In addition to these historic landmarks, the Battle of Bunker Hill monument is also visible from the marina; and the Freedom Trail is nearby, where visitors to Boston are able to explore and learn about America's founding. With all of this rich history in its back yard, it might be surprising to learn that Charlestown Marina doesn't date back quite as long as some of its iconic neighbors, but it fits right in. "There was a marina in this location, but it had been condemned by the Massachusetts Department of Environmental Protection, so it was not operational and it was completely uninhabitable," said Chuck Lagasse, principal of Ocean Havens, LLC. Chuck, along with his wife, Ann Lagasse, founded Ocean Havens, LLC, a real estate company that focuses on marina development and management. They purchased Charlestown Marina in 2014. In the last nine years, the Lagasses have completely rebuilt the marina, which now welcomes transient boaters from New England and mega yachts traveling from around the world. In addition, 60 families call Charlestown Marina home, living on board their boats year-round at the facility. The Lagasses, along with their dedicated staff, have created a world-class facility nestled among some of America's most important treasures, one of the many reasons why Marina Dock Age honored Charlestown Marina with the 2022 large Marina of the Year award.

At the Beginning

Back in 2014, the Lagasses were successfully operating Boston Yacht Haven Inn & Marina in Boston's North End, as well as Fan Pier Marina in the seaport district, and they recognized the need for another marina in the market. "The area was underserved and there was a lot of pent-up demand," Chuck said. "We knew Charlestown could be one of the largest on the east coast and we had faith that being in the heart of the city would make it a successful marina." When the Lagasses closed on the seven-acre property in October 2014, there were strict state-imposed guidelines they needed to follow. They had 60 days to remove the entire condemned facility, which included 350 slips, hundreds of piles buried in 35-foot-deep water, and remaining infrastructure. Chuck and Ann recall removing 165 tractor trailer loads of demolition material from the facility over a three-week period. After the demolition was completed, construction of the new marina began. "We had a timeline to follow, and as part of the purchase agreement we had ordered the materials, including the docking systems, as soon as we closed, so construction started quickly," Chuck said. The marina is now home to 15,300 linear feet of floating docks with a 35- foot draft. There are 371 slips that can accommodate all types of vessels, from small dinghies to mega yachts up to 600 feet. The marina is comprised of two piers, Pier 6 and Pier 8. The steel breakwater at Pier 8, which was built by Blue Atlantic Fabricators in their Boston Harbor shipyard, is 900 feet in length and 16 feet wide. The breakwater at Pier 6, provided by SF Marine, is hurricane- rated and is 325 feet in length by 13 feet wide. Both breakwaters protect the inner boat basins and uplands from wave action and storms. Their expanded width allows them to be more accessible and makes loading and unloading easier and safer. Boaters have access to a fuel dock that also includes a traveling fuel barge for in-slip fuel delivery. A local boat broker, showers, restrooms, laundry, and a mailroom are located upland. Electrical services, water connections, and an in- dock pumpout system allows the marina to perform in-slip pumpouts. More recent additions include a new floating amenities barge located on the docks that is ADA compliant and includes bathrooms, showers, laundry, and a mailroom. The marina office building has also been renovated, designed to withstand any potential flooding due to sea level rise. All utilities

The Impossible Dream, a 100 accessible catamaran, visits the marina every season. Charlestown Marina hosts several community events, including Kids in Boating Day. Marina Dock Age March 2023 7