Cape & Islands News

Three more dolphins herded to safety Wednesday

Stranding numbers continue to rise

IFAW rescuers tend to one of three dolphins eventually herded out to deeper water Wednesday. Herring River, Wellfleet. © IFAW/K. Branon.

International Fund for Animal Welfare (IFAW) rescue teams were back in action Wednesday, coming to the aid of three dolphins in Wellfleet. Around 10:30 a.m., Wednesday morning, IFAW Communication Officer Michael Booth reported that two off the dolphins were still swimming, while one had stranded.

The dolphins were inside Wellfleet Harbor at the Herring River and according to Booth, the plan was to get the three into deeper water before low tide Wednesday evening at 6 p.m.

Roughly four hours later, it was reported that the rescue team was herding the dolphins out of the harbor towards deeper water. The stranded dolphin was placed back in the water with the two that were still swimming and rescuers used an inflatable zodiac to zig-zag behind the dolphins and move them out of the harbor. 

The process, although slow, according to Booth, was successful.

Not counting the dolphins that were encountered today, the total strandings since January 12 stands at 146 total stranded.  Of those numbers, 92 were found dead and 54 were found alive. Of those 54, 37 were successfully rescued and released by IFAW rescue teams.

In a teleconference earlier this week, Katie Moore, IFAW Marine Mammal Rescue and Research Manager, said the Cape is no stranger to mass strandings, but this is the largest single species event in twelve years.  Each year, according to Moore, an average of 228 animals strand--a number that includes dolphins, whales and seals.  This extended event is not only taxing IFAW's rescue teams of staff and volunteers, it is also burning through Moore's annual operating budget.  Moore addressed Congress last Friday, bringing them up to speed on the current strandings and the need for both scientific and funding support on the federal level.

IFAW's Marine Mammal Rescue and Research has six staff members and relies on 300 trained volunteers who help IFAW monitor the 700 miles of coastline from Cape Cod to Rhode Island. Volunteers are most often the frontline when rescuing stranded animals. Staff members man a 24-hour hotline and deploy volunteers to the scene of a live stranding. While waiting for the rescue team with their trailers and equipment, volunteers provide what Moore calls supportive care, righting the dolphins to help them breathe, covering them with blankets for warmth and keeping away attacking seagulls.

Although not unusual, and if fact expected that dolphins will strand in the winter months on Cape Cod, researchers remain perplexed as to why the numbers are so great this year. Unfortunately there is no definitive answer at this time, according to Moore.

Read more about the recent strandings here:

• Four more dolphins rescued in Wellfleet Sunday night
• More than ten dolphins strand in Wellfleet, seven rescued
• IFAW rescues nine more dolphins after Brewster stranding
• Dolphin stranding mystery continues; member of IFAW team to address Congress later this week
• IFAW reports the death of two more dolphins Monday
  
• Kerry, Keating ask for NOAA's help in finding cause of dolphin strandings
  
• Seven more dolphins strand in Wellfleet Thursday
  
• Six stranded dolphins rescued in Wellfleet

Bourne Bridge repairs start up again Wednesday

Work will be done weather-permitting

Bourne Bridge repairs will start up again today, Wednesday and continue through Thursday, according to the US Army Corps of Engineers.  According to the USACE, work will be done during the day, between 7 a.m. and 3:30 p.m., weather-permitting.

Traffic will be reduced to one lane in each direction during that time.

Motorists should expect delays during peak travel times over the bridge, most specifically during the morning and afternoon commute. Traffic control will be in place each day as well, alerting motorists to the repairs and subsequent delays.

Four more dolphins rescued in Wellfleet Sunday night

Rescuers perform nighttime release at Herring Cove in Provincetown

   Rescuers prepare two of the four dolphins for release back into the water Sunday night. David G. Curran photo.

International Fund for Animal Welfare (IFAW) rescue teams were at it again Sunday, rescuing four more dolphins that had stranded earlier in the day in Wellfleet. While many Cape Codders were settling in for the Super Bowl kick-off, rescuers were freeing the four Common dolphins from an area in Wellfleet that now goes by "the gut", according to Michael Booth, IFAW's communication officer.

The dolphins were examined, tagged and transported to Herring Cove Beach in Provincetown where they were released into the ocean around 9 p.m.

This batch of strandings now brings to the total to 122 as of January 12. This batch of strandings now brings to the total to 122 as of January 12.  Rescuers and researchers are still puzzled by the high number of strandings that have occurred since that date. On Saturday, two more Common dolphins, a male and a female, were rescued from Wellfleet Harbor and released at Herring Cove just before 6 p.m. that same day.

The crisis has received the attention of NOAA and now Washington, where IFAW's head of Marine Mammal Rescue and Research Katie Moore addressed Congress on Friday. Moore is expected to comment on the address sometime Monday.

