Lobster Trap, Boat Storage Available

The Marblehead Recreation and Parks Commission wants local residents to know that there is winter storage space available for lobster traps and a handful of boats at the department's storage yard on Ocean Avenue.

At a meeting last month, commission members discussed the possibility of making the storage area available to local residents but opted to check in with town officials before making a decision. 

The group unanimously approved the winter storage terms and conditions at the Tuesday night and looked over the plans for the space, which members think can store as many as five boats and about 400 traps.

Members determined that the fee for lobster traps will be $1 per trap; boats, which must be under 25 feet and on a trailer, will cost $1.25 per square foot.

Before traps can be stored, they must be cleaned, have all bait bags removed and all ropes and frames must be free of seaweed and marine growth, according to the terms and conditions.

Because the storage yard borders a protected wetland, all boat owners planning on storing their vessels have to remove their external fuel tanks and containers and must winterize their internal tanks before they can be stored.

The winter storage season will run no later than May 15, 2012.

Residents interested in storing their boat or lobster traps are encouraged to contact the commission to obtain a storage application. This link leads to the group's page on the town website.