[Adopted 5-17-1993 as Ch. 12.16 of the 1993 Code; amended in its entirety 6-17-2013 by Order No. 2013-108]
As used in this article and Article II, City Harbor, of this chapter and in any regulations adopted pursuant to these articles, the following words shall have the following meanings, respectively:
ANCHOR
The holding of a vessel in place by lowering a heavy weight into the water by cable, chain, line or other method, or the device used to so hold a vessel in place.
ANCHORAGE
See "mooring area" below.
CHANNEL
A navigable route for the passage of vessels, established by customary use or under the authority of federal, state or municipal law.
DOCKING
The making fast of a boat, raft, or float by means of cables, anchors, lines, chains, or other device or contrivances to the ocean bottom, the shore, or a dock, slip, pier, or marina, meaning and intending that this phrase applies to boats, rafts or floats which are secured to the ocean bottom, as well as to boats, rafts, or floats secured to a dock or slip in a marina.
MOOR
The securing or making fast of a boat, raft, or float by means of cables, anchors, lines, chains, or other device or contrivances to the ocean bottom, the shore, or a dock, slip, pier, or marina, meaning and intending that this phrase applies to boats, rafts or floats which are secured to the ocean bottom, as well as to boats, rafts, or floats secured to a dock or slip in a marina.
MOORING
A temporary, semipermanent, or permanent anchorage installation, comprising an anchor, chain, and mooring buoy, or their equivalents.
MOORING AREA
Areas within Quincy waterways designated as areas for the securing of vessels to the bottom of the waterway by use of an anchor or mooring. Mooring areas shall include all areas of Quincy waterways designated on the then current and applicable chart published by or for the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, the area within a marina or yacht club which area is properly licensed pursuant to MGL c. 91, and such additional areas as the Harbor Master may establish.
[Amended 6-1-2020 by Order No. 2020-012]
MOTOR VESSEL
A vessel that is actually being propelled or operated by mechanical means, meaning by use of one or more engines or electric motors.
PERSON
An individual, a receiver, a trustee, a partnership, joint venture, a firm, an unincorporated association, a syndicate, a trust, a corporation, or any other entity having legal personality.
QUINCY WATERWAYS
The navigable bodies of water within the limits of the City of Quincy, including, without limitation, the ponds, rivers, streams, seas, and oceans.
VESSEL
Inclusively, to the extent permitted by law, watercraft of every description, including but not limited to ships of all kinds, barges, sailing vessels, craft and powerboats of any type or kind by whatever means propelled; every object designed, adapted or capable of being navigated, towed or operated on water from place to place for the transportation of merchandise, people, or for any other purpose (except a seaplane); or other artificial contrivance used or capable of being used as a means of transportation on water, and as otherwise construed under Massachusetts and/or federal law.
A. 
Safe operation required. No person shall operate a motor vessel on Quincy waterways so that the lives, safety and property of the public might be endangered.
B. 
Minimum distance from swimming areas. All motor vessels shall keep 150 feet distance from swimming areas. A swimming area shall extend 150 feet from the water's edge at shore.
C. 
Minimum distance from moored or anchored boats. All motor vessels shall keep 150 feet distance from moored or anchored boats except when leaving or returning to their moorings or the shore.
D. 
Wake restrictions. No motor vessel shall be operated at a speed greater than minimum headway speed or in excess of six miles per hour, whichever is slower, within 150 feet of water's edge at shore or within a mooring area. Vessels and the owner and operator thereof are responsible for all damage caused by their wake.
A. 
No motor vessel shall be used to tow people, or to tow people on tubes, water skis, aquaplanes or other device, unless said boat shall be occupied by no fewer than two persons, one of whom shall give his full attention to the operation of the boat and the other of whom shall give his full attention to the person or persons being towed. Tow boats must be equipped with a boarding ladder or swim platform.
B. 
Permitted locations for waterskiing. Waterskiing is permitted in the following areas: Town River Flats, Rock Island Cove, Recreation Station at Chapel Street, between the Merrymount Anchorage area and Ruff's Hummock on Wollaston Boulevard, between Moon Head and Peterson's Rocks, between Chapel Rocks and Moon Head westerly and between Halftide Rock and Squaw Rock, and in such other areas where there is sufficient clear area and depth of water so as to do so safely.
[Added 6-1-2020 by Order No. 2020-016]
A. 
Any company operating upon the jurisdictional waters of the City of Quincy that conducts recreational vessel commercial assistance, vessel salvage, or towing of recreational vessels may not conduct such operations without first reporting the following information to the Quincy Police Department:
(1) 
Company information.
(2) 
Registration number and registration status (active or expired) of recreational vessel to be salvaged or towed.
(3) 
Recreational vessel owner contact information (including cell phone and mailing address).
(4) 
Present location of recreational vessel to be towed.
(5) 
Marine facility or final destination where the vessel will be towed to.
(6) 
Name of authorizing point of contact at marine facility where recreational vessel is being towed to.
B. 
In addition, it shall be a condition of such operations that the recreational vessels involved have current identifying information readily available, so as to ensure compliance with requirements in Subsection A(2) and (3) above. Any such vessel with expired or improper federal or state registrations shall not be towed without the express permission of the Chief of the Quincy Police Department or the Chief's designee.
C. 
This section is intended to procure basic identifying information only, so as to ensure that the interests of the boating community are properly preserved/protected in regard to such operations.
[Amended 6-1-2020 by Order No. 2020-012]
This article is to be enforced by the Harbor Master, Assistant Harbor Masters, and any police officer authorized to make arrests in the City. Violations of this article shall, for each offense, be punished by a fine of $50. All such fines shall be paid to the general fund of the City.
This article is enacted by the City of Quincy independently from any state law regarding the operation of vessels upon the waters of the commonwealth. All vessels being operated in Quincy waterways are expected to comply with both the laws of the commonwealth and the ordinances of the City of Quincy. In the event of a conflict between such laws and ordinances, the law of the commonwealth shall prevail.