Welcome!

Release Date: April 27, 2020 BOSTON – U.S. Customs and Border Protection’s (CBP) Boston Field Office announces the temporary closure of small boat reporting locations throughout New England and reminds travelers that routine private vessel travel for pleasure is non-essential. As part of CBP’s continued effort to combat the spread of COVID-19 via travel across our borders, we are assisting the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) in implementing their authority under Title 42, U.S. Code 265 in accordance with existing Title 8 authority and prohibiting the entry of certain persons into the United States. Effective immediately, small boating locations are temporarily closed for all CBP private vessel processing, including the use of ROAM until further notice. An overview of information on pleasure boat reporting requirements can be found here. A list of CBP small vessel reporting locations in Vermont and coastal New England can be found here. For additional updates continue to follow us on Twitter @CBPNewEngland and @DFOBoston Copy the following link in your browser to find the closed locations: https://www.cbp.gov/newsroom/local-media-release/cbp-announces-temporary-closure-small-boat-reporting-locations

NOTICE:

Our pump-out boat service has been temporarily suspended. The safety of our staff and the boating public is paramount during this COVID-19 Pandemic. We have been advised that the Coronavirus may be transmitted through aerosolized sewage.

The Center for Disease Control is currently working to determine if novel coronavirus, COVID-19 can be transmitted through sewerage systems. SARS, a similar coronavirus, has been detected in untreated sewage for up to 2 to 14 days.

We are working with regional, state and federal agencies to find a safe way to extract waste from vessel to vessel and will update this site with additional information as it becomes available. Until then, please use shoreside facilities whenever practical and do not discharge waste into the public waterway.

Permit Decals (Boat, Mooring and dinghy/kayak) are usually mailed out to all the week before Memorial Day each year to minimize misplacement of decals by recipients. Due to Covid-19 closures of all Town Offices, including Town Hall, the mailing of those decals may be delayed this season. Our mail processing machine resides within Town Hall.
Any delay in receipt of your decals will not delay your ability to launch your vessel and enjoy your boating season.
Please contact us by email (harbormaster@dartmouthharbormaster.com) with any questions or issues.

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The MA Executive Office of Energy and Environmental Affairs published comprehensive guidelines for boating and related public facilities today.

Coastal Boat Ramps:
- For commercial, state and municipal uses, coastal boat ramps will remain open.
- For recreational use, coastal boat ramps managed by the state remain open for use by boats being launched by vehicles registered in the state of MA.
- All other coastal boat ramps currently managed by municipalities remain open for recreational use subject to the discretion of the city or town.
- Coastal boat ramp parking lots are open for users launching boats, canoes and kayaks, and associated parking. Parking for the purpose of accessing coastal beaches is prohibited.
- All boat ramp and canoe launch users shall practice social distancing. Users should allow appropriate space for users of the boat ramp or launch and clear the ramp immediately when their launch is complete.
- Users should ensure they are ready to depart quickly from the ramp or dock as soon as their boat is put into the water. - Users not actively launching their boat should clear the launch area.
- Upon return to ramp, users should load their boat as quickly as safely possible and then clear the launch area.
- Use of ramps for organized fishing tournaments, derbies, or any other type of gathering is prohibited. Loitering on ramps or use of ramps for any activity other than launching boats is prohibited.
- Parking at ramps for activities other than launching boats is prohibited.
- Masks or face-coverings should be worn in public in accordance with the Department of Public Health’s advisory when social distancing is not possible.


Recreational boating:
The safe operation of recreational boats is permitted under the following guidelines:
- Only persons from the same household should be together on a boat at one time.
- No gathering or groups of persons from multiple households will be permitted on boat ramps, docks, piers etc., and all users shall practice strict social distancing.
- All recreational crafts shall remain a safe distance apart. Tying boats or other crafts together is prohibited.
- All recreational boating is subject to the discretion of local officials, harbormasters, and law enforcement.
- All local rules, regulations, laws and Coast Guard requirements still apply.


