Frequent clashes between Ocean Highway and Port Authority Vice Chair Ray Nelson and Port Operations Director Greg Haehl were so intense Wednesday night, that the chairman had to repeatedly use his gavel to intervene.
Nelson has consistently expressed concerns about Nassau Marine's operational methods at the port. In Wednesday's meeting, he criticized the placement of a large fabric warehouse tent, which prompted the city of Fernandina Beach to seek mediation. He also mentioned unsafe crane repairs and alleged unreported oil accidents at the facility.
Haehl fired back that Nelson had "an axe to grind" and that the vice chair was attempting to embarrass his company with "what feels like you're looking for a gotcha moment."
Nelson, who served as terminal manager for the previous port operator Worldwide Terminals for 12 years before being elected to the OHPA board in 2022, has been a vocal critic of Nassau Marine’s management. His ongoing clashes with Haehl highlight a deep rift over the direction of port operations and governance.
During questions about the safety of the crane, Nelson accused the port operator of "stonewalling."
"We don't see a safety issue and the way it's being held up it's strong enough while we are refurbishing it," Haehl said of the crane.
"Are you an engineer? Did you measure the tension on that (crane)?" Haehl fired back at Nelson.
That led OHPA Chairman Justin Taylor to halt the bickering.
"We've got to keep this professional. We have dialogue and conversations, let's keep moving forward," Taylor said.
Prior to that exchange came the issue of the fabric warehouse, a 22,000 square-foot tent used to store ship containers, that was constructed last August at an alternative location and without the required building permits from the city.
Nelson has charged that the current port operator moved the original location of the fabric warehouse tent without approval from OHPA. During construction of the tent, the city said the port operator had failed to obtain the required building permits leading to a mediation with the port operator seeking penalties.
Now, the port operator wants OPHA to join in its motion to fight any violations to city codes in the proceedings.
"If the fabric warehouse had been constructed where the board approved it, we wouldn't be dealing with this. When someone (Nassau Terminal) takes it upon themselves to make that bold of a move, it's my opinion, that they're on the hook. That they need to take responsibility for attorney's fees or whatever we get into here," Nelson said.
When the topic of oil spill procedures came up, Nelson said there were accidents that went unreported by the operator.
"That's not true," Haehl retorted. "Tell us what it is and where and let's see some evidence of it. This is just another accusation that is untrue and unfounded. You've got some axe to grind against us, if you've got some evidence, put it forward."
Taylor gaveled that discussion to a halt and moved onto to another agenda item.
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