Harbor Master

Background

The Select Board are mandated by state law to appoint a Harbor Master (Title 38, MRSA §1)  who is responsible for the enforcement of Westport Island’s Waterways and Harbors Ordinance. 

The Waterways and Harbors Ordinance provides for:

.... the just and orderly operation of marine activities on Westport Island waterways. It is intended to promote public safety, enjoyment, convenience on the waterways, and to provide for effective use and control of mooring areas and public facilities appurtenant thereto.

What the Harbor Master Does

  • Enforces the local harbor ordinance;
  • Administers the Town’s mooring program;
  • Administers, implements and enforces the provisions the Wright Landing Ordinance, which governs use of the Town’s public landing, aka the Ferry Landing;
  • Approves the posting of advertisements or notices at the public landing;
  • Approves extensions of the 20-minute time limitation to launch or retrieve boats at the public boat launch if required for reasons of safety or hardship; and
  • Advises the Select Board on issues related to the Island’s waterways and mooring program and use of the Wright Landing as a boat launching facility.

New Permits, Renewal Permits, & Fees

Effective July 1, 2022, we stopped issuing indefinite mooring permits. All mooring permits which were issued under the rules in existence prior to July 1, 2022, will now expire on May 1, 2023 and will now need to be renewed under the new mooring rules. All mooring permits issued since July 1, 2022 are already under the new guidelines and must be renewed annually to remain valid.

Mooring permits expire on May 1st of the year following their issuance. Mooring permits must be renewed annually by May 1st of each year. There is a grace period allowing renewals to be issued without penalty up to August 1st .

Effective July 1, 2022, mooring permit fees will be in the amount specified by the “Schedule of Mooring Permit Fees,” which is available at the Town Office and on the Town website. The “Schedule of Mooring Permit Fees,” is issued by the Select
Board and may be changed by the Select Board from time to time upon recommendation of the Harbor Committee and the Harbor Master. Mooring permit fees shall be used to pay the Harbor Master’s salary and any other expenditures approved by the Select Board.

See Westport Island’s Coastal Waters Ordinances for more information on mooring requirements and fees.

Mooring Permit Application