Unregistered Moorings to be Pulled from Westbrook Waters This Weekend
Over the weekend of July 24 and 25, unregistered or non-compliant mooring will be removed at Middle Beach due to safety concerns and following numerous complaints to the Harbor Management Commission (HMC).
To secure boats and make sure craft do not get displaced in tides, storms, or waves, boats are required to be properly moored in the water. The boaters must follow mooring guidelines set forth by the HMC and must also register their moorings with the harbor master.
“We’ve been requiring moorings to be registered for about three years now,” said HMC Chair John Rie. “If someone parks a boat, we want to make sure it stays there,” Rie said.
Unfortunately, not every boater at Middle Beach is adhering to the rules and Rie said there have been several complaints and near-accidents with people getting injured. In a message posted on the town website on July 14 the HMC announced all moorings that not properly registered or installed will be removed.
“Last year there was kids who got hurt getting cut on anchors that were not marked and not abiding by specifications,” said Rie.
Of particular concern, Rie mentioned that there are anchors that are not covered by at least two feet of water at low tide. These moorings can damage a boat or a injure a person who doesn’t see them. Rie said that as far as he knows, none of the injuries to people have been serious, but he’s heard anecdotes about how bad it could have been.
Rie said that of the 125 moorings checked in 2020, about 80 were registered, leaving 45 that did not follow proper protocols. The moorings are required to be marked with balls that have a white and blue reflective stripe to let people know the hazard is there. Rie said that what happens is the people who frequent the area know how to safely navigate the water, but those who are visiting could be in real danger.
“If you get some poor guy in a jet ski who comes whipping around out of town, you could have a real issue,” said Rie.
Rie said that some of the improper moorings are left over from people who sell their boat and no longer need the mooring or people who leave town and don’t bother to tell the HMC. After fielding so many complaints last year, Rie said the commission decided to crack down.
Boaters are asked to report improper or unregistered moorings to the commission by calling 860-399-3040. The moorings will be removed from the water. A person can get the mooring back by contacting the harbor master and paying for the removal fee and the mooring registration fee.
“If anyone sees a mooring that shouldn’t be there, let us know. It’s a safety issue,” Rie said. “We’re trying for a safe and good boating season and we need everyone’s cooperation.”