Read more about the recent strandings here:

• More than ten dolphins strand in Wellfleet, seven rescued
• IFAW rescues nine more dolphins after Brewster stranding
• Dolphin stranding mystery continues; member of IFAW team to address Congress later this week
• IFAW reports the death of two more dolphins Monday
  
• Kerry, Keating ask for NOAA's help in finding cause of dolphin strandings
  
• Seven more dolphins strand in Wellfleet Thursday
  
• Six stranded dolphins rescued in Wellfleet

Men at work: a bird's eye view of Harwich

Those with a fear of heights, need not apply

Our Mr. Fitts captured some folks with his camera last week, engaged in a lofty occupation.  The two were working at the top of the communications flag pole high above the East Harwich Fire Station. 

Hopefully, neither suffers from a fear of heights. To make matters more difficult, it was quite windy judging by the flap of the flag.

Photos by John Fitts.

More than ten dolphins strand in Wellfleet, seven rescued

One of seven was pregnant

The International Fund for Animal Welfare (IFAW) reports that dolphin strandings continue on the Cape.  Friday just before noon, IFAW learned that ten more Common dolphins had stranded in Blackfish Creek in Wellfleet.

The rescue team worked most of the afternoon, according to Michael Booth, IFAW's communication officer.  Seven of the dolphins were able to swim away from Blackfish Creek.  One dolphin, which was pregnant, was transported to Herring Cove in Provincetown where she was released around 4:30 p.m. Friday.

Since the strandings began on January 12, according to Booth, 116 dolphins have stranded, of which 84 have died.

IFAW's rescue teams have worked all week treating and freeing dolphins along the bay side. Most recently, rescuers were in Brewster on Thursday where nine animals were treated and later released in Truro.

Yesterday in Washington DC, IFAW's Marine Mammal Rescue and Research Manager Katie Moore addressed Congress on the current dolphin stranding crisis.

Read more about the recent strandings here:

• IFAW rescues nine more dolphins after Brewster stranding
• Dolphin stranding mystery continues; member of IFAW team to address Congress later this week
• IFAW reports the death of two more dolphins Monday
  
• Kerry, Keating ask for NOAA's help in finding cause of dolphin strandings
  
• Seven more dolphins strand in Wellfleet Thursday
  
• Six stranded dolphins rescued in Wellfleet

“Advantage Week” starts February 14 at DY

Dennis-Yarmouth Region offers a grade 8 accelerated learning program

This Lib Dub by DY student John Terrio Jr. gives you a little idea of the esprit at DY High.

District to showcase its schools, everyone is invited to have a look

This is thetime of year when many parents are thinking about "School Choice", and the Dennis-Yarmouth Regional School District will hold “DY Community Advantage Week” events on Tuesday, February 14, Wednesday February 15 and Thursday February 16.  District schools will welcome parents, students and interested community members to open house events that highlight the district’s many unique programs. 

You have a choice… make yours the D-Y Advantage!
Click image above to see what's happening at DY.

Families considering Dennis-Yarmouth as a school choice destination are especially welcome.

DY offers a grade 8 accelerated learning program at Dennis-Yarmouth Regional High School, the grade 6-7 "Wixon Middle Learning Academy" and the M.E. Innovation School for grades 4 and 5, along with many other innovative learning opportunities.

Events at all levels

Elementary school “Advantage” sessions will be held on each of the three days from 10 a.m. to 11:30 a.m. or 1 p.m. to 2:30 p.m.  at the Laurence C. MacArthur Elementary School, Station Avenue Elementary School, Ezra H. Baker School and Maguerite E. Small  Innovation School.

Middle school sessions will be held from 9 a.m. to 11 a.m. or 1 p.m. to 2 p.m.  each day at the Mattacheese Middle School and the Nathaniel H. Wixon Middle School.

Dennis-Yarmouth Regional High School will hold its “DY Advantage” sessions from 8 a.m. to 10 a.m. and from 1 p.m. to 2 p.m.

Location, location, location

   Even Wareham and Plymouth are only 36 miles from DY, and Provincetown two miles further

That's the mantra of every real estate expert, and it applies to parent living on this 75-mile long peninsula when they think about where to send their children to school.

It is only a 15 mile drive from the canal to Yarmouth and that includes the towns of Bourne, Falmouth, Mashpee, Sandwich and Barnstable.

It's the same distance (or less) from Dennis to Orleans which includes Chatham and Harwich.

It appears that at least one district is acting like a "customer-friendly" business and reaching out to parents and students who might to try the "DY Advantage."

Click here to download the flyer.

Dr. John L. Cox to begin Cape Cod Community presidency on July 1, 2012

State Board of Higher Education confirms Cox

Dr. John Cox. Photo courtesy of Cape Cod Community College.

Earlier this week, the State Board of Higher Education met in Framingham where they confirmed the appointment of Dr. John L. Cox as the new president of Cape Cod Community College. Cox, who will succeed Dr. Kathleen Schatzberg as president of the college, will begin on July 1 of this year.

