Town of Yarmouth Marine Patrol / Office of the Harbor Master

01/06/2026

Effective January 1, 2026, children 12 years of age or younger, including a boat operator who is 12 years of age or younger, must wear a United States Coast Guard approved personal flotation device (PFD) while on any watercraft that is underway and being used for recreational purposes. Exceptions to this requirement include if the child is below the decks, in an enclosed cabin or if the watercraft has a USCG certificate of inspection.

This change, initiated and passed by the Maine State Legislature, increased the required age from 10 years of age or younger to 12 years of age or younger to improve youth safety on Maine's waters. The updated age requirement now aligns with federal law.

08/21/2025

With high surf and rip current warnings along much of the Maine coast, we want to share an important safety reminder for all beachgoers.

Popham Beach State Park Manager and DACF Lifeguard Coordinator Sean Vaillancourt asked us to share these U.S. Lifesaving Association (USLA) safety tips:

🌊🏊‍♂️ Rip Current Safety Tips 🏊‍♀️🌊

Relax—rip currents don’t pull you under.

Don’t swim against the current.

Swim parallel to the shoreline or toward breaking waves to escape.

If the current carries you out, float or tread water.

If you can’t reach shore, signal for help by yelling and waving.

Learn more using 👉 The USLA Rip Current Safety Toolkit https://www.usla.org/page/rip-current-safety-toolkit and visit the Maine Emergency Management resource https://www.maine.gov/mema/maine-prepares/preparedness-library/rip-current-safety

Stay safe, stay informed, and enjoy Maine’s beaches responsibly! 💦

08/20/2025

07/13/2025

Pay attention to buoys and markers while boating. Many times, accidents can be prevented if you know and obey all buoys and markers.

06/29/2025

06/27/2025

06/27/2025

Waterfront explorers in Harpswell may notice large amounts of dead pogies washing up on shore or floating in the bays over the next few weeks. The Pogie (menhaden) Fishery is active in Northern Casco Bay, where fishermen use large nets to corral schools of pogies. As part of the harvesting process, some pogies do not make it onto the boat. The pogies will then drift with the tide until they sink or are eaten by a predator.

The pogie fishery is a key component of the lobster fishery to ensure lobster bait is plentiful.

📷: Doug Newbold

06/18/2025

02/06/2025

This information could save you from a dicey situation out on the water 😬

06/20/2024

Great day working with Cumberland Police & Fire Departments.

Yarmouth, Maine Police Department