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Second USSC marina float house lands in the water

The Lady Rose has landed. A crane lowered the Union Steamship Company Marina’s second float home, intended to address Bowen’s housing shortage, into the water Friday morning.
Lady Rose
The Lady Rose soars through the marina air Friday morning.

The Lady Rose has landed.

A crane lowered the Union Steamship Company Marina’s second float home, intended to address Bowen’s housing shortage, into the water Friday morning. 

To be designated affordable housing, the building will be occupied, at least seasonally, by Doc Morgan’s and USSC employees. There is the potential for non-employees to live there in the off seasons. 

The duplex isn’t yet finished on the inside but will feature a living area, kitchenette and bathroom. Two fourplexes are also planned. 

The buildings, built on foam pontoons rather than concrete, are all named for old Union Steamships. 

The Lady Rose’s predecessor, which was lowered into the water back in June, is called Defiance because it’s not technically permitted, explained USSC’s owner, Rondy Dike. 

The rezoning for the marina is underway, having just passed first reading on November 13. The current land use zoning allows for three floating houses in the Marina. Dike is asking to be allowed six float houses with a total of sixteen units. 

Each unit will have aerobic three-stage septic systems, called Go Greens. They will also be backed up to the Cove sewer system.

The next home is expected to touch down in the spring. 

With files from Marcus Hondro