NEW ENGLAND DISTRICT

News Stories

Cape Cod Canal Co-Sponsors Local Water Safety Day

USACE, New England District
Published Sept. 22, 2017
People fishing along the Cape Cod Canal.

Massachusetts Marine Fisheries held a fish clinic where children 16 and under learned how to bait a hook and cast a line into the Canal during the Water Safety Day, June 24, 2017.

Child dunking ranger in Ranger Dunk Tank

The Ranger Dunk Tank was a popular activity during the Cape Cod Canal Water Safety Day, June 24, 2017.

Park Ranger and family with life jackets.

Samantha Gray and friends pose for pictures during the Water Safety Event on June 24, 2017.

The Cape Cod Canal and the U.S. Coast Guard teamed up for the 12th annual Cape Cod Canal Boating and Water Safety Day, June 24, outside the Cape Cod Canal Visitor’s Center.  “Water recreation activities are certainly fun, but unfortunately, drowning is the nation’s second leading cause of accidental deaths,” said Park Ranger Samantha Gray.  “At the Cape Cod Canal we have about three  million visitors annually.  Many of our visitors engage in water-based recreational pursuits at the canal and surrounding areas such as swimming, boating and fishing.”

Despite sporadic downpours and the occasional roll of thunder, about 100 people participated in the event.  Many of the activities were moved indoors because of the rain. 

However, once the weather cooperated, the highlight of the day, the Dunk-A-Ranger Tank, attracted many participants who had to learn about personal flotation devices (PFDs) before dunking the ranger.   “Participants had to find a life jacket that was a proper fit for their size and a specified activity/scenario,” said Gray.  “They were able to select from a table full of PFDs that were different types and sizes, plus some that were not life jackets – like a swimming noodle or ring.  Once they found the proper fit, they were given a chance to dunk the Ranger.  Participants were also given the option to answer water safety-related trivia for another chance to dunk the Ranger.”

New England waters can get cold and the Canal team wanted to educate the public on that subject as well. 

“We had a table focused on the threats of hypothermia in our local waters,” said Gray.  “It included an activity that tested and compared participants’ fine motor skills in warm and cold water scenarios.”

Other activities included a Marine Stewardship game, “Ocean Clean Up” where participants had to remove trash from the ocean, played by a kiddie pool.  “The other activity was a matching game, where participants had to match an item to the correct biodegradation time,” said Gray. The U.S. Coast Guard had a damage Control Cart setup which simulates different emergency boating situations, according to Gray. 

“Activities were also set up to educate the public about safe paddling,” she said.  “The Coast Guard had vessels docked in the Sandwich Marina and were open for tours.”

The U.S. Coast Guard Auxiliary conducted tours of the Coast Guard Station and performed complimentary vessel safety checks at the Sandwich Marina boat ramp and docks.

Other agencies participated in the Water Safety Day as well.  Massachusetts Marine Fisheries held a fish clinic where children 16 and under learned how to bait a hook and cast a line into the Canal. 

“The other focus of the fishing activity was to foster responsible recreation by following rules and regulations such as size and catch links, and disposing of fish line and other trash properly,” said Gray.

The American Red Cross  offered a Learn to Swim exhibit and a "Reach, Row, Throw, Don't Go" activity.

Team members who made this event possible were Gray, Park Rangers Elisa Carey, Kyle Henderson, Daniel Grippo, Emily Moynihan as well as patrol boat operator Susan McDonald and Nate Barrett-Millar.


The Pawcatuck River Coastal Storm Risk Management Feasibility Study

   This proposed plan is presented  to facilitate public involvement in the review and commenting on the remedy selection process for the Nantucket Memorial Airport (NMA) Formerly Used Defense Site (FUDS.) 
    The Army Corps of Engineers is proposing a No Action under the Comprehensive Environmental Response, Compensation, and Liability Act for the Munitions Response Site-1, Project Number D01MA049901 at NMA located on Nantucket Island, MA.  The proposal was prepared using the Guide to Preparing Superfund Proposed Plans, Records of Decision, and Other Remedy Selection Decision Documents (USEPA, 1999).
    The final decision for NMA Site-1 site will be made after reviewing and considering all information submitted during the public comment period. The proposed decision may be modified based on new information or public comments. The public is encouraged to review and comment on the proposed plan.
    The FUDS program addresses the potential explosives safety, health, and environmental issues resulting from past munitions use at former defense sites under the Department of Defense (DoD) Military Munitions Response Program, established by the U.S. Congress under the Defense Environmental Restoration Program.  
    FUDS only applies to properties that transferred from DoD before October 17, 1986 and the first priority of USACE is the protection of human health, safety, and the environment. 
    The Army is the executive agent for the FUDS Program, and USACE is the lead agency for investigation/reporting and remedial decision-making at this munitions site with regulatory support provided by the Massachusetts Department of Environmental Protection (MassDEP).


Updated: 05 December 2016