Pump-Out Boat Service Temporarily Suspended Due to Covid-19
We are temporarily suspending the pump-out boat service. The risk is just too great to our employees that are working with raw untreated sewage. There is also an increased risk to anyone in the area of the boat which holds several thousand pounds of raw sewage that is vented into the air. SARS, another coronavirus has been transmitted through aerolized sewage.
We understand that this is a significant inconvenience. But almost everything about the Covid19 issue has been frustrating and inconvenient. We are waiting on more information, possible modifications (filters) to the vent system on the boat, and possible PPE equipment and procedures for our operators that may reduce the risk. But for now the health of our employees and the boat owners at the marina's must be our priority.
Boaters have the option to use the land based pump stations, or the marina restrooms. Borden Light Marina has (7) restrooms for it's customers. The Cove Marina also provides customer restrooms. There is a land-based pump out station (free of charge) open to the public just up the river in Somerset. Most of the facilities to the south also have land based pump stations. Somerset and others have also suspended pump-out boat service due to the increased covid-19 risk to both employees and people in the area.
Please be assured that we are working to resolve this issue, and please don't hesitate to contact me if I can provide additional information.
Sincerely,
Bob Smith
Fall River Harbormaster
T: 508-207-7730
Please note: Give yourself plenty of time when requesting a pump-out. Just because you requested a pump-out on a certain day does not guarantee that it will get done that day. We are very limited when we can do pump-outs. Last season we missed pump-out days about 50% of the time due to weather and mechanical failures on the pump-out boat. We would expect about the same this season. Please submit your request by at least the day before the next pump-out day. The schedule is finalized the night before. Pump-out operators are not allowed to pump out any boat that is not scheduled on our list. Please respect this policy and do not ask the operator to violate this policy.
a) Due to liability issues we cannot pump-out when it is windy or raining (decks are slippery).
b) We can't pump out early in the morning when the decks are wet.
c) We can't pump-out at BLM when the Tipsy Seagull restaurant is open because the sewer waste connection is right near the restaurant.
Pump-outs are provided as a free service from the Fall River Harbormaster Department.
Bob Smith/F.R. Harbormaster
508-207-7730
We are temporarily suspending the pump-out boat service. The risk is just too great to our employees that are working with raw untreated sewage. There is also an increased risk to anyone in the area of the boat which holds several thousand pounds of raw sewage that is vented into the air. SARS, another coronavirus has been transmitted through aerolized sewage.
We understand that this is a significant inconvenience. But almost everything about the Covid19 issue has been frustrating and inconvenient. We are waiting on more information, possible modifications (filters) to the vent system on the boat, and possible PPE equipment and procedures for our operators that may reduce the risk. But for now the health of our employees and the boat owners at the marina's must be our priority.
Boaters have the option to use the land based pump stations, or the marina restrooms. Borden Light Marina has (7) restrooms for it's customers. The Cove Marina also provides customer restrooms. There is a land-based pump out station (free of charge) open to the public just up the river in Somerset. Most of the facilities to the south also have land based pump stations. Somerset and others have also suspended pump-out boat service due to the increased covid-19 risk to both employees and people in the area.
Please be assured that we are working to resolve this issue, and please don't hesitate to contact me if I can provide additional information.
Sincerely,
Bob Smith
Fall River Harbormaster
T: 508-207-7730
Please note: Give yourself plenty of time when requesting a pump-out. Just because you requested a pump-out on a certain day does not guarantee that it will get done that day. We are very limited when we can do pump-outs. Last season we missed pump-out days about 50% of the time due to weather and mechanical failures on the pump-out boat. We would expect about the same this season. Please submit your request by at least the day before the next pump-out day. The schedule is finalized the night before. Pump-out operators are not allowed to pump out any boat that is not scheduled on our list. Please respect this policy and do not ask the operator to violate this policy.
a) Due to liability issues we cannot pump-out when it is windy or raining (decks are slippery).
b) We can't pump out early in the morning when the decks are wet.
c) We can't pump-out at BLM when the Tipsy Seagull restaurant is open because the sewer waste connection is right near the restaurant.
Pump-outs are provided as a free service from the Fall River Harbormaster Department.
Bob Smith/F.R. Harbormaster
508-207-7730
10/26/2019 We are all done with pump-outs for the season. Both Somerset Waterfront Park and Pirates Cove in Portsmouth have self service pump out stations at no charge. Thank you and we will see you in the spring.
WAIVER & RELEASE I as owner of the above listed vessel have requested that the City of Fall River pump out the holding tank(s) of my vessel while I am not aboard. I realize that participating in the City of Fall Rivers pump out program requires that the pump out vessel must come in close contact with my vessel, and that the City of Fall River and its pump out vessel operator(s) take reasonable precaution to avoid damaging my vessel during their operations. I also realize that despite the efforts of the pump out operator(s), such close contact between vessels can occasionally result in minor cosmetic or mechanical damage or loss to my vessel. By engaging the City of Fall Rivers pump out program, I understand and agree that the City of Fall River, its officers, employees, volunteers, contributors, partners and vessels, are not responsible for any such damages or losses that may occur as a result of participating in the pump out program, and I hereby waive my right to claim any such responsibility or liability, in a court of law or admiralty or otherwise, for any such damages against the City of Fall River, its officers, employees, volunteers, contributors, partners or vessels. I represent to the City of Fall River that the vent is in working order, and the valves are in their proper position for pump out. In consideration of the pump out service provided by the City of Fall River without charge, I waive and release any claims against the City of Fall River for damage to the vessel or its systems arising in connection with the provision by the City of Fall River pump-out service.