Community Boat Slips

All vessels docked in Western Shores community slips are required to be registered in the POA Boat Directory.

Western Shores Dock Rules Updated July 23, 2024

WESTERN SHORES DOCK RULES

Authority: The Western Shores Property Owners Association has the sole responsibility for the management and assignment of docks use privileges.
Liability: The Association, its members and Board of Directors assume no responsibility for loss through fire, theft, collision, or other damage to boats/watercrafts, their contents, other boats/watercrafts, and structures in the area set aside for the community dock. Additionally, the Association assumes no responsibility for personal injury or death to the owner, his/her crew, family, or guests anywhere on the premises or docks, whether due to negligence of the Association, its members, and its Board of Directors. This provision, and the regulations and limitations contained herein also apply to vehicles of the boat/watercraft and those of other family or guests.
Courtesy Docks: Dock slips are "Courtesy" dock slips. Therefore, no slip is guaranteed. If a slip is empty at any time, any property owner has the right to temporary access to the POAs courtesy slips that are not in use. Placing your boat in a courtesy slip does not guarantee that slip for any future use or for the boating season.
Dockage for Members and Guests Only: Only property owners in “good standing” of the Association and their Guests are authorized to dock their boats/watercrafts at the community dock. No other individuals are permitted to utilize the dock and its facilities. The boats/watercrafts of authorized Association Members and their guests must register their boats/watercraft on the POA website and have a current registration with an appropriate State or Coast Guard. Any boat not registered with the POA and have a current registration with the appropriate state or Coast Guard may be fined $20 per day, secured, or towed at the owners expense.
Dock Cleanliness: No waste cans, paper, debris, or other refuse are to be left at the dock or dock area or thrown into the lake. Removal of trash from the premises is the responsibility of the boat/watercraft owner or guest.
Glass Containers: No glass containers or bottles of any kind are permitted on the docks, dock areas, launch ramp, or parking area.
Dogs: All dogs shall be kept on leashes and not left unattended. The Owner is responsible for ensuring that the docks, walkways, and immediate areas surrounding them are not used by pets for soiling. Owners are responsible for cleanup of any “accidents” immediately.
Disturbances: Facility users shall not create visual or noise nuisances. Loud parties, inappropriate conduct or other disturbances are not permitted.
Boat Size Limitation: All boat/watercraft must not exceed a maximum beam of 8 ½ feet or a length of 28 feet including motor and decks. Boats which exceed the maximum length may load and unload at the dock only and may not be moored at the dock or left unattended for any length of time.
Electrical Devices: Use of electrical cords and electrical devices are prohibited on the docks. No electrical hookup is provided, and no method of temporary power supply may be utilized unless approved by the Board of Directors.
“Live Aboards”: Members and guests are not permitted to live aboard any boat/watercraft or to sleep overnight while a vessel is moored or in the immediate area of the dock, nor may any pets be left aboard.
Wake: Boat/watercraft owners and operators must minimize speed and wake while entering and exiting the dock areas so as to do no harm to the docks or other boats/watercrafts.
Dock Lines: Dock (moor) lines shall be of sufficient size (no less than 3/8” nylon or equivalent) and be properly utilized so as to secure a boat/watercraft at the dock in a manner that will not cause damage to either the dock or nearby boats/watercrafts. Mooring lines should be tied in such a manner as to protect adjacent boats/watercrafts.
No Smoking: No smoking is allowed anywhere on the docks.
Fires: No fire of any kind, including fire contained in a charcoal burner, is permitted on the dock or on a boat/watercraft while the boat/watercraft is moored at the dock.
Explosives: No fireworks or other explosives are permitted on boats/watercrafts or on the dock at any time.
Fueling: No storage of portable gas containers may be kept on the dock. Property owners and guest are expected to take all necessary precautions to eliminate spillage into the waterway.
Swimming: No swimming is allowed in the area of the docks or launch ramp, nor is jumping from the dock or dock walkway into the water permitted. This is a boating area only!
Supervision of children: No child under 16 years of age shall be on the dock unsupervised. An adult must be present when the dock and dock related facilities or vehicles are being used by youth under age 16. No boat/watercraft operators under the age of 16 may utilize the dock.
Fishing from the dock: Fishing from the dock is permitted for members and supervised guests. Fishing must not interfere with boats arriving or departing the dock.
Fish Cleaning: Fish cleaning is not allowed at the dock or ramp areas.
Dock Boxes: No dock boxes, lockers, storage containers, or boarding steps of any kind may be left on the dock.
Dock Closure: The Association Board reserves the right to close the dock for repairs, emergency conditions, or other circumstances as deemed necessary.
Dock Uses: Owners shall use the dock, parking facilities, and launch ramp for reasonable and typical boating/water-crafting activities. Owners shall keep the dock area clear of all gear, tackle, and other obstructions, and agree to properly dispose of waste or trash (including treated or untreated sewage from heads or holding tanks). There is no discharging of the bilge in the docking area.
Relocation: The Association reserves the right to move an unattended boat/watercraft when required or when a boat/watercraft is in violation of these rules in a manner which negatively impacts other homeowners. The Association shall make every effort to provide appropriate and reasonable notice to the boat/watercraft Owner of its intent to move a boat/watercraft. If the boat/watercraft is not moved by the end of the notice period, the Association may have the boat/watercraft removed, and the costs associated with such a removal and subsequent storage shall be at the offending Owner’s sole expense. Boat/watercraft owners shall hold the Association, its members and Directors safe and harmless from any and all liability, injury, loss or damage caused by relocation.
Emergency Permission: In an emergency, non-owners may utilize the dock, though the non-owner boat/watercraft should be removed as soon as possible.
Severe Weather: To the fullest extent possible, it shall be the responsibility of each Owner to ensure that their boat/watercraft is properly secured at the dock when severe weather threatens the area. Please check on your Boat/Watercraft after a storm. Boat/watercraft owners will be held responsible for any damage caused by their boat/watercraft.
Vehicle Parking: Automobile or UTV/golf cart parking is limited to one owner vehicle and one vehicle for guest(s). Parking is allowed in designated areas only. Vehicles from non-residents or guests may be towed at the owners expense.
Trailer Parking: Trailer parking is allowed at the designated areas only from 5:00 AM to 10:00 PM. Trailers may not be parked on the road, roadside, common property areas, or launch ramp area at any time or may be subject to being towed at the owners expense.
Life Jackets: Use of life jackets is urged for infants, children, and non-swimmers while on the docks.
Damage: Any dock structure or appurtenances damaged or destroyed by negligence or improper use shall be replaced at the offending Owner’s expense.
Dock Alteration: No alterations, additions, or installation is permitted to any dock area. No one may build, store, construct, or attach anything to the dock including, but not limited to, mooring whips, cleats, fenders, or ladders.
Rule Adherence: Violation of the dock rules shall be grounds for suspension of usage. The Association Board may terminate dock privileges of an Owner for abuse or neglect in abiding by these Rules in whole or in part.
Guests and Visitors: It is the responsibility of the Owner to inform guests of the dock regulations and ensure compliance to notify the Board via wskypoa.com of the vessel registration and number of days a guest boat will be using the Western Shores Courtesy Slips. All Owners are responsible for their own and guests’ conduct. No guest will be permitted to cause a disturbance. Common sense and courtesy to fellow homeowners and dock users are expected.
Etiquette: All dockers should be mindful of other boats/watercrafts using the dock.
Assessments: The Association Board reserves the right to issue an assessment in an amount to be specified to any Member whose violation of these rules results in costs to the Association. This action may be taken in addition to suspension of dock usage privileges.