Harbor Ordinance
Adopted March 11, 2025
Harbor Committee
John Seiders
Jonathan Newell
Tim Alley
Meredith Spratt
Briland Fisher
Mooring Requirements
Beginning in May 2025 Mooring Permits will also require an inspection report completed by the mooring servicer.
Key Reasons for Inspections:
Preventing Drifting & Collisions: A failing mooring can cause a boat to drift, creating hazards for other vessels, docks, and shorelines, especially during storms.
Environmental Protection: Inspections help enforce regulations for conservation moorings, crucial for protecting vulnerable areas.
Navigation Safety: Ensuring moorings are in safe locations, away from channels and within designated zones, prevents obstructions to navigation.
Protecting Property Rights: Proper placement and maintenance prevent moorings from encroaching on abutter’s property or disrupting other users’ rights.
Compliance with Standards: Inspections verify that tackle (chain, weights, etc.) is correctly sized for the boat and that buoys meet state requirements for visibility, preventing confusion with safety equipment.
Enforcement & Accountability: Inspections ensure permit holders maintain their equipment, with penalties for non-compliance.
How it Works:
Frequency: South Bristol now requires annual mooring permit renewal and inspection reports every three (3) years by certified divers, or owners can attest to a self-inspection.
Local Control: Municipalities enforce these rules through local ordinances, following state guidance (Title 38 M.R.S.).
Permits: Permits are required and must be renewed, with changes to the vessel or mooring requiring Harbormaster approval.