Monday Funday/ Carp Update

Today we had a visitor at Courageous! Tommy (a fellow Marine Educator) came to explore with us on the Green Boat, and to see the wonders of our lobster traps. While on the boat we were able to view the cormorants and terns that have nested in East Boston, as well as observe the various types of gulls that follow the lobster boats. We also got some fishing done from the stern of the boat.

While on the dock, Tommy pulled up five hefty sea stars from one of the traps (which contained the remains of the carp found at Courageous last week). What I left out of my previous post is that carp are freshwater creatures. This fish most likely came in from the Charles River with all sorts of other gross things as a result of all the heavy rains that this summer has brought. At least we saw the sun today! I hope everyone enjoyed their Monday as much as I did.

-Laura

After a Week of Rain

Tuesday we had both sun and wind, so Level 3 and the Racing Class students sailed J22’s to Spectacle Island! It was a wonderful voyage, allowing us to practice navigation, view several of the Harbor Islands, and from the boat we could see comb jellyfish. Once on the island we fished off the pier, combed the beach for pottery and sea glass (and left it on the island), took in some sun, and made sandcastles.

Back at Courageous, we pulled up a few lobster traps and found green crabs, red rock crabs, a sea star, and even a flounder (which had also swum into a trap). Finally a week of sun and great catches.

-Laura

Crazy Weather

At Courageous this week we experienced crazy weather! Despite all that rain, we still pulled up all the lobster traps and used the water quality test kit. We examined the pH, and tried to see if the rain created more bacteria in the water. A lobster boat has put a string of pots around the dock, so we are guessing that our lobster count may decline (they use really good bait).

The Cruising class discovered what looked like a skull on Rainsford Island. What does it look like to you? Pat thinks that it is an Egret hip-bone.

-Laura

Courageous Charlestown meets Piers Park Sailing Center

Hi! Today at Piers Park we had an awesome time when a few boats from Courageous Boston Harbor Explorers in Charlestown came and visited Piers Park Sailing Center! Although Laura and her crew came by to get bait from our freezer, they also brought by a lobster, which we don't catch very often at Piers Park. Everyone was excited by both our human and crustacean visitors. We also had a great time showing all the kids from Charlestown our huge red rock crabs we spent all day catching. It was a great experience for everyone to see that all across Boston Harbor people are getting involved learning about the environment and restoration of the harbor in our backyards!

-Pat

Catching Lobsters

At the dock of Courageous in Charlestown we were able to catch a 4lb lobster as well as two smaller ones. Using a haddock as bait we also caught over 70 green and red rock crabs. We had a great time racing the lobsters and putting them to sleep. What a catch!

From the Green Boat we continued to measure the turbidity of the harbor with the use of a seccchi disk as well as taking sea surface temperature and hydrometer readings. Fishing off the boat is one of my favorite activities.

-Laura

A Rain Day and Exploring Spectacle Island

Hi, my name is Laura and this week we did not let a little rain bring down the Harbor Explorers Program at Courageous Sailing Center in Charlestown. On Thursday we were able to have a guided tour of the USS Cassin Young, a destroyer that the Navy used during World War II. We also still managed to check on the lobster traps on the docks and bring some crabs back up to the main tent.

On Friday, we used the cruising boats to venture to Spectacle Island. We had a great view of several of the harbor islands, our favorites being Deer Island and Castle Island. We anchored the boats and swam ashore, noticing all of the creatures on the beach. We encountered many snails, and found that humming causes them to come out of their shells.

From the Docks

The dock at Courageous Sailing Center in Charlestown has a great array of different species. We have been testing the turbidity and pH levels of water, as well as experimenting to see which types of bait will catch the most lobsters. I guess they like haddock, because yesterday we caught two lobsters both over 3lbs!!

-Laura

All Access Boston Harbor

David talking about Boston Harbor

Hello, my name is David, and I'm the host for All Access Boston Harbor for Save the Harbor/Save the Bay.

Today we had a very full boat with excited kids from all around the Boston neighborhoods, some of whom had never before been on a boat. There were quite a few more who were going out to Georges Island for the first time as well. Every day there are always many "firsts" and I try to identify them whenever possible. We saw the usual lobster boats on the way out to the island and, of course, Castle Island and Spectacle Island were still where they were the day before.

Once we got to Georges and everyone had their lunches many of us set off to explore the massive Fort Warren that encompasses the island. While we were looking for the infamous "Lady in Black" in the dark tunnel others were down on the beach with Laura looking for crabs and jelly fish, and anything else along the wrack line (high tide line) that one might find on any given day. Frankie had a group of kids with several of our kites high overhead, perhaps also looking for the "Lady in Black" from above?

Searching for Terns

Laura and and Explorer on the dock

Hi, my name is Laura, and I lead the Harbor Explorers Program at Courageous Sailing Center in Charlestown. Throughout the week, I lead the Green Boat out on expeditions to various sites in Boston Harbor to learn about the marine environment.

This week we focused on birds in Boston Harbor, searching for terns and cormorants. We also took the water temperature, and looked for plankton using a plankton tow.

Every day at lunchtime, I help the explorers pull up crab and lobster traps, which often have sea stars, lobsters and crabs of all varieties. I also brought fishing rods down to the dock, and at least 10 kids get to learn to fish every day.

For more information on the program, you should check out our Kids Page. Or, feel free to add your own stories from Courageous Charlestown in the comments!