ALERT! Anderson Bridge Traffic Pattern Change, Wednesday, May 13.

Please share with your memberships and all guests and visitors to your boathouse, the upcoming change to the rowing traffic pattern at Anderson Bridge.  See the official notification from MassDOT below.

It is unclear what time this change will happen on Wednesday, May 13th, so all boaters are urged to use extreme caution at all times tomorrow.  Just because you can see what the arch situation is does not mean that the boat coming towards you can.  Use your heads, people.

Until further notice, while the Boston Arch is closed, the center arch of Anderson Bridge becomes downstream ONLY.  The Cambridge arch continues to be used as Upstream Only.  Please keep in mind that Powerboaters will continue to use the center arch in both directions.

It is VERY easy to end up in the wrong place when approaching and exiting these arches, so all boaters are urged to use caution and not go through the bridge at pressure.

Please proactively share this information with others on your docks and if you see someone using the center arch as upstream, alert them to the change.  

 

Check out the CRAB website at www.charlesriverallianceofboaters.org

On Tuesday, May 12, 2015 11:13 AM, MassDOT <massDOT@public.govdelivery.com> wrote:

You are subscribed to Charles River Basin Bridges for Massachusetts Department of Transportation. Massachusetts Department of Transportation MARINE ADVISORY   For Immediate Release: Tuesday, May 12, 2015     BOSTON-CAMBRIDGE: ANDERSON MEMORIAL BRIDGE – UPCOMING CHANGES TO BRIDGE ARCHES   Effective Wednesday, May 13th,  the Boston arch of the Anderson Memorial Bridge over the Charles River will be closed and the Cambridge arch and the center arch will remain open for boat channel passage.   This navigational change is necessary for MassDOT's contractor to work on the west side of the bridge.  During the work, the easterly sidewalk and one vehicular travel lane in both directions will remain open.   For more information, visit MassDOT at our website: www.mass.gov/massdot  blog: http://blog.mass.gov/transportation/, or follow MassDOT on twitter at https://twitter.com/MassDOT   and Facebook at www.facebook.com/massdotinfo.                                                                                                                                                      ##### Title VI Notice of Nondiscrimination: MassDOT complies with Title VI of the Civil Rights Act of 1964 and related federal and state statutes and regulations. It is the policy of MassDOT to ensure that no person or group of persons shall on the grounds of Title VI protected categories, including race, color, national origin, or under additional federal and state protected categories including sex, age, disability, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, religion, creed, ancestry, veteran's status (including Vietnam-era veterans), or background, be excluded from participation in, be denied the benefits of, or be otherwise subjected to discrimination under any program or activity administered by MassDOT. To request additional information about this commitment, or to file a complaint under Title VI or a related nondiscrimination provision, please contact MassDOT's Title VI Specialist by phone at (857) 368-8580, TTY at (857) 368-8580, fax (857) 368-0602 or by e-mail at MASSDOT.CivilRights@dot.state.ma.us.   If information is needed in another language, please contact the MassDOT Title VI Specialist by phone at (857) 368-8580.   Caso esta informação seja necessária em outro idioma, favor contar o Especialista em Título VI do MassDOT pelo fone 857-368-8580. Si necesita información en otro lenguaje, favor contactar al especialista de MassDOT del Título VI al 857-368-8580. 如果需要使用其它语言了解信息，请联系马萨诸塞州交通部（MassDOT）《民权法》第六章专职人员，电话 857-368-8580。 如果需要使用其它語言了解信息，請聯系馬薩諸塞州交通部（MassDOT）《民權法》第六章專職人員，電話 857-368-8580。   Questions?   Contact Us STAY CONNECTED:   SUBSCRIBER SERVICES: Manage Preferences  |  Unsubscribe All  |  Subscription Help This email was sent to kategalway@yahoo.com using GovDelivery, on behalf of the: Massachusetts Department of Transportation · 10 Park Plaza, Suite 4160 · Boston, MA 02116 877-623-6846

Fw: But wait! There's more! (CRAB) This Weekend and Next Week on the Charles

Saturday, May 2, 2014

7:30AM to 9AM, Harvard v NU on the 2k course (Longfellow to BU Bridges).

