(A) Hours. Watercraft mooring is between the hours of 7:00 a.m. and 10:00 p.m. and no watercraft shall be moored for longer than 5 hours per day. No overnight parking of any watercraft shall be permitted without permission of the City Manager, Director of Public Works, or the Chief of Police. Exceptions may be made for unsafe water conditions.
(B) General regulations.
(1) No reservations. Docking is on a first-come, first-served basis during operating hours only. One boat per slip, no commercial activity including loading/unloading passengers and no water or electric hook-ups. Must provide your own lines and fenders. Dock at your own risk.
(2) Mooring lines. Mooring lines shall be of sufficient size (no less than 3/8-inch nylon or equivalent) and be properly utilized to secure a watercraft to the dock in a manner that will not cause damage to either the dock or nearby watercrafts. Mooring lines should be tied in such a manner as to protect adjacent watercrafts.
(3) Watercraft size limitation. All watercraft must not exceed a maximum beam of 10 feet.
(4) Wake. Watercraft owners and operators must minimize speed and wake while entering and exiting the dock areas so as to do no harm to the docks or other watercrafts.
(5) Trailer parking. Parking trailers is prohibited at the Marina. There is a DNR boat launch located along M-29 (South Parker Street) south of Thompson Drive with parking for trailers.
(6) Life jackets. The use of life jackets is recommended for infants, children, and nonswimmers while on the docks. Users of watercraft shall adhere to all Michigan and U.S. Coast Guard laws and regulations.
(7) Supervision of children. No child under 16 years of age shall be on the dock unsupervised. No watercraft operators under the age of 16 may utilize the dock.
(8) Pets. All dogs shall be kept on leashes and not left unattended. Pet owners are responsible for ensuring that the docks, walkways, and immediate areas surrounding them are not used by pets for soiling. Owners are responsible for cleanup of their pets.
(9) Dock cleanliness. No waste cans, paper, debris, or other refuse are to be left the on the pier or docks or thrown into waterways. Removal of trash from the premises is the responsibility of the watercraft owner or guest.
(10) Swimming. No swimming is allowed in the area of the docks, nor is jumping into the water from the seawall, finger docks, or a moored watercraft.
(11) Fishing. Fishing is not allowed in the dock areas when watercraft are moored.
(12) Fire. No fire of any kind, including fire contained in a charcoal burner, is permitted on the pier or the docks or on a watercraft while it is moored. Other uses such as barbeques, fire pits, and the like are allowed only in areas designated by the city.
(13) Fireworks. No fireworks or other explosives may be launched from the seawall, park, docks, or watercrafts. The only exceptions are fireworks approved by the City Commission which will result in closing the entire park and Marina with no mooring permitted at that time.
(14) Electrical devices. Use of electrical cords and electrical devices are prohibited on the docks. Electrical hookup is not provided, and no method of temporary power supply may be utilized. Electrical use in pavilion/comfort stations areas is allowed only in areas designated by the city.
(15) Any damage to the Day Dock as a result of a vessel docking, rafting, mooring, or anchoring is the responsibility of the boat owner. Failure to pay for any damage costs shall result in legal action.
(16) The City Commission may waive the docking and use of the docks during special events or at such times as may be necessary. Such restrictions of use will be posted at the Marina.
(17) Vessels are prohibited from anchoring, rafting to, mooring, or tying up to the docks for repairs. Commercial activities are prohibited at the docks.
(18) The prohibitions set forth in this section shall not extend to vessels so stationed due to weather or mechanical emergencies, however there shall be a 72-hour maximum time limit. After such time limit has expired, the city may have vessels towed/removed at the owners’ expense.
(19) A violation of this section is a municipal civil infraction punishable as prescribed in § 10.99 of this code.
(C) Environmental regulations.
(1) These rules have been implemented in accordance with federal, state, and local regulations.
(2) (a) Winterization chemicals. The use of ethylene glycol-based antifreeze for winterization is strictly prohibited. Use of non-toxic antifreeze is mandatory.
(b) Oil disposal. Used engine oil and oil filters must be taken to the oil pickup point in the Marina or removed from the Marina. There will be no disposal of oil by dumping either on the ground, in a dumpster, into a drain or overboard.
(c) Individual boat owners are responsible for providing these rules and regulations to their outside contractors and for overseeing the contractor’s compliance with this rule.
(3) Waste material. No garbage, sludge, refuse matter, sewage or waste materials of any kind shall be thrown, deposited or permitted to be thrown or deposited into the water or on the piers, docks or shore areas of the Marina except in designated receptacles.
(4) Fueling. Gasoline containers are not permitted on any dock and no fueling is permitted. If there is an accident caused by fuel, the offender will be held liable for the damages.
(5) Bottom washing. There will be no power washing of boats inside the Marina by boat owners.
(6) Sanding. There will be no sanding work of any sort carried out by individual boat owners or their contractors.
(7) Painting. There will be no painting work of any sort carried out by individual boat owners or their contractors.
(8) Batteries. Batteries cannot be disposed of at the Marina.
(D) Disturbances.
(1) Activities or operation of equipment in a manner that disturbs the quiet, comfort, or repose of a reasonable person of normal sensitivities or activities that endanger the safety or life of participants and spectators are not permitted on the pier or docks. This includes the use of devices that amplify sound, music, and/or voice.
(B) No commercial activity or usage. The docks and their facilities are for pleasure usage only. No commercial activity or usage is allowed. No watercraft shall be allowed which is in any way or at any time used for commercial purposes or which charges or accepts a fee or any other form of compensation either directly or indirectly. Exceptions may be approved by the City Commission.
(Ord. 23-004, passed 9-7-2023) Penalty, see § 10.99