Irma did little damage to marine industry in Broward and Palm Beach counties

Hurricane Irma did plenty of damage in South Florida but largely spared the marine industry, including show sites for the Fort Lauderdale International Boat Show in early November.

A trade group called the Marine Industries Association of South Florida reported that Irma inflicted minor damage on boatyards and marinas in Broward and Palm Beach counties, which are open for business.

The association also reported minimal storm damage at seven show sites for the Fort Lauderdale International Boat Show, scheduled for Nov. 1-5. The show sites include the Bahia Mar resort and marina, Hall of Fame Marina, Hilton Fort Lauderdale Marina, Hyatt Regency Pier 66 Marina, Las Olas Municipal Marina and Sails Marina.

Staci Love, a spokeswoman for the Lauderdale Marine Center in Fort Lauderdale, told the Sun-Sentinel that the center lost trees, gates and electrical power during Hurricane Irma but is open for business.

Love also told the newspaper that 257 boats were docked at the Lauderdale Marine Center when Hurricane Irma made landfall in Florida on Sept.            10.

California-based Westrec Marinas reported no major damage from Irma at its six South Florida marinas from Fort Lauderdale south to Key Biscayne. Westrec’s Harbour Towne Marina in Dania Beach regained power and reopened Tuesday for limited operations. [Sun-Sentinel] — Mike Seemuth