Harbor News

             At the January 2009 public meeting of the Dartmouth Waterways Management Commission, changes to Schedules A & B of the Dartmouth Mooring Regulations were unanimously and immediately enacted.   The heading to these mooring size regulation sections is now “Minimum Anchor and EXACT Ground Tackle Specifications.”                 The changes were enacted to address the widespread problem of many vessels sitting or riding on bottom chain heavier than could be moved by the attached vessel.  Heavy chain could be found laid out in any direction of the last strong gale, or sitting in a pile on the mooring anchor.  When all boats do not pull their full mooring scope according to the prevailing wind or wind/tide, the likelihood of boats bumping in our crowded harbor increases significantly.  In order to keep the same number and density of moorings accommodated, it was decided to require uniform mooring scope configurations based upon vessel size.               
           What impact does this have for each mooring permit holder?  Starting with every mooring which is due for inspection in 2009, the chain diameters for each mooring must change to match the required sizes for only the vessel of record approved by the Harbormaster for that mooring permit.  Inspections in each year hereafter will also require compliance at that inspection, as will any changes to your approved vessel of record.  If your bottom (or top) chain is oversized, it will need to be replaced with the appropriate diameter chain as specified in the Mooring Regulations.  Total mooring scope (length) remains unchanged and is based upon the mean high water site depth.  Mooring anchor weights described in the regulations remain minimum sizes and only this component of your mooring gear may be larger than recommended.         
          One additional change to mooring regulations affects only vessels less than 20’ in length moored north of the Bridge.  Moorings under “Schedule A” for approved vessels of record under 20’ in length should now have ½” diameter links for both top and bottom chains.               These changes are the result of deliberate public consideration by the Commission given to documented situations of property damage.  These mandatory changes are designed to promote public safety and the welfare of vessels moored in the tight boundaries of Padanaram Harbor.  Compliance is not optional and permits shall not be granted for non-conforming gear in Dartmouth waters.   These changes are not intended for mooring areas outside of Padanaram Harbor.  Mooring Service Providers are instructed to either bring indicated mooring gear into compliance with the new regulations, or to designate non-compliant gear as “failed” under Dartmouth Mooring Regulation 15(ii).

UPDATE 11/1/2011:  Wednesday 11/2/11 will be the last day of vessel waste pump-out operations.  Night-time freezing temperatures require the winterization of vessel and shoreside waste-removal stations.  No pump-out service will be available after noon on 11/2/2011.

The "automatic" pump-out service that tends to weekly vessel waste removal for many vessels is ended for the 2011 season on 10/14/11.  Any vessel requiring waste removal services after noon on 10/14 must contact the Harbormaster Office (508-999-0759, 774-473-8411 or by e-mail) with sufficient advance notice (minimum of 24 hours) so that personnel may be scheduled to attend to the requested pump-out. 

Pump-out by appointment will continue until freezing temperatures require winterizing of the waste removal equipment.

The Dartmouth D.P.W. will maintain the posted opening schedule for the Padanaram Bridge through 2100 hrs (9 p.m.) on October 31, 2011.     Hail the Padanaram Bridgetender on VHF radio Channel 13  prior to the requested opening time, prior to October 31st.
Bridge openings after October 31st must be made 24 hours in advance by telephone request (during DPW business hours only) at 508-999-0744.  Please note that the Padanaram Swing Bridge is primarily operated by the Dartmouth Department of Public Works, and not the Harbormaster Office.
Should you have any questions or concerns, please call Mr. Roy Pinheiro, Assistant Superintendent of Services and Infrastructure at the above number (508-999-0744).

The DPW has posted their 2011 Padanaram Bridge Operating schedule.  This schedule ENDS at 9:00 p.m. on 10/31/2011.

The USCG has installed a new light at the end of the Breakwater.  The temporary red lighted buoy has been removed.

Assistant Harbormaster Marty Casey of New Bedford was named Sportsman of the Year by the Bristol County League of Sportsmen's Clubs. Read the full article.

UPDATE 11/1/2011:  Wednesday 11/2/11 will be the last day of vessel waste pump-out operations.  Night-time freezing temperatures require the winterization of vessel and shoreside waste-removal stations.  No pump-out service will be available after noon on 11/2/2011.

The "automatic" pump-out service that tends to weekly vessel waste removal for many vessels is ended for the 2011 season on 10/14/11.  Any vessel requiring waste removal services after noon on 10/14 must contact the Harbormaster Office (508-999-0759, 774-473-8411 or by e-mail) with sufficient advance notice (minimum of 24 hours) so that personnel may be scheduled to attend to the requested pump-out. 

Pump-out by appointment will continue until freezing temperatures require winterizing of the waste removal equipment.

At the October meeting of the Waterways Commission, sealed bids were opened for performance of the mooring moves required to re-align the moorings north of the Padanaram Bridge in upper Apponagansett Bay.

Both bids received for completion of the required work exceeded both the allowable threshold under MGL Chapter 30B as well as the department funds available to complete this re-grid project.

No contract could be awarded based upon the bids received.  No future meetings of the Waterways Commission have been scheduled.  No further action is currently planned relative to the imminent re-gridding of moorings in this area.  Any future developments will be posted to this site.

The Dartmouth D.P.W. will maintain the posted opening schedule for the Padanaram Bridge through 2100 hrs (9 p.m.) on October 31, 2011.     Hail the Padanaram Bridgetender on VHF radio Channel 13  prior to the requested opening time, prior to October 31st.
Bridge openings after October 31st must be made 24 hours in advance by telephone request (during DPW business hours only) at 508-999-0744.  Please note that the Padanaram Swing Bridge is primarily operated by the Dartmouth Department of Public Works, and not the Harbormaster Office.
Should you have any questions or concerns, please call Mr. Roy Pinheiro, Assistant Superintendent of Services and Infrastructure at the above number (508-999-0744).

The mooring wait list has been updated.  You can download the current waitlist here.

The DPW has posted their 2011 Padanaram Bridge Operating schedule.  This schedule ENDS at 9:00 p.m. on 10/31/2011.

UPDATE 11/1/2011:  Wednesday 11/2/11 will be the last day of vessel waste pump-out operations.  Night-time freezing temperatures require the winterization of vessel and shoreside waste-removal stations.  No pump-out service will be available after noon on 11/2/2011.

The "automatic" pump-out service that tends to weekly vessel waste removal for many vessels is ended for the 2011 season on 10/14/11.  Any vessel requiring waste removal services after noon on 10/14 must contact the Harbormaster Office (508-999-0759, 774-473-8411 or by e-mail) with sufficient advance notice (minimum of 24 hours) so that personnel may be scheduled to attend to the requested pump-out. 

Pump-out by appointment will continue until freezing temperatures require winterizing of the waste removal equipment.