Charles River Cleanup Boat News

Charles River Clean Up Boat Update - 12 -1

It's that time again and we are gearing up for our 9 th season of cleaning the floating trash from the Charles.   The schedule for 2012 is posted as a link from the website...cleanupboat.org...  Volunteers are already signing up and May is almost full.  Lesley O'Garro, who signs up the Museum of Science volunteers, has been going great guns.  Now that I have finally got his Update out, I expect many of the other volunteers will sign on this summer for an enjoyable, and productive, day on the boat.

In order to sign up, you go to the calender, pick the days that need crew that coincide with your availability, and call, or Email, the person listed at the top of the calender page.  For years that was Robert Canterbury, with me as a back up.  Robert is unable to do it any more leaving me to sign up the non MoS volunteers.  I could use some help.  I need some one to help enter volunteers on the schedule.  Each entry takes about 2 mins. and can be done on any computer connected to the internet.  The only knowledge required is how to use a PC and the internet.  I can train you in about 10 minutes over the phone.  Anyone who would like to help can call me at: 508-596-4701, or Email at:  cleanupboat @yahoo.com.

The Lisa S is at Russo Marine having new steering installed.  This is the 7th year for this boat.  We have worn out 2 sets of steering and control cables, replaced the motor last year, and are now installing a new helm.  We have gotten a lot of faithful service from this boat.  In addition to the steering the motor will be completely serviced and ready for the season.

This year we are starting on May 12.  This is a little later than normal.  The reasons are two-fold.  One is that the weather tends to be raw and rainy in late April and we end up canceling days.  Also, we now have other boats helping us on opening day, and there are a lot more small boats in the water in early May than late April.

So on May Sat, May 12, I hope many of the boat clubs along the river help us pick up the winters' residual trash.  Individuals, with or without canoes and kayaks, are also welcome.

Nick Pasquarosa is coordinating the effort at the Charles River Yacht Club.  Boats and volunteers can gather there at 8:00 AM for coffee and doughnuts, getting assigned areas and matching volunteers to available boats.  We will start cleaning at 9:00 AM and end at 12:00 noon.  The Charles River Yacht Club will host a pizza and soda lunch for the volunteers.

We invite all of the boating clubs between Watertown and the dam to join us.  You can meet with us at the CRYC, or clean the areas near your facilities.  If you are doing this, please Email  (cleanupboat@yahoo.com) or call (508-596-4701) me, so we don't assign duplicate boats to the same areas.  The Clean Up Boat will bring extra skimmers and dispose of all the collected trash.

Please spread the word.  Feel free to copy this Update and publish copies in your newsletters, or post copies on bulletin boards.  I hope to have enough help to have the river in mid season condition by the end of Saturday, May 12. Usually it takes us about  3 weeks, working alone, to get the river to mid season cleanliness.

Also, if you can't make May 12th, feel free to pick up any floating trash at any time.  It just helps us to keep the river looking cleaner.

It's going to be another wonderful year on the river.  I hope to see you out there soon.

Tom

NU scrimage in the Powerhouse tomorrow.

Charles River users:

The Northeastern women will be racing Columbia and Dartmouth on the race course tomorrow morning from 8-9:15. 

In addition to that schedule we are going to run one scrimmage piece between the 3V 8's from NU and Dartmouth down the powerhouse stretch at 9:20. The plan is to start at the Magazine Beach turn and run a straight shot up through the right hand arch, and right hand side of the center arch with these two crews finishing just short of Weeks. The reason we are doing this on the powerhouse is that our visiting crews do not have a 3V and Dartmouth has graciously agreed to double up 8 of their athletes but don't want them to have to row to the starting line twice tomorrow morning. 

We are not asking for exclusive use of this stretch of the river, only for your awareness that an actual race will be run on that stretch at that time, and to please keep your wake to a minimum, and your blind boats under control. Pleae pass this information on to other coaches and crews in your boathouse. 

Thank you for your consideration. 

Please feel free to contact me with any questions or concerns. 

Cell: 617-908-8535

This Weekend on the Charles

ROWING EVENTS

Saturday

7:30am - 9:30am,  NU V. Dartmouth, Columbia  on the 2k course, Longfellow to BU.

