BREAKING: Schooner Owner Says Bight Board Sidestepping December Vote On Historic Slip
Agenda placement could delay dockage promised for Patton schooner at Key West Historic Seaport.
The owner of the historic schooner When and If says the Key West Bight Management District Board appears to be backing away from a December vote that pledged to award the vessel a permanent slip at the Key West Historic Seaport at its March meeting.
In a written statement ahead of the Bight Board’s meeting scheduled for Wednesday, March 11, at 4 p.m. at Key West City Hall, vessel owner Capt. Seth Salzmann said the issue has been placed under a “presentation” item titled Historic and Working Vessel Policy, preventing discussion or comment despite a previously adopted resolution directing staff to identify dockage for the vessel by March.
“We believe this is improper handling of a formal resolution,” Salzmann wrote. “There have been no discussions to date and the item is placed in a presentation section of the meeting that does not allow Capt. Salzmann the ability to comment to the staff or the board members on a resolution that was made expressly for his boat slip in the marina.”
The dispute centers on Resolution KWBB 25-30, approved unanimously by the Bight Board on Dec. 10, 2025, and signed the following day by chairman Michael Knowles.
The resolution states that the board sought “to award a slip to Seth Salzmann for his historic schooner, the When and If, in the Key West Bight,” but acknowledged that ongoing marina construction made an immediate assignment impossible. Instead, the board directed staff to review “potential and suitable dockage space” and return with options for the March 2026 meeting.
But now, that seems unlikely.
At Key West Bight, a Slip for When and If Becomes a ‘when, not if’
A long-delayed proposal that has been on hold for nearly a decade to secure a permanent slip at the Key West Historic Seaport for the historic schooner When and If drew overwhelming public support We…
The December vote followed more than two hours of public comment from marina tenants, mariners and tourism leaders who argued that accommodating historic schooners is central to the mission of the Key West Historic Seaport. Speakers described the 1939 Alden schooner as both a working vessel and a living piece of maritime history that would enhance the harbor’s cultural and tourism appeal.
During that meeting, all five board members present repeatedly expressed support for bringing the vessel to the harbor once construction allowed space to be reconfigured. It currently operates out of Stock Island.
Construction on the schooner dock and temporary relocation of tenants prevented the board from assigning a slip at the time, but members made clear their intention was to revisit the matter in March after staff evaluated possible locations.
Salzmann said that follow-up has not occurred.
“To date, there have been no substantive discussions of potential dockage with either the port director or the city manager,” he wrote, referring to Port Director Steve McAlearney and City Manager Brian Barroso.
Transcripts obtained and reviewed by Above the Fold clearly show that the intent of the board was to determine and award a suitable slip to the schooner. It is exactly what they voted on as was clarified by board member Arnaud Girard with the City Clerk.
The resolution as clarified passed 5-0 including affirmative votes by Girard, Ashby, Bill Lay, Steve Henson and chairman Micheal Knowles.
But now appears that city staff is attempting to move the goal posts and cause even further delays.
Instead, the March agenda includes a broader presentation reviewing the marina’s historic and working vessel policy and includes the December resolution as background material.
Salzmann said that approach effectively reopens a decision the board had already made.
“In the resolution, the board clearly stated their position to give Mr. Salzmann a slip,” he wrote, adding that historic vessels can be awarded dockage outside the marina’s commercial waiting list under existing Bight policy.
The schooner owner is asking the board to allow him to address members directly at the meeting and to follow the timeline outlined in the resolution by identifying a dock location and negotiating a dockage agreement.
“We believe adequate time has already been given to plan out how to make a space,” Salzmann wrote.
The schooner When and If, built in 1939 for Gen. George S. Patton, is widely regarded as one of the most historically significant sailing vessels operating on the East Coast and has visited Key West every year for season while seeking a permanent berth at the Historic Seaport.
The Bight Board is scheduled to meet Wednesday beginning at 4 p.m. at 1300 White Street. The meeting will be streamed live on the City website and those unable to attend are able to provide eComments.