Harbor
Harbor Guidelines
Minimum Mooring Standards

HARBOR GUIDELINES 2008

Watch Hill Harbor consists of Watch Hill Cove and the areas on either side of the North South entrance channel, East for 200 feet, West for 400 feet and North 200 feet beyond the outer buoys R1/FG2. Most of the moorings in Watch Hill Harbor are owned or managed by the Yacht Club or its members. These Guidelines provide for the safety and general welfare of all mooring and boats owners in the harbor.

  1. Members with moorings in Watch Hill Harbor must confirm annually by May 1 to the Yacht club office that they still own the mooring and identify the boat they intend to put on it for the upcoming season. Members who use Greenhaven Marine Services (860 599 1580) as their service provider, may report this information on their Greenhaven Mooring Service Agreement.

  2. Moorings must comply with “Minimum Mooring Standards for Watch Hill Harbor”. The standards will be posted on the Yacht Club bulletin board and here. The Club staff will use them in assigning moorings to visiting boats.

  3. Moorings must be inspected annually for compliance with the standards and for acceptable condition. The Yacht Club has approved Greenhaven Marine Services as its inspector contractor. Owners please set up their own appointments for the inspection.

  4. Notwithstanding the above each mooring owner is responsible for any loss caused by defects in the design or condition of his mooring.

  5. The Yacht Club will organize and maintain a data base of mooring numbers, characteristics, and locations - along with identification of the boat moored on it and the owners name and whom to contact in an emergency.

  6. The Yacht Club will maintain a waiting list of boat owners who want a mooring in Watch Hill Harbor. Boat owners who want a mooring are requested to fill out an application form available in the Yacht Club office. Boat owners already on the list are requested to reapply by September 30 2008 and annually thereafter.

  7. Members who will no longer be using their mooring, please contact the Club office. The Club will advise the next owner on the waiting list with a boat suitable for your mooring – both in weight and in swing radius - to contact you if you wish to sell him your mooring tackle. Please note, when Westerly implements a Harbor Management plan this procedure will become mandatory.

  8. Mooring owners who will be away temporarily please advise the Yacht Club office if the club may use the mooring in their absence.

  9. Watch Hill Harbor is a “no discharge” zone. Discharge valves must be sealed shut. The Westerly Town pump out boat is available on the standby channel.

  10. The Yacht Club has established Hurricane Information for Boat Owners. “You must be responsible for the safety of your vessel … After a NOAA Hurricane Watch has been issued for this area Club personnel will begin preparing the house and docks and will be unavailable to assist you”.