Newburyport Harbormaster Department

01/20/2026

The U.S. Coast Guard Auxiliary Flotilla 38 Newburyport, MA will be hosting a boater safety certification course on Saturday, January 31st at the North End Boat Club.

Please find details on the course and how to register in the attached flyer.

Reach out to Bob Doyle ([email protected]) with any questions.

01/04/2026

A Note from Newburyport Harbormaster Paul Hogg:

Today we say goodbye to a true legend of the Merrimack and a man who meant more to me than words can fully express.

Francis "Arthur" Chaisson Jr. was not only a beloved husband, father, grandfather, great-grandfather, and friend - he was my Deputy, my mentor, and over time, one of my closest friends. I was fortunate to know Art for over 40 years. He watched me grow up and talked me into becoming an Assistant Harbormaster, and somewhere along the way, I became his boss - something we laughed about often even though I never told him what to do.

Art was an incredible asset to the City of Newburyport and to everyone who worked on the river. His knowledge of the Merrimack was unmatched. If you had a question about boating, tides, history, or how things really worked on the river, Art was the go-to guy. There wasn't much he hadn't seen or done.

I was incredibly lucky to spend time with him just a couple of days before he passed. We shared stories, laughed, and reflected on decades of friendship and working together. Those moments, and the many memories over 40 years, are something I'll always treasure.

Art's love for his wife Patricia, his family, the river, and this community was evident in everything he did. He leaves behind a legacy of service, integrity, loyalty, and friendship that won't be forgotten.

You will be deeply missed, Art. It was an honor to work with you, learn from you, and call you my friend. Rest easy, my friend - you've earned it.

The obituary for Art can be found here: https://www.tlcfuneralhome.com/obituary/Francis-ChaissonJr

10/30/2025

As the boating season continues to wind down, we will begin preparing our public docks on the Central Waterfront for removal.

As part of this preparation we will be removing power and water from the docks on Sunday, November 2nd.

10/23/2025

As the boating season comes to end, we will begin preparing our docks for removal.

As part of this preparation we will be closing the self-service pump out station at Cashman Park on Monday, October 27th. The LAST DAY to use the pump out station will be SUNDAY, OCTOBER 26th.

10/12/2025

Mariner Advisory - Buoy Updates

The U.S. Coast Guard has issued two important updates for boaters navigating the Merrimack River:

The #7 buoy has been permanently relocated due to shoaling in the area. The new position of this buoy is: 42-49-04.223N / 070-48-01.136W

The #8 buoy is currently partially submerged and may be difficult to see.

Mariners are urged to use caution when transiting this section of the river.

09/07/2025

The U.S. Coast Guard Auxiliary Flotilla 38 Newburyport, MA is hosting a Boating Safety Course this October.

As part of the new Hanson-Milone Act, all boaters in Massachusetts will soon be required to complete an approved safety course:
✅Individuals born after January 1, 1989 must have their certificate by April 1, 2026 (enforcement begins September 1, 2026).
✅Individuals born before January 1, 1989, must have their certificate by April 1, 2028.
❗Exemptions apply for US Merchant Marines, active-duty military qualified to operate motorboats, and students at maritime/secondary schools operating as part of instruction.

📅 Course Dates: October 1st, 8th, 15th, & 22nd from 6pm - 8:30pm
💵 Cost: $65 + registration fee
📍 Location: North End Boat Club (282 Merrimac St, Newburyport, MA)

This is a great opportunity to get ahead of the new requirements and ensure you’re ready for the water.

👉 Register here: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/boating-safety-course-us-coast-guard-aux-oct-2025-boat-america-tickets-1661408219709?aff=oddtdtcreator

08/26/2025

City of Newburyport Department Head Spotlight
Paul Hogg, Newburyport Harbormaster

