RIVER SAFETY PROJECT

RIVER SAFETY PROJECT

The River Safety Committee has examined the situation on heavily used weekends, and has determined the following:

• Excessive speed and wakes cause damage to docks and erosion to beaches and river banks.
• Personal watercraft are appearing in greater numbers on the river. While the majority of operators observe Connecticut State DEP regulations (Boater's Guide) for operation, a significant number of operators exceed speed limit (6 MPH) within the 200 feet boundary from shore and moored or anchored vessels. The increased popularity of kayaks means a greater chance of serious accidents.

We have started a modest demonstration project on the north end of the estuary by the Boston Post Road bridge. We have placed two speed limit buoys well within the 100 foot line from shore, and the situation locally has improved.

Note that we are providing posting and education, not enforcement. We continue to encourage the police boats in East Lyme and Waterford to deal with lawbreakers.

We would like input from waterfront property owners on this issue. We also need volunteers and funds to buy more buoys, as well as place and maintain them.

To give input, funds for buoys, and/or volunteer, contact Fred Grimsey at (860) 442-8349 or
president@savetheriver-savethehills.org .

Several members have expressed concern about safety on the river.

The main problem seems to be small and medium sized (including personal watercraft) speeding through anchorage areas and close to docks.

We would like to form a SAFETY COMMITTEE that would work with the Waterford and East Lyme Police Marine Patrols to bring the persuasive power of a large group of waterfront property owners to bear on this problem.

We need a chairperson and a small group (two or three) to work on this.

Sign up to help with River Safety by calling 860.287.2774 or email