a longtime favorite visitor to Manchaug Pond delights new lake friends. More photos and details to come…..
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
A Weekend of Winners: 1st Annual Boat Decorating Contest – 7 winners!
And the Judges’ decision is in! The winners of the 1st Annual MPA Calling All Boats! Boat Decorating Contest are: The Grand Winner is entry #4 Captain Karen Bronson and her Hawaiian pontoon boat. But it was not the grass and palm trees but her hula dancing husband Mike in the grass skirt and more who put their entry over the top with the judges! Congratulations! Tied for Second Place: #11 The SS M&M pontoon boat, captained by Kevin and Lesa Bickford. Judges found the theme different and creative and full of details! The entry also looked wonderful at night. #10 Captain Andy (and Kim) Mosher brought us the very original Patriotic Red Sox pontoon boat equipped with bases, bats, flags and Big Papi himself! #15 Captain Patti Eklund, with glass in hand, brought us to Margaritaville where the judges especially loved the parrot! #1 and lead boat, The Support Our Troops Flag Ship, captained by David Charpentier was described as very patriotic and fantastic by the judges. #8 Patriotic USS Independence, captained by Ted and Paula DeMeo was awesome and another patriotic winner! And one of the smallest but not least was a favorite… #3 Beaver Boys Beaver Dam …
A Weekend of Winners: Boat Raffle winner receives $8,000 cash prize!
The 2010 Boat Raffle/$8,000 Giveaway winner Mr. Don Klocek accepts a check for $8,000 from Fundraising Committee co-chairman George Cammuso on the shores of Manchaug Pond yesterday. Mr. Klocek has been enjoying Manchaug Pond for 60 years and praised the Manchaug Pond Association for its efforts to preserve the lake.
1st Annual Boat Decorating Contest a Blast!
18 vessels entered today’s contest with many more watching and joining in! Spectators on shore and in the water were amazed as the boats passed by with flamboyant decorations, music, props and more! Waves and cheers as the lake stood still to watch the boats go by! And the judges, well they were overwhelmed by the creativity, patriotism, and cleverness and thoroughness of design by all the entries! Throwing out the traditional 1st, 2nd and 3rd place, our MPA panel of judges decided to award 1 Grand Winner and 6 second place winners!!! Yes! 7 winners! With a sorry judge reporting others she loved and wished to win! more details, and photos to come…. but after the lighting of the shoreline, campfires, lighted boats, etc..
Still time ….for Boat Decorating and Lighting the Shoreline!
Last night’s patriotic sunset was a perfect entry into the Fourth of July weekend! We have 16 vessels registered so far for the 2010 Boat Decorating Contest scheduled to meet at Blueberry Island today at 3 p.m. Various themes from patriotic to those you would never have thought of!! and vessels from pontoons, to bowriders, to fishing boats, to paddle boats and kayaks have entered. Should be great fun for both participants and spectators! If you haven’t registered for the Boat Decorating Contest and would like your vessel judged, give Karen a call at 508-234-9239 or email her at manchaugpond.bronson@gmail.com. You should also click on the Calendar of Events tab above for details on where to meet, etc. Be sure your assigned number is prominently displayed. The “Support Our Troops” Flag Ship, entry #1, has been asked to lead the boats past the judges station.Special thanks to the Boat Decorating Contest Committee, Paula, Alice and Karen, for the idea, organizing and publicizing the event! Also to the MPA Board of Directors for appropriating $150. for prize money! And to our esteemed Judges who will take the time on this busy weekend to review each entry! And to all participants – …
MassWildlife Working on Manchaug Pond!
Mass Wildlife/Massachusetts Department of Fish and Game are out on the lake taking a survey of our fisheries. With this year’s waterlevel they are able to take their boat into the coves! Thank you to the 3 MPA directors and 1 member who called in the info and sent this photo. More are on the way!
Boaters! Watch the water for…
Do you see it? DIVER-DOWN Flag What does it mean? According to the Official Massachusetts Boating Handbook it is required equipment. “All persons scuba diving, skin diving, or snorkeling must display a red and white divers flag. Divers or snorkelers must remain within 100 feet of the divers flag.If possible, vessel operators not engaged in the diving operation should stay at least 100 feet from a displayed flag. If not possible, vessel operators must reduce speed to no more than three miles per hour. Two types of flags are used to indicate diving activity.Divers Flag: A rectangular red flag with a white diagonal stripe, at least 12 x 15 inches in size and constructed of rigidly supported material. This flag must be displayed on a vessel or surface float and must extend a minimum distance of three feet up from the surface of the water.Alfa Flag: A blue and white International Code Flag A (or Alfa flag), flown from a vessel restricted in its ability to maneuver. This flag indicates that a vessel is involved in a diving activity. The Alfa flag may be displayed in addition to the divers flag but does not replace the divers flag.
