Harbor Islands News

Coastal flooding disasters have occurred periodically through history often followed by construction of flood defenses to help ensure it does not happen again. One of the most well known was the 1953 North Sea Flood in the Netherlands when a storm surge occurred on top of astronomical high tides causing thousands of deaths, property and economic damages. The Dutch and UK reacted and increased construction of sea defenses including storm surge barriers, such as the Delta Works and River Thames barriers.

Alison Nolan is General Manager and a fourth-generation owner of Boston Harbor Cruises (BHC), a company that moves more than 2.5 million passengers annually on its fleet of 60 vessels with more than 600 daily departures seven ports and more than 30 facilities. But the story of BHC and Alison Nolan transcends raw numbers; as the company and passenger vessel industry are in her DNA, more of a lifestyle than a career. She spoke with Maritime Reporter & Engineering News recently to address the rewards and challenges inherent in her position.

The Greater Boston Chamber of Commerce has named passenger vessels operator Boston Harbor Cruises (BHC) as the 2015 Small Business of the Year Awards top honoree. The Small Business of the Year Awards recognizes Greater Boston’s smaller for-profit companies, with annual gross revenues of more than $1 million, who display strong financial performance, achievement in management, workplace excellence, product innovation and community and social responsibility. BHC operates a fleet of 48 vessels on a seasonal daily excursion schedule that includes Boston Harbor sightseeing cruises…

A Coast Guard rescue crew, accompanied by two Hull Emergency Medical Services technicians, medically evacuated a 13-year-old male Wednesday at about 7:30 p.m. from Peddocks Island, one of the Boston Harbor Islands. Hull EMS contacted watchstanders at Coast Guard Station Point Allerton at approximately 6 p.m. reporting a camper at Outward Bound Camp was complaining of a possible hernia and needed medical attention. A Coast Guard 47-foot Motor Life Boat crew from the Station immediately launched to assist. The boy was stable and ambulatory when the crew arrived on scene. The Coast Guard rescue boat transferred the boy to Hull, where his care was handed over to Hull EMS.

Vessel traffic on the Intracoastal Waterway near Bal Harbor, Florida is restricted following an incident involving a yacht and the Broad Causeway bridge. Due to the incident, only the bridge's west leaf is able to open. Restrictions on vessel traffic limit movement of large vessels with a width of 40 feet or less as only one half of the bridge is operational. Vessels with a height of less than 16 feet in height can transit as normal. Vessels with a height greater than 16 feet must have a width less than 40 feet to navigate through the waterway. The bridge connects North Miami to Bay Harbor Islands and Bal Harbor. The 161-foot yacht, Rockstar, was being towed by two tug boats Tuesday when the incident occurred.

Plans to commence a $1.1 million project to repair and renovate structures at Boston Light in order to honor the 300-year service and iconic value of Boston Light to the Coast Guard’s maritime heritage have been announced. The project, outlined during a public presentation by lighthouse keeper Sally Snowman, is intended to preserve the structural integrity of the lighthouse tower and surrounding buildings and assists in preparing for the light station’s upcoming tricentennial celebrations in 2016. The ongoing refurbishment plan includes an underground storage tank remediation, a new exterior coating to the lighthouse, new cedar roofs on all structures, new windows in the lighthouse keeper’s quarters, and painting of all structures.

On April 23, 2012, Dr. Stephen M. Coan delivered remarks entitled “The Future of Our Ocean”, part of the Open VISIONS Forum Lecture Series and presented at the Regina A. Quick Center for the Arts, Fairfield University, Fairfield, Conn. Following is the text of his speech. Water sustains life on Earth, and the health of our oceans, lakes, rivers, streams and marshlands, which cover 70% of the planet’s surface, is critically important to global economic and human health. Imagine this vast environment and what it could mean for us if we were able to better harvest food…

Ribcraft, manufacturer of professional grade rigid inflatable boats for law enforcement, safety professionals, and military agencies, announced the delivery of a specialized 30-ft Ribcraft 9.0 dive boat to the City of Boston Fire Department. The mission specific RIB was delivered to the Boston Fire Department's Rescue Dive Team for search and rescue operations. Given the large active harbor with considerable commercial and recreational traffic, countless wharves and marinas, and many harbor islands and recreational areas within the city's jurisdiction…

Keith McClearn has been named as General Manager for Salem Water Taxi in Salem, Mass., one of the area’s mooring rental and launch service providers. McClearn joined Hawthorne Cove Marina in 2006 as General Manager and will continue in that role for the company while talking on the responsibilities of the day to day management of Salem Water Taxi. His responsibilities include strategic planning and project management while overseeing all aspects of the management team. McClearn has more than 21 years of experience in the marine industry.

Island Boats, Inc., New Iberia, La., has been contracted to construct two 65-ft. aluminum catamarans for delivery to a Boston customer. The vessels will be delivered with a USCG SubChapter K Certificate of Inspection for 200 passengers and are being designed by Pete Melvin of Morrelli and Melvin Design, Long Beach, Calif. The vessels will be powered by twin MTU Series 60 main diesels developing 600 hp each and should drive the vessel to a cruising speed of 21 knots fully laden. The vessels will have an enclosed air-conditioned main cabin and open air seating on the upper deck. The vessels will provide daily passenger service to the Boston Harbor Islands and will be available for winter charter at the end of the summer season.

Island Boats, Inc. of New Iberia, La., has been contracted to build two 65 ft. aluminum catamarans for delivery to a Boston customer. The vessels will be delivered with a USCG SubChapter K Certificate of Inspection for 200 passengers and are being designed by Pete Melvin of Morrelli and Melvin Design, Long Beach, Calif. The vessels will be powered by twin MTU Series 60 main diesels developing 600 hp each and should drive the vessel to a cruising speed of 21 knots fully laden. The vessels will have an enclosed air-conditioned main cabin and open air seating on the upper deck. The vessels will provide daily passenger service to the Boston Harbor Islands and will be available for winter charter at the end of the summer season.