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Author: Deputy Harbormaster

March 12, 2025 in Website Updates

NEW Due Date for 2025 Invoices

Dartmouth has contracted with townmoorings.com to institute a new database system for all waterways accounts. This implementation has caused a delay in the processing of ALL 2025 Waterways invoices. In light of this delay, new deadlines have been adopted for the 2025 season only. A new, simplified payment method has also been adopted for an optional convenient payment method.

  • 2025 Invoices are scheduled to be sent out by 3/31/2025
  • Regular yearly registration deadline will be 4/30/2025
  • Late fee ($100 per mooring permit) is assessed on 5/1/2025
  • Last day to renew a mooring permit is 6/2/2025

Thank you for your patience as we have this process streamlined to increase efficiency.

HM Office

November 1, 2023 in Website Updates

Upper Apponagansett Bay Re-Opens for Shellfish Harvesting

In accordance with Chapter 130, Section 74A of the Massachusetts General Laws, the
Division of Marine Fisheries has re-examined the below defined “CONDITIONALLY
APPROVED” shellfish growing area in the Apponagansett Harbor (BB12.3), in the Town of
Dartmouth, and in the “Closed to Shellfishing” status based on seasonal water quality changes and
mooring area criteria. As a result of this examination, the Division has determined that the below
defined area now meets the established criteria for the harvest of shellfish and has changed the
status to “Open to Shellfishing” as of sunrise on November 1, 2023.
The below defined area may be opened to the harvest of shellfish for direct human
consumption subject to local rules and regulation under authority of Massachusetts General Laws
Chapter 130, Section 52.

CLASSIFICATION: CONDITIONALLY APPROVED
SEASONAL STATUS CHANGE
Status: Open to Shellfishing
November 1-April 30
All Dates Inclusive

BB12.3
Apponagansett Bay
“The waters and flats and all tributaries of Apponagansett Bay, in the Town of Dartmouth,
east of a line drawn from the town pier to the “NO SHELLFISHING” on the bridge
causeway, south of a line drawn easterly from the easternmost point of land at Star of the
Sea Villa to Mullen’s Pier at the foot of Captain’s Lane, west of a line drawn from Mullen’s
Pier to the northern tip of Little Island thence from the southern tip of Little Island to the
westerly abutment of the Bridge Street Bridge, thence from the bridge southerly to the end
of Ross’ Pier, north of a line from Bush Point to the eastern end of Knowles Pier and then
easterly of a line drawn approximately 300’ from the western end of the Bridge Street
Bridge to the eastern end of Mullins Pier.”

The status of BB12.3 shall automatically revert to “Closed to Shellfishing” on May 1, 2024,
unless the Division changes the status prior to said date.

November 1, 2023 in Website Updates

Pumpout Services End for Season

With the predicted freezing temperatures tonight, staff have winterized the pumpout equipment. Pumpouts will resume in the spring of 2024.

Thank you for using the pumpout service this year and helping keep our waterways clean!

HM Office

September 15, 2023 in Website Updates

Shellfish Reopened

The Department of Marine Fisheries has changed the status of shellfishing effective 9/17:

STATUS: OPEN TO THE TAKING OF SHELLFISH
Subject to conditional area management plan criteria where applicable

Dartmouth Shellfish

September 11, 2023 in Website Updates

Hurricane Lee 

...TROPICAL STORM CONDITIONS EXPECTED TO OCCUR THIS EVENING IN
SOUTHEASTERN NEW ENGLAND...

TROPICAL STORM WARNING ISSUED FOR CAPE COD, MARTHA’S VINEYARD AND NANTUCKET…DANGEROUS SURF AND RIP CURRENT CONDITIONS AFFECTING MUCH OF THE EAST COAST OF THE US

A Tropical Storm Warning has been issued for the coast of
Massachusetts from Woods Hole to Hull, including Cape Cod,
Martha's Vineyard, and Nantucket.

A Tropical Storm Warning means that tropical storm conditions are
expected somewhere within the warning area within 36 hours.

A few points to assist with your decisions in the coming days:

  • The Harbormaster Office has no additional information on the storm’s path. We rely on the National Hurricane Center as the best reliable source of possible paths and intensity predictions
  • We do not have moorings, ‘Hurricane moorings’ or ‘storm moorings’ available on either side of the bridge.
  • It is always the safest course of action to haul your boat well in advance of any predicted storm. It is unlikely to be safe or possible to haul if you wait until the last minute.
  • Operation of the Padanaram Bridge is on the same schedule until 10/31 by the Department of Public Works.
  • Please check mooring lines, add chafe protection near wear points, remove all sails, canvas and items stored on deck. Anything that cannot be easily removed, should be lashed down and secured.
  • Your boat is likely made of plastic, metal and wood. It can be repaired or replaced more easily than your life or limbs. Please use extraordinary care and safety in preparing well in advance of the storm. We don’t need you to put your life, or ours, in jeopardy in the face of any weather. At some practical point, rescue equipment, vessels and personnel will be removed from the hazardous waterfront environment and will not be available to rescue you or your property during any storm.

September 6, 2023 in Website Updates

Summer Weekly Pumpout List Ending

This is the final week for the Summer weekly pump out list. We will continue to pump out weekly, as available, until we receive freeze warnings. Please provide as much advanced notice as possible as we will be receiving many requests as haul outs occur.
Thank you

August 23, 2023 in Website Updates

Pumpout Boat Out for Service

The pump out boat was taken out for service today at Noon. The shore side station remains available for use. The boat should be back in service before Saturday after maintenance has been completed. Thanks