PORTSMOUTH — Many moorings off Prudence, Hog islands on CRMC’s hit list

Despite a desire by the state to keep boat moorings out of “pristine” Type I waters, Portsmouth officials remain hopeful that they can avoid a mass mooring move.

Back in January, Assistant Town Planner Gary Crosby told the Town Council that a large number of moorings lie in Type I waters despite long-standing Coastal Resources Management (CRMC) rules that forbid such placement. Many of these are along Portsmouth’s east shore and off Prudence and Hog islands.

In no time, “The message box on my phone was full,” Harbormaster Jacob Silva said. Caller after caller voiced alarm that a family mooring owned for decades might suddenly be lost.

“We’re trying to calm people down,” Mr. Silva said. The Harbor Commission’s hope, he said, is to stall any action for now and perhaps stop it altogether through agreement with the CRMC.

The commission recently completed a long-in-the works update of the town’s Harbor Management Plan. It will be reviewed by the CRMC and then sent to the Town Council.

So far at least, the town is accepting applications for all impacted moorings for the upcoming season while it awaits the CRMC’s verdict. Mr. Silva said plans are in place for rearranging mooring fields if need be “but we’re hoping it doesn’t come to that.”

The problem stems from the fact that Portsmouth has for years allowed moorings in Type I waters despite CRMC rules dating back to 1983. Portsmouth wasn’t aware it was in violation until told last summer by the CRMC during work on the management plan. Some say the issue may have arisen in part because of stepped-up efforts to restore close-to-shore eelgrass beds in recent years.

The precise number of moorings involved is being calculated (perhaps as many as 200 of the town’s 1,494 moorings, Mr. Silva said). Most are in three areas:

• Along Portsmouth’s east shore on the Sakonnet River, including McCorrie, Sandy and Black points.

• Around Prudence Island north from Mill Creek to just below Potter’s Cove and then north of Potter’s Cove around to the west side to Prudence Conservancy land; from the southern edge of the Conservancy to south of Sand Point (moorings at Sand Point are allowed). Mr. Silva said most of the moorings impacted here are located in waters outside Potter’s Cove. Inside the cove, a popular mooring field with a waiting list some eight pages long, the waters are not considered pristine.

• Around two thirds of Hog Island including crowded mooring fields in the northwest and southeast coves.

Portsmouth residents are not charged for moorings but out-of-towners pay an annual fee of $9 per foot of boat length. Loss of moorings, especially outside Potter’s Cove, would cost the town revenue since many of these are owned by non-residents.

In January, the council voted to have Mr. Crosby draw up a plan for possible reclassification of some of these waters to reflect the impact of 30 years worth of development. The CRMC would have to approve any reclassification, a process that requires public hearings. One concern with such a step is that it might lead to wholesale applications for dock and bulkhead permits in waters whose status is downgraded.

Mr. Silva said the Harbor Commission is also aware that Jamestown and Middletown, which ran into similar problems, have been granted waivers. Middletown’s Third Beach mooring field, the only one in town, is among those that might otherwise be at risk.

And there are options even if the CRMC doesn’t relent. Moorings could be moved out beyond 500 feet to Type II waters as long as they don’t interfere with a navigation channel.

“It would mean a longer row,” but would at least spare the mooring, Mr. Silva said. In a relocation, priority for closest spots could be given to mooring owners with the most seniority. Mr. Crosby noted that while there are waters where moorings could be put, not all of these enjoy easy public access.

Mr. Silva said that for now the town has stopped issuing new mooring permits in the affected areas.

“We hope something can be worked out,” Mr. Silva said, that does not involve pulling or moving moorings.

Six Metre Worlds

A fleet of Six Metre yachts from around the world will gather in Newport for the 2009 International Six Metre Class World Cup from Sept. 8 through 13, 2009. Racing will be held on Narragansett Bay and organized by Sail Newport. 

“We are honored to be hosting such a prestigious event in Newport, and plan to show the World Cup competitors exactly why Newport continues to be the yachting capital of the United States,” said event co-chair Peggy Comfort of Newport.

The sailboats will also compete in the 30th annual Classic Yacht Regatta and the 2009 Six Metre North American Championship preceding the World Cup over Labor Day weekend.

The fleet will be a big one, with at least 48 of the boats — both classic and modern, expected from around the globe. Countries represented include USA (19 boats), France (4), Finland (5), Great Britain (6), Germany (3), Denmark (2), Canada (3), Switzerland (1), Sweden (4), and New Zealand (1).

The 102-year-old Six Metre Class was created after the International Rule was established in 1907. The class is unusual in one-design racing because the boats are not identically built. Although widely divergent in design, all of the boats in the class confirm to a mathematical design formula. Six Metres were raced in Olympic competitions from 1908 through 1952 and are still actively raced around the world.

Racing will be within sight of shore and the public will also be invited to see the fleet while docked and on display at Sail Newport’s Alofsin Piers.

 “It will be thrilling for Newport to host the largest fleet of Six Metres ever to sail here,” said Newporter and yacht designer David Pedrick. “Beautifully maintained and restored Sixes spanning nearly a century of yachting history will race side by side.”

Mr. Pedrick has recently consulted on the re-creation of the legendary Olin Stephens’ designed Six Metre yacht Cherokee, a project undertaken specifically for participation in the World Cup.

For more information about the 2009 International Six Metre Class World Cup Championship, including lists of currently registered and projected competitors as well as regatta updates, visit www.6metreworldcup.com/.