Last week kicked off Save the Harbor/Save the Bay’s free Share
the Harbor cruises with two chances to get on the water starting with an outing
around Boston Light on Tuesday, and a trip to Spectacle Island on Sunday.
With a rain-free forecast and temperatures suited for a
night outdoors, nearly 450 people joined in for the first Share the Harbor
cruise of the summer to Boston Light aboard Bay State Cruise Company’s
Provincetown II.
Tuesday’s cruise departed from the World Trade Center dock
and took passengers out around Boston Light for a chance to socialize, snap
pictures and learn a fun fact or two about the harbor, islands and lighthouse.
Historic commentary was provided by Boston Harbor historian
David Coffin whose entertaining charisma captured the attention of everyone on board.
He told tales of the golden age of piracy around Boston Harbor, shared history
of the Harbor Islands as we passed, and serenaded passengers with the lighthouse
hymn Lower Light.
Aboard the Provincetown II was special guest Dr. Sally
Snowman current lighthouse keeper. As the first female light keeper in Boston
Light’s long history, she spoke about her daily life and duties on Little
Brewster Island. Guests were captivated by her description of the crashing
waves, passing boats, beautiful sunsets, and marine life that she experiences
each day. With her, she brought photos from the island’s past and the evolution
of the Boston Light and the keeper’s house since 1716.
As we motored towards Little Brewster Island, the captain
gave passengers time to take pictures and take in the sights of the lighthouse,
the ocean and the Boston skyline. Save the Harbor staff gathered everyone on
board for a large group picture with the lighthouse in the background. A truly
spectacular moment captured the scope of our Share the Harbor cruises.
After the photo ops, storytelling, and singing, the captain
steered back towards the inner harbor for a leisurely ride back to the dock. To
accompany the views off the sides of the boat, David Coffin and Vice President
of Operations and Programs Chris Mancini lead forty people in a thrilling
rendition of Save the Harbor’s signature sea shanty Haul Away Joe. The teamwork
displayed in the song was evident through the choreography that all
participants picked up easily within just a few verses.
On Sunday, June 9, 571 people took advantage sunny, warm
June weather for our Share the Harbor Cruise to Spectacle Island.
After a 30-minute ride, passengers disembarked for two hours
to enjoy all the activities this island has to offer. People spent the day treasure
hunting, hiking, fishing, swimming and learning more about the history of this
former trash heap.
In addition to all those fun activities, members of the
Youth Summer Staff from Save the Harbor helped with fishing, crabbing and a
touch tank. It was a successful day all around with seven crabs caught!
After the two cruises, passengers disembarked and sent on
their way by a thankful Save the Harbor staff, who hopes to see everyone return
for the remaining Share the Harbor cruises throughout the summer.
Save the Harbor's free Share the Harbor Cruises are made
possible with Leadership Grants from the Cronin Development, the
Massachusetts Executive Office of Energy and Environmental Affairs, and Bay
State Cruise Company.
For more info on Save the Harbor follow us on Facebook or Twitter to stay up to date on
future events! See you all out on the harbor!
Save the Harbor is also grateful for Leadership Grants
from Blue Cross Blue Shield of Massachusetts, The Boston Foundation, The
Coca-Cola Foundation, and Yawkey Foundation
Save the Harbor is grateful for Partnership Grants
from Boston Properties – Atlantic Wharf, The Daily Catch Seaport, Davis
Family Charitable Foundation, Eastern Salt Company, Inc., Engie, Fan Pier - The
Fallon Company, John Hancock Financial Services, The HYM Investment Group, LLC,
The Llewellyn Foundation, Massachusetts Environmental Trust, Massachusetts Port
Authority, Mass Humanities, National Grid Foundation, P & G Gillette,
Lawrence J. and Anne Rubenstein Charitable Foundation, William E. Schrafft
& Bertha E. Schrafft Charitable Trust, and Vertex.
Save the Harbor also appreciates Stewardship Grants from Anonymous,
Forrest Berkeley &, Marcie Tyre Berkley, Camp Harbor View Foundation,
Circle Furniture , Comcast, Copeland Family Foundation, The Cricket Foundation,
Cruise Industry Charitable Foundation, Davis Family Charitable Foundation,
Elizabeth Elser Doolittle Charitable Trust, Enbridge, Tom & Lucinda Foley,
Foundation for Sustainability and Innovation, Kershaw, Liberty Bay Credit
Union, Lovett Woodsum Foundation, Maine Community Foundation, Massachusetts
Convention Center Authority, Massachusetts Water Resources Authority, Nicholson
Foundation, RMR Real Estate Services, Rockland Trust Pavilion, Clinton H. &
Wilma T. Shattuck Charitable Trust, Skanska, and Tishman Speyer.
Save the Harbor would also like to thank our Program
Funders Andus Baker & Rowan Murphy Family Fund, MA Attorney General’s
Office Healthy Summer and Youths Jobs Program, The Paul and Edith Babson
Foundation, Beacon Capital Partners, LLC, Cell Signaling Technology, East
Boston Savings Bank, Highland Street Foundation/West End House, Legal Sea
Foods, Miss Wallace M. Leonard Foundation, George Lewis - Haven Trust, Pabis
Foundation, South Boston Community Development Foundation, Abbot & Dorothy
H. Stevens Foundation, and TD Charitable Foundation.
Save the Harbor would also like to extend our gratitude to
our Supporters 3A Marine Service, The Bay State Federal Savings Charitable
Foundation, Andrew Calamare & Marianne Connolly, Cresset Group, Diversified
Automotive, Goulston & Storrs PC, Mass Bay Credit Union, Massachusetts
Marine Educational Trust, Randy Peeler & Kate Kellogg, Matthew J. &
Gilda F. Strazzula Foundation, UDR, and Kyle & Sara Warwick
Special thanks as well to the hundreds of individual donors
for their generosity and to our partners at the Department of Conservation and
Recreation, the Metropolitan Beaches Commission, the Boston Centers for Youth
and Families and the YMCA of Greater Boston for their support.
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