Boating Safety & Navigation

Report on Chapter 12:  Managing Environmental & Safety Impacts from Boating

 

Waterways Regulations, Enforcement and Navigation

Recommendations:  12.2.1 Enhance waterways regulations; 12.4.1 Bay-wide patrol; 12.4.2 Enhance navigational aids

 

ü      A coordinated bay-wide patrol was established in 1997 and has been operational every boating season since that time. 

  • Each town added patrol staff time to the bay
  • Patrol schedules are coordinated to ensure adequate patrol coverage at all times
  • Patrol staff are cross deputized to facilitate quick response to transgressions regardless of town boundaries
  • Radio and telecommunications have been improved to facilitate direct communication between the different town patrols in the bay to report situations and request support.

 

ü      Navigational aids have increased in number and have been coordinated:

  • Continuous numbering of markers from the inlet to Meetinghouse Pond
  • Addition of parallel channel markers and no wake buoys in the River, no wake buoys in the Narrows, and Cow yard
  • Rock buoys have been added throughout the Bay

 

Ø      A continuing trouble spot is the area around Fox Hill and Bassing Harbor near the entrance to Ryder’s Cove (markers 3-6).  This area should be designated as a speed controlled area.

 

Ø      Lobster pots are often being found in narrow navigational channels.  In areas where channels are narrow, the location of lobster posts can be a significant obstruction.  Removal of lobster pots by appropriate town officials is necessary in such cases.

 

PWC Management

Recommendations: 12.6.1 Prohibit PWC rentals; 12.6.2 PWC management program

 

ü      In 1999 the Alliance developed and distributed a publication called Safe Operation of Personal Watercraft in Pleasant Bay.  The pamphlet outlined state and local waterways regulations regarding the operation of PWC, and included a map of the Bay with resource sensitive areas, areas of prohibition (based on regulation) and rock buoys identified.

 

ü      In 2001 Town Meetings in all three Alliance communities approved similar bylaws to prohibit the operation of personal watercraft in Pleasant Bay.  The bylaws were developed in response to the National Park Service’s decision to prohibit PWC within the boundaries of the Cape Cod National Seashore.  The bylaws received approval from the Massachusetts Attorney General and the Massachusetts Division of Environmental Law Enforcement, and were in effect during the 2002 boating season.  Enforcement of the bylaws was coordinated with the National Park Service.  Signs demarcating the area of prohibition were placed at all town landings in Pleasant Bay.   

 

Boat-related Pollution Control

Recommendations: 12.2.2 No Discharge Area; 12.2.3 Assess boating impacts on environment; 12.2.4 Boat operation and maintenance; 12.4.3 Boater education campaign

 

ü      The Alliance supports the application of best management practices for boat operation, and maintenance for individual and commercial operators and public and private marinas.  As outlined in the Clean Marina Guide developed by MCZM.

 

ü      Designation of Pleasant Bay as a No discharge Area (NDA) has been evaluated, and is still a recommendation.  However Alliance harbormasters are recommending that a NDFZ not be pursued until more pump out capacity is added in the Bay.  A

 

ü      Additional scenarios for providing pump out capacity include a centralized land based facility, a raft facility, or placement of smaller scale mobile pump out facilities are being examined.  Until such time it is important to note that disposal of treated or untreated boat sewage is prohibited within three miles of the shoreline.  However disposal of treated (macerated or chlorinated) wastes is technically allowable but is strongly discouraged by the Alliance.

 

 

Ø      A study or census is needed to quantify the number of boats utilizing the Bay and the size of those boats.  This information should be used to determine the carrying capacity of the waterways and town landings.   

 

Mooring Management

Recommendations: 12.8.1 Mooring free areas; 12.8.2 Mooring program

 

ü      A mooring free area continues to be in effect within Big Pleasant Bay, as outlined in the original plan.

 

ü      The towns have frozen the number of mooring permits at all existing town mooring fields located off of town landings.  New mooring permits are issued to waterfront property owners in Orleans and Harwich provided those owners are not located near an existing town mooring field.  Property owners located near an existing mooring field are placed on a waiting list for that mooring field. 

 

Use of alternate mooring technologies –such as helical screws -- that have the potential to reduce scouring should continue to be evaluated.  However such new technologies should not be encouraged as a way of increasing the number of mooring permits issued.  A continued limitation on mooring permits is necessary to prevent overcrowding of the waterways, and other boating impacts on resources.  A limitation on mooring permits is also necessary due to parking limitations at town landings.

 

Dredging

Recommendations: 12.10.1 Improvement dredging; 12.10.2 Maintenance dredging; 12.10.3 Dredge spoils disposal

 

ü      Since the plan was adopted in 1998, maintenance dredging has occurred only at the Round Cove entrance channel.  Dredge material from Round Cove was used to re-nourish the Bay road Beach at the Head of the Bay.

 

Ø      Maintenance dredging should be allowed to continue provided it meets all state, local, regional and federal permitting requirements.

 

Ø      Improvement dredging should be allowed in areas where shoaling is precluding safe passage through traditionally navigable areas. Identification of areas for improvement dredging, and disposal of materials from such dredging, should be considered on a system-wide basis and should be based upon issues of navigation, water quality, economic impact, and resource protection of shellfish habitat.  Such dredging should only be allowed to a depth required for navigation. 

 

 

New Issues

 

Ø      Through public education and local regulation, promote safe and appropriate use of the following recreational equipment and activities: Kayaks and canoes, Para sails, Kite boards, Towed Tubes and Water skis, Swimming.  Specifically such activities should be prohibited from operating in marked navigational channels unless crossing.

 

Ø      Increased activity at South Beach in Chatham is necessitating increased harbormaster patrol.