Welcome to the Mancester by the Sea Police Department Harbor Divsion.

History 

          For many years the Office of the Harbormaster operated as a separate and distinct Town department under the Board of Selectmen. The Harbormaster utilized his own vessel, had very little equipment, very little guidance and direction, and virtually no administrative backing in the form of secretarial services.  During the mid 1980’s administrative help was provided along with a small contingent of volunteer-civilian assistants.  As the number of boats moored in our harbor increased, as did the demands placed on the Harbormaster, it soon became apparent that the services provided were slowly eroding.   In February of 1991 the Board of Selectmen, after careful consideration and on advise from the Harbor Advisory Committee, revamped the operation by effectively eliminating the Office of Harbormaster, naming the Chief of Police as Harbormaster, and placing the entire operation within the structure of the Police Department.  After securing office space and computer equipment the new Harbor Division became a reality. 

          During the summer of 1991 the Harbor Division of the Police Department was reorganized with the former Harbormaster being retained as an Associate Harbormaster, all former volunteer-civilian Assistants were released from duty, new policies and procedures were promulgated and recommendation to the Board relative to a new vessel was put forth. During the next several years the harbor division grew. 

          Today, the Manchester-by-the-Sea Police Harbor Division enjoys a reputation of  efficiency and effectiveness in policing the approximately 12 miles of coastline and jurisdictional waters of the Town, as well as being one of the most responsive emergency units on the North Shore.  Today we operate a fully equipped 25’ police patrol/rescue boat and a 13’ run-a-bout.  Our staff includes;  one (1) Associate Harbormaster,  four (4) regular, full time Manchester-by-the-Sea Police officers as assistants, all of which are fully trained in boat handling, search and rescue, fire fighting, boating laws and regulations, and policies and procedures of the Harbor, and one (1) administrative aid (secretary).   Although part of the Police Department, the Harbor Division maintains a separate office within the Town Hall.  This eliminates some of the disruption that might occur were the Division housed within the Police Station.  However, as part of the Police Department the very nature of our 24-hour service carries over to the Harbor Division.  Messages are recorded, answers and advice are administered, records are received and issued, and dispatch functions occur.  The significantly larger organization of the Police Department allows for the part-time status of the Harbor Division to operate unlike any other part time water unit on the North Shore.