The North Shore Harbormasters Association (NSHMA) is a collaborative organization of Massachusetts Harbormaster Departments from  Boston to the New Hampshire border. The NSHMA  serves as a regional chapter of the Bay State Harbormasters Association which unites Harbormasters from throughout the Commonwealth to share maritime specific knowledge as well as promote training and best practices. North Shore Chapter Officers: President - Chad Johnson Vice President - Paul Hogg Secretary/Clerk - Bill McHugh Treasurer - Patrick Mulligan

Harbormasters are municipal guardians of the waterfront, with duties ranging from Harbor Planning & Management, Mooring & Dockage Management, Education of the Public Regarding Safe & Legal Boating, Law Enforcement (of Statutes and Regulations involving the boating community), and Emergency & Search and Rescue operations. In such a wide range of duties, they must work closely with other departments in their community, as well as the Massachusetts Environmental Police and the United States Coast Guard.

Another important part of a Harbormaster's duties is a working relationship with the U.S. Department of Homeland Security.

U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement's (ICE) Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) is responsible for investigating a wide range of criminal activities including the illegal movement of goods (currency, drugs, weapons, etc.) and people into, within and out of the United States. If you encounter this type of criminal activity, please contact the local Boston office of HSI toll-free, 1-866-DHS-2-ICE, (1-866-347-2423).

Our association was formed as a vehicle whereby the Harbormasters' Departments from various communities could interact on waterfront ideas, issues and concepts, keep up to date on all the various aspects of our positions, advise legislators on issues pertinent to boating and our waterways, and provide for our continuing education and training provided by the North Shore Harbormaster Chapter. Instructors from the North Shore Harbormaster Chapter, the Massachusetts Environmental Police and the Coast Guard are all instrumental in providing us with the best training available.

This site provides information about our association, our member departments, as well as links to some great resources relevant to boating in our area.