 

 

 

 

Check out the CRAB website at www.charlesriverallianceofboaters.org

On Thursday, April 30, 2015 9:59 AM, CRAB via CRAB <CRAB@groupspaces.com> wrote:

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CRAB Please share the upcoming schedule with your memberships o Friday, April 30, 2015 3:30PM Belmont Hill/BUA Lower Boats in the Powerhouse (Weeks Bridge to Magazine Beach) Saturday, May 1, 2015 3:00PM BB&N v Middlesex in the Powerhouse, boys fours 4:30PM  Brookline v. Boston Latin, in the Powerhouse, Varsity Girls, novice boys and girs Sunday, May 2, 2015 10AM - 2PM, RowBoston v. Sommerville Scrimmage, on the CRI course, straightaway above the No. Beacon St. Bridge. Wednesday, May 6, 2015 4pm to 6pm, Cake Race- RowBoston v. CRLS on the CRI course above the No. Beacon St. Bridge. Traffic Pattern Notes and Needs-to-Know.  Work on Weeks Bridge is underway, involving work at water level on barges.  Currently work is ongoing in the Cambridge arch.  All boaters are reminded to use caution around this bridge and coaches and power boaters are asked to throw minimum wake. Work on Longfellow Bridge is ongoing and has many moving parts at the water level.  Several barges can be in use at any time and accessibility of arches changes.  Boaters are cautioned to avoid under the Longfellow at all and are asked to turn before the bridge.  Powerboaters should use extreme caution when and throw as little wake as possible when traveling under this bridge. The Union Lane continues to be an issue.  By way of background, this lane exists to assist UBC rowers and others, travel safely up the Basin.  The Union Lane is along the Boston shore and extends from the cut in the islands in front of Union, to the finish line of the 2k course where they cross over to meet usual traffic.  The Union lane is in effect at all times, but if frequently used by rowers avoiding crossing the basin in bad weather or to avoid heavy sail boat traffic.  All downstream traveling rowers are asked to stay a minimum of 2-eights-and-a-launch's width out from shore, and be sure to use ONLY the Mass Ave Bridge arches that are 4 to the left and 4 to the right of the lighted platform.  This leaves a dead arch for no travel and 2 upstream arches for Union Lane travel. The MIT Lane extends from the MIT docks to the finish line of the 2k course.  MIT uses this lane to travel to and from their docks.  Rowers using the race course need to exercise care to ensure that they are outside of the MIT lane in that last 500 meters. Find out more at www . CharlesRiverAllianceofBoater s . org

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Fw: (CRAB) This Weekend and Next Week on the Charles

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CRAB Please share the upcoming schedule with your memberships o Friday, April 30, 2015 3:30PM Belmont Hill/BUA Lower Boats in the Powerhouse (Weeks Bridge to Magazine Beach) Saturday, May 1, 2015 3:00PM BB&N v Middlesex in the Powerhouse, boys fours 4:30PM  Brookline v. Boston Latin, in the Powerhouse, Varsity Girls, novice boys and girs Sunday, May 2, 2015 10AM - 2PM, RowBoston v. Sommerville Scrimmage, on the CRI course, straightaway above the No. Beacon St. Bridge. Wednesday, May 6, 2015 4pm to 6pm, Cake Race- RowBoston v. CRLS on the CRI course above the No. Beacon St. Bridge. Traffic Pattern Notes and Needs-to-Know.  Work on Weeks Bridge is underway, involving work at water level on barges.  Currently work is ongoing in the Cambridge arch.  All boaters are reminded to use caution around this bridge and coaches and power boaters are asked to throw minimum wake. Work on Longfellow Bridge is ongoing and has many moving parts at the water level.  Several barges can be in use at any time and accessibility of arches changes.  Boaters are cautioned to avoid under the Longfellow at all and are asked to turn before the bridge.  Powerboaters should use extreme caution when and throw as little wake as possible when traveling under this bridge. The Union Lane continues to be an issue.  By way of background, this lane exists to assist UBC rowers and others, travel safely up the Basin.  The Union Lane is along the Boston shore and extends from the cut in the islands in front of Union, to the finish line of the 2k course where they cross over to meet usual traffic.  The Union lane is in effect at all times, but if frequently used by rowers avoiding crossing the basin in bad weather or to avoid heavy sail boat traffic.  All downstream traveling rowers are asked to stay a minimum of 2-eights-and-a-launch's width out from shore, and be sure to use ONLY the Mass Ave Bridge arches that are 4 to the left and 4 to the right of the lighted platform.  This leaves a dead arch for no travel and 2 upstream arches for Union Lane travel. The MIT Lane extends from the MIT docks to the finish line of the 2k course.  MIT uses this lane to travel to and from their docks.  Rowers using the race course need to exercise care to ensure that they are outside of the MIT lane in that last 500 meters. Find out more at www . CharlesRiverAllianceofBoater s . org

