Navigation restriction lifted on Weweantic River

Aug 22, 2014

The navigation restriction barring vessels taller than 30 feet from the waterline on the Weweantic River has been lifted, according to the Wareham Harbormaster Department.

Harbormaster Garry Buckminster said he received confirmation from NSTAR on Friday that all repairs to the power lines that cross the Weweantic River in Wareham and Marion have been completed.

The power lines were initially damaged when a trimaran struck them on May 23, with the boat bursting into flames. According to Buckminster, a second sailboat hit the lines about three weeks later, snapping its mast in half. No injuries were reported on either incident.

Buckminster said NSTAR confirmed the power line height met the requirement as listed in the Commonwealth of Massachusetts Harbor and Land Commissioners license No. 3936. NSTAR is required to meet a cable height of no less than 50 feet at mean high tide.

Buckminster said to reference navigational chart 13236 prior to transiting the area.