Newmarket resident Jeff Solomon's 35-foot Carver boat was stored alongside dozens of others under a long, covered boat slip in the east harbour of Starport Marina in Ramara Township when the roof collapsed under a heavy snow load last month.
"There is severe damage to the boats. That is the extent (of) what we know so far," Solomon said.
He hasn't yet been to Starport to have a look at the damage as it's "not safe" to be there, he explained, noting it is now an active construction zone with heavy machinery removing the collapsed roofs. Security has been keeping people out of the marina while work is being done.
"I understand why people are frustrated by that, but I think the marina is taking the right approach because it's not a safe environment. We don't want people getting hurt," said Solomon, who has had a boat at the marina for the past 22 years.
Once the roof structure is off, the boats will be moved to land one by one, he said.
"It's a big job and it's a safety-first job," Solomon said, adding Starport is working quickly to minimize impact to the boaters.
"They want to get the boats and the debris off the ice before the thaw, so they are working expeditiously to move forward as quickly as possible.
"When it's safe to do so, the insurance company and the surveyors and (boat owners) will be invited to come and see the boats and determine what the value is and if they are fixable or not fixable, and it will all be done in partnership with the marina."
Solomon said his boat is insured. He has filed a claim with his insurance company and is waiting for the process to move forward.
He said the collapse on Feb. 24 affecting about 60 vessels has been heart wrenching for all the boaters.
"It's been devastating. This would have been our 23rd year in Starport," he said.
"I'm not just losing a boat. I'm losing my slip, my harbour, my friends. This is my whole community.
"A boat is so much more than just a vehicle. My children grew up in that marina. There is a lot of emotion and a lot of phenomenal, happy memories tied to boating."
All the boaters are grieving the loss of what they've had in terms of the entire experience, he said.
"This is difficult. It can't easily be replaced. The way it was last year will not be again. A lot of tenured boaters there have built a lifetime of memories there," he said.
Solomon is waiting to hear Starport's plans, and he will have to decide if the boat can be fixed or if he has to get another one.
"This is an opportunity for us to reflect and decide, 'Where do we go from here?'" he said.
Management at Starport Marina, located at 3952 McRae Park Rd., but did not respond to a request for comment.