Paul Hogg was appointed Newburyport’s Harbormaster back in 2010. Here, Paul looks on at the annual Memorial Day Wreath Ceremony as a wreath is placed in the Merrimack River in memory of the lives lost at sea. The primary task of the Harbormaster Department is the management and safety on the waterways of Newburyport. Some of the areas of responsibility within the Department are patrolling the river and harbor to enforce state and local laws, managing the boat launching facility at Cashman Park, managing the Central Waterfront Docks, providing waste water pump out via a pump out vessel and shore side facility at Cashman Park and managing the Plum Island Point Beach and Parking Lot. Paul’s professionalism and commitment have not gone unnoticed. Recently, Mayor Reardon and Council President Ed Cameron received a letter from the United States Coast Guard commending Paul for his exceptional support of Coast Guard missions and his tireless dedication to maritime safety. A true water enthusiast, Paul enjoys boating, fishing, travel, and all things nautical. He resides in Newburyport with his wife, Jolene, and their dog, Charlie. They are proud parents of two grown sons, Jacob and Luke. 📸 Sullivan

08/21/2025

⛵ Last week, the Impossible Dream docked with us here in Newburyport! ⛵

The Impossible Dream is a universally accessible catamaran dedicated to raising awareness of barrier-free design and improving the quality of life for disabled persons through the power of sailing. Each summer, they embark on a voyage up the East Coast, offering unforgettable opportunities for people with disabilities to get out on the water.

During their stay in Newburyport, they brought many passengers out on cruises, sharing joy, independence, and the beauty of our harbor.

We are grateful to the Impossible Dream crew for including Newburyport as a stop on their summer journey year after year, and for the incredible work they do to make sailing accessible to all! We can't wait to see them again next year!

📸 Check out some photos of the vessel and passengers from their visit to Newburyport!

08/10/2025

Notice to Boaters - Research Equipment near South Jetty

The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (USACE) will be collecting data in Newburyport near the South Jetty starting mid-August 2025. Two Acoustic Doppler Current Profilers (ADCPs) will be placed for approximately 30 days. This work will help improve the understanding of tidal patterns and water flow, supporting ongoing evaluations of the jetty and informing potential future modifications.

What You Need to Know:
- Each ADCP will be marked with a research buoy.
- Please stay clear of these devices - boaters, fishermen, and other harbor users are asked not to disturb them.
- Keeping them safe helps ensure accurate data and reduces the need for redeployment.

More information on this project can be found in the attached flyer.

City of Newburyport U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, New England

07/27/2025

IMPORTANT NOTICE: Cashman Park Boat Launch Closure - Saturday, August 2, 2025

Due to the Newburyport Yankee Homecoming Fireworks, the Cashman Park boat launch will be CLOSED to all boaters this Saturday, August 2nd.

Additionally, all dinghies docked at Cashman Park must take the following steps:
- INFLATABLES - all inflatable dinghies must be removed from the docks by Friday, August 1st at 11:59pm.
- ALUMINUMS - aluminum dinghies may remain but all gas cans must be removed from the boat by Friday, August 1st at 11:59pm.

The boat launch at Salisbury Reservation will honor Newburyport's season launch pass for this day only.

We appreciate your cooperation in helping us ensure a safe and enjoyable fireworks celebration for everyone.

Please share this message with your fellow boaters and reach out to the Newburyport Harbormaster Office with any questions!

06/27/2025

On this week's edition of The Mayor's Corner, Harbormaster Paul Hogg joined Mayor Sean Reardon to discuss boating and swimming safety - particularly at the mouth of the Merrimack River where swimming is not allowed due to the dangerous conditions. In response to the recent tragic drownings of two beachgoers, the Harbormaster Department has installed new safety signage featuring QR codes that link to multilingual translations. We've also increased patrols by boat at low tide and expanded beach monitoring.

They also discussed the new oyster project taking place on the waterfront, which aims to support a healthier river ecosystem and improve water quality.

🎥 Watch the full update here: https://youtu.be/khoqeygtJgE?si=OiBZgtGKdPb5gsvL

City of Newburyport Mayor Sean Reardon

Harbormaster Paul Hogg joined Mayor Reardon on this week’s Mayor’s Corner to discuss boating and swimming safety in and around the Merrimack River, specifically at the mouth of the river where there is no swimming. Earlier this month, two women tragically lost their lives while swimming in that area, despite heroic efforts by nearby fishermen and ultimately by the Newburyport Fire, Police and Atlantic/Cataldo Ambulance. In the wake of that tragedy, the Harbormaster, along with Mayor Reardon, has installed more signs on the paths to the beach. The signs have QR codes on them that can be scanned to translate the information in 10 languages. He has also added patrols at low tide by boat to monitor the sand bar and has also been patrolling the beach with the Mule, a vehicle used for beach patrol.