Shipyard Quarters Marina to Pay $450K in Fines for Environmental, Public Safety Violations

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In what was referred to as “the largest penalty to date under the Massachusetts Waterways Act,” Martin Oliner, the owner of Shipyard Quarters Marina in Charlestown, will pay up to $450,000 in fines to settle several environmental and public safety violations, the Massachusetts Attorney General’s office announced Tuesday.

Moreover, Oliner is to sell the marina to Charles Lagasse, Jr., a Newburyport developer who owns and operates the Boston Yacht Haven on Commercial Wharf, according to the announcement.

The move stems from a lawsuit and request for a preliminary injunction against Olinar, Shipyard Quarters Marina and LDA Pier 9 that were filed in August 2013. Oliner was reportedly appointed as the trustee of the Shipyard Marina Trust and Shipyard Quarters in August 2005, and the complaint alleged that he and his entities “failed to maintain the marina in good working order and failed to obtain authorization from MassDEP for alterations of the building on Pier 6, which now serves as the location for the Pier 6 Restaurant,” the AG’s office said.

A subsequent inspection revealed that all of the docking facilities at the marina and large portions of the harborwalk, as well as Pier 8, were unsafe. Oliner was ordered to reimburse vessel owners for their lost use of the marina from the date the docking facilities were closed to the end of their lease terms, and also to provide a reasonable amount of time for boat owners to leave.

“After suffering years of neglect, Shipyard Quarters Marina will no longer pose a threat to public safety,” Coakley said in a statement. “We look forward to working with Mayor Walsh’s Office, the Massachusetts Department of Environmental Protection, and the new owner to ensure that the public and boat owners can enjoy a brand new marina and refurbished Harborwalk in the heart of Boston.”

On Monday, Sept. 29, Judge Elizabeth Fahey approved a consent judgement filed last week in Suffolk Superior Court that requires Oliner and Shipyard Quarters Marina, LLC and LDA Pier 9, LLC to pay a civil penalty of $250 within 21 days of entry of the consent judgement, and an additional $200,000 suspended and waived “if certain milestones are achieved within specific timeframes.”

“I’m extremely pleased to see this issue come to a close,” Boston Mayor Martin Walsh said in a statement. “With this settlement, Charlestown residents and boat owners will get back to what they deserve: a safe and beautiful marina for all to enjoy. I’m grateful to the Attorney General’s office for their dedication and hard work in pursuing this case on behalf of the people of Boston.”

Lagasse’s Charlestown Marina, LLC will take ownership of the marina and assume the responsibilities that are expected to “give rise to a vibrant new marina on the Charlestown waterfront,” including:

• The removal of dilapidated docks at the Piers 6 and 8 sections of the marina by Oct. 31
• The construction of new docking facilities at Pier 8 in accordance with a future approval from MassDEP, with at least 50 slips operational by May 1, 2016 and the remainder operational by May 1, 2017
• The construction of new docking facilities at Pier 6 within two years of the date that MassDEP issues a new waterways license
• The extension of the Boston Harborwalk around the full perimeter of Pier 6
• The replacement of the deteriorated decking on Pier 6 and Pier 8
• The conversion of private parking on the piers to public parking
• The completion of short- and long-term repairs to ensure the structural integrity of the harborwalk and Piers 6 and 8

Lagasse agreed to pay up to $250,000 if his company doesn’t meet the construction deadlines, according to the AG’s office.

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