Commercial boats hit with high fuel costs ahead of summer season
Boat weather has officially arrived at the Jersey Shore, but this year, getting out on the water costs more because of rising gas and diesel prices.
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Boat weather has officially arrived at the Jersey Shore, but this year, getting out on the water costs more because of rising gas and diesel prices.
“Between all of our boats, we burn about a quarter of a million gallons a year. Even a five or ten cent hike makes a difference," Owner of Bogan's Deep Sea Fishing Tony Bogan said.
However, price hikes are now far beyond a few cents. According to Waterway Guide’s weekly price tracker, diesel prices at marina fueling stations up and down the Jersey Shore are now topping $5
Boat captains News 12 spoke with said the jump has been fast and dramatic, ranging anywhere from $1.25 to $2.00.
For boats that hold thousands of gallons, those increases add up quickly, costing captains several thousand dollars more every time they fill up.
“We won’t have to adjust our trips, just our price,” said Captain William Egerter at Dauntless Sport Fishing. “Hopefully when the tourist season starts, fuel prices won’t be too bad so we don’t have to raise them.”
Others said they've been getting strategic at the pump, tracking fuel prices daily
“When you see it drop...you won't buy as much as you would normally buy but enough to keep you going in the hopes that it'll continue to go down,” Bogan said.
High oil prices are also affecting business costs well beyond the fuel dock. Captains say everything they rely on, like hooks and bait, is rising in cost as well.
“It’s incorporated into everything we get," Egerter said.
