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ONE VESSEL - TWO HULLS The Whaling City Express inbound from Martha's Vineyard for its 4 PM arrival at the New Bedford State Pier, Tuesday, June 9, 2020 at 4 PM. *ML's Note: The close up shot shows the vessel's unique pontoon hull as it entered through the hurricane barrier. It's business as usual with the ferry schedule here: https://seastreak.com/ferry-routes-and-schedules/between-new-bedford-marthas-vineyard-ma/ MLBaron video for westislandweather.com

TowBoat US of New Bedford Marine Rescue is always on standby and nearby to assist, usually within minutes. TOWBOAT US / BOAT 4, on a routine call, towed in a disabled vessel into New Bedford Harbor, June 21, 2020. Captain Clint Allen, along with his crew and fleet of vessels have been serving Greater New Bedford and Buzzards Bay for years. Boat owners can subscribe to membership here: http://www.towboatusnb.com/ MLBaron video for westislandweather.com

FAIRHAVEN — Hoppy's Landing - Long Island Fairhaven, MA This rare video shows the island parcel as private property, owned by Robert "Hoppy" Hobson, before it was purchased, a few months later in 2003 for $500K by the Town Of Fairhaven and made into a public park and boat landing. It was also in 2003, an oil spill ravaged the shoreline of this small island and much of Buzzards Bay. Link here: https://www.westislandweather.com/oil... About the pier construction: The construction project at Hoppy's Landing, originally slated to be completed by the end of June 2008, has been granted a 40-day extension. Link here: "It was a compressed timeline," Town Planner William Roth said of the initial project schedule. "You always hit snags." The project, funded through a $386,000 grant from the state's Seaport Advisory Council, includes an 80-foot fixed pier, a floating dock and a boat ramp. The fixed pier has been constructed, and workers are preparing to pour concrete for the ramp over the next couple weeks, Mr. Roth said. The steel float is being made in Rhode Island and will be barged to Hoppy's Landing when it is finished, he said. Link of pier construction: https://youtu.be/uDavBGbhqfw Delays in the project's schedule were caused by "unforeseen things," Mr. Roth said, such as boulders that had to be removed and bedrock in the area of the boat ramp that was shallower than expected. The project's scope is also being expanded to include some dredging. There is a hump of dirt at the end of the boat ramp, Mr. Roth said, so the town is filing for a change order and permits to remove it. "Why have a boat ramp with a speed hump in front of it?" he asked. "We're trying to do the right thing. It's just going to take a little more time." The town has hired an electrician to run power to the end of the pier, Mr. Roth said. A light and a power outlet will be installed. "We just think that, upon further review ... the most prudent thing to do was run power to the end of the pier," he said. Although the changes could affect the overall project costs, the project is still within its budget, according to Mr. Roth. "Every project has contingency built in. We are well within our contingency." Standard Times 2008

David Geffen's $590-million superyacht to the rich and famous, RISING SUN entered New Bedford Harbor July 15, 2020 at 3 PM for a fuel stop. Amazon's Jeff Bezos, Leonardo DiCaprio, and Oprah have strolled her decks. (*Geffen may be the one on the ships bridge waving to people in the video. go to 1:29 in the clip.) The most significant harbor visitor since the old whaler Charles W Morgan in 2014, is expected to have a brief stay. The world-renowned superyacht will take on 70,000 gallons of fuel from Sea Fuels Marine at The Marine Commerce Terminal. "Great news that the Port of New Bedford is poised and able to accommodate this type of service." Liz Isherwood - Moore and Isherwood, Inc. *ML's Note: Ships of this size have entered the city before, especially the clementine freighters., however, this is one of the largest pleasure yachts to enter the harbor that I've seen. Some have disputed the ship's value to be exaggerated. It was also the 11th largest superyacht in the world in 2017. Hollywood billionaire David Geffen has been self-isolating on his yacht since the pandemic. The 495-foot yacht had been bouncing around the Caribbean the past few weeks.

ORANGE AFTERNOON DELIGHT A Baltimore Oriole had this half orange all to itself at West Island. This brilliant orange and black Baltimore Oriole didn't waste any time after a fresh cut orange was placed out on the deck at West Island. May 2, 2020 at 3:30 PM. MLBaron video for westislandweather.com

TOWN BEACH FOR SAIL "That's me in your picture kite boarding. Nice windy sunny day!" Jay Close Kite surfers enjoyed the brisk southwesterly wind gusting to 33 MPH at West Island Town Beach - Thursday, April 23, 2020. *ML's Note: As many as a dozen kite surfers were at the beach. A winter type weather pattern made for a cold wet and raw month. The average temperature was 44 degrees. Weather review link here: https://www.westislandweather.com/wea... MLBaron video for westislandweather.com

OCEAN GOING TANKERS - The tug SIRIUS brought in two Noonan Oil tanker trucks on a barge into New Bedford Harbor. The unusual haul was brought in, June 10, 2020 at 3 PM. MLBaron video for westislandweather.com

A hungry squirrel (aren't they always?) enjoyed a nice breakfast of tasty peanut butter balls along side the State Reservation. June 13, 2020 at 6:35 AM. This clever picnic table made locally is the craze right now for back-yard feeders. MLBaron video for westislandweather.com

Pier 3 to Fairhaven. A ride along Pier 3 - Fisherman's Wharf, viewing the fishing boats and activities getting back to some kind of normal. New Bedford Harbor and a packed Pope Park was bustling as this time of year should be. Watch a large seafood tractor trailer truck backup to let me pass at 4:00 minute mark. A fantastic weather period continues into next week. MLBaron video for westislandweather.com

A ride to LEONARD's Wharf, New Bedford, MA with vessels tied up and others in modifications and overhaul dockside. MLBaron video for westislandweather.com

A ride to Homer's Wharf, New Bedford, MA with the natural sounds of this famous seaport dock. June 14, 2020. Take a ride through a flock of gulls and view New Bedford fishing vessels in rare idle time. MLBaron video for westislandweather.com

THE MAD RUSH AFTER THE BRIDGE OPENS The New Bedford - Fairhaven Bridge opened to traffic as viewed from the Route 6-east bound side, June 14, 2020. A few pans from left to right shows the traffic and sights of the harbor and businesses on Pope's Island. This bridge has been opening and closing for over 120-years. MLBaron video for westislandweather.com