New England Sailing Venues?

Rick486 · Apr 19, 2020

Similar kinds of angst over on the Vineyard also. This is the M/V Times.

Sinking: The Steamship Authority - The Martha's Vineyard Times

Updated 12:22 pm, Saturday* The Steamship Authority’s finances are so dire that the ferry line cannot operate beyond the end of May without “urgent financial assistance” from the commonwealth, a Friday press release states. In a letter to Governor Charlie Baker Thursday that was copied to...

www.mvtimes.com

It seems that the Steamship Authority is about to go bankrupt, which would remove any ferry service to the Vineyard.

Rick486 · Apr 19, 2020

And of course, Newport Harbor
boats, marinas

By Sean Flynn
Daily News staff writer

Posted Apr 12, 2020 at 11:45 AM

NEWPORT – The boating industry continues to operate in the state, but under strict COVID-19 related restrictions outlined by the state Department of Environmental Management as a result of an executive order by Gov. Gina Raimondo.
“Rhode Island municipalities are responsible for enforcing any quarantine order by the governor on vessels within their jurisdiction,” said Gail Mastrati, DEM spokesperson. “DEM does not have a role in this.”
Usually, it is up to city and town councils to appoint a “sentinel.” Under state of emergency powers, City Manager Joseph J. Nicholson Jr. appointed Harbormaster Tim Mills as Newport’s sentinel.
The crew and passengers in any boat coming from out-of-state must quarantine on the vessel here for 14 days and must wave a quarantine flag known as the “International Maritime Signal Flag L-Lima.”
For a ship docked in a harbor the flag means, “The ship is quarantined,” while at sea it says, “You should stop your vessel instantly,” according to online information.

Don S/V ILLusion · Apr 19, 2020

Rick486 said:
Similar kinds of angst over on the Vineyard also. This is the M/V Times.

Sinking: The Steamship Authority - The Martha's Vineyard Times

Updated 12:22 pm, Saturday* The Steamship Authority’s finances are so dire that the ferry line cannot operate beyond the end of May without “urgent financial assistance” from the commonwealth, a Friday press release states. In a letter to Governor Charlie Baker Thursday that was copied to...

www.mvtimes.com

It seems that the Steamship Authority is about to go bankrupt, which would remove any ferry service to the Vineyard.

It’s a state owned entity. I think they are playing fast and loose with that claim.

PaulK · Apr 19, 2020

Don S/V ILLusion said:
It’s a state owned entity. I think they are playing fast and loose with that claim.

The Steamship Authority probably has an annual budget it’s not allowed to exceed and it depends upon revenues from passengers & vehicles (cash flow) to keep the wheels greased. No passengers = no revenue for payroll or fuel = using up their entire budget (which had perhaps been slotted for long-term maintenance) by May. NYC mass transit is having the same problem, and likely Boston and other cities too. Will crews work the ferries if they’re not getting paid/can't be paid? Will the crews get laid off and apply for unemployment (which the State pays)? Would it make sense to spend some state revenue to keep the ferries and other mass transit systems going so people can get to work again and the economy can get back on track? The letter from the Steamship Authority is giving advance notice to the government so that it can make an informed decision about keeping things running and not be surprised when May comes around. Seems to make sense.

Brian D · Apr 19, 2020

For those of you in NY, NJ, or CT, marinas and boatyards got the go ahead to open. (Note: I did not read the article so I do not know the extent of the openings)

N.Y., N.J., Connecticut reopen marinas amid calls to kick-start economies

Strict social distancing and sanitization protocol must be followed, the states' governors said.

www.nbcnews.com

jssailem · Apr 19, 2020

Rick486 said:
The crew and passengers in any boat coming from out-of-state must quarantine on the vessel here for 14 days and must wave a quarantine flag known as the “International Maritime Signal Flag L-Lima.”

Signal Flag L-Lima.

Signal Flag Q - Quebec International Meaning: Ship meets health regs; request clearance into port.

Application. You make the request for clearance by flying the flag. Then you wait til you get it.
The Q flag sends the request to the Harbor Master/Customs. You wait in “Quarantine“ until clearance is approved.

Not sure why they are having you fly the Lima Flag. It means Navy & International Meaning: You should stop your vessel immediately. That is usually a message from authorities to a skipper.

TomY · Apr 19, 2020

PaulK said:
The Steamship Authority probably has an annual budget it’s not allowed to exceed and it depends upon revenues from passengers & vehicles (cash flow) to keep the wheels greased. No passengers = no revenue for payroll or fuel = using up their entire budget (which had perhaps been slotted for long-term maintenance) by May. NYC mass transit is having the same problem, and likely Boston and other cities too. Will crews work the ferries if they’re not getting paid/can't be paid? Will the crews get laid off and apply for unemployment (which the State pays)? Would it make sense to spend some state revenue to keep the ferries and other mass transit systems going so people can get to work again and the economy can get back on track? The letter from the Steamship Authority is giving advance notice to the government so that it can make an informed decision about keeping things running and not be surprised when May comes around. Seems to make sense.

Same thing here on the coast of Maine. The ferry's have no riders - no fares, as the locals are staying put and there are no tourists arriving, no housing, no restaurants, no nothing.

Ours are state-run and so far have just cut back trips weeks ago but the lack of revenue is bound to come to the forefront soon. Supply trucks are the main riders and they are few.

Islanders are used to sorting out their supply chains (which come mostly by ferry) so not many of them are traveling to the mainland.

TomY · Apr 20, 2020

Here's an article that reports the local resistance to visitors to most of the islands we mentioned, and many more.

‘Turn Around, Go Back’: Summer Islands Don’t Want Coronavirus, or You (Published 2020)

With few medical resources to fight the virus, residents of the island havens east of New York City have fiercely protected their secluded hometowns.

www.nytimes.com

Will Gilmore · Apr 20, 2020

Kings Gambit said:
That is, can a business be “open” and refuse service to all non-residents anchored in the harbor?

The quarantine practices are a good idea for these areas, but there is only so much economic sacrifice, as well as social sacrifice we can make. There are already protests being held against the lockdown orders and there are even protests against the protests.

It sounds good to go into quarantine for extended periods to stave off this pandemic, but I don't believe most people have the economics or social endurance to stay the course for multiple months. At some point, people are just going to go back to their normal lives with only the few germaphobic practices of hand washing, carrying sanitizer or having a stock of masks in your cabinet as the lasting memory of this event.

-Will (Dragonfly)

azambella · May 7, 2020

Additional nods to, Menemsha, Hadley Harbor, Cuttyhunk, Places like these are why we cruise....

azambella · Oct 8, 2020

Hadley Harbor very nice. A must do if in the area. Buzzards Bay / Vinyard sound.

Super quiet during week. A bit busy on prime time weekends...

Bob S · Oct 13, 2020

Hadley's is a special place! Great place to explore on a paddle board or in your dinghy but be careful of currents running under the bridges.