The new water taxi service in Onset Harbor is in its last stages of completion, according to Harbormaster Garry Buckminster. The water taxi, or boat launch, will transport boaters to and from their anchored or moored boats.

"We're running out of dock space on the Pier. This is providing a safe transit for people to come into shore, come into town," Buckminster said at fall Town Meeting last October when the boat launch was approved. He said some boaters will turn away when they cannot find a place to moor or dock their vessel or will simply anchor overnight and leave. "We're trying to get people to come here," he said.

Selectmen unanimously approved the launch regulations and user fees for the service on Tuesday night. Boaters will pay a $3 fee for each one-way trip.

Town Administrator Derek Sullivan thanked Buckminster for the time and effort he put into this initiative.

"We're asking department heads to think outside the box and he's being very entrepreneurial," Sullivan said. "It's bringing more revenue into the town and the businesses in the Onset area."

Buckminster said his office has been contacted by the city of New Bedford, who are trying to set up a similar service based on the set up in Wareham.

"People are starting to say some things that I don't think we often hear, (such as) 'We need to do what Wareham's doing,'" Sullivan said.