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Fw: (CRAB) More information on Weeks Bridge work -

 

 

 

 

Check out the CRAB website at www.charlesriverallianceofboaters.org

On Tuesday, April 28, 2015 3:17 PM, CRAB via CRAB <CRAB@groupspaces.com> wrote:

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CRAB The good people at the dcr sent along the following information (with my edits).  Keep your eyes open as changes are coming quickly in this phase. In-water work on the Weeks Bridge starts today, Tuesday, April 28, in the Cambridge Arch from a barge beneath the span.  Work is expected to occur between 6AM and 3PM, Monday through Friday.  During off hours the barge will be parked out of the usual traffic lanes on the Cambridge shore. Over the next three weeks, work will move into the center span and the Boston span.  Information will be sent before this occurs.  Note: Boston arch closure requires a traffic pattern change for rowers so keep your eyes open for these alerts. Rowers are asked to be mindful of barges in the span and while moving into place.  Please use caution around the bridge at all times while this work is ongoing. Powerboaters and coaches are asked to avoid the span being worked on, and mind your wake!  No wake speed is needed for safety of the workers, and exercise caution around the bridge during work.  Please also look out for rowers.

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Fw: (CRAB) Urgent Alert, Weeks Bridge work, including arch closures starting tuesday, April 28.

 

 

 

 

Check out the CRAB website at www.charlesriverallianceofboaters.org

On Monday, April 27, 2015 10:19 AM, CRAB via CRAB <CRAB@groupspaces.com> wrote:

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CRAB All, Please alert your memberships. Be advised that the good folks at the dcr let us know that work will commense on Weeks Bridge starting tomorrow.  The Cambridge arch will be closed as part of this phase of work.  This results in no change to the traffic pattern though Powerboaters should be aware that rowers only have the center arch as an option when rowing upstream.  Rowers are reminded that powerboaters appropriately use the center arch of Weeks (and most) bridges bidirectionaly in accordance with Coast Guard regulations and to follow the channel in the river.  All boaters should use caution.

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This weekend on the Charles - the first foot!

Hello Sports Fans,

Exciting action this weekend with the Women's Foot of the Charles!  This is a great spectator event so come on down!

Saturday, November 15, 2013

Women's Foot of the Charles

The first race - Varsity 4+s - is going off at 9:45 AM, with the Novice 8+ and Varsity 8+ events following at 10:45 and 11 AM.  

The race course begins at Riverside Boat Club, and ends at the Head of the Charles finish line, upstream of the canoe and kayak stand, near Artesani Park.  Boats launch from all college boathouses and some clubs.  This is the first novice race of the year so expect a little erratic steering during warmup and racing.  

Tuesday Charles river sampling

Hi Boaters

Tomorrow morning at 6AM there will be sampling going on. Samples are taken from many of the bridges. Keep an eye out for lines and voices from the bridges. Go to crwa.org for more info.

Aleks

Anderson Bridge Arch closures change again Cambridge closed

Hi Boaters

As of now the barge at Anderson and its associated boom have been moved to the Cambridge Arch. It is supposed to stay this way for at least a week. 

