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Summary of Rules for Saco Coastal Waters

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A complete set of rules can be ordered from the City Clerk or seen at the City Clerk's office located at Saco City Hall.

Mooring Regulations

All boats moored in Saco's coastal waters must have a valid mooring permit and ground tackle mooring approved by the Harbor Master. The Harbor Master shall assign locations for moorings and may, at any time, order any vessel to change position when in his opinion such vessel is an impedance to navigation or is endangering other vessels. All moorings shall be inspected by the Harbor Master at least once a year. The Harbor Master may at any time examine the mooring to determine compliance. Mooring balls shall be white with a blue stripe and shall have the vessel's name in three inch letters. Mooring balls must be visible at all times.

Only the boat to which the permit is issued to, is to be on a mooring except on a temporary basis with the approval of the Harbor Master. Except by direction of the Harbor Master acting in an emergency, or with the permission of the owner, no person shall interfere with any mooring belonging to another. The Harbor Master may remove moorings that are in channels or obstruct navigation at the expense of the owner. The Harbor Master may authorize a private contractor to pump out any boat on a licensed mooring in danger of sinking at the owner's expense. Moorings that are not used for any 3 consecutive month period from May through September may be assumed abandoned and may be removed at the owner's expense.

Pier Regulations

No person shall obstruct by any means the free use of piers docks and other common landing or loading places.
No person shall dive from or swim within 30 feet from any public pier, float or wharf.
No person shall fish from any public pier.
Personal property such as lobster pots, automobiles, cradles, boats, trailers, etc. shall not be stored on city wharves or landings.
Exemptions to this rule will be considered on an individual basis when submitted in writing to the Harbor Master.

Waterway Regulations

No person or vessel shall deposit, throw, sweep, or pump into the waters any gas, oil, bilge water containing same, ashes, stone, gravel, mud, logs, planks, or any other substance tending to obstruct navigation.
No person shall deposit any refuse or fish waste within one half mile of the nearest point of land.
Vessels operating in the harbor and around marinas and moored vessels shall be operated at reasonable speeds and in such manner not to endanger other craft or persons.
Vessels are responsible for damage caused by their wake.
Buoys other than mooring buoys are not allowed in channels leading to wharves or within 3 boat lengths of any moored vessel. Vessels shall not tow water skiers, aquaplanes, belly boards, etc. in congested mooring, anchorage or speed limit areas.
Any illegal use of these facilities may result in the revocation of issued permits without renumeration.

SUMMARY OF FEES

Mooring Application Fee $5.00
Available mooring sites are assigned by the Harbor Master on a first come basis.
Renewals must be filed with the City Clerk by March 15 to avoid a $50.00 late charge.

Mooring Permit Fee $30.00
Allows the boat owner to set an approved mooring at a specific site. Does not allow use of pier facility.

Commercial Pier User Fee $300.00
Due July 1. Allows use of all pier approved income producing activities. Includes parking permit for one vehicle and free boat launch.

Recreational Pier User Fee $150.00
Due July 1. Allows use of all pier facilities for non-income producing approved recreational activities. Includes parking Permit for one vehicle and free boat launching.

Docking Fee $5.00 per hour
For non-permit holders.
Free limited use for permit holder.

Overnight Docking Fee $1.00 per ft.
For non-permit holders.
Free limited use for permit holders.

Resident Parking Permit Fee $5.00
First permit is free.

Launching Fee $10.00

Non Resident Parking Fee
Daily - $5.00 Monthly - $30. Yearly -$100.

Minimum Mooring Standards*

Boat Length Feet	Boat Weight lbs gross	Mooring Weight lbs	Chain Link inch
12	500	350	3/8
20	1500	750	3/8
25	500	1500	1/2
30	800	1800	1/2
35	12000	2500	1/2
40	See Harbor Master	3500	5/8

*To be used as a guideline. Scope to be determined by the Harbor Master.