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By MICHAEL SOUZA
NARRAGANSETT – On any given summer’s day, Galilee is a very busy port. Not only is it home to one of the biggest fishing fleets in the northeast, it also plays host to a variety of other vessels. Two ferries make regular runs to Block Island, and Point Judith Pond is full of recreational boaters and fishing charters.
The truth is, Narragansett has a long time connection with the sea, from South Ferry to Point Judith. No matter if it’s sunny weather to stormy skies, the waters off Narragansett are the concern of Robert Silva, harbormaster for the town. This weekend promises to be the most chaotic of the year, as the Lions Club holds its annual Blessing of the Fleet. For Silva, it is nothing new and all in a day’s work. “This weekend will be busy, there’s no doubt,” said Silva. “We’re used to it though, and we have a good idea what to look for.” Having taken the position of assistant harbormaster four years ago, he was quickly given the job full time. His responsibilities run the gamut, but by far, his biggest concern is safety. He is the local authority of safe boating, and he takes the job seriously. “I was in the Army for 28 years, mostly in law enforcement,” the Great Island resident said. “I’ve also spent a lot of my time on the water, so it’s been very easy for me to make the transition,” Silva said. “The gentleman I replaced had been out on leave, so when I took the position, there was a lot to do. It all starts with education. We had to let the people know there were safety laws on the books, and they were going to be enforced. “There are life jacket requirements, speed limits and boating traffic rules that we regularly monitor. People are usually cooperative. It’s just a matter of letting them know what they have to do and reminding them,” he said. “The first thing we did was write informational newsletters. That helped. We also received support from [then town manager] Maury Loontjens and the police department," he said, Part of the job requires the policing of the harbor on a daily basis. "Sometimes I’ll make a two hour patrol while other days I’ll stay out for as long as 10 hours. I always mix it up how long and where, just to keep people guessing", he added. "We also keep a boat at the Coast Guard station further down. That way we can surprise boaters on either side of the port. "Probably the biggest problem is speeding, leaving no wake, then the next one would be not enough lifejackets," he said. He is responsible for all Narragansett coastal water. "I make a few trips to the Narrow River each week, and again, it’s just a matter of talking to people. Everyone is okay when we tell them, but there is an educational process. "In the river and the channel, there are a lot more kayaks, but people don’t realize the motorboats have the right of way," he said. Earlier this year, a boat went speeding down river, its wake wreaking havoc with a couple of kayaks. "That one cost them a couple hundred bucks and a trip to court. They knew better than to do that," he said His normal patrols also include the local boat ramps. "My assistant and I often spend time at the ramps. The most common thing we see is people with not enough life vests. If they don’t, they’re not allowed in," he said. Fortunately for Silva, he has a lot of local help for anything that may arise. "Naturally, we have a great relationship with the Coast Guard, the DEM Environmental Police, South Kingstown and the state," said Silva. Their assistance, however, is usually reserved for some difficult matters, such as last year’s tragedy involving three University of Rhode Island students. "We were out here for weeks, trying to assist with the families involved. It was just sad, we felt badly, but we also had a job to do," he said. Then there are the lobstermen who approach him, complaining of divers pilfering their traps. "I’m always looking out for them, too. As if those poor guys don’t have enough problems trying to make a living," he said. Every summer weekend can bring a variety of problems, but on this one coming, the Blessing calls for much more preparation. "It takes a lot of coordination for the blessing. The Coast Guard and DEM play important roles in deterring some of the more obvious problems. "The biggest thing is to get the boats in line and keep them spaced apart. There are always a couple of characters, but we know who they are. "Last year, we had more than 200 boats here. If the weather is good this year, we’ll probably have more than that. "Boats will be out of the Pond, come up the channel and then head back out. The channel isn’t that wide, which is a concern, but last year things went well," he said. The blessing is certainly the busiest weekend, but for Robert Silva, each weekend is equally important. Safety, after all, is his primary concern, and each weekend brings something new.
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