OCEAN PINES–The Ocean Pines boat ramps should be closed to the public, the Marine Activities Advisory Committee will recommend to the board of directors.
The committee will write a motion clarifying that fact to give to the board, MAAC Chairman Frank Watkins said July 15.
A sign at the White Horse Park boat ramp says it is for members and guests only, but some people thought they were open to the public.
The issue came to light back in March when board member Sharyn O’Hare told the Worcester County Commissioners  that boat ramps were among the community’s facilities that are open to the public.
They were open to the public, but they should not have been.
Some board members had reviewed a video of an August 2011 meeting when the issue was discussed and it was clear from that video that the boat ramps were meant to be for use of only Ocean Pines members and their guests. Board members at that time discussed removing the ramps from the list of amenities that are open to the public, but somehow, they were not removed or they made their way back onto the final draft by mistake, board President Tom Terry said during the June 5 work session.
Board member Marty Clarke described the boat ramp as a “private boat ramp that’s being trespassed on.”
The MAAC members did not review the video because some board members had seen it, Watkins said.
MAAC members will also recommend to the board that use of the boat ramp should continue to be free.
“We are recommending that we should not be charging a fee for use of the boat ramps,” Watkins said.
 “Ocean Pines as an association has no authority to fine someone for not adhering to having stickers, etcetera,” he added. “It would be fruitless to monitor it.”
Following the MAAC meeting, Watkins discussed the issue and the committee’s recommendation with General Manager Bob Thompson.