Commercial Boating:
-Maritime transportation workers, including dredgers, port workers, mariners, ship crewmembers, ship pilots and tugboat operators, equipment operators (to include maintenance and repair, and maritime-specific medical providers), ship supply, chandler, and repair companies have all been deemed essential services under the governor’s order.
- Commercial fishing is an essential part of the food supply chain and will continue to be allowed. Workers should follow public health guidance to minimize interactions with each other and the public.
- All local rules, regulations, laws and Coast Guard requirements still apply.


For-hire Boating:
For hire boating will not be permitted while the governor’s stay at home advisory and essential services order is in effect. This includes:
*Charter and head boat fishing
*Sailboat rentals and lessons
*Canoe, kayak, and stand-up paddleboard rentals
*White water rafting and river tubing rentals
*Whale watches and other pleasure cruises
*Any other operation or use of a vessel that is not registered to the passenger.

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IMPORTANT ANNOUNCEMENT TO ALL VISITORS (TO CUTTYHUNK) POSTED ON: APRIL 17, 2020 - 3:12PM
PUBLIC NOTICE TO ALL VISITORS

By Order of the Town of Gosnold Board of Health, due to the Covid-19 pandemic, public facilities on Cuttyhunk Island are closed until June 15, 2020. That date is subject to change, so please check the Town’s website for updates at www.townofgosnold.org.

-The marina is closed, and there are no dinghy docks for transient use.
-Temporary tie-ups are prohibited at all Town docks, and no water or fuel is available.
-The rental moorings are not available for use.
-There are no public toilets and no waste disposal.
-Town Hall is open by appointment only, with social distancing.

Thank you for your understanding.

Anyone wishing to obtain a Shellfish Permit should send in last years Permit and a check to the Town Hall. If you do not have last years permit please send in a copy of your license and a check. Shellfishing Permits for Dartmouth residents are $ 25.00. Anyone over the age of 65 years old would just need to send in last years Shellfishing Permit or a copy of their license. Please mail to the Town of Dartmouth Select Board Office, Attention Christine Amaral or drop off in the drop off bin located in the Town Hall parking lot.

Please see the posting on the Town of Dartmouth Select Board Web page:
https://www.town.dartmouth.ma.us/home/news/shellfish-permit

Due to the developing Coronavirus (COVID-19) situation, and in accordance with the Revised Guidance Extending the Order by the Governor Prohibiting Assemblages of More the 10 People and On-Premises Consumption of Food and Beverages, issued March 31, 2020, the use of Department of Fish and Game—Office of Fishing and Boating Access (OFBA) facilities remain open to the public for fishing and boating access. Gatherings of 10 or more people in an unenclosed, outdoor space such as an OFBA boating and fishing access facility are permissible, but not advised. Individuals using such facilities must follow social distancing protocols by remaining at least six feet apart.

The continued use of these outdoor recreational sites requires strict compliance with social distancing protocols. Violations are punishable in the following manner: (a) the first offense shall result in a warning; (b) the second offense may result in a civil citation and a fine up to $300; and (c) further offenses which are repeated and willful may be subject to criminal penalties including a fine up to $500 or term of imprisonment or both.

In addition, out of an abundance of caution, the Special Use Permits issued by the Office of Fishing Boating Access through May 4, 2020 have been canceled. Furthermore, no new permit applications will be processed through May 4, 2020. Please be advised that further cancellations and a postponement of processing of Special Use Permits may be required beyond the May 4, 2020 date. Updates will continue to be posted here as they become available.

These measures shall remain in effect through May 4, 2020 unless revised or further extended.

Thank you for your cooperation and support as the Commonwealth works to address this public health emergency.

