Massachusetts Environmental Police News

The Coast Guard and partner agencies located the missing barge, Dredge 200, Wednesday after it capsized and sank earlier this week in Broad Sound approximately two miles southeast of Nahant.The barge's location was confirmed by a contracted company using multi-beam sonar just north of the North Channel, the major shipping lane into Boston Harbor, in approximately 100-feet of water.Close coordination with the Boston Harbor Pilots was crucial to ensure maritime commerce impacts…

A water taxi collided with a sailboat on a mooring ball Thursday afternoon near Long Wharf in Boston Harbor.Only one minor injury was reported, and the patient was treated and released at the scene.A U.S. Coast Guard Station Boston rescue crew along with the Boston Fire Department, Boston Police Department, and Massachusetts Environmental Police all responded to the scene at around 5 p.m.The water taxi had one operator and seven passengers. One passenger sustained a minor injury to his nose and was treated at the scene.

The Boston Harbor Cruises' Majesty ran aground in Boston Harbor on Saturday. All 137 passengers were unharmed and transferred to the Asteria, another Boston Harbor Cruises vessel, according to the U.S. Coast Guard. One couple's wedding reception was going aboard as the boat turned into disaster when their vessel ran aground. New husband Jamie Stern  said the guests were just finishing dinner around 7 pm when the celebration came to a halt as the ship neared Georges Island. The 113-foot Boston Harbor Cruises ship will be inspected by Coast Guard marine inspectors and investigation officers. The ship did not appear to have been damaged Saturday when it ran aground near Georges Island about 7 p.m., the Coast Guard said.

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.

U.S. companies continue to land lucrative contracts with domestic and foreign customers for vessels that are designed or specially customized to meet defense, police and anti-piracy needs. Governments here and abroad, meanwhile, continue to cut budgets. Many of the security craft to be delivered this year are built to save energy, reduce emissions and reach higher speeds and greater cruising ranges than their predecessors. They have the latest tracking and communications systems. And a few new vessels are remotely operated.

Volvo Penta allows operators to save on fuel, cut emissions and most importantly – get the job done, in a wide array of conditions and mission sets. Volvo Penta of the Americas is delivering fuel efficiency, reducing emissions and raising performance as it powers U.S. and Canadian vessels with modern diesel engines, Jens Bering, product management head of the Virginia-based operation said last month. The company, a supplier of marine and industrial engines, is part of Volvo Group in Stockholm, Sweden.

Thomas Paine, the new 50-ft. aluminum patrol boat that joined the Massachusetts Environmental Police fleet in July, is the first commercial vessel in North America to be powered by Volvo Penta IPS propulsion. Built by Metal Craft Marine Inc., the new vessel is equipped with twin Volvo Penta D11 510hp marine diesel engines driving IPS650 steerable drive units. Power Products, the Volvo Penta Power Center in New England, was responsible for supplying the propulsion system and overseeing installation.

Maritime security and law enforcement experts are gathering in Boston this week to better understand maritime domain awareness and the challenges of port, waterway and coastal security, environmental protection, safety and law enforcement. One big lesson learned is that everything is just a little more challenging on the water. A number of law enforcement agencies from the New England area are attending and participating that have specific duties and functions associated with the maritime environment…

Coast Guard Cutter Jefferson Island secures Rowes Wharf on July 27, 2004 during the Democratic National Convention, in Boston. The Coast Guard, Boston State Police, Massachusettes State Police, and Massachusetts Environmental Police are providing waterborne security. Photo by PO Mike Lutz/ USCG Handout