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Kayak Membership

Policies and Procedures for Use

Please review this page before kayaking at Piers Park Sailing Center

Membership All participants taking kayaks from Piers Park Sailing Center must be confirmed and authorized kayak members. To become a kayak member one must purchase the membership and attend the 30-minute briefing paddle or zoom orientation with PPSC staff that covers paddling skills, boundary, and safety information. Please text 617-561-6677 or email ndrevos@piersparksailing.org to create a membership and schedule a briefing paddle.

Kayak Pass is available to anyone age 21+.  You must be in relatively good physical shape and the maximum individual weight capacity for the kayak is 250lbs.

Reservations and Hours of Operation 

Regular Kayaking Season: June 1st to September 28th

Kayak Passholders can book a kayak 7 days a week.  

4pm to Sunset on weekdays and 11am to Sunset on weekends.  

Kayaks are available by online reservation only at [link]. If you wish to extend your reservation while out on the water, you must either return to the dock or notify the Dock Staff via VHF, to ensure that no other member is waiting for a kayak. All kayaks are required to be back at the dock 15 minutes prior to sunset. Boats that return after this time are subject to a late return fee.

Guests We are happy to have you as our guest and we hope you will enjoy our facility and fleet. You are welcome to take a tandem kayak with a guest for no additional expense. Any additional guests would result in an unauthorized member paddling independently, thus requiring an additional membership. In order for you to get the most out of your experience, we ask that you follow the same rules as our members. These rules have been designed to keep you, PPSC equipment, and all our participants safe, and to help assure that everyone will have a positive experience with PPSC. PPSC requires that all participants understand and abide by the rules of PPSC and Piers Park. Violation of these may result in suspension or termination of kayaking privileges. Before you board any of our kayaks, you must sign the guest release form and turn it in to the Dockstaff. If you are less than 18 years old your parent or guardian must also sign. Guests must be at least 5 years old to paddle. Guests must abide by all rules of the Park and Sailing Center listed below. All guests (or their guardians for children under 18) must sign the Guest Rules and Liability Release Form (once per year). Members are responsible for the conduct of their guests and for any damage to PPSC or Massport property committed by themselves or their guests.


Member, Guest and Student Conduct and Responsibilities

  • A complete Float Plan must be finished prior to departure.
  • Equipment must be inspected by users prior to getting underway. (Members and Instructors are responsible for returning boats and gear in good operating condition)
  • A radio check must be performed on VHF Channel 78 before getting underway.
  • VHF Channel 78 must be monitored while boats are away from the sailing center dock.
  • While underway, everyone on PPSC kayaks must wear a properly fitted and fastened USCG approved PFD at all times.
  • While it is acceptable to dip hands and feet in the water, participants must remain within the kayak at all times.
  • Appropriate closed-toe and non-marking footwear and a shirt must be worn at all times.
  • Proper lookout must be maintained while underway.
  • Boats may be operated only within the areas and conditions designated.
  • Boats must be operated with regard to present and future weather conditions, tides and sunset
  • Vessel operators must follow the directions of the PPSC staff person on duty. This is particularly imperative regarding directives to return to the Sailing Center due to changes in weather.
  • No swimming or fishing is allowed from the PPSC dock, boats, or kayaks.  Do not ever jump off of a boat or the dock.
  • Boats must be back to the dock before sunset. Please plan accordingly.
  • When conditions warrant, boats sail under reduced or lowered sails.
  • Boats and equipment must be left clean and properly stowed after each use.
  • Any equipment failure, actual or suspected damage, must be reported immediately.
  • Smoking/vaping is prohibited on the dock, boats, and in the office
  • Use of alcohol or drugs on boats, in the office, on the premises, in Piers Park, or prior to boat use is strictly prohibited and will result in immediate termination of sailing privileges and potential prosecution.
  • Pets are not permitted in Piers Park.
  • Safe conduct is required of all members, guests and students ashore and underway.
  • Obscenity and profanity will not be tolerated.

Unsafe Weather Conditions Each day, Piers Park Sailing Center monitors and posts weather reports on the dock. When unsafe weather conditions develop, boat operators should return to the dock immediately or request assistance from PPSC by calling on VHF channel 78. In addition, the dock staff will raise a red flag from the Dockhouse flagpole to signal that sailing is postponed. Please return to the dock as quickly and as safely as possible. Piers Park has implemented this system for situations when staff may be unable to communicate with the boat via VHF radio. The senior person in charge at PPSC may make their own determination that unsafe conditions have, or are expected to develop. Some or all PPSC boats will be summoned back to the dock. If requested by PPSC staff, a vessel must return to the dock immediately. Unsafe conditions include: winds that are above the operator’s rating, restricted visibility, lightning, high seas, and heavy precipitation.

Flag System The staff at Piers Park will be using a flag system on the dock house to announce expected sailing conditions. In the case of unfavorable conditions, please refer to the Dock Lead for limitations including restricted boundary area.

  • Green Flag – Favorable wind and weather conditions (Wind <12mph, 0% Chance of Rain) . Kayaking permitted.
  • Yellow Flag – Challenging Weather Conditions (Wind 12-16mph, Gusts <18mph, Fog, Chance of Rain) Kayaking permitted with additional caution.
  • Red Flag – Kayaking Prohibited. Foul Weather (Wind 18+mph, Chance of Rain or Thunderstorms, Small Craft Advisory or Gale Warning)

Damage to Kayaks We completely understand that parts on this heavily used fleet will wear and even break throughout the season, while regular maintenance of wear and tear is completely covered by the Sailing Center, members may be responsible for the cost of damage to the boats resulting from negligence, imprudence, or mishandling.

Radio Communications Any kayak leaving the dock will have an operational radio or telephone on board. Prior to leaving the dock, the paddler will perform a radio check. PPSC Base and all mobile units will monitor channel 78. Each member should be aware of proper radio use as per FCC regulations including frequency use and distress signals. If Members do not adhere to FCC regulations and appropriate radio etiquette, they may lose their kayaking privileges.

Kayak Boundary

Boundary includes the area extending northwest from the PPSC Cove to the Eddy Building and Reelhouse Restaurant. Paddlers must stay within 50 feet to land to avoid the high traffic Boston Harbor channel. The exception to this is when crossing the Lewis Mall Wharf/ East Boston Ferry dock, where paddlers must remain within 20 feet to land, crossing beneath the bridge to the dock. Specific boundaries are outlined in the member briefing. Kayaks may only dock at the PPSC dock.

 

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