SALE of 2020 Season Launch Permits: Please contact the Town Collector's Office Directly (508)910-1806 or use their online payment option at:
https://www.invoicecloud.com/portal/(S(vsc14twnvz0014x5vszhzgou))/2/cloudstore.aspx?cs=34192CF0-B14B-466E-8BAB-0F942AB79DEA&bg=96162020-a4b5-4dc2-be50-a12e53d29f23&return=Site.aspx%3fG%3d81f75fe7-d56b-45d3-99c4-954227524e4d

DPW will be performing electrical upgrades to the Padanaram Bridge from April 13th - 17th , 2020. The work will require power to the bridge to be discontinued during this period. The bridge will be placed in the “open to mariners” position requiring the bridge and causeway to be closed to vehicle and pedestrian access. Road barriers and appurtenant signage will be installed on the east side of the bridge and at the intersection of the causeway and Smith Neck Road. Detour signs will be installed at 10 predetermined locations. The closure will take place at 7:00 am on April 13th. The closure date may be extended in the event unforeseen work is identified.
DPW will issue a formal notice on March 31st 2020.
FOR CLARIFICATION: THE BRIDGE WILL REMAIN "OPEN" TO BOAT TRAFFIC DURING THIS REPAIR. CARS, TRUCKS, TRAILERS AND PEDESTRIANS WILL NOT BE ABLE TO CROSS THE SWINGING SPAN.

In response to Governor Charlie Baker's Declaration of Emergency for the Commonwealth of Massachusetts as well as the President of the United States Declaration of Emergency, the Town of Dartmouth Selectboard declare that immediately and effective March 18, 2020, a State of Emergency is declared to exist in the Town of Dartmouth due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
In accordance with that emergency declaration, the Dartmouth Harbormaster's physical Offices are CLOSED to the public until further notice. Please use our email contact for any routine business issues or questions. Emergencies on the waterways will be coordinated through VHF radio calls or 911 Police dispatch.
Additional information will be posted as information is received.
Stay safe.

Effective Monday March 9, 2020, the dock floats associated with the two launch ramps at the Arthur F. Dias Town Landing have been re-commissioned. The threat of thick ice formation, potentially destructive to the wooden floats, has passed. The facility is open for normal launching procedures. Please note that the State Public Access Board has authorized new launch/parking rates for the facility in order to maintain consistency with regional facilities. Effective March 1, 2020, the daily use fee is $7.00/calendar day, and the season pass for Dias Landing is now $60. Season passes for the 2020 calendar year are now available, with your vehicle and boat information, at the Town Collector's office at Dartmouth Town Hall.

The 2020 Waterways Invoices for renewal of Mooring Permits, Waterways Use Permits, Waiting list, and dinghy/kayak storage permits have all been mailed to the last known address on file for each customer.

The return of the permit renewal forms with appropriate fees must be received by the Town Collector by the close of business on Tuesday March 31, 2020.

Electronic copies of your invoice are available upon email request. The planned conversion to full electronic billing has been delayed by incompatibility with our invoices and the on-line Town payment system.

If you have any questions regarding your permit renewal, please contact the Harbormaster Office by email.

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There were 26 Marshall Catboats motoring through the 11am bridge opening on July 27, 2019. Click the link below to see the parade!

Marshall Catboat Rendezvous

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You can view our most current Mooring Waitlist which was updated on July 12, 2019 here

These identifying labels can help Coast Guard crew members, game wardens and marine patrol officers quickly determine whether a boat is merely adrift or if a paddler could be missing.

Coast Guard officials are asking canoe and kayak owners to clearly label their boats with contact information to help crews responding to reports of adrift boats.

As the summer season ramps up, so do the number of calls that the Coast Guard, Harbormasters, marine patrol officers and other law enforcement agencies receive about adrift or unattended canoes and kayaks. Petty Officer Matthew Strickland of Coast Guard Sector Northern New England said they had received several such reports before noon on the busy and sunny Independence Day holiday.

“It’s about two hours worth of work when we get a report of an adrift kayak,” Strickland said.

Strickland asked that kayak, canoe or other boat owners write their name, telephone number or other contact information on a card or other permanent label that is easily visible to individuals pulling up alongside in a boat. That can help the Coast Guard or other responders quickly determine whether the boat simply drifted away or if they should be on the look-out for a missing boater as well.

During the extended holiday weekend, the Coast Guard, Marine Patrols, and other agencies in the state are also participating in the national “Operation Dry Water” campaign focused on addressing impaired boating.

Officers will be conducting patrols all along the Massachusetts coast looking for boaters under the influence of drugs or alcohol and raising awareness about the dangers of impaired boating.