BOATING SAFETY RULES
1. State and Federal Laws and Regulations: The State of Maine and the U.S. Coast Guard have laws and regulations which relate to the use of watercraft. The IHC adheres to all of these and expects that all Islanders will do the same. However, it remains the responsibility of the individual to know about and conform to these laws.
2. Children (12 years of age and under).
A. LIFE JACKETS must be worn on all ramps and floats, in boats, and on rocks outside the boardwalk, except at the Basin or Paradise beach with adult supervision. Good swimmers are excused from these rules at their parent’s or guardian’s discretion A general practice has been to have the child swim the harbor (accompanied by a rescue boat) before being allowed on ramps and floats or in boats without a life jacket. Note: current State of Maine law requires children 10 years of age and under to wear a lifejacket when aboard any watercraft.
B. When fishing from Hen Island Bridge both feet must be on the walk.
C. Inside the boardwalk life jackets are not required.
D. Children must be accompanied by an adult on the back of Malden or Hen Island. Parental permission and supervision is required.
E. Children are not allowed beyond the Basin seawall or Paradise beach without adult supervision.
3. Row Boat and Outboard Rules.
A. DO NOT USE BOATS BELONGING TO OTHERS WITHOUT SPECIFIC PERMISSION.
B. No overloading of boats. It is recommended that, when not accompanied by an adult, children should be limited to 3 per boat. Parental permission and supervision is required when children age 10 and under are alone.
C. No fooling around, rocking, or generally unsafe behavior in boats.
D. Town Ordinance states that a SLOW SPEED (NO WAKE) should be used in the harbor. Be considerate of boats moored in the harbor and boats tied at the dock.
E. DO NOT BORROW BAILERS. Provide your own.
F. If you borrow a boat or equipment, return them immediately, not after you have run your errands across or have taken everything to your cottage and settled in.
4. BOAT FLOAT RULES
A. MAIN float: Use only for landing, loading, and unloading. No unattended tie ups on front of the main float for prolonged periods at any time, day or night.
B. Ends of North & South Finger Floats with posts are for loading and unloading. No long term unattended tie ups.
C. Harbor Side of North Float is to be used only for landing or actively working on your boat. No unattended tie-ups on front of the floats for prolonged periods at any time, day or night.
D. Harbor Side of South Finger Floats use only for landing, loading, unloading, short term tie ups or actively working on your boat. No unattended tie-ups on front of the floats for prolonged periods at any time, day or night.
E. Inside of North & South finger floats are for tying up dinghies, skiffs, outboards and other small boats (generally under 16”).
F. General
1. All boats should be tied with the least amount of scope as is practical to keep the boats close to the float, so they do not swing around to the front of the floats or inhibit other boats access to the back side.
2. Small boats should not be tied up on the front face of any of the floats, nor should they be tied up on the end, where they may project out and around to the front of the float, potentially interfering with boats that are coming in and out of the front of the docks.
G. Inside Boat Tie Ups: Space for tying up boats inside the finger floats is available on a first come first serve basis. Where outhauls are available boats should be secured bow and stern.
H. Fishing: No fishing on the Georgetown Island float or the main and finger floats at Malden Island.
I. All dock surfaces shall be cleared of items such as kayaks, luggage, boating equipment, and other items immediately for safety purposes. Nothing is to be left unattended if not actively being used.
