The Pope’s Island Marina in New Bedford, Massachusetts, has been cited for decades of mismanagement following an investigation by the Office of the Inspector General (OIG). The probe was initiated after complaints were submitted to the agency’s fraud hotline, prompting a review of the marina’s operations and the agreement between the Department of Conservation & Recreation (DCR) and the New Bedford Port Authority (NBPA).
The marina was established under a 1992 legislative measure directing the state to lease waters off downtown New Bedford to NBPA for the construction, operation and maintenance of a marina and recreational space. Instead of formalising the lease as required, DCR and NBPA operated under special use permits between 1994 and 2005.
These permits included an unsigned lease that outlined rent payments, expense reporting and a capital repair account. From 2005 onwards, two separate memorandums of understanding governed marina operations. The OIG found that neither agency consistently followed the terms of these agreements.
In a letter dated 18 November 2025, Inspector General Jeffrey Shapiro presented findings highlighting oversight issues involving both agencies. Shapiro mentioned: “Incomplete records and poor practices suggest DCR did not receive all the rent revenue due from the NBPA,” and expressed concerns about DCR’s ability to handle future lease agreements.
The investigation also revealed that both DCR and NBPA had limited documentation of annual rent payments between 1994 and 2015. In addition, $190,000 USD intended for capital repairs could not be accounted for.
The OIG reported that DCR did not collect contracted slip fee percentages, permitted NBPA to apply unsupported credits against payments and did not ensure required marina repairs were completed. Shapiro emphasised: “The Pope’s Island Marina and the revenue generated are public resources, and the maintenance of the marina is critical to maintaining this important public resource. As such, it must be operated in a clear, transparent and responsible manner.”
He further opposed NBPA’s proposal for DCR to transfer ownership of the marina and expressed doubts about DCR’s capacity to meet the requirements of a 2024 law mandating a new lease procurement process. The OIG is seeking legislative action to resolve the existing lease issues and to clarify ownership questions regarding the properties that make up the marina complex.
Pope’s Island Marina is situated on the south side of Pope’s Island in Historic New Bedford Harbor. The marina currently offers 200 slips, including both transient and seasonal options, and provides basic docking services such as water, electricity and pump-out facilities.
Images courtesy of Pope’s Island Marina.
