TOWN OF HINGHAM HARBORMASTER

TEMPORARY, MOORING, ANCHORING AND TOWN PIER REGULATIONS

WHEREAS, the 2019 novel Coronavirus (“COVID-19”) has been declared a Public Health Emergency of International Concern by the World Health Organization; and

WHERAS, COVID-19 is a highly contagious, and in some cases, fatal respiratory disease; and

WHEREAS, on March 10, 2020, the Governor of Massachusetts declared a State of Emergency as a result of the COVID-19 public health emergency; and

WHEREAS, on March 13, 2020, the President of the United States declared a National Emergency Concerning the COVID-19 public health emergency; and

WHEREAS, effective March 13, 2020, the Town of Hingham Board of Selectmen declared a state of emergency as a result of the COVID-19 public health emergency; and

WHEREAS, the COVID-19 public health emergency poses a present, real and imminent danger to the public health, safety, or general welfare of the public and the residents of the Town of Hingham;

WHEREAS, The Harbormaster, in consultation with the Executive Health Officer, Chief of Police and Fire Chief, is taking steps to implement the latest guidance of state and local public health authorities namely guidelines issued on April 27, 2020 by the Executive Office of Energy and Environmental Affairs, which support the Center for Disease Control and Prevention’s efforts to promote social distancing and slow the spread of the novel coronavirus (COVID-19); and

WHEREAS, The temporary sections of this Mooring, Anchoring, and Town Pier Regulations shall be effective upon adoption, and shall automatically expire a year from the date of adoption unless rescinded, modified or superseded at a sooner date.

NOW THEREFORE, The Harbormaster and the Board of Selectmen, to the extent necessary, pursuant to Article 15 of the Town of Hingham Harbor By-Law, M.G.L. c. 102 and all other applicable legal authority hereby adopt the following temporary Mooring, Anchoring, and Town Pier Regulations in order to protect the public from the continued spread of COVID-19 by restricting anchoring and rafting on Hingham Waterways as follows:

The following regulations shall temporarily replace the existing sections or subsections of the existing regulations and upon expiration of these temporary regulations the prior existing regulations shall be considered reinstated and in effect.

§ 14 Special Situations

(ii) Rafting or tying of boats or other crafts is prohibited.

§ 15 World’s End Mooring Area

E. Rafting

Rafting or tying of boats or other crafts is prohibited.

F. Anchoring

No vessel may anchor in World’s End without a 2020 Hingham Mooring/Docking Permit. Vessels with a 2020 Hingham Mooring/Docking Permit may anchor in World’s End provided that the vessels:

(i) Are properly anchored;

(ii) Take appropriate measures to avoid interfering with other moored or anchored vessels;

(iii) Do not impede or interfere with the navigation of vessels through the mooring area as determined by the Harbormaster or designee; and

(iv) Maintain at least fifty (50) feet of distance between vessels.

Adopted this 26th day of May, 2020.