Marina at Great Lakes Naval Training Center

[Elan28]

Can anyone provide an update on mooring and winter storage possibilities at Naval Station Great Lakes? The last postings I was able to find were from 2009.

I'm a civilian and wondering if the rules for mooring and winter storage have relaxed to the point that I could get a spot here or at least store my boat during the winter.

Does anybody have an update? Thanks.

[sailortjk1]

Unless something has changed in the past couple of years, it has always been for Military Personnel Only.
If you need to seek safe shelter, I believe it can be used as a harbor of refuge, but that is it. I just checked Lakeland Boating on line cruising Guide and they have no information there. I guess a phone call to the Base would be appropriate as I am only going off of previous experience and knowledge.

[MSN2Travelers]

Not sure anymore. Used to be Military only. Here is the web site for the GLNTC Marina (run by the base MWR office) - Great Lakes Marina - MWR Naval Station Great Lakes

You will find their email address and a broucher listing services & rates.

Let us know what you find out.

[ChicagoNewport27]

Originally Posted by sailortjk1

Unless something has changed in the past couple of years, it has always been for Military Personnel Only.
If you need to seek safe shelter, I believe it can be used as a harbor of refuge, but that is it. I just checked Lakeland Boating on line cruising Guide and they have no information there. I guess a phone call to the Base would be appropriate as I am only going off of previous experience and knowledge.

Hey Sorry to be contrary Tim, but...

NOT TRUE

I am a civilian, and I'm looking at the civilian guest ID I was issued to moor and store my boat there. I moored there for three years ('06, '07, '08), storing there each winter (for about half what it costs in Chicago, on both accounts). You have to pass a background check, then get an ID sticker for your vehicle (and you must always use the approved vehicle to enter) and they'll issue you a special military guest photo ID card for you. It's a hassle to get all that set up, but its worth it for the serenity of that marina.

Just call the MWR marina (link posted in someone's earlier post), ask for the Harbor Master, and he'll set you up. Used to be Doug Derginer, but it may have changed.

Here's photographic evidence...

Here're pictures from one of my haulouts at Great Lakes Naval Base.


IMG_5646 by HowardRoark, on Flickr


IMG_5673 by HowardRoark, on Flickr


Photos from my first summer on a mooring ball there. (Please excuse the fenders in disarray)


Stupid fenders by HowardRoark, on Flickr


Here are a few albums of me restoring my Newport 27 in their storage yard.


IMG_5489 by HowardRoark, on Flickr


New Letters, Aft Starb'rd Quarter by HowardRoark, on Flickr


Dork. by HowardRoark, on Flickr


Here's BOATICUS in a wonderful slip. Just temporarily while I worked on her engine:


IMG_6240 by HowardRoark, on Flickr

Video:
BOATICUS at her temporary slip at Naval Station Great Lakes - YouTube

[ChicagoNewport27]

There is very little in the way of "services" at that marina. There's a little store to buy fishing supplies, a limited selection of boating supplies, candy and pop. No mechanic on duty, you have to call up to Larsen's in Waukegan for service. The fuel dock sits in about 3.5ft of water because of the silting in of the harbor, so be wary. It's easier to carry jerry cans back to your boat then try to get ungrounded. There is rarely anyone monitoring the VHF up there if you get stuck, although they did come help me once when I sank my dinghy at my mooring.

[sailortjk1]

Good to know, thanks Ken.