Rowers use the Head of the Charles course. Center arch upstream and Boston arch downstream. Powerboats usually use the center arch. Approach the area with caution.

Be safe, enjoy the autumn foliage,

Aleks

**Important** center arch closed at Anderson as of now

Hi Boaters

We got word that the arch switch at Anderson bridge did happen this morning. 

Right now the Cambridge arch is open. There is a motor boat that the contractors use docked close to shore upstream of the bridge, Cambridge side. Be careful of that when making the turn.

Center arch is blocked with the barge.

Boston arch is open but narrow. The boom is drifting into the arch. Not sure if it will be adjusted today so be aware of it. Especially if it is dark. If it is still blocking the arch we will contact DOT.

We asked that the lights on the boom and barge be checked so hopefully it will be well lit as the sun goes down. If it isn't, someone please contact me. 

Logically the rowing traffic pattern should revert to Cambridge arch going upstream and Boston arch going downstream.

Power boats be aware that the side arches have less draft and height clearance than the center arch. Proceed with caution.

I saw the float that is to be used for the Weeks footbridge being assembled today. Keep an eye out for it. It is parked on the Cambridge shore.

Aleks 

Attention!! Anderson Barrel (arch) Closures to change Monday

Hi Boaters

See the notice below about upcoming changes to the arch closures at Anderson bridge. FYI, barrels=arches to many of us.

Please be aware that the changes are not instantaneous. Meaning there will be equipment and barges at large as things are getting moved around. This will require your increased situational awareness in the vicinity of the bridge. Simplified, this means look closely where you are going and what is moving toward you. 

Also be aware that construction timelines are subject to change. Due to the uncertain nature of rehab work it is always possible that there will be a delay. 

As more information becomes available Ill forward it.

Be Safe,

Aleks

---------- Forwarded message ----------
From: Boundy, Stephanie (DOT)

MassDOT's contractor plans on switching barrels in the river on Monday, November 4, 2013 and will close the center barrel closed for approximately 3 days.

They will then  switch again on Thursday, November 7, 2013,  to have the middle barrel and the Boston barrel open and the Cambridge side barrel closed.  If you need any additional information, please do not hesitate to reach out to me.

Thanks for getting the word out!

Best,

-Stephanie

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Stephanie E. Boundy| Government & Community Affairs| MassDOT

Fw: [CRAB] This Weekend on the Charles including a Sox/Duckboat tour?

OK sports fans, Events on the Charles this weekend include:

SATURDAY

The Armada Cup (2xs) and Peanut Butter Cup (1xs) Regattas. Costumed, mass start race from Mass Ave. Bridge to Riverside Boat Club. Doubles start at 7:45AM, singles start at 8:00AM. All non-combatants are asked to clear the course

RED SOX?

If twitter is to believed, the 10AM Duck Boat rolling rally for the WORLD CHAMPION RED SOX!!!!!! will take a dip in the Charles at some point. Be warned, it will not only screw up traffic on the roads and bridges along the river, we might see an increase in boating visitors in the lower basin possibly up to Mass Ave if history serves - and some might come off the power boat ramp too. Advice to rowers: get your work done early.

Anderson and Weeks work starting Monday Oct 21

Hi Boaters,

Work will resume in the Boston Arch of Anderson bridge Monday 21 October. This means the boom will be deployed and the barge will be back in the arch. It will be as it was two weeks ago. 

For rowers this means upstream traffic only through the Cambridge arch, downstream traffic only through the center arch. 

On Tuesday work will begin on the Weeks footbridge. This is the bridge downstream of Anderson bridge.

Some more particulars are:

·         Work is planned to begin on Tue22oct2013 as stated below

·         The barge to be used will be a series of EZ Docks approximately 10' X 20' total

·         The barge will have only about 6-inches of freeboard (fairly low to the water)

·         The intention is to store the barge on the Cambridge side of the Basin when it's not in use

·         Mon-Fri 7am-3pm the barge is expected to be beneath the Cambridge-side span: boaters are asked to avoid this span during this time

·         Placement of silt booms under the Boston and Cambridge-side arches near the shore is required, rowers are asked to be mindful of these booms to avoid catching oars on them

Please communicate the above to any potentially interested boaters.

have a safe weekend, good luck Head of the Charles racers!

