Code of Massachusetts Regulations › 302 CMR - DEPARTMENT OF CONSERVATION AND RECREATION › Title 302 CMR 12.00 - Parks And Recreation Rules › Section 12.06 - Rules of Conduct on DCR Properties - Beaches

Current through Register 1525, July 5, 2024
(1)
			 All persons recreating within the boundaries of that portion of a beach
			 designated for swimming shall adhere to any and all requests or direction from
			 DCR personnel, including, but not limited to, lifeguards or law enforcement
			 officials.
(2) Youth organizations,
			 agencies, and groups that wish to utilize DCR beaches and designated swimming
			 areas for any group activity must obtain a recreational use permit or special
			 use permit in accordance with
			 302 CMR 12.17(4) or
			 (2).
(3) No person may swim, bathe, dive or wade
			 from any watercraft, personal watercraft, dock, raft, or pier; nor may any
			 person swim, bathe, dive, or wade from the shoreline of DCR property unless
			 such shoreline is officially designated as a swimming area and such activity
			 occurs during designated swimming hours.
(4) No person may possess any glass or other
			 breakable container within any DCR designated swimming area, including, but not
			 limited to, beverage containers, food containers or personal care items which
			 may pose a safety risk to other users.
(5) No person may utilize any form of smoking
			 materials within designated DCR swimming areas.
(6) No person may use a snorkel within a DCR
			 designated swimming area. DCR personnel may allow such equipment to be used by
			 designated individuals and personnel only during designated structured training
			 programs, during DCR property maintenance, for searches, or for safety and
			 rescue purposes.
(7) Unless within
			 public tidelands during daylight hours, no person may scuba dive or snorkel in
			 DCR designated swimming areas.
(8)
			 No person may utilize any flotation devices within DCR swimming or wading
			 pools, or other waterfront DCR property, unless authorized by DCR personnel.
			 (Flotation devices under 302 CMR 12.06(8) include, but are not limited to,
			 inner tubes, ring buoys, air mattresses, beach balls, swimmies, inflatable
			 novelty toys, noodles, or any other similar devices designed and utilized for
			 the purposes of keeping person(s) afloat.) When such authorization is granted,
			 only specific devices will be allowed, including U.S. Coast Guard approved
			 personal flotation devices (PFDs or life jackets) designed for the size and
			 weight of the wearer; these devices shall be allowed only when a parent or
			 adult is assisting the wearer. Flotation devices designed to be towed by open
			 water swimmers may be allowed in areas where designated by the
			 department.
(9) No person may use
			 or offer for use any equipment, tools, toys, novelty items, snorkels or other
			 such items within a DCR designated swimming area when the use of said items may
			 pose a significant health or safety risk to the user, to bystanders or to any
			 other user within the designated swimming area.
(10) No person or pet, horse, or domesticated
			 animal under a person's custody may enter a sensitive beach habitat posted as
			 restricted.
(11) Pets, horses, and
			 other domesticated animals are not allowed on coastal beaches or in designated
			 swimming areas of inland beaches from May 1st
			 through September 15th each year, unless otherwise
			 posted.
(12) No person may change
			 or allow the changing of any clothing or diapers in or around a DCR designated
			 swimming area except in designated changing locations. All diapers or other
			 similar waste materials shall be disposed of properly in designated
			 receptacles.
(13) No person may
			 utilize a surf board, skim board or boogie board for any purpose within the
			 boundaries of a designated swimming area of a beach without first obtaining
			 permission from DCR personnel.