MARION — Harboromaster Adam Murphy says too much of his department's time is spent chasing the ownership of unpermitted, unregistered boats in Sippican Harbor. To fix the problem, he has proposed revisions to the waterways regulations that would crack down on boat owners who use the town's waters without getting permits.

With an established database for vessels in the harbor, Murphy said it has been easier for his department to see the number of vessels not in their system and therefore not permitted, but policing this also takes time and money.

In the month of May, it cost the department approximately $7,000 to have part-time staff go and gather missing data from floats and docks on permits and registrations, according to Murphy.

“Those vessels still require our services when they break off the docks,” Murphy said. “When they break loose, if there’s no documentation — if we don’t have a harbor permit — we don’t have any way to track down the person other than running registration — if, in fact, it has a registration.”

In an effort to combat this trend and begin holding the community accountable, Murphy proposed a few changes to the waterways regulations, including the establishment of a $200 minimum “Per Foot Fee” for vessels under 25 feet. Vessels over 25 feet will pay an additional $8 per foot. 

Essentially, vessels equal to or less than 25 feet will pay a minimum of $315 for the harbor permit with the added Per Foot Fee, with larger vessels paying $8 more for each foot over 25 feet.

“Any vessel, in my opinion, that’s registered through the Commonwealth and is motorized and fixed to a dock should have a harbor permit,” Murphy said. 

He noted that all vessels in front of the harbormaster office pay $300 for their spot — no matter the vessel size. This will also enforce registrations, which are required for the permit.

At a Monday, Jan. 7 Select Board meeting, Selectman Carleton Burr Jr. said given the number of people and vessels involved with this proposed change, he felt a Public Hearing would be necessary. 

A hearing is now scheduled for 6 p.m. on Thursday, Jan. 30 in the Marion Town House Conference Room, located at 2 Spring Street, to consider the proposed revisions of the waterways regulations.

Murphy is additionally proposing to change the dates of invoicing for the permits, sending them out Jan. 15 instead of April 1, and having them due back March 15 instead of May 15. Late fees would go into effect on March 16 and any invoices not paid by April 15 will forfeit their permit.

This gives permit holders an extra month to pay their invoices once received and gives Murphy’s department enough time to collect fees in the correct fiscal year, with their deadline being July 1.

Burr questioned whether the proposed permit fee changes would affect Tabor Academy and the Beverly Yacht Club.

Murphy said the yacht club has inflatables that are constantly breaking loose and require his department’s resources.

“They are using the Commonwealth waters,” he said. “We are dealing with them on a day-to-day basis.”

Additionally, he noted his department has been working with Tabor Academy on this matter and highlighted how those who have their vessels at Burr Brothers Boats, Inc. and the Boatyard are already permit holders. He further clarified the proposed fee would be for any vessels secure to floats at home or at a marina as well.

Murphy said he is essentially asking the rest of the vessels in the harbor to comply with the standards the majority of vessels have already been held to, adding the policy change “keeps it in line with everything.”