The port and harbors department will purchase and install cashless meters that accept credit cards at dock hoists in Wrangell that will allow people to use them around-the-clock.
The department is buying four credit card readers at a total cost of $11,000 from El Dorado, Arkansas-based manufacturer IDX, and will work with electricians in Wrangell for installation, Port Director Steve Miller said Friday.
Two will be installed at Reliance Harbor in front of the harbor master office, one in the boatyard at The Marine Service Center and one at Shoemaker Bay Harbor.
“Now, instead of [port and harbors] having to do any billing, the credit card reader will take care of it,” Miller said. “It will be programmed for so many dollars, and so many minutes.” Like a car wash system, it’ll start beeping in the last minute if you want to pay for more time.
The cashless system would allow people to use the hoists 24/7, Miller said. “We’ve been wanting to get this done for a while. It’s been budgeted for at least two years. We’ve finally found a system that we like.”
Another Southeast community has seen success with the same system.
“Craig really loves theirs,” Miller said. “They were on a different system where there wasn’t 24-hour coverage. That’s why they went to this. It seems to be working really well.”
Boaters use them for everything. “Everything that is too heavy to take up the dock,” Miller said. “Freight to fishing gear to you name it. Can even use it to cart up a moose. We’ve had people put smaller skiffs on their boats.”
Miller anticipates having the machines purchased and installed by summer.
Reader Comments(0)