 

1:00pm - 2:30pm,  Brookline V. Boston Latin, Hihgham.  High School course in the Powerhouse, Weeks through River past RBC.

High School eights racing on the power stretch, between Brookline, Boston Latin, and Hingham.  Boats will launch from Riverside Boat Club, and race the 1450m Powerhouse stretch upstream course, starting close to the boston shore across from the old Powerhouse, and racing through the center and Cambridge arches to just below the Weeks Footbridge.

 

Link to the full calendar though the CRAB website at www.charlesriverallianceofboaters.org

Barge ALERTS! More than one bridge.

Please use caution around these bridges during all hours.  And coaches are asked to not wake working barges. 

River St.  A barge is activly working River St. Bridge doing some preliminary work.  Work will continue between the hours of 7am and 3:30pm  until March 29th.  Arches will be closed.  When parked, the barge is tucked in on the downstream side of the Boston abutment.

BU Bridge.  The staging is being removed starting March 20th. The Barge will be moving in and out of arches, and work will continue for a few months.

Anderson Bridge.  The contract to begin work has been signed and Barges will arrive shortly.  Arches will be closed to traffic, possibly for extended time periods.  Expect changes in traffic pattern.

Barge at Anderson update

The barge at Anderson should be leaving soon if it has not already.  DOT will work out the kinks in notifying the boating community about barge arrivals.

Anderson Barge Update

A barge is still working at Anderson, post rowing hours.  It is parking somewhere upriver (anyone know where?)and should not be on the course during the Men's Foot of the Charles Regatta this weekend, and will likely not be moving over the weekend.  That is all conjecture based on their movements this week so keep your eyes open. 

 

We do now know that the barge is doing inspections for the upcoming Anderson Bridge contruction and are tying to get a time table for the work.

Men's Foot this Weekend!

Men's Foot.

Saturday, 7am to 8:30am

Course:  MIT to Newell Boathouses (Mass Ave through and past Anderson, for the non-rowers on the list)

 

Please stay off the course during racing and take special care when crossing the river.

Barge Alert! Anderson Bridge

There is a barge working on Anderson.  We expected some work this winter but this is a bit earlier than expected.  We're working to get more information on what, when, for how long, and where it will be parked.... more info coming shortly.

 

but in the meantime, watch your backs in all arches.

 

as an fyi, there should be a barge arriving at some point to take down some of the framework on the BU bridge.  We're trying to get an idea of when that will arrive, news to follow.

High School Sailing Nat'l Champs to be held at MIT!

Congrats to MIT for hosting the high school sailing national championships in 2012.  The event will utilize the River between Mass Ave and Longfellow Bridges on Friday (practice day), Saturday and Sunday (race days) of Memorial Day weekend - May 25, 26 27. 

 

The rest of the boating community will need to be helpful in controlling their traffic in that segment of the river so as to not interfere with racing.  The event will be posted on the CRAB calendar (http://www.boatboston.org/) and plans will become more clear as the event approaches. 

 

 

Powerhouse traffic pattern!

We've gotten a few notes about boats using the center arches in the Powerhouse (River and Western) as downstream during morning practices.  Please be reminded (and please remind everyone in your boathouse) that the center arches are to be used by boats heading upstream only from 5am to 1pm, until Thanksgiving.

 

The river is still busy and we all need to abide by the agreed upon rules.

Saturday Speed Order Cancelled.

FYI, Saturday's speed order has been cancelled.  I'll remove it from the CRAB calendar at www.boatboston.org

 

The Women's foot will go on as advertised.

Saturday Events on the Charles

WOMEN'S FOOT OF THE CHARLES, RBC to HOCR finish line

 9:45am Varsity 4 event

10:45 am Novice 8 event (the best spectator event EVER, along with the upcoming men's novice event on the 19th)

11:15am  3rd varsity 8 event 

Course:  Riverside to HOCR finish line. 

The warmup area is between the BU Bridge and Riverside Boatclub.  

NOTE:Buoys will be set around the Weeks and Eliot turns.   

 

 

SPEED ORDER, RBC to Arsenal Bridge to RBC.

Date - November 12 - sorry no rain date is available in the river schedule.
Distance- 10 K (roughly)
Time - 12:05 pm (post Women's foot) first single crosses the line. A boat will follow every 15 seconds.
Entry fee -$ 10 per person - all fees will support the RBC Worlds Fund.

