KENNEBUNKPORT — The town of Kennebunkport has approved the purchase of a used boat for the Cape Porpoise Harbormaster.

Cape Porpoise Harbor is located off Pier Road. The harbor has about 120 moorings, the majority used by commercial fisherman, according to the Kennebunkport town website.

After listening to a presentation by Cape Porpoise Harbormaster Chris Mayo, the Kennebunkport Select Board at it’s June 13 meeting approved the $9,500 purchase of a 1992 Shamrock 20-foot center console.

“I think it’s a good deal,” said Selectman Alan Daggett.

The boat was fully retro-fitted over the past four years by its owner in Yarmouth, said Mayo. The main body of the boat is commercial-grade fiberglass, and it has a full inboard gas engine with keel. It also has a small T-top that can provide rain protection when driving the boat. The $9,500 asking price includes a road-ready trailer.

“It’s been impeccable maintained by the current owner who re-powered it in 2016,” Mayo said. “I did quite a bit of visits on different boats, and this was certainly head and shoulders above the rest.”

Mayo had been using a 20-foot Action Craft boat that was about 30 years old.

He said the boat, which was donated to the town, was a shallow water fishing boat from Florida that was not designed to be used on the coast of Maine.

Mayo said the town planned to sell the Action Craft boat after retiring it.

Duties of the Cape Porpoise harbormaster include managing, maintaining, and enforcing laws, regulations, and ordinances at the Cape Porpoise Commercial Fishing Pier and all Town moorings, including Cape Porpoise Harbor, Goose Rocks Beach, Turbats Creek and Paddy Creeks, Batsons and Little Rivers, and Lands End.

The harbormaster issues permits for more than 200 moorings and ensures that all licenses are maintained and all federal, state, and local reports are written and filed on time. Keeps the pier and surrounding area clean, safe, and in proper working order in a high-tourist area. The position administers mooring applications, assigns moorings, issues mooring permits, collects fees, maintains money records and specifications, and administers the mooring waiting list.

Other duties include investigating boats that break from moorings and ensuring they are taken care of in a timely manner, establishing an anchorage for transient boats and providing assistance as required to fishermen, tourists, and visiting vessels. The harbormaster also patrols the harbor to ensure and enforce compliance with all boating laws and regulations, including state boating and other marine resources laws.

— Staff Writer Liz Gotthelf can be reached at 780-9015 or by email at egotthelf@journaltribune.com.

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