Aleks

[CRAB] This weekend on the Charles

This weekend on the Charles, a scrimmage and a regatta this weekend to be aware of.  Please adjust your schedules to work around these events.

SATURDAY, OCT 12
7AM, RBC Head of the Kevin scrimmage on the Head of the Charles course (BU Boathouse to 10 strokes past the wooden bridge at Herter Park).  Should have a fair number of boats so non-participants should give a good amount of time (like half an hour or more) before arriving at the start line to do your piece.  If you are not part of this through an official channel, please don't jump in and screw up the timing.

SUNDAY, OCT 13
11AM-1PM, Head of the Quinebequin, USRowing registered regatta for Youth Scullers (under 19 years old to 11 years old) sponsored by CRI, CBC, RBC, and UBC from Eliot Bridge to N. Beacon ST Bridge.  Scullers will be launching from CRI, NU, and RBC to assemble between Anderson and CBC for the Start around 11:45AM.  First boat starts at 12PM, last crew to cross the finish line about 1PM.  All scullers will return to CRI.
In the interest of safety, hometown clubs and colleges are asked to have their visitors finish any Head of the Charles course practice work by 11AM to clear the way for this regatta.
State Police will be stationed  near the public boat launching ramp/CRI and opposite Riverside Boat Club for Safety and to caution all river users to wait or proceed only with extreme caution if absolutely necessary.

And yet, ANOTHER note of caution to the rowing world as the barges have been cleared from the Anderson Bridge repair zone.  Although all three arches are open, please exercise extreme caution when navigating Anderson Bridge.  The starboard most lanes are the safest for traffic.  Crews have already been seen travelling both directions through the center arch – this isn't the time to practice the Head of the Charles course to a T. Just because you are doing a Head of the Charles timed piece does NOT mean that Head of the Charles rules are in effect.  Pass to port, not necessarily for the shortest line. Be safe out there - keep an eye out for motorized traffic using the center arch both ways as well as visiting crews which are not paying attention.  Host clubs and colleges, please make sure your guests know the rules of the river,

CRAB fine print and legalese.... CRAB is not the boss of you. We cannot tell you what to do. We offer information that we believe to be true in a good faith effort to improve awareness, communication and boating safety. And we do this because we believe that the boaters of the Charles River want a safe boating environment for all. This is not an official document from CRAB, it is informational only.

__,_._,___

[CRAB] All three arches at Anderson are now open

Hi Boaters

We just got word that all three arches at Anderson bridge are now open through the Head of the Charles. The race is October 19-20th. After that things will probably change.

There are people who may not get the word or will just plain forget that it is open. They may head downstream through the center arch. Rowers, I recommend keep using the Cambridge arch heading upstream for practice. Use the Boston shore arch downstream. 

Worried about your race day navigation points? You can still locate them if you use the shore arch. Look at an aerial view map, to have the fastest line toward the big Cambridge BC turn you get pretty close to shore right after Anderson. If you are pointing at Newell for any significant amount of time your race will be longer.

Big thank you to the Mass DOT for making sure the arches will be open for the Head of the Charles.

Stay safe,

Aleks  

IMPORTANT ALERT! Please read. Anderson Bridge Traffic Pattern alert.

The State has informed us that all three spans of the Anderson Bridge will open for Regatta week, by the end of work on Friday.  Which means, all three spans should be open for rowing on Saturday morning.

As soon as all three spans are open, the ROWING traffic pattern will revert to the standard traffic pattern as written below:

Anderson: In each direction, crews and scullers shall use the right-hand arch. The center arch is for upstream crews and scullers only to avoid boats launching from Weld Boathouse.

Power boats will continue, as always, to use the center arch bi-directionally.  

Please be sure that the Boston arch is, in fact, open before reverting to the standard traffic pattern and please continue to use caution in this area.  Also, if you see rowers continuing to use the Center Arch as a downstream arch, please take the initiative to kindly correct them immediately.

