Mooring Waitlist Updated
You can view our most current Mooring Waitlist which was updated on July 30, 2024.
Website Updates
Harbormaster Update
The Dartmouth Harbormaster Office is experiencing a severe shortage of administrative and clerical assistance at this time. Unexpected emergency situations have severely limited staff availability as the 2024 season starts. The physical office site is not currently staffed for public service. Please communicate directly with the limited staff remaining through email only via harbormaster@dartmouthharbormaster.com.
Every attempt will be made to prioritize boater needs and demands with prompt email replies. Boat waste pump out requests are being addressed as received through email (harbormaster@dartmouthharbormaster.com) and our website http://dartmouthharbormaster.com/pumpout-service/. Our focus must remain upon boater safety on the waterways with paperwork and administrative functions being addressed as limited resources allow. Please have patience and understanding with the personnel remaining on staff. Safely and responsibly enjoy your waterways experience with the knowledge that our clerical and administrative tasks will eventually catch up with you and your requests. Thank you.
2024 Waterways Decals
2024 Waterways decals were mailed out on May 15, 2024 to those who paid their Waterways Registration Fees.
2024 Mooring Renewal Deadline
Mooring, vessel, waitlist and reserved dinghy/kayak rack registration ends on March 31, 2024. This is the same renewal deadline specified in local regulations/by-laws since 2003.
Reminder invoices were mailed out on February 14, 2024 to each permit holder at the last known address in our database.
Renewal of each mooring, boat permit, waiting list position or reserved dinghy/kayak rack assignment remains the responsibility of each individual permit holder.
Inquiries and requests for electronic invoice reminders may be made prior to the 3/31 deadline by emailing harbormaster@dartmouthharbormaster.com
2024 Waterways Invoices
The 2024 annual Waterways Invoices have been mailed to the last addresses we have on file as of December 2023. 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!
2023 Float Update – End of Season
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 26, 2023. These floats will be stored in the facility parking area until the spring of 2024.
The ramps and pier will remain open for use at the discretion and sole risk of individual mariners.
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.
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
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
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.