Mattapoisett hauled its new Fire Boat out of the water, as the Southcoast anticipated the arrival of Isaias, which by Monday night had been upgraded back to hurricane status. Both Marion and Mattapoisett issued strong cautions for boat owners on Tuesday, the day the eastern-most wing of the storm was expected to touch the area.
Mattapoisett Harbormaster Jamie McIntosh reported to The Wanderer that the town was taking a “cautious approach,” having removed its floating dock from the Barstow Pier as a safety precaution.
According to McIntosh, most boat owners in Mattapoisett harbor have just been putting extra line from their boat to the moorings to give their vessels a wider scope. But as of late morning Tuesday, there had been no mass haul-out, although a few have opted to remove their boats from the water.
Donna Hemphill, administrative assistant to the Marion Harbormaster’s office, said that Island Wharf floats will remain in place, but that the town has encouraged boat owners to check on their vessels and make sure they are properly fendered. Owners of kayaks and skiffs are advised to make sure their vessels are secured in racks.
Hemphill spoke on Tuesday morning with Marion Harbormaster Isaac Perry, who indicated that there has been some activity from boaters seeking to remove or secure their boats.
On Saturday, August 8, at 11:00 am, Mattapoisett will be part of a security escort assisting the Army Corps and the Coast Guard as the Mayflower makes its way through the Cape Cod Canal on its way from Newport, Rhode Island, back to Plymouth. McIntosh said heavy recreational boating makes it important that there’s strong presence to ensure recreational boaters don’t get too close and that the Mayflower can make safe passage.
For more information on emergency plans in Marion, visit facebook.com/marionma1852.
By Mick Colageo and Marilou Newell