Welcome to the Mancester by the Sea Police Department Harbor Divsion.
Frequently Asked Questions:
Where do I send mail to the Harbormaster? The official address of the Police Department – Harbor Division is: Harbormaster, Town Hall, Manchester-by-the-Sea, MA. 01944. Mail can also be dropped off at Town Hall at the Selectmen’s office or at the Police Station.
How do I get a mooring? There is a lengthy waiting list for moorings in our Harbor. In order to get on the waiting list one must obtain and fill out a “Waiting List Form”, which is available in the front lobby of the Police Station, at the Harbor office or on-line. Unfortunately these forms cannot be mailed to the applicant due to the costs involved as well as the number of requests. The forms are quite clear as to the instructions, but we note that in order to remain on the waiting list, one must fill out and submit a new form with a $10 fee each year prior to March 31st.
How long will I be waiting for a mooring assignment? There is an approximate wait of 10 years for a mooring assignment. It is difficult to give an exact time, as we never know how many moorings will be relinquished each season.
Would I get a mooring quicker if I have a larger or smaller boat? There is no benefit, as assignments are made to the next name on the waiting list for a boat of similar size to the one that has relinquished a spot, and as noted above we never know who or what size that will be.
Do I need to Own a boat to put my name on the Waiting List? No, you do not need to own a boat until such time as a mooring assignment is made.
Do I need to be a Manchester resident? No, however you must be a Manchester resident to obtain a permit for dock (dinghy) space.
Can I put my name on the list more than once in order to eventually obtain more than one mooring? Yes, it is acceptable to hold several valid mooring permits for Manchester Harbor.
Once I obtain a mooring permit, where will my boat be moored and how much will it cost me? All mooring assignments are for the outer harbor area, with only smaller boats being assigned a spot closer within the Harbor. The fees associated with an assignment are based on $5 per foot of boat length, with dock space costing a set fee of $40 per season.
What if I wish to change the location of my mooring? If you wish to change to another location in the Harbor (i.e., further inside the Harbor), you must obtain and fill out a “Change of Location” form. Again, these forms are not mailed out, but must be picked up at the front lobby of the Police Station, the Harbor office, or on-line. These forms DO NOT need to be renewed.
Can I check to see where my name is on the Waiting List? Certainly, and this can be done by calling our office or checking the list which is posted outside of the office on the lower level of the Town Hall.
How do I renew my Mooring Permit once assigned? Each January, mooring applications are sent out for renewal and are due back to the Harbormaster’s office by March 31st after which time a $20 late fee is assessed.
How will the Harbormaster know that my boat is legally moored in the Harbor? The Harbor patrols work diligently each season to assure compliance. Each boat assigned a mooring must display a current mooring sticker on their boat. These stickers are sent out with the boat owner’s Permit each season.
What if I decide to buy a larger boat – can I keep my mooring spot? This depends – it is possible to stay in the same location as originally assigned, however, any change in boat size must be reviewed by the Harbormaster. This can cause a substantial burden upon the Harbormaster as a new location cannot always be found if it is believed that the boat will not fit and would impede upon other boats in the area. The Harbormaster cannot guarantee another location will be available. One may have to relinquish their spot and again put their name on the waiting list. A boat owner should be aware of this prior to purchasing a new boat.
If I sell my boat, can I rent my mooring to someone else? NO - You must actually own a boat to have a mooring permit and proof of this ownership may be required. However, there is one-year “grace” period where you may not have a boat on the mooring, for example, when you are in-between boats or due to health reasons are not using the mooring for a season. In this case, you are still required to pay for a permit based on the boat you last had on the mooring and also must notify the Harbormaster in order that he can assign the mooring on a Temporary basis to the next person on the Waiting List with that size boat.
What if I decide to relinquish my mooring? In this case, you must notify the Harbormaster in writing of your intention to relinquish your mooring spot. If your boat is co-owned, the co-owner is only entitled to the mooring spot if they have been listed as a co-owner when the original permit was issued. You are, however, allowed to pass on your mooring spot to an immediate family member, i.e. mother/father/brother/sister.
I am a Manchester resident, and wish to obtain a permit for my dinghy – what do I do? You must make your request by filling out a Dock Waiting list form available in the Harbor office or on-line. Presently there is a wait at all docks in Manchester, and upon request your name will be added to this list. When a spot becomes available you will be notified and asked to fill out an application, and submit a fee of $40. A dock permit and sticker would then be issued to you.
Where are the public docks in Manchester Harbor? There are several docks for resident dinghy spaces with proper permit. They are located: behind the Town Hall and Police Station, at Tuck’s Point, at the small park located directly to the right as you pass over the RR tracks on Beach Street heading up the hill to the Beach and finally at Masconomo Park, also on Beach Street. These docks are also available for the general public’s use for up to one-hour tie-up in marked areas. There is no tie-up in the designated loading zones.
I have a boat moored at a marina in Manchester Harbor. Do I need to notify the Harbormaster? Boats moored at marinas are basically controlled by the marina staff itself, however, must be permitted through the Harbormaster’s office. This means every boat at a marina must obtain a User Fee Permit and current sticker to be placed on their boat. Although we receive a listing of slip customers each year from the local marina, and send out applications to those individuals, it is the boat owner’s responsibility to be properly permitted. Those not displaying a valid sticker will be ticketed by the Harbor Patrol and potentially removed from the harbor.
What are the procedures for mooring my boat in Magnolia Harbor? Magnolia Harbor comes under the jurisdiction of the Manchester Harbormaster’s office except for the dock facilities, which are under the jurisdiction of the Gloucester Harbormaster’s office. Magnolia Harbor is now at capacity for moorings. You may get on the waiting list for a spot in Magnolia Harbor by filling out the appropriate form found on-line or at the Harbormaster’s office. Please note that the dock facilities adjacent to Magnolia Harbor are under the jurisdiction of the Gloucester Harbormaster’s office.
I wish to obtain a “transient mooring” in Manchester Harbor for an overnight stay; what are the procedures? Unfortunately, Manchester Harbor does not have any transient moorings available. We refer boaters to the several marinas in town (Manchester Marine, Crocker’s Boat Yard, Sea Rock Estate Marina, Inner Harbor Marina, or The Manchester Yacht Club).
What if I have other questions that are not answered here? Simply call our office at (978) 526-7832.