Mayor Kim Driscoll welcomes
you to Salem, a waterfront community on the rise. Salem harbor is a
mixture of commercial and recreational vessels. There are over 1600
permitted recreational boats in Salem waters. Between Salem and the
adjacent waters of Beverly, Marblehead and Danvers, there are an
estimated 8000 moored or slipped recreational boats using the waters of
Salem Sound.
Salem is the second deepest of the five ports in the
Commonwealth of Massachusetts. International shipments of coal and oil
are received by the electric power plant inside the harbor. Especially
in limited visibility, recreational boats must be aware that an 800 ft.
tanker and escorting tugs may transit the main ship channel without
warning. These ships draw 35 feet and have the final right of way over
all recreational boats, including sailboats, due to their inability to
maneuver or deviate from the channel. Mid-size cruise ships also drop
anchor in the harbor several times a year. Construction will begin soon
on a new wharf to accommodate larger cruise ships and ferry service to
Boston. Scuba diving is permitted anywhere in
Salem except the channels. A diver would not survive if a tanker passed
overhead. Each diver is required to have his own individual flag.
Transient vessels are welcome to drop anchor on the Marblehead side of
the inner harbor just short of the mooring field in approx position
42.31.00N, 070.52.20W.
Pickering Wharf Marina and
Hawthorne Cove Marina both have transient dockage available.
Hawthorne Cove also offers transient moorings.
There are no public
fuel docks in Salem and the closest is Port Marina in Beverly, which
offers gas and diesel.
Palmers Cove Yacht Club,
located deep inside the inner harbor, has no fuel facilities. Dions
Yacht Yard, Hawthorne Cove
Marina and Winter Island Yacht Yard are all equipped with
travel lifts and are available for repairs.
Public docks with
available water and boat ramps are located at
Winter Island
Recreational Park at the mouth of the harbor and Kernwood Marina
which is located up the Danvers river. Other public docks are located at
the Willows pier in
Salem
Willows Park and at the Congress St bridge, located next to
Pickering wharf. All have 20 min. tie up limits, which are strictly
enforced.
The pump out boat operates 8am-4pm on
weekends and holidays from Memorial Day to Columbus Day. He
may be hailed on Ch 9 as “Salem Pump”.
The Harbormaster Dept is unique in that it is a separate City department
under control of the Mayor of Salem but it is also a sub-division of the
Police Dept. answerable to the Chief of Police. The Harbormaster is a
full time position held by a USCG licensed Professional Mariner with an
extensive background in all aspects of the maritime industry. He is aided by a staff of 15 Assistant
Harbormasters who are trained in a combination of maritime and law
enforcement skills. Our boats respond to any emergency and operate 24
hrs per day.
In the event of an emergency while in Salem waters hail
Salem Harbormaster on CH 16. or call 978-741-0098. A mayday call in dire
circumstances will bring response from all local harbormasters and the
U.S. Coast Guard station in Gloucester. In the event of failed radios
call the Harbormaster Dept. at 978-741-0098 or the Salem Police Dept at
978-744-1212.
