The Fall River City Council’s Committee on Economic Development and Tourism met on September 5, 2023, to discuss the ownership, operation, and development potential of the docks and moorings at the Battleship Cove Yacht Club. City Administrator Seth Thomas Aiken provided an overview of the history, noting that in May 2017 the Fall River Police Department purchased floating docks and attached structures from the Battleship Cove Yacht Club for $2,000 to establish a public town dock. The arrangement with the Department of Conservation and Recreation (DCR) was meant to ensure public access across state property, but concerns had arisen because the gate to the dinghy docks remained locked and public access signs had disappeared.
Representatives and members of the Battleship Cove Yacht Club, including Tracy McElroy, Commodore Dave Reback, Don Freya, James Pedroso, and Mooring Inspector Bill Gouveia, addressed the committee alongside Police Captain Breno Furtado and Assistant Corporation Counsel Gary Howayeck. Yacht club members explained that there are approximately 33 moorings total, with 17 owned by club members paying an annual $150 municipal fee, 11 transient moorings rented by the city at $36.50 per night via Dockwa, and the remainder privately owned. The boaters emphasized that the combination lock on the gate is necessary to prevent vandalism and the theft of dinghies and motors, noting that transient boaters receive the access code when booking through the Harbormaster or Dockwa.
Discussions also focused on future waterfront improvements in coordination with the Route 79 redevelopment project. Boaters suggested installing kayak storage racks, solar lighting and security cameras, dedicated docking space for city pump-out and police patrol boats, overnight boater parking in the state lot, and establishing a responsive 24/7 communications protocol for visiting boaters. At the conclusion of the discussion, the committee voted unanimously to table the matter until Harbormaster Officer Jose Barbosa returns from injury leave.
Topics discussed
- 2:03 · Approval of February 21, 2023 Meeting Minutes — approved
The committee approved the minutes from their previous meeting on February 21, 2023. - 2:16 · Battleship Cove Yacht Club Dock Ownership and 2017 Purchase
Discussion regarding the May 2017 purchase of floating docks by the police department for $2,000 and the legal status of the town dock. - 2:48 · Motion to table the discussion regarding the Battleship Cove Yacht Club ownership and development — tabled
- 5:07 · Mooring Regulations, Fees, and Dockwa Usage
Review of the 33 moorings, the $150 annual fee for seasonal moorings, the $36.50 nightly rate for transient moorings, and revenue increases through Dockwa. - 33:00 · Waterfront and Dock Facility Improvement Ideas
Discussion on potential improvements including kayak racks, a flat launch by the carousel, solar lighting, security cameras, overnight parking, and additional docks. - 41:12 · Gate Security, Public Access, and Dinghy Theft
Debate on whether the dinghy dock gate should remain locked with a combination code due to repeated vandalism and motor theft, versus public access mandates.