A frigid winter has meant icy harbors, including Provincetown. Photo by CaitlinTownsend.
By Doreen Leggett
This has been an historic winter. We just went through a blizzard that many compared to 1978 with tree damage that rivaled Hurricane Bob. Before that, our harbors were iced in, with fishermen unable to go to work. See some of the images along with efforts to set the fleet free in this photo gallery and read about efforts here.
Provncetown Harbor was not frozen solid, but ice made passage difficult. Provincetown Harbormaster Pete Whinn was instrumental in initial discussions to clear the Cape’s harbors. Caitlin Townsend photo.
Wellfleet Harbor was one of several that Robert B. Our’s icebreaker helped clear. The icebreaker was contracted by Barnstable County after emergency funding approved by the commissioners and the assembly of delegates.
After clearing, harbormasters are now concerned about fixing the damage done to docks and pilings. Photo by Ken Cirillo, director of the Barnstable County Dredge.
Commercial fishing boats were stuck in harbors, including Rock Harbor in Orleans. Photo by Charter Boat Captain Hap Farrell on Facebook,
The Cape’s fleet hasn’t seen this amount of ice in more than a decade and it made for some stunning shots, including this from Stage Harbor in Chatham. Photo by Tom Riley.
Chatham Harbormaster Jason Holm was one of many harbormasters on a call with Sen. Julian Cyr and county officials. Photo by Tom Riley.
Ken Cirillo helped lead the charge getting harbors cleared, and was very concerned about the county dredge iced in. The dredge’s schedule is particularly tight and delays mean access problems.
An ice breaker was a welcome sight in Sesuit Harbor. Ken Cirrilo photo.
Wychmere, pictured here, and Saquatucket in Harwich were problems for the fleet and Harbormaster John Harker helped arrange for the Coast Guard to get them open. Photo by Charlee O’Neil.