Yacht narrowly misses Cape Cod Canal Railroad Bridge

Sep 2, 2025

At approximately 1 p.m. on Saturday Aug. 30 Wareham Natural Resource Officers responded to the scene of a large motor yacht in the Cape Cod Canal that had lost propulsion heading toward the bridge.

A loss of propulsion means that the engine or motor to generate sufficient power to move it effectively, leading to a significant loss of control and potential danger.

The incident occurred near Massachusetts Maritime Academy as the yacht entered the west end of the canal.

The strong eastbound current proceeded to take the yacht into the land turning it sideways and then backwards, narrowly missing the Buzzards Bay side of the Railroad Bridge. Following that the yacht continued drifting east towards the banks of the canal. 

Canal Patrol was able to get a towline to the crew while Wareham Natural Resources Officers boarded from the stern of the vessel to assist the crew. 

The vessel was able to be taken control of and towed to safety without further incident.