By KATIE BUSSE
July 1999: Longer days, fresh green landscapes, and blooming flowers remind us that winter is a thing of the past. That means it’s time to hoist the sails, start the motors, and get those paddles ready as boating season is here.
| |
Area Boat Pump-Out Services
(Please call or radio before attempting to use one of these facilities.)
Gloucester
Cape Ann Marina*:
Phone: 978-283-3293
Radio Channel: 9
Newbury
Riverfront Marina
Phone: 978-465-6090
Radio Channel: 9
Newburyport
City Dock*
Cashman Park
Phone: 978-462-3746
Radio Channel: 9, 12
Rockport
Rockport Harbor*:
Phone: 978-546-6786
Radio Channel: 9
Rowley
Rowley River*:
Phone: 978-948-2081
Radio Channel: 9
Perley’s Marina
Phone: 978-948-2812
Radio Channel: 9
Salisbury
Cove Marina*:
Phone: 978-462-4998
Radio Channel: 10
For more information, see the Massachusetts Coastal Zone Management (MCZM) Web site: www.magnet.state.ma/czm
|
Views of the Great Marsh form while boating in the maze of rivers, tidal creeks, and estuaries. Protected from the pounding Atlantic surf by the barrier beaches of Plum Island and Crane Beach, these waters provide some of the hottest recreational areas on the North Shore.
As the seasons change and boaters head to the water’s edge, our coastal towns also gain new summer character. By the time schools get out in June, the boating season really starts picking up. The increased traffic on Route 133, activity at marinas and boat landings, the hum of distant motors, and sails on the horizon remind us how important boating is to the regional economy.
Traffic Signals
As the fleet of powerboats, fishing vessels, river cruises, sailboats, kayaks, and canoes hit the water, the role of local harbormasters becomes essential. These local officials have the responsibility to mark the river, put out floats, issue permits, respond to trouble and safety situations, and carry out law enforcement.
Bill Dimento has been the Rowley Harbormaster for 20 years and says that “Plum Island Sound and North Shore boating have been one of the best kept secrets.” Maybe not for long... in the past five years, he has seen at least a 30% increase in the number of boat owners. With these increases come environmental impacts of trash, human waste, and chemical pollutants such as engine oil, carbon monoxide, and anti-fouling paint.
Boaters know how important clean coastal waters are. Unfortunately, boat sewage threatens water quality in many embayments such as Plum Island Sound. Bacteria from sewage causes human health problems, which means that shellfish beds and beaches must be closed when these bacteria are detected in high concentrations. The Massachusetts Coastal Zone Management office (MCZM) states that, “Boaters can help reduce one source of sewage by joining the pump-out revolution.” Pump-out facilities draw sewage out of boat holding tanks for proper disposal.
Two years ago, the Town of Rowley applied for and received a pump-out facility. This vessel is staffed full-time on weekends and is on call during the week. “We must encourage people to use and do the right thing by increasing awareness about pump-out facilities,” DiMento says. Without proper waste management, the U.S. Coast Guard and local harbormasters enforce legal requirements and penalties. The good news is that recreational boaters can have their holding tanks pumped out for little or no cost.
Touring the Waters
With the rise in ecotourism in recent years, local cruise and guide companies have become more popular in the Great Marsh. The expanse of tidal creeks, Plum Island Sound, and Essex Bay provide countless peaceful and serene places to explore by kayak or canoe - especially in midweek when much of the boat traffic slows down.
The Essex River Basin Adventures (978-768-ERBA) is in its sixth season of providing a variety of guided sea kayak tours for all levels of ability. This is another great way to get on the water and see the diversity of estuaries, islands, wildlife, and beaches in the Great Marsh.
The Agawam Boat Charters (978-768-1114) and Essex River Cruises (978-768-6981) are two companies based in Essex that offer another way for groups to see the natural beauty and wildlife while learning some of the area’s history. The Sachem and Essex River Queen are boats able to accommodate larger groups to cruise many Great Marsh locations, including Crane Beach, Crane Wildlife Refuge, and Choate Island.
On these trips you might see Great blue herons stalking through the marsh grass, Snowy egrets, Cormorants perched on dock pilings, or a rare visit from the Glossy ibis. “There are enough nooks, crannies and estuaries to make 30 trips a week without repeating a single route,” says Ted Marshall, Captain of the Sachem.
