Boating and Moorings

Boating Responsibly in Tisbury's Waters

Boating is part of life in Tisbury, and our waterways can support it if boaters, the Town, and residents all do their part. Three things matter most for water quality: keeping sewage out of the water, protecting eelgrass, and managing crowding in our enclosed ponds.

No discharge, anywhere

Since 2014, all Massachusetts coastal waters have been a No Discharge Zone. It is illegal to discharge boat sewage, treated or untreated, anywhere in state waters, and boats with installed toilets must use a holding tank.

Pump-out in Tisbury:

  • Owen Park Pier pump-out station, first-come, first-served during business hours

  • Pump-out boat serving the harbor, Lake Tashmoo, and Lagoon Pond during the season. Hail the harbormaster on VHF channel 9, 7 days a week, typically between 9 am and 4 pm.

TWI started Tisbury's first pump-out stations in 1989 and helped fund the first pump-out boats. The Town now runs the program and has a new pump-out boat serving all Tisbury waterways.

Protecting eelgrass

Eelgrass meadows are nurseries for scallops, fish, and other marine life, and they are disappearing from our ponds. Poor water quality is the biggest threat, but anchors and heavy mooring chains also tear up eelgrass beds.

  • No anchoring in Lake Tashmoo. In March 2023, with TWI's support, the Select Board placed a moratorium on anchoring in the lake. Visiting boaters can instead reserve a limited number of town guest moorings through the harbormaster. 

  • Lagoon Pond and the harbor: Anchoring is restricted in mapped eelgrass areas, and there are time limits on anchoring. Lagoon Pond has no transient moorings.

  • Conservation moorings hold boats without a chain dragging across the bottom. TWI has long encouraged their use. 

Town waterways rules

Tisbury's waterways regulations cover moorings, anchoring, speed, live-aboards, and more. They are set by the Select Board with advice from the Town's Natural Resources Advisory Committee, and enforced by the harbormaster. TWI follows these discussions closely and speaks up for water quality.

Tisbury Harbormaster   Town waterways regulations

Boaters' Guide

Our free guide for boaters covers pump-outs, local rules, and ways to protect the harbor and ponds, plus where to find what you need ashore. You can Download the Boaters’ Guide here. Printed copies are available from the harbormaster.

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