Safe Boating Vessel Check Makes a Difference on Manchaug Pond!

Last Saturday, MPF and the Worcester County Sail and Power Squadron helped many boaters get off to a good start with a Vessel Safety Check at the state boat ramp!

Going from motorboat to pontoon boat to kayak, in the water and on trailers,  Examiner Jim Arpin of the Greenwich Bay Power Squadron gave one-on-one advice to Manchaug Pond boaters from the state ramp, the neighboring campgrounds, and living on the shore and neighboring towns.

This year boaters' big three concerns were:

•  the need to check expiration dates on flares and fire extinguishers
• the use of block letters only for hull registration number
• and the need for a whistles or some other signaling devise for kayaks, canoes, and paddle boats. 

Further, a boater living on the lake shared that he was stopped by Environmental Police last fall, boarded and inspected, and given a written warning for not having a throwable PFD (personal floatation device) for his over 16ft pontoon boat.

This year, all boats passed with flying colors receiving the orange 2014 sticker and their written evaluation sheet allowing them to follow up with the suggestions where they see fit. 

Email ManchaugPondSecretary@gmail.com if you would like an examiner to help you get your boat all safe and legal - we can meet you at the boat ramp or come right to your dock some Saturday morning.  There is no charge and no limit on the boats you have check. It is a great opportunity to assure your boat, canoe, kayak or personal watercraft is safe and has all the right equipment
.

Today's Cleanup Draws 21 Volunteers!

On this beautiful spring day, beginning with coffee, donuts and a bowl of fresh fruit, 21 volunteers joined forces at the state boat ramp on Torrey Road, Sutton today from 9:00AM to 2:00PM to fan out cleanning the roadsides, ramp and shoreline of Manchaug Pond.

Coordinated by the Manchaug Pond Foundation, the cleanup included trash pick up on roadsides including Lackey Road, Manchaug Road from Central Turnpike to Torrey Road, Torrey Road to Holt Road in Sutton and then on to Oak Street in Douglas.

A team with "heavy equipment" focused on the public boat ramp clearing branches from lawn areas, leaves and other debris from gutters, and trash from the property.

Cooperating in the effort was the town of Sutton Highway Dept. who supplied a town truck for disposal of the trash.

Volunteer hours will count toward our upcoming s. 319 Nonpoint Pollution Grant.


A couple cars also pulled up asking for information on the MPF and how they could join our efforts!  As Sutton residents they loved the lake and enjoyed boating and one local family camps at a Manchaug Pond campground!

If you would like to be on the mailing list - email ManchaugPondSecretary@gmail.com with your name, address and email address and we'll get you on our lists!

 Welcome aboard!

Manchaug Pond comes alive!

The warm weather brought out fisherman, campers and seasonal residents back to camp and the lake!

Manchaug Boat Ramp on Town Agenda

An agreement concerning the Manchaug Pond state boat ramp has been worked out between MassWildlife and the town of Sutton.  January 17, 2012 the Sutton Board of Selectman reviewed and approved the details as follows:

1. Fee structure of $6 for in state and $12 for out of state users. (no change)
2. User fees collected 24/7 (new- expands from seasonal weekends to daily, year round)
3. Lockbox/honor system for collection (new)
4. Police patrols, with fines for non-payment.

Discussion noted the fees as another revenue source for not only the maintainance of the ramp and quality of the lake but for the maintenance of the dam.  "No dam, no need for the ramp."

The Manchaug Pond Foundation is continuing to work closely with the town on this new arrangement.

Ahoy Mateys ! Get your boat to the ramp for the VESSEL SAFETY CHECK this morning!

Let the inspectors help you get your boat ready for the water this season! This FREE Vessel Safety Check helps you know exactly what your motorboat, kayak, canoe, rowboat and jetski needs to be safe and legal on the waters.  Do you need a horn, a fire extinguisher or 2, a flare, lights?  What!?

No fines, no fees!

Come today to the Manchaug Pond state boat ramp between 9-12, tell the gatekeeper you are just here for the vessel check - no launch, no fee.

Feel confident this summer when the police boat pulls up aside of you for a check!    I'm told Environmental Police love to see the Safe Vessel sticker!

Here's a few photos from last year's event!