Course - From RBC to just below the Arsenal street Bridge. Where you will go around a set of buoys and the return back to RBC.
We will follow the right hand arches on the way up and back except for Weeks and Elliot bridges. Where you will use the center arches on the way upstream.

 
We will have safety launches at weeks/ barge , elliot and the stake turn. 

Charles River Clean Up Boat 2011

Charles River Clean Up Boat Update 11-4

Once again, all the news from the river is good.  2011 was a safe and productive season.  We had no accidents  or injuries.  This is most important, as safety is our number one concern.

As to productivity, we kept the Charles looking very good nearly every day this spring, summer and fall.  We had great weather.  Lots of sunny, comfortable, and dry days.  Sure rain cost us a few days , but the days were spread out and we were able to operate between them.  The Charles River Yacht Club and the Boston Gondola folks helped on the first day and gave us a jump start on getting rid of the winter's accumulation trash and debris.

The 4th of July celebration was wonderful.  The fireworks were world class.  The crowd were large and had a great time. Cleaning up after the party was routine.  We scheduled extra days and even with the barge fire we had the river back to "mid season form" in about 5 days. 

The other great yearly event, the Head  of the Charles Regatta, was spectacular, and they had some fair weather.
 to boot.  More on the HOTCR later.

  The new engine ran perfectly all season.  Mitch and I pulled the Lisa S on the Friday before the Head of the Charles Regatta .We replaced the rear guard, refastened the rubber rub rail and took care of other minor repairs.  Then we took her over to Russo's for winterizing, a complete servicing, shrink wrap, and storage. 

The Lisa S, just finished her 6th season (we used a smaller boat the first 2 years).  We are on our 3rd set of control cables, second motor and will have to replace the worn out helm (steering) this winter.  She gets a great deal of use and has served us well.  We will also install a gas filter/water separator to insure the Ethanol laced gasoline we now have to use, does not give us problems.  Everything to make sure she performs reliably in 2012.

Even the news on funding is good.  Somebody is looking over us.  Actually somebody is always doing a little extra to help.  Here is this year's story.  All year we were behind, I did get on the phone and ask for help, but we were still not whole as of the end of August.   In mid September I get a phone call from Torri Zissman,  Torri is a second grade teacher at the Rashi School in Dedham.  She uses the Charles River as a theme all year long for her students.  They learn of the Indians who lived there, take field trips to net some of the small marine life n the river, and lean about the birds and other wildlife,  etc.  She also covers the issue of taking care of the river, and each May invites Mitch and I to visit her class and talk about the Clean Up Boat.  This year, after the presentation, she asked how we were doing for funding.  I said we needed some publicity.  It had been a number of years since we were on TV or in the newspapers.  Torri and her class nominated us for an award from the Bank of America.  The Bank decided to give us an award, and with it comes a grant of $5,000.  With a few late donations, and one yet to be received promised donation, we will once again be able to pay all our bills for 2011.

By the way, it was Emma, a student in Torri's class, who, about 5 years ago,  told her family and friends not to give her toys for her birthday, but rather make a donation the the Clean Up Boat, as she thought that was more important.  I don't remember the exact amount, but I believe the donations came close to $500.  Emma has also come on the boat as a volunteer.

Speaking of volunteers, as always they were great..  We did  not miss any days for lack of crew.  I did crew one day with Bob, due to a mix up in dates, but we didn't miss any. days.  I met a number of new friends and some I expect will become long term volunteers.

I was along the river during the Head of the Charles Regatta.  Most of the people were looking at the hundreds of shells on the river, while I am looking in the corners by each bridge abutment.  I was limited in where I could go , but I did not see one coffee cup, water bottle or other item of floating trash.  It's a great sight to see all the visitors and rowers.  I confess to a warm feeling of pride knowing all these people had a beautiful river to enjoy.   Each of you should share in that feeling of pride as no one person can clean 7 1/2 miles of river,  four days a week, spring, summer and fall by themselves. 

