Greetings boaters!
First things first. Waterway renewals are coming in at a steady pace. Remember that the cutoff date of March 1st is less than a month away, please be sure to get those forms and payments in. In addition, make sure you have paid your excise tax as well. For your convenience payments may be made on-line through the payment button on the town website.
An Environmental Police and NASBLA certified safe boating course will be offered in Manchester this winter. The course will be held at Manchester Town Hall on Friday February 14th and 28th. Class times are 4PM-9PM in Room 5, you must attend both dates. Safe boating certificates will be issued to all stu- dents with a passing grade. Paddle sport enthusiasts are encouraged to take this course as well. Safe boating isn’t just for sailors and power boaters.
Manchester Mooring Service is pleased to announce the introduction of a public launch service beginning this Summer. The launch will be available to all boaters in Manchester harbor. Seasonal subscriptions will include unlimited trips to and from boats for all passengers aboard. A discount will be offered on the season pass for boat owners who have their mooring serviced annually by Manchester Mooring. Individual pay as you go trips will also be available. Residents and visitors to the town will be welcome aboard for scenic narrated tours including the outer harbor and 'hop on-hop off' trips between Tuck's Point and Reed Park downtown. Eliminate the headache, time and expense of owning, maintaining and storing a rowboat, bailing it out when full of water. Use the money spent on seasonal docking of the row- boat towards a seasonal pass for the launch! Have you ever tried to pick up passengers and gear at the dock only to find the dock full of other boats and you have no way to tie up until someone leaves? Your guests enjoy watching you circle around many times until dock space opens up. Use the launch and forget about your rowboat and crowded docks, spend more time boating with your family and friends. The launch will be fully inspected and certified by the U.S. Coast Guard each season prior to use and all launch operators will be licensed by the U.S. Coast Guard. To sign up for or receive additional information on the 2020 Launch service in Manchester Harbor, please contact by email or telephone (978) 526-4480. The website is currently being updated and is expected to be live on Sunday, February 9. When it goes live, it will have rates, dates and hours of operation listed. We will be looking to hire launch operators for the summer, please let us know by email if you are interested...full and part time shifts will be available.
The Steering Committee is still waiting for feedback from Tetra Tech, the company hired to do site evaluations for this project.
Effective: Tuesday, November 01, 2011 The Massachusetts Bay Transportation Authority Bridge at mile 1.0 in Manchester shall operate as follows: The draw shall open from Memorial Day thru Sept. 30 from 7 a.m. to 11p.m. From Memorial Day and from Oct.1 to Nov.1 from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. and 2 p.m. to 6p.m. At all other times, the draw shall open on signal with at least four hours of notice. Call (617) 222-6114.
A beached whale, dolphin or porpoise should be re- ported immediately and left alone pending further instruction. Call the NOAA 24-hour Marine Animal Hotline: (866) 755- 6622. Please leave your name and a phone number where you can be reached. Sea turtles in our region do not typically come ashore unless they are seriously debilitated. Call the 24-hour Marine Animal Hotline: (866) 755-6622. Seals belong on the beach. It’s normal. What should you do if you spot a seal on the beach? Keep people and dogs 150’ away from the seal. Does the seal look injured or unhealthy? If so, please call (866) 755-6622 or call your Harbormaster.
All marine mammals are protected by the Marine Mammal Protection Act. This law makes it illegal to touch, disturb, feed or otherwise harass marine mammals without authorization.
Manchester Harbormaster only tows those vessels that are in immediate danger or present a potential environmental hazard. Please contact a towing or salvage operator should you need to be towed.
Monday to Thursday, 9 a.m.- 4 p.m.
Hours will vary depending on training, Safe Boating classes and meetings. Feel free to call before coming to the office. Be vigilant and notify the harbormaster of any missing or off station aids to navigation. The latest Manchester Harbor Rules & Regulations are posted on the Harbormaster website.
Stop by, say hi, and don’t forget your lifejacket!