Special thanks to the Worcester County Sail and Power Squadron for organizing and cosponsoring this event with the Manchaug Pond Association! www.usps.org/worc

Memorial Day Fully Celebrated on Manchaug Pond

An old photo from the files

Memorial Day weekend traditionally finds most of Manchaug Pond's summer population moving in! This weekend was no exception with campgrounds brimming with both seasonal and weekend guests. It was evident that this year brought many newcomers to the water with our old summer friends as we heard of boaters asking directions as to how to get back to a campground, another boater dropping off passengers on the shore who roamed through yards asking directions as to how to get to the other side of the lake by road, and the boating violations could have tipped the scales as happy jetskiers pulled two friends in a tube through the channel around and around the lake while others let their young children take a turn at the wheel of their personal motor craft.  A Facebook friend of Manchaug Pond event found it necessary to send an alert as to a large amount of broken glass on Blueberry Island.

Join us in our love of Manchaug Pond - the fun on the water, the cookouts, the campfires but please be safe and do your part to keep our beautiful lake a beauty.  Leave her better than you found her!

Boat Ramp Sign Repaired

Special thanks to our Sutton Town Administrators office and the State Office of Fishing and Boating Access for taking care of our aging boat ramp sign.

Before repairs:

Today:

Remembering Summer...

Summer 2010, Blueberry Island, Manchaug Pond

Public Access - Snowed In!

Here she is all washed, covered up tight, and snug under a blanket of white, waiting for spring. This photo was sent in today from a friend of MPA who enjoys Manchaug Pond through the State Public Access Boat Ramp.

The Sutton Highway Dept. has since sent in the heavy equipment to clear the ramp for all to enjoy winter access.


Thank you to our guest photographer!

Sunshine and clear skies make for winter sports on Manchaug Pond

Clear blue skies and warm sunshine today and over the weekend make snowmobiling, ice fishing for pickerel, and snowshoeing the things to do on Manchaug Pond

Gatekeeper off duty for the season but ramp still in use...

With the passing of Labor day,  the ramp gatekeeper provided by the town is off duty for the season but the State Boat Ramp on Manchaug Pond is still open.  This morning boats roared out after 6:30 a.m. for some fishing.

Manchaug Pond definitely sees less activity with the arrival of September as the children have gone back to school, the weather has brought lower temps (this morning 54F), winter drawdown necessitates the removal of the shore docked boats, and the summer camps and campgrounds sadly wind down for the close of their season.

Manchaug Pond	Saturday, September 11, 2010	22	6:30 AM	7:00 AM	3:00 PM	Pioneer Valley Bass Anglers
Manchaug Pond	Sunday, September 12, 2010	12	6:30 AM	7:00 AM	3:00 PM	New England Bassmasters of R.I.

Manchaug Pond

Saturday, September 18, 2010

11

6:30 AM

7:00 AM

1:00 PM

A-1 Bassmasters

Manchaug Pond	Saturday, September 26, 2010	20	6:30 AM	7:00 AM	3:00 PM	Iceholes
Manchaug Pond	Sunday, October 03, 2010	15	6:30 AM	7:00 AM	2:00 PM	Central Mass Smallmouth

The ramp continues to offer public access to the great pond through all seasons - leaving our summer swimming and summer sports for the enjoyment of some fall fishing, kayaking, etc and then on to winter sports of ice fishing, snowmobiling and cross country skiing ...   enjoy the day!

ONLY A DRILL! Two Men in the Water and One Under

Remember, this is ONLY A DRILL! 


This morning at 7:45 a mock boat accident took place here on Manchaug Pond as part of a Boating Accident/Water Rescue Drill - "a joint operation between the Sutton Fire Department, the Douglas Police Dive Rescue Team and the Manchaug Pond Association."


  The accident resulted in two injured victims in the water and a third yet to be found.  With morning air and water temperatures both at about 57 degrees F, it was a cold morning indeed to be the two men in the water awaiting rescuers.

Sutton Fire Dept. first to respond.

Arriving at the State Boat Ramp on Torrey Road, the Sutton Fire Dept with the police boat and the Fire Dept's boat was the first on the scene.

  Later the Douglas Dive Team arrived to search for "Dolly" the rescue dummy.








The Fire Dept. reports the drill "is intended to test the procedures of, and readiness of the parties involved. "

Only a Drill!

One hour from now, right here on Manchaug Pond, volunteers from the Manchaug Pond Association (MPA) will assist the Sutton and Douglas Fire Dept. and the Douglas Dive Team in a rescue drill/training.  Victims will be in the water awaiting rescue,  the rescue dummy drowned and sunk in dark water, and a panicked witness on shore to aide fire departments' personnel in the rescue and recovery.

Sutton Police boat

As you see the fire trucks and rescue boats arrive on the water, please stay way back.  Tell your neighbors this is only a training/drill.

