Left Racine at 730 am with a 45' boat we just purchased. It was an all day trip down the lakeshore and on the river. We spent 4 hrs waiting for the lock in Lockport then barely made it to 3 rivers for gas. We proceeded to the Dresden lock and intended to tie off on the cell to wait the nearly 3 hour wait to lock through however the lock master ordered us to leave because a barge was going to tie off in the same location. It was nearly 11 pm at this point and our engines were making noises. My husband said they were fine, just in need of a tune up. Knowing the channel in that area has shallow spots, and we still had not used the anchor (our very 1st day with the boat), we decided not to attempt to anchor due to safety and to shut our engines down. We searched for an area to safely tie up until the lock called us via radio to advise us to prepare to lock through. We found the empty pier at Harborside and tied off. We had a 6 person crew (2 were sleeping). We were quiet as a mouse, had no music playing, engines shut off, and were speaking at a whisper. We could hear people partying and shouting and laughing within the marina. After approximately 45 minutes we were approached by a man (later learned to be Brett who runs the Marina) and a woman who told us to leave. My husband politely told him that we had no place to go because the lock had barges there and we needed to be in the area to get through when called. Brett said he didn't see any barges (obviously because they were in the lock which is why we couldn't lock through), and my husband told him to call the lock and he could verify that they were full. Brett didn't want to do so and still wanted us to leave. My husband told him that under the Maritime laws and safe harbor rules, we had no choice but to remain docked for the safety of our boat and crew. My husband also told him that we didn't want to be there at all, but we didn't have a choice. Brett never offered assistance and was not pleasant at all. My husband told him that we aren't causing any harm and would be on our way as soon as the lock called us. My husband and I and other members of our crew are law enforcement and we are very responsible and respectful. My husband told Brett to call the police if he felt he had to, but we were causing zero harm and causing no damage or boat traffic obstruction. Brett reluctantly walked away. Approximately 30 minutes later the lock called us and told us to begin to work our way to the door and we untied and proceeded to push off the pier. While moving on we noticed 2 police officers walking down the dock, ( unfortunately we had already left as we would have talked to them) I just have to say that my husband and I have been in Michigan and Wisconsin over the years and suddenly had to seek a safe place to stop and make sure our engines were in good condition to continue traveling and we always had very welcoming and accommodating marina staff. Brett was the worst marina manager we've ever come across. We boat within a 45 minute car drive and had visited the restaurant at Harborside (spending a lot of money), with a large group of friends from our marina on previous occasions. Just heard a new restaurant is opening after the last one closed and we will definitely NOT be trying it out. Additionally, we have a great marina with many boaters who would have welcomed Brett without question if he was in the area and needed help (that's what boaters do). Now the boaters in our area are aware of what happened and also will not be patronizing the new restaurant at Harborside. read more
