Editor’s note: This letter was originally sent to Shana Teas, chairwoman of the Westport Select Board, wharfinger/harbormaster Bill Chace and town administrator Chris Vitale. At issue were the actions of F/V Hard Labor Capt. Ben Leuvelink, who on Monday was put on one year of probation by the select board.

The Town dock has been and is currently an important part of Westport. It is vital that the Town Dock remain a working waterfront. As fishermen we come and go early mornings, late nights, run engines, store fishing gear on the wharf, and handle bait. The ability to do activities such as these are what makes the Town Dock different from a typical marina/boatyard.

Having stated that, the vessel in question has violated the regulations of the Town Wharf on more than one occasion. Specifically:

“14. No substances injurious or potentially injurious to the structural integrity of the Town Dock or marine environment and organisms contained therein shall be stored on the Town Dock except for the purpose of loading and unloading.”

“15. No substances injurious or potentially injurious to the marine environment and organisms contained therein shall be dumped from the Town Dock or any vessel into the Westport River estuary and no such substances shall be pumped from any vessel into said body of water.”

“17. No bait shall be dumped from the Town Dock or any vessel moored along the Town Dock into the Westport River estuary.”

While all bait has an unpleasant odor, there is a difference between fresh bait and bait that has been left in the sun and heat. Since bait is a significant expense, no fisherman intentionally wastes it. Also it’s no secret that rotten bait will lead to less catch. These actions were done intentionally and were not a result form normal fishing activities.

The rules and regulations of the Town Dock were put in place to “provide for the proper and orderly use of [the] Town Wharf ...”

The proper use of the Town Dock is essential for the Town dock to continue as a working waterfront and not turn into a marina for pleasure boats. Violation(s) of the rules should be addressed and without ramifications the rules will continue to not be followed.

In addition, we fishermen face numerous challenges staying viable. We are under constant threat from overburdensome regulations, environmental changes, rising capital expenses, labor shortages, and industrial scale wind turbines. Fishermen sometimes are given a negative stereotype from the public. Actions from this wharfage holder further contribute to that. We do not want one wharfage holder to contribute to a negative public perception of all the fishermen in Westport.

This vessel has recently been assigned to “head of the dock,” or “end of the pier.” Rule 8 states:

“Any vessel owner accepting wharfage at the end of piers does so with full knowledge that any vessel not granted wharfage may also use the end of piers for repairs, refitting and unloading and loading.”

Vessels that currently have wharfage at the dock have used the end of the pier for unloading in the past. It is the most convenient place for vessels to unload directly to large trucks. The two previous Wharfingers have kept the end of the pier open for purposes such as this. Vessels from other ports have used this spot to unload their catch and sell bait directly to Westport fishermen. Since this wharfage holder has been assigned this spot he has been unwilling and/or unable to move his vessel to accommodate others. This has negatively affected some fishermen at the dock.

We recommend the select board take appropriate action including suspension and/or revocation of wharfage privileges.

Timothy Field

F/V Green Dragon

Alex Brewster

F/V Perseverance

Mike Emond

F/V Goose

Lori Rencurrel

F/V Overton Bay

Brian Tripp

F/V Crack of Dawn

Christopher Jusseaume

Spindrift Oysters