Marine patrol asks committee to close mooring loophole for spuds and lifts

Captain Tim Dunleavy of the Department of Safety Marine Patrol told the committee HB393 aims to close a loophole that lets some boat owners leave devices that anchor or elevate boats in place without the mooring permits required on seven inland lakes. Dunleavy described two device types: piles or "spuds" deployed from collars or work barges and brand‑name hydraulic "sea legs" on pontoon boats that lift and hold hulls out of the water. He said owners are leaving such devices in place all season to avoid mooring limits tied to shore frontage and permitting requirements.

Dunleavy said the Marine Patrol supports closing the gap but recommended an amendment to exempt marine construction activities and state bridge or dock work that employ spuds on barges for legitimate construction operations. Committee members raised enforcement questions and asked whether the bill would affect anglers who temporarily set spuds for daytime fishing; Dunleavy suggested defining "occupied" or clarifying that short‑term, attended use differs from leaving a device in place overnight or season‑long.

Homeowner Judith Erickson of Ossipee described a neighbor storing a boat on an integral lift for an entire season in front of shared beach rights; she said condo and association properties have allowed proliferation of unpermitted lifts. Jody Grimbliss of the New Hampshire Marine Trades Association asked for the same construction exemption, echoing marine contractors’ concerns that the bill could otherwise impede barges used for shoreline repairs. The committee members asked the department to work on suggested technical amendments and the hearing record closed with the panel planning an executive session the following week.