Work will continue on Anderson bridge immediately following the regatta, so expect an arch closure on Monday morning.  We believe that the Cambridge Arch will close, but be on your toes in case things go differently.

 And as an aside, the third Head of the Kevin will take place bright and early Saturday morning (off the line at 7AM). Race organizers will check out the course prior to the event but... the right hand arch is the safest.

CRAB fine print and legalese.... CRAB is not the boss of you. We cannot tell you what to do. We offer information that we believe to be true in a good faith effort to improve awareness, communication and boating safety. And we do this because we believe that the boaters of the Charles River want a safe boating environment for all. This is not an official document from CRAB, it is informational only. 

This weekend on the Charles...and other stuff

Hello Sports Fans, a few scrimmages this weekend to be aware of. Please adjust your schedules to work around these events. SATURDAY 7AM, CBC/UBC scrimmage on the Head of the Charles course (BU Boathouse to 10 strokes past the wooden bridge at Herter Park). Should have a fair number of boats so non-participants should give a good amount of time (like half an hour or more) before arriving at the start line to do your piece. If you are not part of this through an official channel, please don't jump in and screw up the timing. 9AM, BU v. BC fours scrimmage on the Head of the Charles course (BU Boathouse to 10 strokes past the wooden bridge at Herter Park). Not sure of numbers, but again, give them a wide berth. and yet, ANOTHER note of caution to the rowing world Just because you are doing a Head of the Charles timed piece does NOT mean that Head of the Charles rules are in effect. It does not matter if the quicker line on the Magazine Beach turn or from Weeks to Anderson is to pass on the right - you are supposed to pass on the left. And, even if you are doing a timed piece, you can't just run over the slower boat in front of you at Anderson where there is only one arch with an obstruction on the upstream side. I won't go into the details of a sculler taking refuge in front of the abutment (to the center of passing boats), but we need to do better than we have been. Yesterday, several clubs were involved in not giving way for overtaking boats on the big turn. When one boat does not want to give way, and the next boat sticks their bow inside to get the inside of turn, that equals 2 boats way on the wrong side of the river. Seriously people, just give way. Or, if a boat is really being a jerk and doesn't give way, and you stick your bow to the inside to take the inside of the turn, at least have the decency to shove the other boat (and yourself) back over to the right side of the river. Bottom line. Please refresh your memory of the sculler impaled by an eight, detailed in the attached New England Journal of Medicine article and be sure to get a good look at the photos - and then act accordingly. CRAB fine print and legalese.... CRAB is not the boss of you. We cannot tell you what to do. We offer information that we believe to be true in a good faith effort to improve awareness, communication and boating safety. And we do this because we believe that the boaters of the Charles River want a safe boating environment for all. This is not an official document from CRAB, it is informational only.

Union Boat Club Stake Race, Saturday, Sept. 14 at 7:30AM

Please alert your memberships to the following event taking place Saturday, Sept. 14 at 7:30AM. Please avoid the race course outllined below, and use caution if in the area. Union Boat Club stake race, Start from the Union Boat Club Lagoon - race directly across the basin towards memorial drive - turn around a stake and head towards Mass Ave Bridge, make another turn before Mass Ave around another stake, and race home to a finishing dock just outside the UBC lagoon. The turns will be marked and we will have extra launches to guide rowers. CRAB fine print and legalese.... CRAB is not the boss of you. We cannot tell you what to do. We offer information that we believe to be true in a good faith effort to improve awareness, communication and boating safety. And we do this because we believe that the boaters of the Charles River want a safe boating environment for all. This is not an official document from CRAB, it is informational only.

Anderson Bridge ALERT, traffic pattern changes coming.

