Napatree Anchorage Restrictions Discussed

[Soundbounder]

The Westerly Harbor Commission in Westerly, Rhode Island, is once again considering placing restrictions on the number of boats that can anchor inside of Napatree Point, off Watch Hill. (http://boatinglocal.com/destinations/focus-on-watch-hill-napatree-point.html)The restrictions could require the use of designated guest moorings in a defined and strictly enforced anchorage area, as well as limitations on rafting.


The boating public is urged to attend the Harbor Commission’s next meeting at 6:00 p.m., Thursday, April 12, at the Westerly Police Headquarters Conference Room at 60 Airport Road, Westerly.

http://boatinglocal.com/news/napatree-anchorage-restrictions-discussed.html

I go there a lot

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[Ian McColgin]

If the real concern is from shell fish closures, they ought to strictly enforce no discharge. That area's too shallow for the really big cruisers with their on-board laundry facilities so they shouldn't really have to worry about gray water, just from heads. The area should be no discharge already anyway.

[Soundbounder]

The area should be no discharge already anyway. It is....there's even a pump-out which makes the rounds on weekends.

[nedL]

I suppose I could see limiting the size of 'rafts', but beyond that I think restricting the number of boats that can anchor there is too 'big brother'ish'. That area is not at all confined, it is very open with good water flow and exchange with each tide cycle. Restricting access there on the basis of 'water quality' in a strict no discharge area is a nice label for the multi-million dollar houses that may prefer to see no boats oon the water. I would be much more concerned about the strom water runoff that comes down the Pawcatuk River than issues from anchored boats (If you walk the beach inside Napatree you can easily spot the floatsom that came from up the river.)