Unregistered moorings will go unguarded no more.

Soon, a new deputy harbormaster will begin enforcing mooring regulations in Damariscotta and Newcastle after a decision from the Harbor Committee.

While the towns already have a registration policy in place, Damariscotta Town Manager Matt Lutkus said enforcement has been an issue in the past.

Currently, it costs non-residents $30 to register a mooring while residents only have to pay $20.

“It's really important that people register their moorings, because it can become a safety concern,” Lutkus said.

More than anything else, an unregistered mooring is an unsafe mooring, Lutkus said.

“With the currents in the river, it's really easy for boats to get turned around, and the concern becomes these moorings that haven't been inspected,” he said.

Some moorings have gone a year without being registered or inspected while some have never been registered, Lutkus said.

The solution for the upcoming year will be Graham Walsh, who has volunteered to be a deputy harbormaster and to enforce the harbor's registration policy.

“We'll see how it goes this year and if it's effective we'll look at paying (Walsh) or giving him a stipend to continue enforcement,” Lutkus said.