This chapter is for the purpose of maintaining safety and conserving
human life and property in the use of the waters of the Harbor Management
Area by boats and by boat operators on such waters of the Housatonic
River extending into Long Island Sound 1,000 feet from the high-water
mark and extending westward to the Bridgeport City line and in the
waterway known as "Lewis' Gut."
The Harbor Master is authorized to designate areas or mooring
grounds on the Housatonic River and Lewis' Gut and to make reasonable
rules and regulations concerning the mooring and anchoring of vessels
in such areas that are consistent with the Town of Stratford's
Harbor Management Plan.
A person shall not operate his boat in excess of six miles per
hour and shall cause no wake when passing boats and anchorages in
such areas. The Harbor Master is authorized to warn and caution violators
of this speed limit and to cause their arrest as provided in this
chapter if a violation of this section occurs.
No person shall abandon, sink, scuttle or burn any vessel, boat,
craft or object in the areas covered by this chapter, nor shall any
person abandon, sink, scuttle or burn or otherwise place a vessel,
craft or object on the waterfront of the Town where it may be a hazard
to navigation or to boats moored in such area.
The Harbor Master shall notify the owner of such abandoned vessel,
by certified mail, to remove such abandoned vessel. If such owner
of the abandoned vessel is not known, the Harbor Master shall proceed
in accordance with Connecticut General Statutes, § 15-140c,
with regard to removal, storage and sale of such vessel.
The operation of motorized vessels is prohibited in designated
swimming areas of the Town.
The Harbor Master shall keep or cause to be kept an accurate
record of all caution or warning tickets, complaints investigated
and orders made, and he shall annually report the same to the Town
Council and to the Waterfront and Harbor Management Commission on
or before the first day of December of each year.