Author: Harbormaster

You can view our most current Mooring Waitlist which was updated on September 04, 2023.

The Town of Dartmouth has posted a Public Notice for Road Reconstruction and Paving in the Padanaram Village Area. Please see the Notice below.

Waterways decals were mailed out mid-May to those who paid their Waterways Registration Fees. If you have not paid your fee, please do so ASAP. Staff will be looking for waterways decals and payments beginning 07/10/23. Any vessel found without proper payment will be assessed a mandatory 20% late fee.

Please see the attached Waterways Rates for the 2023 Boating season.

The 2023 annual Waterways Invoices are in the process of being printed for postal delivery to the last addresses we have on file as of December 2022. If you would like to receive an individual, digital copy of your Waterways Invoice, please send an email to our office at:harbormaster@dartmouthharbormaster.com

Email is our preferred method of communication as staffing is limited during the off season. We will respond quickly to all email inquires we receive. We are unable to respond to telephone calls or messages in a timely manner at this time.  Please use email to contact our office, to request an invoice, or to seek any information related to moorings, boats or launching.
Thank you!

To protect the dock floats associated with the Town Pier and Launch Ramps at the Dias Landing located at 75 Gulf Road from winter weather and ice, all floats and gangways attached to that facility will be removed during the week of November 28, 2022.  These floats will be stored in the facility parking area until the spring of 2023. 

The ramps and pier will remain open for use at the discretion and sole risk of individual mariners.

With the predicted freezing temperatures upon us, pumpouts have concluded in order to winterize the pumpout equipment. Pumpouts will resume in the spring of 2023.

The Arthur F. Dias Landing is one of the most popular access points for the public to Padanaram Harbor.  Managed by the Town of Dartmouth Harbormaster’s Department with advice from the Waterways Management Commission, each year thousands of boats are launched at the boat ramp and hundreds visit the site for the view of the northern end of the Harbor.

In the recent past, there have been a number of improvements made to the site.  Security lighting and cameras have been installed, new dinghy and kayak racks are in place, and parking lines have been repainted. 

Now the Waterways Management Department is considering an increase in floating dockage—primarily to support dinghies and other small craft.  A recent Feasibility Study highlights the need for additional small craft dockage in the harbor and, with competitive pricing, can be self-supporting. 

The Dias Landing Feasibility Study is available for download at the bottom of this page.  Funding has been approved by the Seaport Economic Council and the Community Preservation Committee for permitting and construction costs providing the Town moves forward with this project.  Proposed designs for this project are available for viewing below.

It’s that time of year again. The days are getting shorter, the nights are getting cooler, and the kids are going back to school. It’s the time of year when the trips to the boat become fewer and with more time in between each visit. It is the time of year when storms and heavy winds creep up on the harbor with little warning. It is also the time of year when we see boats part their moorings and sink at the docks.

Now is the time to check your mooring lines for wear and chaffing. We see many anchors cut through mooring pennants and vessels hit the shoreline. Boats left unattended at the docks have fallen to a similar fate. Drained batteries, faulty bilge pumps, and both loose and overly taught lines have caused boats to sink at the dock.

Have you seen your lines lately?

On Monday, May 30th, The 2022 Memorial Day Parade will be staging at the Arthur F. Dias Town Landing. The parking lot will be used for parade preparation starting at 8AM with the parade kicking off at 9AM. Please be advised that during this time, the landing will not be accessible to vessel launching or hauling.