Marion is a small town located in southeastern Massachusetts. It is one of a number of communities that are connected by water, all of which are located in Buzzards Bay. Marion is a town which captures the essence and heart of New England. The streets in the village section of Marion are lined with houses that are reminiscent of a time long since past. The New England charm of tree lined streets and white picket fences is evident throughout the village. There is still a General Store in the center of the village and the Post Office is directly across the street. Marion is also home to Tabor Academy, a well-known preparatory school. The picture perfect campus spreads out across the center of the town. Marion's harbor is listed on the charts as Sippican Harbor. It is one of the prettiest harbors in Buzzards Bay. In the summer the harbor is filled with boats of every size. Buzzards Bay is a is a boater's paradise. It is known for its southwest winds that kick up a blow almost every afternoon. Any fog that may appear in the morning usually burns off to a haze, or clears in the afternoon. Nearby local harbors include New Bedford, Fairhaven, Cuttyhunk Island, Padanaram (South Dartmouth), Mattapoisett, Wareham, Onset, Monument Beach (Phinney's Harbor), Red Brook Harbor, Megansett, Quissett and Hadley Harbor.

Sippican Harbor
Marion's harbor is listed on the charts as Sippican Harbor... Home to the world famous Marion-to-Bermuda Yacht Race sponsored by the Beverly Yacht Club. It's one of the best all-around harbors on Buzzards Bay and can be easily entered under sail. The entrance to Marion Harbor is lined with large elegant summer homes and estates. It's a busy, bustling harbor on the week-ends, with moorings as far as the eye can see... (There are close to 750 moorings in this harbor, and most of them belong to sailboats) And the village is picture-perfect quintessiential New England.

Approaches
Sippican Harbor, in Marion, Massachusetts, is easily accessible while cruising Buzzards Bay. At red lighted can #2 at Centerboard Shoal, proceed on a course of 345 degrees magnetic, leaving green cans #3, #5 and #7 to port. This will bring you to red can #8 at Ram Island, Marion, the entrance to Sippican Harbor. The inner channel is well marked, with green cans #9, #11 and #13, and the town also has marker buoys guiding you in.

Cormier is named new harbormaster

MARION - (10/05/05) The selectmen last night named a new harbormaster, retired Marion police sergeant and assistant harbormaster Michael H. Cormier. The town received more than 40 applications for the position, all of them screened by the Marine Resources Commission and the town administrator. "The number of qualified people who applied was nothing short of amazing," said Selectman Jonathan F. Henry. The selectmen said they chose Mr. Cormier because of his outstanding references and his ability to follow through on tasks. His salary was not made available last night. "Mr. Cormier had a landslide of public support, from citizens to boat people to the police," Mr. Henry added.

The other two finalists were Daniel Warncke, a Bourne assistant harbormaster, and Isaac Perry, Marion's shellfish officer. Mr. Perry intended to remain in his position even though he did not receive the harbormaster job, Mr. Dolan said. Mr. Cormier, a Mattapoisett resident, served on the Marion police force for 18 years. He retired in late June because he wanted to pursue a marine-related career, he said. He is an assistant foreman at Barden's Boatyard. Mr. Cormier said he has always wanted the harbormaster position. "My uncle was an interim harbormaster in New Bedford. I really enjoy being around boats." Among other duties, the harbormaster's job includes overseeing the harbor and moorings, and the environmental conditions of Marion waters; patrolling the waters; and preparing the department budget.

The previous harbormaster, Charles J. Bradley, stepped down in mid-July during Marion's hectic boating season. He cited Town Hall politics as the reason for his departure. Mr. Bradley worked for more than 20 years as a Marion police officer, call firefighter and harbormaster, earning $52,000 as harbormaster. The selectmen appointed former Assistant Harbormaster John A. Potito as interim harbormaster in late July. He will stay an additional two to four weeks to help