Page 11 - 2020 Yachting in Chicago

Going into 2020, we expected that record high lake levels would be our
greatest challenge in the Chicago Harbors. How wrong we were. The CHICAGO HARBORS
combination of the COVID-19 shut-down of the Lakefront and the civil
COVID-19 TASK
unrest in the city have resulted in a most difficult year for all of us in the
boating community. We are all ready to put 2020 behind us and gear up for
a full season in 2021. FORCE.

In mid-March of this year, it became apparent that the pandemic would have
a significant impact on the Chicago Harbors and the 2020 boating season.
To deal with this, we put together a task force made up of representatives Scott Stevenson,
from both local and national boating groups to try to mitigate the impacts Chairman, GM of the Chicago Harbors
on Chicago boating. During the early months of the pandemic, the Task and Executive VP of Westrec Marinas
Force met weekly to discuss the impacts of the crisis and to recommend Lou Sandoval,
solutions to the State of Illinois, the City of Chicago and to the Chicago Park Commodore of the Chicago Yacht Club
District.
Sandra Smith,
Some of the significant activities included: Commodore of the Chicago Yachting
Association
Recommendations on vessel passenger limits and COVID policies to
Gary Feracota,
local and state agencies. In late April, the State of Illinois adopted the Task
President of the Chicago Harbor
Force’s recommendations and put them into effect state-wide. A special Safety Committee
thanks goes to Lou Sandoval for his invaluable help in communicating with
Kurt Lentsch,
state and city officials throughout the Spring and early Summer.
Administrator of the Chicago Boaters
Community Group
Frequent updates to Chicago boaters through social media and emails.
We are grateful to Matt Knighton for crafting the messaging strategies, to Edwardo Beltran,
Kurt Lentsch for facilitating communication through Chicago Boaters, and to Licensed Captain and Sergeant
Sandra Smith for working with the yacht clubs in Chicago. This was a team on the Police Marine Unit
effort.
Jill Sims,
Great Lakes Policy and Engagement
Creation of the “Boater’s Pledge” which resulted in over 4,700 individuals
Manager at NMMA
pledging to obey the COVID-19 rules for boating in Chicago.
Enza Montano,
Recommendations for how to open the Chicago lakefront, including the
Board Member at the Association
harbors to the Mayor’s Office and to the Chicago Park District. The harbors of Marina Industries
opened on June 22, 2020.
Recommendations to the Chicago Park District about policies, including
the credit for dockage from May 1st to June 22nd. This was adopted and
announced just prior to the June 22nd opening.
CHICAGO HARBORS
Reminders about the importance of obeying the COVID rules during the
boating season and communication about closings during demonstrations
SUPPORT STAFF:
near the Lakefront.
Despite the difficulties with COVID, we still had a very active boating season
in June, July and August of 2020. It was gratifying to see so many boaters
Matt Knighton,
acting responsibly and enjoying our wonderful Lakefront. Communications and Social Media
Management
I am grateful to each of the committee members and harbor staff who
contributed to the task force’s success. Going into 2021, we recognize Jay Korn,
that we will likely still be dealing with the effects of COVID-19 during the Administration Manager
summer months. We plan to reconvene the Task Force this winter to look at
Ben Alden,
issues for 2021. We are looking forward to an exciting and enjoyable 2021 Operations Manager
boating season and will continue to update boaters on any new health and
safety policies as they become available.
Here’s to a better 2021 season!

Cheers,

Scott Stevenson
GM Chicago Harbors and
Executive VP of Westrec Marinas

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