There are now hundreds of us doing many different things to help keep the Charles beautiful..  By spreading the work, and funding, over many people and organizations, no one person, or organization, has to bear an uncomfortable load.  That may be the reason we continue to be viable and effective.  It is obvious that most people take pride in their surroundings and know an effort has to be made to keep them attractive and enjoyable.   The Charles River is a jewel for all of us to enjoy.  Take a walk along her shores and savor the results of your efforts.  With her coat of colored leaves, she will give you one more enjoyable afternoon before winter sets in.

See you in the spring.

Tom

Barge Update - Weeks Bridge

As of this afternoon, the barge near Weeks Bridge  is no longer in the area.  We're not sure if it will be returning, but we're trying to get more information.  News to follow.

MIT Sailing Pavillion Dock Work

The MIT Sailing Pavilion is having its dock rebuilt and new floating dock system installed. The project started today and will continue for about 5 weeks. While construction is underway, 17 tech dinghies have been strung together and are moored in parallel with with the front face of the dock. We would prefer to moor them in front of the dock instead of along the granite wall to minimize damage if the string breaks. Granite always seems to win out over fiberglass in extended durability tests.

If you feel that the boats are in any way a hazard to navigation, please let me know directly and we will find a solution immediately. Right now they are about 20 yards off the pavilion and in my twenty plus years of experience, I have never seen a crew shell in this close.  They are actually inside the Charles River YC profile.

Feel free to check out our webcams to get a better sense of what is going on in real time. This might be a helpful tool to use to better understand actual breeze and wave conditions in the lower basin on a daily basis. We all know that the weather forecasts are rarely accurate.

http://sailing.mit.edu/webcam.php

Franny Charles
MIT Sailing Master

Jack Wood Sailing Pavilion

3 Ames St.

Cambridge, MA 02142

http://sailing.mit.edu/

Congratulations Charlesgate Yacht Club

Congratulations to the members of the Charlesgate Yacht Club for celebrating their 65th anniversary in October.  Best wishes for continued success.

Weeks Bridge barge update

those of you on the river this morning may have noticed the barge at work by 7am, contrary to the DCR notice.  Today it was working in the center arch, so perhaps they are following the schedule that was passed on.  If this is the case we can expect the barge to block the Boston Arch tomorrow (wednesday), by 7am or possibly earlier.

If at all possible, avoid using this bridge at all tomrrow.  If you must use it, proceed at paddle pressure only, upstream traffic using the Cambridge arch, downstream traffic using the Center arch.  But it would be best if we all turned before the bridge.

Of course, they may not be in the Boston arch tomorrow in which case, usual rules apply.  Obviously this is not a good situation.  Please, use caution in and around this bridge at all times.  When not at work, the barge is mored well down toward Western on the Boston shore, and has very dim lighting.  It is very difficult to see.

We are trying to get it moved over to the Cambridge shore, upstream of Weeks, well over to the side.  But regardless, keep your eyes open for barges parked by shore or under the bridge at all times.  There may also be a launch on the Cambridge shore near the outfall, generally out of the way but still a potential hazard if you are trying to avoid a barge in the center arch.

Weeks Bridge BARGE ALERT

please be reminded that a barge should be working monday 10/31, tuesday 11/1 and wednesday 11/2 on the weeks bridge from 9am to 5pm. 


When not working, THE BARGE IS PARKED ON THE BOSTON SHORE BETWEEN WEEKS AND WESTERN BRIDGES.  This forces downstream traffic into the middle of the river.  UPSTREAM TRAFFIC IS ASKED TO STAY WIDE WHEN APPROACHING WEEKS.

*Monday, they should be in the cambridge arch (no traffic pattern change)
*Tuesday, they should be in the middle arch (all traffic use right hand arches)
*WEDNESDAY,  they should be in the BOSTON ARCH. (UPSTREAM TRAFFIC USE RIGHT HAND ARCH, DOWNSTREAM TRAFFIC USE MIDDLE ARCH)

I do not believe any signage or buoys will be in place.


If at all possible, avoid the Weeks Bridge for the next three days if rowing between 9am to 5pm.  Use caution at all times, in case the schedule does not go as planned and work starts early or arches are worked on in a different order.

One other reminder.  The Union Lane is in effect all the time but is more often used this time of year.  Please be sure that you are more than 2-eights-and-a-launch's width from shore when rowing parallel to the Union Lane and only use the mass ave bridge arches that are 4 to the left and 4 to the right of the lighted platform.