Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Below are answers to some of the most frequently asked questions we receive about slips.  If you have any other questions, please contact the Community Manager at manager@oysterharbor.org or the current Piers and Harbor’s volunteer (Eric Epstein eric @ epstein.bz).  This FAQ and OHCA are not considered legal advice or a legal interpretation of the law.

Are there open slips available this year for rent in Oyster Harbor?

There are usually slips available, mostly for smaller boats in shallower slips.  Typically a slip for a boat under 16 feet that draws a foot of water, such as skiffs, dinks, rowboats, sailboats with swing keels, and other small Bay boats don’t have a waiting list for slips.

How long is the waiting list for a larger boat?

Of the 34 slips in Oyster Harbor, only about 6 can accommodate boats that draw more than 2 feet of water.  These slips are quite popular - as a comparable slip in a commercial marina is about three times the annual cost of those in OHCA.  The wait can be three years or more for certain slips.

Is Oyster Harbor going to increase the number of slips?

The Community is working on ideas to add slips.  These slips will be generally for small boats; i.e. Lasers, dinks, sunfish, rowboats, kayaks, inflatables, etc. as the water is shallow and dock expansion is all but impossible.

Will OHCA ever dredge the slips to make them deeper?

Not in the foreseeable future.  Permits and regulations highly limit the ability of OHCA to dredge slips.  Slips have never been deep and it is not the intention of the Community to provide commercial marina equivalent services.  The intent of the piers, launch areas and slips are for OHCA residents to utilize the local waters with boats suited to these waters.

Can I volunteer to help with maintenance on the piers and common areas?

Yes, volunteers are very welcome.  We hope to be putting together projects that can be done by volunteers.  OHCA will send an email or notice in the bulletin once these are organized.  Late spring and early summer will be the times for most, except bubblers which are installed in early winter.

Who can use the pump-out facility on Pier 1?

The pump-out is for public use.  Anyone from any surrounding community can use the pump-out to empty the holding tanks on their boats.  However, the pump-out is not for bailing out boats or emptying commercial waste.  Violators or vandals will be reported to Anne Arundel police.

If I see something broken on a pier, or a boat sinking, whom do I notify?

All questions, observations, or problems can be directed to the OHCA Manager at Manager@oysterharbor.org.  For emergencies, also contact Eric Epstein at 410-575-4001 or eric @ epstein.bz who maintains a list of the slip lease holders and can contact them.

I find that it is hard to center my boat in my slip, especially on Pier 1 due to odd piling locations.  Is there a way to better secure my boat and keep it from rubbing on pilings or getting caught under the cat walk?

There are lots of options for securing boats, but some have found that securing the boat to the outer piling opposite of the cat walk with Tide Minder (www.tideminders.com) floats or a metal ring will keep the boat better centered and away from cat walks.  Also the use of spring lines and crossing stern lines to keep the boat pulled away from hazards is highly advised.  See the following link for ideas:  http://weathergage.com/literature/Some%20Notes%20on%20the%20Deployment%20of%20Dock%20Lines.htm

What is the mailing address for correspondence to OHCA Piers and Harbor’s committee?

All email can be routed through Manager@oysterharbor.org and postal mail sent to:

Oyster Harbor Citizens Association

ATTN: Piers and Harbors

PO Box 3174

Annapolis, MD 21403

Why do I have to provide current registration and proof of insurance on my boat?

State, local and OHCA regulations have registration and title requirements that must be adhered to for vessels utilized in Maryland waters.  By extension, any organization that leases space to boats is required to verify the vessel is properly registered.  OHCA insurance does not cover damage to your boats, or damage to other boats done by yours.  Thus, you must have insurance on your boats to store them on OHCA property.

Each year when you renew your slip you need to show that your registration and insurance are current.

This FAQ is not considered legal advice or a legal interpretation of insurance or liability.

Are there “No Wake” zones in Oyster Harbor and Fishing Creek?

Currently there is one “No Wake” zone in the community which is in the entrance canal to Oyster Creek.  The Oyster Creek harbor and Fishing Creek are not restricted, except by Maryland regulations on speeds as follows:

1. No motor vessel or PWC may be operated on Maryland waters at a speed in excess of 6 knots within 100 feet of any bridge abutment, shore, wharf, pier, or persons in the water.
2. A PWC may not be operated faster than 6 knots within 100 feet of another vessel. There is an exception for crossing or overtaking situations as described in the Federal Rules of the Road.
3.  It is illegal to operate a PWC above idle speed in water less than 18 inches in depth.
4.  Except  when  taking  off  from  shore, a boat  towing  a water skier  must  stay  at  least  100 feet from the shore, piers, bridges, people in the water, moored boats, and other passing boats.
5. Boats towing water skiers are not exempt from any speed regulations.
6. Boat operators are responsible for any damage caused by their wakes.

This FAQ and OHCA are not considered legal advice or a legal interpretation of the law. For more information on Maryland boating law refer to the Maryland Department of Natural Resources:  http://www.dnr.state.md.us/boating/regulations ; and the Maryland Natural Resources Police at http://www.dnr.state.md.us/nrp. 

Do OHCA residents need fishing licenses?

Yes.  OHCA does not own a community fishing license and all residents over a certain age must possess a fishing license to fish in Maryland waters.  For regulations and to buy a fishing license, please see: https://www4.wildlifelicense.com/md/

There is a floating dock in a slip with no boat on it, can I use the dock for fishing and crabbing?

All numbered slips are with vessels, docks or equipment in them are rented to OHCA residents.  Anything in those slips is considered private property and not for public use.

Can I keep my boat in a slip overnight, for a week, or for just a month?

Currently OHCA does not have a transient slip policy.  Any boat utilizing OHCA property must be properly registered and insured.  If you have to moor a boat on OHCA property due to a broken engine, etc. please contact the OHCA manager or piers and harbors volunteer(s) so that your boat is not removed/towed.

Are my kids exempt from Maryland lifejacket and boating safety regulations while on OHCA property?

All operators of vessels anywhere in Maryland, including OHCA property must have proper boating safety courses and lifejackets as required by law.  For more information on Maryland boating law refer to the Maryland Department of Natural Resources:  http://www.dnr.state.md.us/boating/regulations ; and the Maryland Natural Resources Police at http://www.dnr.state.md.us/nrp.

Will OHCA remove boats that are moored outside of a slip, in a public area, on the beach, or sunk?

Yes.  If the boat has an OHCA sticker, we will make every attempt to find the OHCA resident owning the boat prior to towing it.  With or without a sticker, OHCA will remove boats that are not within Community regulations or are sunk – at the owner’s expense.

Whom do I contact if my boat is towed from OHCA property?

You should first contact the manager at Oyster Harbor.