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Merrimack River News

25 Jun 2019

Lowell Police Takes Delivery of new RIBCRAFT

Photo courtesy of  RIBCRAFT

Located on the Merrimack River in Massachusetts, the Lowell Police Department recently took delivery of a new RIBCRAFT 5.85 for patrol and enforcement duties as well as search and rescue operations. The new RIBCRAFT increases the departments on-water presence and visibility and greatly expands their response capabilities on an increasingly busy stretch of water with good public access, a large beach, collegiate rowing clubs and boathouses, and growing weekend recreational boating activity.RIBCRAFT worked with the department to build a boat that meets their diverse operational requirements.

06 Nov 2015

Lobster Boat Catches Fire off Massachusetts

Lobster boat Dawn Breaker ablaze near Ipswich, Mass. (Photo: U.S. Coast Guard)

Emergency personnel are responding to a 28-foot lobster boat ablaze near Ipswich, Mass., Friday, the U.S. Coast Guard reported. The lobster boat’s operator hailed Coast Guard watchstanders at about 9:30 a.m. stating his boat Dawn Breaker was on fire and he was abandoning ship after attempting to put out the fire with a portable fire extinguisher. The man donned his immersion suit, gave his exact location from his portable VHF radio and jumped from the burning boat into the water, taking with him his personal locator beacon. He was picked up by a nearby vessel in less than 15 minutes. U.S.

02 May 2015

USCG Warns Mariners of Shoaling in Merrimack River

The Coast Guard is urging mariners to use extreme caution while transiting the Merrimack River entrance due to significant shifting and shoaling between the #2 red and #3 green buoys. Several recent accidents and near misses on the narrow, heavily congested portion of the Merrimack River have created a major safety concern. To help ensure the public has a safe and pleasurable boating experience, the Coast Guard, Massachusetts Environmental Police, Newburyport Harbormaster, and the Coast Guard Auxiliary will be conducting safety patrols on the Merrimack River bar, focusing on the river mouth. "Our first priority is the safety of the boating public," said Senior Chief Petty Officer Mark Dilenge, officer in charge of Coast Guard Station Merrimack River in Newburyport, Massachusetts.

17 Nov 2008

Barge Collides with Bridge

The Coast Guard is investigating what caused a 250-foot barge to strike the Amesbury Swing Bridge in the Merrimack River around 12 p.m. on Nov. 13. Coast Guard Sector Boston received a call at approximately 11: 50 a.m., reporting the barge William Breckenridge hit the Swing Bridge, which connects Newburyport to Amesbury, as it transited through the channel near Deer Island. No injuries or pollution have been reported. The Massachusetts State Highway Department is inspecting the extent of the damage to the bridge. The bridge is currently in the open position and is closed to automobile traffic. Marine traffic is being redirected south to the Chain/Hines Bridge. "We take these reports seriously and investigate them quickly," said Lt.

17 Aug 1999

New Contract for Preservation Shipyard

Preservation Shipyard in Newburyport, Mass., has been awarded a contract by Shannon Development of Naples, Fla. for construction of Keewaydin, a 40-ft. USCG-certified yacht capable of carrying up to 25 passengers. The design for Keewaydin was a collaboration between Thomas Cavanaugh, president of the shipyard, Shannon's marine manager, Nick Lile, and Karl Stambaugh of Chesapeake Marine Design. The yacht will be constructed over the next 12 months at the company's facility on the Merrimack River in Newburyport Harbor. Vessel Specifications Length, o.a.: 39.9 ft. Beam: 14 ft. Draft: 2.8 ft. Displacement: 29,000 lbs. Power: Cummins 6B5.9-M, 115 hp; Clutch, Twin Disc MG5011, 2.44:1 Gen set: Northern Lights, 8 kW, sound-shielded Drive system: Aqua-Drive