News: Toronto Kiss n’ Sail Pilot Project Underway
July 11, 2024
Waterfront Toronto in partnership with PortsToronto and CreateTO launched a pick-up and drop-off pilot program called Kiss n’ Sail to provide short-term docking opportunities for private vessels in the Inner Harbour. The pilot program will dedicate 30 metres of short-term docking space at Yonge Street Slip to streamline docking activity and improve safety for all users.
The Kiss n’ Sail pilot program began on June 28th and will operate until September 30th, 2024 repeating annually until 2026. To facilitate the pilot, York Bay Marine Inc. will manage the docking area, which will be staffed full-time, operating seven days a week from 10:00 am until dusk.
This pilot program responds to a critical need for short-term docking locations in the Inner Harbour and is part of the Marine Use Strategy [PDF].
Commercial and chartered vessels, like water taxis, bareboats, chartered harbour tours or chartered yachts are not permitted to use the Kiss n’ Sail dock. The Kiss n’ Sail program will operate on the east side of the Yonge Street Slip. It will utilize approximately 30 metres of floating dock secured to the seawall and made accessible with a fixed ramp. Dock use will be free of charge and first come, first served to pick up and drop off guests for motorized, privately-owned, pleasure crafts, up to a certain size. The captain will be obligated to remain with the boat to avoid congestion from boats overstaying.
“There has been an increase of recreational boaters using the Inner Harbour since the COVID pandemic. The Kiss n’ Sail pilot responds to calls we heard from marine users on the need for more temporary docking locations in the Inner Harbour. This will improve safety, streamline marine activity, support economic activity along the waterfront, and it will help solidify Toronto as a leading waterfront city,” says George Zegarac, President and CEO, Waterfront Toronto.
“The waterfront, and especially the Inner Harbour, are bustling areas that are full of activity in the summertime. It’s great to see waterfront partners working together to improve the experience and safety for marine users by piloting the Kiss n’ Sail program at Yonge Street Slip” agrees Deputy Mayor Ausma Malik, Councillor Ward 10 (Spadina-Fort York).
