Website Updates

Mooring, vessel, waitlist and reserved dinghy/kayak rack registration ends on March 31, 2023.  This is the same renewal deadline specified in local regulations/by-laws since 2003.  

Reminder invoices were mailed out on February 24, 2023 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

Starting this week, the 2023 Arthur F. Dias Town Landing Launch/Parking permits are available for sale at the Town Collector’s Office, Dartmouth Town Hall.  Season permits to this facility remain the same price as last year, $60 per decal.  Each vehicle or vehicle/trailer combination requires an individual permit.  No duplicate or “second vehicle” permit exemptions apply.  Annual permits are available only at the Town Collector’s Office, Dartmouth Town Hall.  The Dartmouth Harbormaster Office does not have season landing permits to sell.

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 weekly pump out list has concluded as of today, 9/23/2022. Pump outs will continue to occur on an as needed and as available basis. We will continue to pump out vessels until we are projected to receive below freezing temperatures. Please plan accordingly and request remaining pump outs well in advance when possible.

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?