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Advisory board seeks answers on truck‑to‑boat diesel fueling and Chapter 91 compliance; votes to send letters
Summary
Board members discussed past truck‑to‑boat fueling trials and current barriers, including complaints, insurance and operator willingness; they voted to draft letters to Great Harbor Yacht Club about Chapter 91 obligations and to fuel suppliers to explore dockside service options.
Board members spent a lengthy portion of the meeting on Chapter 91 licensing and the practical barriers to truck‑to‑boat diesel fueling for commercial fishermen. The board recounted earlier trials at Children’s Beach and Great Harbor that ended after neighborhood complaints and operational conflicts, and members said the current lack of accessible fuel forces some commercial operators to drive to the Cape to refuel.
Multiple speakers argued the core obstacles are operator willingness and insurance coverage for suppliers; one board member summarized the history: trucks once serviced docks but community complaints and on‑site operations at the Great Harbor Yacht Club led to a cessation of regular fueling. Participants identified two stakeholders who should be asked to explain current practice: the Great Harbor Yacht Club operator (Eric Finger) and existing fuel suppliers.
After debate the board agreed to a practical next step: draft and send two outreach letters — one to Great Harbor Yacht Club recounting Chapter 91 licensing expectations about fuel service and asking for clarification, and one to fuel suppliers to gauge interest in supplying dockside fueling under training and equipment conditions. The board asked Mister Franzuto to lead drafting (motion made by Mister Franzuto and seconded by Mister DeCosta) and approved sending the letters in a subsequent meeting.
Board members emphasized training and containment measures used in prior trials — boom, absorbent pads and training for operators — and discussed liability allocation if a fueling incident occurred, with several members saying the fueling company’s insurance should be primary. Members also recommended inviting Eric Finger and relevant operators to a future meeting or requesting written responses before escalation.
What’s next: Dave agreed to draft a short letter for board review at the next meeting and staff will reach out to identified stakeholders.