See the note from Mass DOT below regarding changes to the arch closure at Anderson Bridge. We'll have to do some adjustments through the fall as they plan on Monday, Sept 16 to open Boston and close the center for a week. On Monday, Sept 23, they plan to open the Center and close Cambridge. Note the use of the word 'approximately', so please keep your eyes open in case these changes happen a little early, or a little late. and finally, the ever evolving CRAB fine print and legalese.... CRAB is not the boss of you. We cannot tell you what to do. We offer information that we believe to be true in a good faith effort to improve awareness, communication and boating safety. And we do this because we believe that the boaters of the Charles River want a safe boating environment for all. This is not an official document from CRAB, it is informational only. ----- Forwarded Message ----- Sent: Tuesday, September 10, 2013 8:49 AM Subject: Anderson Bridge barrel move MassDOT’s contractor plans on switching barrels in the river on Monday, September 16, 2013, to have the middle barrel closed for approximately one week and the Boston and Cambridge side open. At this time they plan on switching again on Monday, Sept. 23, 2013, to have the middle barrel and the Boston barrel open and the Cambridge side barrel closed. ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Longfellow Bridge work, NOTICE from dcr.

Boaters, This week the joint venture White, Skanska, Consigli (WSC) is scheduled to be working in the water in the vicinity of the Longfellow Bridge. Specifically, barges will be beneath span 5 and span 7 (the spans immediately on either side of the “salt and pepper” towers). Next week it is planned that the navigation channel will be relocated to span 5 (the span immediately on the Boston side of the “salt and pepper” towers on the Boston-side of the Bridge). At that time the usual navigation channel between the “salt and pepper” towers is scheduled to be closed to navigation for several months. Additionally, there will be continued frequent barge activity in the vicinity of the Longfellow Bridge. Mariners should exercise heightened care in the area. Please convey the above information to any and all interested parties. Thank you. William A. Gode-von Aesch, Director Flood Control Management and Navigational Operations Section Bureau of Engineering Department of Conservation and Recreation Charles River Dam 250 Warren Avenue Charlestown, MA 02129

Dave the Date for the Head of the.....Q!

Save the Date! Sunday, October 13th at Noon, for the first of its kind Head of the Quinobequin youth single sculls regatta, hosted by Cambridge Boat Club, Community Rowing, Riverside Boat Club and Union Boat Club. The course is short, from Eliot Bridge to North Beacon St. Bridge. Launching will take place from a few locations along the river, but all land based staging, including post-race celebration and awards ceremony will take place at Community Rowing, Inc. The on-water window is short, 11:30AM to 1:30PM, and a large number of safety launches managing the course and starting area. Please adjust your boating plans accordingly to accomodate this event. Registration and information for the limited number of entries for this innaugural year available on Regatta Central starting Tuesday. Special thanks to the Head of the Charles Regatta, Charles River Canoe and Kayak, Newton and Watertown Yacht Clubs and Northeastern U. for being gracious and supportive neighbors and for their help and input in making this (on-their-doorstep) event possible.

Traffic Pattern Changes and Bridge Construction update.

