The Onset Harbor Launch Service has been resumed as of June 1, according to the Wareham Department of Natural Resources. Launch services are available for all transient moorings as well as to the outer harbor anchorage, and will be in full operation from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. on the weekends and from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. on weekdays. 

“It’s a water shuttle that operates all over the Onset Harbor. This service is utilized by boaters to get to and from their boats to the docks and from docks to docks or piers,” said the Director of Natural Resources Garry Buckminster.

Buckminster suggested the boaters use online marina reservation platform Dockwa, through which they can discover, reserve, and pay for slips and moorings of marines across the U.S ahead of time.

Along with the summer harbor services come shellfishing restrictions. The Department of Natural Resources reminded residents that shellfishing is prohibited on Sundays. Recreational harvesting of soft shell clams is restricted to designated areas. Residents are advised to review the shellfishing maps prior to going out.

Harvesting of oysters and scallops is prohibited during the summer.

The Department of Natural Resources also said that due to a shellfish transplant, Onset will have two new closure sites that will affect portions of Mark’s Cove and Swift’s Neck. The areas with closed signage will be identified on the Shellfish map. Individuals found shellfishing in these areas will receive citations.

Residents may not cross over private property without a written permission, the Department of Natural Sources reminded. All shorelines open to shellfishing must be accessed by a public access site. Residents may not trespass on private property without written permission.

The Department of Natural Resources also announced the installation of new pumpout station and additional LED dock lighting on the floating docks.

“It’s for convenience. The floating docks now have fresh water,” said Buckminster. “We went with a good quality of the decking on the floating docks and they add a level of class to the area.”