15+$4.50 SERVICE FEE

1(833)927-1222

I have a bit more information from a parks department staffer and Leonard Landon (Waggoner Cruising Guide Managing Editor). There are no further plans at this point – pilot program is indefinite, and the program may or may not expand to other parks. About 30 boats have used the system at Jarrell as of a few days ago. (I hope they are soliciting feedback.) The same third-party vendor the department uses for campsite reservations is used for this service. Users can pay for all of the three-night max. The only way to avoid the $4.50 service fee is to pay on shore.

We made an assumption that this fee was probably credit card processing-related, and that those of us calling in our annual moorage permit numbers would not be charged the fee. Incorrect.  Per the parks department, “The $4.50 is a convenience fee charged to any of the moorage phone calls.” I don’t think we will do this to submit ToG’s permit number, if we then have to get out our credit card and pay another $4.50. I guess it’s a good option if for some reason you can’t get to shore. It also saves paper.

This system is not to be confused with any kind of reservation system. The buoys will still operate like they have in the past…if your boat isn’t at the buoy, it’s open for someone else…even if you’ve paid.

It will be interesting to see where this all goes. Other parts of the world are running successful online, app-driven reservation/registration/payment systems for boaters. This is a step in the right direction by State parks but the technology is a bit behind the times.