OCEAN PINES – A potential partnership between the association and a resort business could bring a water taxi service to Ocean Pines.
On Wednesday, General Manager John Viola presented the Ocean Pines Association Board of Directors with a proposal to bring a water taxi service to the community. He noted the association was currently in discussions with OC Bay Hopper to incorporate the Ocean Pines Yacht Club into its daily stops.
“I believe we actually have an agreement that they will be coming in and they will be performing a service,” he said. “We will update this, communicate this, we are working on it.”
Viola told board members this week it would not be the first time a water taxi has operated in Ocean Pines, as some type of boat service had existed in years past. He noted, however, that the potential partnership with OC Bay Hopper would deliver customers to various locations throughout Ocean City.
“This service will go from several points, some of them being Seacrets, Harborside, 118th Street in Ocean City, and there will be three stops and three pickups with the Yacht Club …,” he said. “We’re looking at something around $15 a trip, or maybe $25 for round trip.”
Viola said the idea is to provide a service to community members and potentially bring new customers to the Ocean Pines Yacht Club.
“So you’ll be able to go to the Yacht Club, have some drinks, do whatever, and then go over to Seacrets or Harborside and then come back, and vice versa …,” he said. “With the great venue we have there as far as bands on Friday and Saturday nights, we anticipate that we will advertise along with this company to get people to come to the Yacht Club.”
Viola added that the idea was supported by the Matt Ortt Companies, which manages food and beverage operations at the Yacht Club.
“Ralph [DeAngelus, managing partner] and I have talked extensively about this,” he said, “and there is excitement on both sides.”
During public comments, resident Joe Reynolds cautioned that the proposed water taxi operation could end up costing the association.
“People can park at the Yacht Club, get a water taxi and then go over to Ocean City to spend their money,” he said. “I know we think we’re going to get loads of people from Ocean City going to the Yacht Club, but I think that’s questionable.”
In an effort to provide a unique transportation service, four business partners joined together in 2018 to open OC Bay Hopper, a water shuttle and taxi service with dropoffs at resort-area bars and restaurants. Since that time, the company has grown to include private charters, sunset cruises and water tours.
