Vessel that do not comply with the below noise levels will not be allowed in Oak Bluffs Harbor.

It is the responsibility of the vessel owner to check if they meet the decibel requirements before they come to Oak Bluffs.

1. 1 - Every motorboat operated on the waters of Oak Bluffs shall be equipped at all times with a muffler on the exhaust of its engine as required by Chapter 90B, Section 6 of the General laws.
   
   2 - No person shall operate a motorboat on the waters of Oak Bluffs that is equipped with a muffler cutout, bypass or similar device which prevents the proper operation of or diminishes the operation capacity of the muffler.
   
   3 - No person shall operate a motorboat on the waters of Oak Bluffs in a manner to permit the production of sound from its engine that equals or exceeds

   1. eighty eight (88) decibels (88dbs) on the “A” scale when subject to a stationary sound level measurement at a distance greater than three (3) feet from the stern for a motorboat docked, moored or anchored with its engine at idle speed or

   2. Seventy five (75) decibels (75dbs) on the “A” scale (dba) when subjected to a stationary sound level measurement from the shoreline or edges of the harbor for a motorboat underway.

   3. If a motorboat is equipped with more than one engine, the said noise levels shall apply when all engines are in simultaneously in operation.

   B. The “A” level means the total level of all noise as measured with a sound level meter using the “A” weighting network and the unit of measurement is the db(A).

    

2. 4 - The Harbormaster, an Assistant Harbormaster police officer or Harbor staff who has reason to believe that a motorboat is not in compliance with the sound levels established in this section may direct the operator of the motorboat to submit to an on-site test to measure the level of the sound emitted by the motorboat’s engine. The operator shall comply with that direction. The Harbormaster, an Assistant Harbormaster or police officer may remain on board the vessel during the test at his discretion. If the level of the sound emitted by the motorboat’s engine exceeds the sound levels established in this section, the Harbormaster, an Assistant, police officer or Harbor staff may direct the operator to take immediate and reasonable measures to correct the violation, including returning the vessel to a mooring or dock, stopping the motor and keeping the boat there until the violation is corrected or ceases.

 

1. 5 - This section does not apply to the operation of dredges, motorboats engaged in construction or demolition work or to auxiliary engines on motorboats that do not propel the boat through the water.