Please share this information with your memberships and anyone else who may be interested. It is that time if year again, starting this Monday on Labor Day, when the standard use of the River and Western Ave bridges changes for the rowing community. See the excerpt from the traffic pattern document below. Please be sure that you know and understand this traffic pattern, and row accordingly. Power boaters will continue to use the center arches in both directions. (*) Powerhouse Stretch / Western Ave. and River Street Bridges: This area is used heavily by crews racing side-by-side, for high school and club races, and seat racing. Racing crews and scullers have right of way in this stretch. All crews and scullers, upstream and downstream, must use the right-hand arches of both bridges, going single file if not racing. The center arches are two-way to accommodate racing, with one boat in the right-hand arch, and the other to the right-hand side of the center arch. (*) Racing crews and scullers are only allowed to use the center arches if the right hand arches are concurrently used, and preferably with a coach. From Labor Day through Thanksgiving, from 5 am until 1 pm, the center arches of Western and River street bridges are upstream only, to accommodate crews and scullers training for the Head of the Charles regatta. In the afternoon, the center arches resume being bi-directional. Anderson The Boston arch remains closed and will be for some weeks. We are working with the State (DOT in this case) to try to get an idea of how many more weeks, as this is head race season, and we will have many visitors to the river over the next 2 months. You will know more when we know more. But in the meantime, the center arch remains a downstream arch only for the rowing community. upstream traffic should continue to use the Cambridge arch. Powerboaters will continue to use the center arch in both directions. we have 2 requests for all rowing clubs and programs: please be sure to share this information with your members and ask them to follow the recommended traffic pattern. Please be sure to alert persons requesting launch access from your club, to row the Head of the Charles course, of this situation and ask for their compliance as well. Since the race course uses that arch as THE racing arch in an upstream direction, and because most boats swing wide to Boston to get a good line on this arch, this presents significant opportunity for collision. It may be wise to recommend to anyone requesting launch access to practice the course, that they wait until the Boston arch is open. Please take every opportunity to be sure that all visitors are aware of this situation. Be advised that it is possible that visitors will launch for sites other than boathouses and may not be aware of the change in traffic pattern. In particular, people who wet-launch from Magazine Beach may not even be aware that the Boston arch is closed. Everyone should use caution when using the center arch of Anderson bridge. All three arches will be open for the Head of the Charles Regatta. Weeks Several boaters have attended the Weeks meetings to advocate to the State (dcr in this case) that the Charles River remains safe and accessible for boating throughout construction. We are awaiting word on the start date of work and order of arch closings. When we know more, you'll know more. Longfellow Currently, the Cambridge side spans of the Bridge are closed, but that is slated to change September 2, according to the advisory sent by the State. Rowers are encouraged to turn before the bridge. When we know more, you'll know more. and finally, the ever evolving CRAB fine print and legalese.... CRAB is not the boss of you. We cannot tell you what to do. We offer information that we believe to be true in a good faith effort to improve awareness, communication and boating safety. And we do this because we believe that the boaters of the Charles River want a safe boating environment for all. This is not an official document from CRAB, it is informational only.

Charles River Cleanup Boat update

Charles River Clean Up Boat Update 13 - 3 It's been a wonderful year on the Charles. The Spring was rainy and it upset our schedule for a while, but by the end of June we were right on track The 4th of July was a great party and a credit to the City and all the people and organizations involved in putting it on. For the Clean Up Boat it is always a day we need to prepare for. This year, in an effort to get some new donors, we worked to get some publicity. Anne Benaquist worked hard to get articles in the Cambridge and Newton Tabs. The Metrowest Daily News wrote a nice article on the Clean Up Boat. But nary a donation materialized from these efforts. Peter DeMarco wrote an article in the Globe when we were starting (9 years ago) and it generate a number of donations that got us going. Since this was our 10th year he agreed to do another story, only if I guaranteed that there would be trash. The first time he came, we went all day and got very little trash. So I set it up for him to come right after the 4th, and we did not disappoint him. Since a number of our supporters did not see the article, I have attached a copy. By the way, David Solomon was the crew for that day, and the article included a nice picture of him. Unfortunately my crude efforts to get electronic copies of the article and attach it, resulted in the loss of that photo. My apologies. The volunteers have been wonderful. Always on time. Always cheerful, enthusiastic and hard working. Our schedule was basically full in late July and we have had only a rare cancellation. We are doing a great job. Last Friday, Bob Gaffney, a 10 year veteran captain of the Clean Up Boat, reported he had never seen the river so clean. Our combined efforts have kept the river clean, for so long, that people assume it is always clean. No so, but our efforts have made it so. As always take a few moments and enjoy this unique asset that we have right in the middle of our metropolitan area. Also, enjoy the attached Globe Article, It is about you, as it takes all of us to make it a reality.

DCR Boating Advisory - Longfellow Bridge, Cambridge side, closed to boating traffic

Boating Advisory: Closure of Cambridge Side of Longfellow Bridge to Vessel Traffic WHAT: Beginning, Monday August 26, 2013, The Department of Conservation and Recreation (DCR) will restrict vessel traffic on the Cambridge side of the Longfellow Bridge. This restriction is to help facilitate the Massachusetts Department of Transportation’s (MassDOT) work on Spans 7 through 10 of the Longfellow Bridge. During this time, vessels will still be able to travel the Boston side of the Longfellow Bridge. WHEN: Monday, August 26, through Monday, September 2, 2013 WHERE: Longfellow Bridge, Cambridge