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Harbor Shellfish board presses fuel providers, eyes Select Board if Island fueling remains unavailable
Summary
Board members said local fuel companies and the Great Harbor Yacht Club declined to provide required fueling services; members plan further outreach, asked staff to contact Harbor Fuel and Sun Island, and warned they may send an advisory letter to the Select Board if the issue is unresolved.
At its Feb. 3 meeting the Harbor Shellfish Advisory Board addressed an ongoing shortage of island fuel service for commercial fishermen after local providers said they would not deliver fuel by truck or over water.
Chair opened discussion of Chapter 91 licensing and public-access conditions at Straight Wharf, then members described outreach already made: Mister Brace said he sent a letter to Steven Crease at the Great Harbor Yacht Club and that contact attempts with fuel vendors had been unsuccessful. Dave (board member) said Eric Finger told staff he would not provide fueling, and that Harbor Fuel and Sun Island also declined deliveries citing insurance concerns. "It doesn't relieve Great Harbor Yacht Club from having to provide a fueling station," Dave said, arguing that a truck-based workaround does not erase the club's Chapter 91 responsibilities.
Board members described what a compliant fueling station would look like — separate tanks for diesel and gasoline, a pump, and a trained attendant — and discussed the insurance and permitting issues carriers raise when transferring fuel over water. Mister Garrett cautioned underwriting could change carrier rates or coverage. Several members noted that over‑water transfer may require a separate permit and that local enforcement is often "passive enforcement" that begins only after a complaint is filed.
The board agreed to continue stakeholder outreach and to gather usage numbers to present to fuel companies; Chair said staff would contact Sun Island and Harbor Fuel prior to the Feb. 17 meeting to request explanations for refused deliveries. Dave recommended that, if outreach fails, the advisory board send an advisory letter to the Select Board documenting attempts to resolve the issue and asking the Select Board to examine permits or enforcement pathways.
Board members also discussed spill-prevention measures if truck transfers are used. The Harbormaster has access to DEP oil-response equipment and members cited a 55-gallon spill kit available for about $435 as a reference price. Several members suggested the town could supply basic kits or require commercial users to carry small spill kits while longer-term solutions are pursued.
The board left the item on the agenda for the next meeting and asked staff to report back with provider responses and any additional data on how many commercial vessels would use a local fueling option.
