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Website Updates

2023 Waterways Invoices

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!

2022 Float Update – Dias Landing

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.

Pumpout Services End for Season

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.

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

HM Office

Notice of Continued Shellfish Closure – North Padanaram Harbor

The annual re-opening of Dartmouth’s north (Apponagansett Bay) harbor will not occur on
November 1st this year (2022). Recent water qualities testing results showed at least five areas
of concern and require that the north harbor remain “closed” to all shellfish harvesting.
Possible sources of the sub-standard water quality include a late season influx of birds and
waterfowl feeding upon an abundance of baitfish, as well as several recent heavy rain storms
following an extremely dry summer season.


The State Division of Marine Fisheries is responsible for testing water samples from specific
sample sites. The Dartmouth Harbormaster Staff assists with collecting water samples, but the
State laboratory ensures the safety of the water quality from which all shellfish are harvested. It
is anticipated that another round of water samples will be collected and tested ASAP.


The entire north side of Apponagansett Bay, Padanaram Harbor will remain “closed” to all shell
fish harvesting until the water quality is ensured. The areas that have been open to the south
of the Padanaram Bridge Causeway (Smith Neck Road, south of Bush Point, and the outer
harbor) will remain open to harvesting at this time. Only the North harbor is impacted with this
continued closure.

Weekly Pumpout List Concluded

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.

Proposed Design for Boating Facility at the Arthur F Dias Landing

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.

Have you seen your lines lately?

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?

Dias Landing on Memorial Day

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.

2022 Dinghy/ Kayak Racks

All dinghy and kayak racks were fully occupied last season (no vacancies).  Those who had a space assigned for 2021 will be offered renewal for 2022, if paid by March 31st.  Anyone who decides not to return or who fails to renew by March 31, 2022 will create an opening for the 2022 season.  There is one vertical rack for kayaks and SUP use only (8 total).  The horizontal row of racks along the beach were designed for dinghy use without engines attached, but may also accommodate kayaks. They were ALL FULLY RENTED in 2021.

Any spaces that become open for 2022 will be assigned ONLY through email requests received starting on April 1, 2022.  If you wish to be considered for any space that comes open, you will need to send an email to harbormaster@dartmouthharbormaster.com and specify your name, address, contact info (phone and valid email).  You must also specify your intended dinghy/kayak (12′ total length and under) in you email request sent only AFTER the close of registration on April 1, 2022.

Again, emails are only accepted if dated 4/1/2022 or later, and they will be prioritized in the order they are received.  The seasonal rate for the 2022 season remains $50, but strict adherence to contract occupancy dates is required,

One last note:  The Waterways Dept. is in the process of developing a small boat marina (dinghy floats) to be built off the end of the Town dock at Dias landing.  A feasibility study conducted last year showed that such construction would significantly improve public access to the moorings and waterway, be self-supporting based upon user fees for storage, and would be of great demand.  Supporting that project will benefit yourself and numerous boaters similarly situated.  Please consider supporting our municipal marina project through your direct communication to the Dartmouth Select Board.