Annual Reports for year ending December 31, 2016.
Rockport Harbor Department
2016 Annual Report
The Rockport Harbor Department consists of 4 Massachusetts Certified
Harbormasters who are also shellfish officers, EMT’s and 1st Responders. The
duties consist of managing the 4 harbors Rockport, Granite Pier, Pigeon Cove and
White Wharf and overseeing safe boating for local and visiting recreational and
commercial vessels.
Pigeon Cove Harbor- Classic Site Solutions Inc. completed the outer and
entrance breakwaters during the first half of the year. Dealing with the weather
and their equipment was a challenge but the job was successfully completed in
mid-July. The completion of the two breakwaters has secured the harbor and
allowed a safer port for the fishing fleet and allowed us to add 5 commercial
moorings along the entrance break wall.
Other projects around the harbors:
Rockport Harbor: Bradley and T Wharfs-12 new pilings installed by Marston
Marine. These pilings have helped secure the infrastructure of those wharfs.
White Wharf: the DPW assisted by removing an old building foundation on the
ocean side of the wharf, grade and replace and install 5 kayak racks-a nice
improvement to the area.
Repair of damaged floats: the DPW also assisted with rebuilding floats and
ladders during the season.
The spring started with the floats going in the water in early May-this
process consists of a dozen volunteer workers and one large crane. The floats
are launched from their shore side spot at Granite Pier, once in the water,
secured and towed to their respective harbors. It takes over a week to get all
secure and in place for the season.
On May 15 Emergency Service Day was conducted on T Wharf with harbormasters
and their vessels, USCG 47’ life boat, ambulances and EMT’s, fire apparatus and
fire fighters, police officers, the American Red Cross and Talley’s tow trucks
all on display. NATIONAL LIFE JACKET DAY was also celebrated during the day with
over 150 free kid’s life jackets given away and also numerous pet life jackets.
The Navy visited in mid-July with 5- 44’ sailing training vessels and cadets.
This annual event was enjoyed by the community.
Also in July the Blackburn Challenge with over 150 rowing type vessels passed
through Sandy Bay.
On August 13 the Illumination Night was conducted from Granite Pier and once
again a huge success. The event got off just as the rains and bad weather were
about to arrive-it was all spectacular.
An Eagle Scout project was conducted by Paul Zopatti-Paul organized his group
of scouts and parent s to repair, paint and landscape the replica of the Motif
#1. This Motif is located at Granite Pier and belongs to the harbor department
for gear storage. A great job was done by all!
The Massachusetts Harbormaster Association received a grant ($12,000) from
the Humane Society of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts for a 4 day courses to
be taught on marine firefighting; the Rockport Harbormasters were instrumental
in organizing the courses for over 80 harbormasters along the coast. The course
was conducted by the Florida based organization Marine Firefighting Inc.
Commercial fishing continues to be a significant part of the waterfront
activity in Rockport. In 2015 according to the most recent statistics provided
by the Massachusetts Division of Marine Fisheries, there were 46 active
commercial lobstermen in Rockport; who landed 1,131,371 lbs. of lobster worth an
estimated 5.37 million to the fishermen. The Harbor Department continues to work
cooperatively with Rockport’s commercial fishermen on the issues that include
bait storage, moorings and enforcement.
The Rockport Harbormasters are active members of the Massachusetts
Harbormaster Association, the state appointed Harbormaster Training Council and
North Shore Harbormaster Association.
Rockport Harbormasters
Rosemary Lesch, Scott Story
Assistant Harbormasters
Ron Petoff, Story Reed
978-546-9589
rockportharbormasters@rockportma.gov
