T&T: Full-time Cruiser-Transient Usage

[veiner@juno.com]

Was Full-time Cruiser-TRansient Usage /// Town Landings

When I grew up in MA, just about every town on the water had an area
designated as, "The Town Landing." Many still do.

The purpose of the town landing was to provide free access to any
transient craft plying those waters. The town landing can be as large
as a harbor (Ipswich), or as small as a pathway, in which case, it only
applies to dinghy access. No local government or private party can
block access to the Town Landing, as it would be a violation, and a
restraint of trade and commerce. That is why we don't have greedy
municipalities charging us a toll for passing through their area. It is
simply illegal.

Many towns and cities still have sites designated as Town Landings.
They may not be publicized, but they exist. If you need to go ashore,
and you can gain access via a town landing, by all means do so - for free.

I certainly agree with Greg Hahn that if you use facilities you have a
moral, if not financial, obligation to pay for them. However, if there
is free access, you should use, because doing so protects that right.

A few years back, a bridge over the South Fork near its junction with
the ICW broke and could not open. I requested where the nearest town
landing was, and learned that it was in a very tawny neighborhood in
Sewall's Point. AI achored off, and left the dinghy ashore there for
two days while DOT was getting parts to fix the bridge. Martin Veiner
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