The MPA will post details and photos right here!  Further, we'll let you know if it is Rescue Jennifer, Rescue Randy or Resuscitator Annie who has drowned.

Sacred Sunday: Weds' Sunset and an Evening Fishing Tournament

Manchaug Pond: A shallow pond with a mean depth of 13 ft ...

Navigating Manchaug Pond is a challenge for today's motor boaters!  Boats are bigger than they used to be.  This vessel was seen on the lake Monday, its size dwarfing the pontoon boat to the left.

Witnesses report that when it left the lake through the channel, it hit the end of the wall/rock/bottom sending the vessel and occupants rocking!

Mass Dept of Fish and Game/MassWildlife's bathymetry map of Manchaug Pond shows its shallow depth - 6 to 8 ft around much of the shoreline.  Not show on the map in these areas are the large boulders just under the surface, the Blueberry Island sandbar, and other potential hazards to unknowing boaters.

Thanks to the 3 gentlemen who put in the green and red channel markers this afternoon to help boaters get through the causeway. The new buoys mark the end of the wall with their colors indicating the way to the ramp or the lake: "red, right, return" is the rule of thumb out on the ocean when navigating your way home from the open sea.

Check out this link for the Mass Boaters Handbook, the online boat safety course, and for more information on navigational buoys:
http://www.boat-ed.com/ma/course/p3-7_navaidsbuoys.htm

Sutton Police Lake Patrol Program - Boat Safety Education on the Water

Sutton Lake Patrol Program speaking with boaters and personal watercraft operators on Saturday afternoon as part of an ongoing boater education and safety program.

What's in the water? Just more pollen from the trees.

Boating Safety Week ~ Sutton Police boat NOT in winter storage!

The Sutton Police Lake Patrol boat is pictured here as it wintered in the Sutton Fire Department's Manchaug Station.

But is was cleaned up, inspected and readied for the season back in April and has bee sighted on the waters of Manchaug Pond recently.  Officers will work to educate the many weekend boaters who visit our waters this season as to the practices which keep boating safe and fun.

Need a quick review of the boating rules and regs?  Try these:

• Any size motor boat needs registration, numbers on bow hull (MS  ####  WS), life jackets, fire extinguisher, horn, whistle or bell, anchor with line, and bailer.
• Any boat with a motor MUST be registered. Registration MUST be in the boat.
• You need one life jacket (that fits!) for every passenger on the boat. (out of the package, accessible, and in good condition- no rips or cracks!)
• Children under 12 MUST wear life jacket at ALL times.
• You must be 18 or over to drive a jetski/personal watercraft or be 16-17 AND have passed the Boating Basic Course with your certificate on your person. NO ONE CAN OPERATE UNDER 16.
• Kayak/canoe MUST have a whistle or other signalling devise.
• No waterskiing or tubing through or in the channel.  Maintain headway speed - no more than 6 mph.
• At night: all boats with a motor need red/green bow light and white stern light. Non-motorized need flashlight, lantern or headlamp worn in back.
• No drinking or possession of an open container of an alcohol beverage on the water.  See Sutton's  Open Container Law.
• Common sense.

May 22 - 28   Safe Boating Week!   Be careful out there!

	BOAT SMART FROM THE START, WEAR YOUR LIFEJACKET!

Boating Safety Message from Captain Keith Colburn of "Deadliest Catch

Here's a message for you from a Captain on the show of "Deadliest Catch"...






May 22-28   National Safe Boating Week

	BOAT SMART FROM THE START, WEAR YOUR LIFEJACKET!

Thank you to the Inspectors...Safe Vessel Check a SUCCESS!

The safe vessel check was a success! Thank you to the Worcester County Sail and Power Squadron for bringing us two inspectors from Rhodes Island to give us 4 hours of individual boat safety education! Thank you too to our MPA volunteers Don, Ted and Kevin for holding boats. We had a steady stream of boats coming in to keep us pleasantly busy.

Close to 20 boats from all but one of the 8 areas around the lake participated as well as a few from the ramp. The big "I didn't know that!" was the need for 3 flares in a motorboat on coastal waters AND on some inland lakes as well as the need for a whistle/signaling device in a canoe or kayak was not known by a couple owners.

The MPA realized is was a bit early in the season - we'll try to get those inspectors when the boats are in for the season, the campers are all here, and you had a chance to clean up those motorboats and check for loose wires!   Next year we hope more of you will participate!

and the refreshments did arrive! Thank you to the family who made the coffee run for us!

http://www.safetyseal.net

May 22nd- 28th National Safe Boating Week

	BOAT SMART FROM THE START, WEAR YOUR LIFEJACKET!