Mashpee Mooring Regulations (Summary) for 2004
Massachusetts General Laws, Chapter 91, Section 10A, states that individuals who wish to moor or anchor a boat in the various harbors or waters within the Town of Mashpee (or any other town in the Commonwealth) must first obtain permission from the Harbormaster. Additionally, Mashpee has Town Waterways Bylaws (Chapter 170) as well as Regulations promulgated by the Harbormaster pertaining to moorings. The regulations are summarized below. Mooring equipment specifications follow.
Mooring permits are issued for a period of one year on a calendar-year basis. They expire December 31st unless revoked earlier by the Harbormaster for good cause. Mooring permits are renewable each year and must be renewed by April 30th. If your renewal application is not received in this office by April 31, 2004, it will be automatically revoked - nonrenewable. Normally, the same mooring number is retained from year to year, but the Harbormaster may reassign numbers if renewal is not timely.
There is no relationship between property ownership and the mooring permit. Mooring permits are not transferable when a property is sold.
If a permit holder discontinues use of the mooring during the permit period, the Harbormaster may assign another boat to that mooring, especially during stormy weather. Use of the mooring in this way may not be refused by the permit holder.
If a permit holder discontinues use of the mooring permanently, he or she shall notify the Harbormaster within 10 days. Mooring tackle shall be removed by the owner at that time, or be subject to removal at the permit holders expense as provided in Chapter 170.
The Harbormaster must approve the type, adequacy, and exact location of every mooring before being placed in the water.
Any mooring may be inspected, removed, or relocated by the Harbormaster whenever, in his judgment, the safety of other vessels or the maximum use of the area requires such action.
Mooring buoys or markers shall always be clearly visible, and the number on the buoy shall be clearly visible. Mooring buoys shall be painted white, with a blue band not less than 2 inches in width, with numbers not less than 3 inches high in contrasting colors. The buoy must be clearly visible at a distance of 150 feet.
Winter spar buoys (winter sticks) shall be painted white and numbered and float upright at all times at an angle not less than 45 degrees and shall have a minimum exposed length of 18 inches above any tide level. Winter buoys may be used only from October 1st to May 31st.
Water-logged mooring buoys and frayed mooring pennants (lines) shall be replaced within 10 days of the permit holder being notified by the Harbormaster. Mooring pennants must be of nylon or equivalent but must not have any floatability.
Private mooring shall mean any mooring registered by the Town of Mashpee to an individual. The only vessel allowed on that mooring shall be the one registered to that mooring with the following exceptions:
a. A mooring holder may loan his/her mooring at any time, for not more than forty-eight (48) hours. The Harbormaster must first be notified by the mooring permit holder as to what vessel will be using the mooring. The Harbormaster will check that an appropriately-sized vessel will be on the mooring, i.e. length-draft, and then grant permission if said vessel will not interfere with the mooring field area or navigation.
b. Rental of a private mooring is forbidden and shall result in immediate revocation of mooring permit.
c. Mooring tackle must remain in the water and at assigned location at all times (summer and winter).
Failure to comply with any and all harbor/mooring regulations will result in the loss of the holders’ mooring permit or permits.
Mooring Specifications – Minimum Requirements
Allowed mooring anchors: Steel (or cast iron) mushroom, DOR MOR, Helical Screw
Not Allowed mooring anchors: Cement block, granite block, radiators, engine blocks, etc.
1. Mushroom Anchors
Boat Length Weight of Mushroom Anchor
Under 18 feet 100 pounds
18 to 22 feet 150 pounds
23 to 28 feet 200 pounds
29 to 32 feet 300 pounds
33 to 50 feet 500 pounds
51 to 65 feet 700 pounds
2. Scope and Size of Chain
Length of chain shall be from the ocean floor to four (4) feet above mean high water. Boats up to twenty-six (26) feet shall use three-eighths (3/8) inch or larger; Boats twenty-seven (27) feet to forty- (40) feet shall use one-half (1/2) inch or larger; Boats forty-one (41) feet or larger shall use five-eighths (5/8) inch or larger.
3. Scope and Diameter of Pennant
Length of mooring pennants (lines) shall be approximately two (2) times the depth of water at mean high water at location of mooring. Boats up to twenty-two (22) feet in length shall use one-half (1/2) inch line; boats twenty-three (23) to twenty-eight (28) feet shall use five-eighths (5/8) inch line; boats twenty-nine (29) to thirty-five (35) feet shall use three-quarters (3/4) inch line, and boats thirty-six (36) feet or larger shall use one (1) inch line. Pennants must be made of nylon or equivalent line having no floatability.
4. Mooring Fees:
Fees are based on boat length or float size. The fee for all boats or floats twenty feet or less is $50. Each additional foot is $5.
Perry F. Ellis
Harbormaster
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