Monday, June 25, 2012

Marinas Strive To Serve The Needs Of Boaters

By Chloe Gib


Amelia Island is a well-liked destination for pleasure boaters. Conde Nast has rated the location as one of the top ten isle destinations in North America. It is one of the southernmost barrier islands that form the Intercoastal Waterway stretching from South Carolina to Florida. Several modern Amelia Island marinas operate to serve boaters.

The location has a long, rich history. Humans first settled the isle around 1,000 AD. Native American people associated with Timucuan culture were the first habitants. They remained until the 18th century and called the isle Napoyca.

The European to have first visited Napoyca was Jean Ribault, a French explorer. He landed on the isle during 1562 and named it Isle de Mar. Soon after, during 1565, Spanish soldiers commanded by Pedro Menendez de Aviles succeeded in driving French settlers out of northeast Florida, including the Isle de Mar.

Amelia Island has the unique historical distinction of being the only US territory or city to have been controlled by as many as eight different nations during its history. For this reason, it is often referred to as the Isle of Eight Flags. Since the 18th century, ownership of the isle has included tenure by the French, Spanish and British before finally becoming a US territory.

The first European explorer known to have visited Napoyca was the French explorer Jean Ribault in 1562. He referred to it as Isle de Mar. A few years later, in 1565, Spanish forces led by Pedro Menendez de Aviles caused the French locals to flee the area across northeastern Florida. Ribault and about 350 other French colonists were killed in the fighting. The isle subsequently became a Spanish territory.

By 1573, the isle was known as Isla de Santa Maria after Spanish Franciscans monks established the Santa Maria mission on the islet. The mission was abandoned in 1702 to avoid aggression from a joint British-Native American invasion led by the colonial governor of South Carolina, John Moore. Spanish-inspired architecture remains particularly prolific at Fernandina Beach today.

The history of the isle is showcased by the Museum of History in a unique spoken or oral format located at Fernandina Beach. Visiting boaters can dock at Fernandina Marina located in the very heart of town on the ICW (mile 716) immediately on the Florida-Georgia border. The marina is open for business from 0630 to 2030 hours every day of the week. It caters for both old and new boats Florida alike.




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