Appointed by the Select Board, the Harbormaster is aided by Assistant Harbor masters, whom he appoints. The Harbormaster is primarily responsible for the overall safety and well-being of 81 miles of Dartmouth coastline.
The Harbormaster oversees and manages the use of Padanaram Harbor. He assigns mooring space for boats. One-hundred fifty of the moorings are owned by the Concordia Boat Company and approximately eight-hundred fifty moorings are privately owned.
The Harbormaster keeps the harbor clear of obstructions. He oversees the placing and maintenance of buoys, some channel markers and speed signs. He is in charge of the Arthur F. Dias Town Boat Landing at Apponagansett Point and assists the United State Coast Guard in case of an emergency or rescue situation.