In a unanimous vote on December 7, 2011, Cape Cod Community College Trustees nominated Dr. Cox as the school's next president. Dr. Cox is currently the Vice President of Finance, Operations and Government Relations at Hartford Community College in Maryland. 

CCCC’s Board of Trustees Chairperson Christopher Oddleifson was asked to speak to the State Board regarding the search process and the selection of Dr. Cox. In testimony on Tuesday January 24, 2012, he noted, "…Dr. John Cox has demonstrated… that he has the expertise to meet our institution’s challenges and opportunities ahead…We believe he is an experienced, visionary leader who embraces the needs and challenges of our institution, celebrates the diversity of our region, and for many years to come will champion our mission to serve our unique geographic area and contribute to the growth of the Commonwealth."

Dr. Cox will be replacing Dr. Schatzberg who has served as president for the past fourteen years.

CG Helicopter rescues fisherman with heart attack

Heavy weather prevented on-deck rescue, basket lowered to hoist victim

The U.S. Coast Guard reports that a helicopter crew transported a man experiencing heart attack-like symptoms from a fishing boat 60 miles southeast of Nantucket,  to a Cape Cod, Mass., hospital, Wednesday night.

The rescue occurred in 6-foot seas southeast of Nantucket.The crew of the fishing vessel Monomoy contacted Coast Guard Sector Southeastern New England at 11 p.m., reporting that a 46-year old crewman was experiencing severe chest pains, with tingling hands, clammy skin and heavy breathing and was in need of immediate medical attention.

The 1^st Coast Guard District Command Center conducted a conference call with the flight surgeon who recommended a medical evacuation.

An MH-60T Jayhawk helicopter crew from Coast Guard Air Station Cape Cod launched with a corpsman aboard. When performing a medevac, the helicopter crew always has a corpsman to administer first aid.

Corpsmen aboard helicopters are required to have some of the same vigorous training as the rest of the helicopter crew such as emergency egress, dunk tank and low pressure chamber training. Coast Guardsmen's experience, skills and training allow for quick action and an appropriate and efficient response to all maritime needs.

Due to the boat’s rigging and sea conditions, a rescue swimmer could not be lowered safely from the helicopter so the crew lowered a rescue basket to the deck of the boat where the man could climb in to be hoisted up to the helicopter.

"The conditions were definitely challenging but the entire crew did an outstanding job and we were able to hoist the crewmember aboard where our corpsman administered life-saving medications while en route to the hospital," said helicopter co-pilot Lt. j.g. Zephyr Mays.

The weather on scene was 11-knot winds with 6-foot seas.

Courtesy USCG.

IFAW rescues nine more dolphins after Brewster stranding

Rescue teams en route to Truro for release Wednesday afternoon

Video by David G. Curran.

IFAW is reporting some good news Wednesday afternoon.  A team of trained rescuers is making the trip from Brewster to Truro to release nine Common dolphins back into the sea. Around 11 a.m. Wednesday, IFAW received the report of six dolphins about to strand near Sea Pines Drive in Brewster as low tide approached.

As of 1 p.m., the rescue team had successfully collected nine dolphins in all. The dolphins were transported to the rescue trailers where they were evaluated. 

One of the nine dolphins rescued by IFAW in Brewster yesterday.  Photo © IFAW/M. Booth.

Kerry Branon, IFAW's media asset manager, reported later in the afternoon that all nine were deemed healthy enough to be returned to the water. The dolphins are being transported to Head of the Meadow Beach on Truro's oceanside where they will be released in deep water.

As of 7 p.m. Wednesday night, Branon reported the release of the nine dolphins in Truro to be a success.

Wednesday's rescue is good news for IFAW rescuers and researchers who have been grappling with the recent high number of dolphin strandings along the bay.

Monday, rescuers attempted to save a dolphin that stranded at Power's Landing in Wellfleet, but the animal succumbed to its injuries.

A representative of IFAW is scheduled to address Congress on the strandings this Friday.

Read more about the recent strandings here:

• Dolphin stranding mystery continues; member of IFAW team to address Congress later this week
• IFAW reports the death of two more dolphins Monday
  
• Kerry, Keating ask for NOAA's help in finding cause of dolphin strandings
  
• Seven more dolphins strand in Wellfleet Thursday
  
• Six stranded dolphins rescued in Wellfleet

Christmas in February--a look back at Occupy Santa in Woods Hole

Video of Occupy Santa event in Woods Hole in early December

Video by Jon Goldman

The holidays may have passed, but filmmaker Jon Goldman of Woods Hole provides us with one finally look at Santa. Well, sixty Santas actually, at the Occupy Santa event staged in Woods Hole at the beginning of December.

On that clear day, sixty "occupiers" in bright red, blow-up Santa suits took to the streets of the quaint seaside village in search of year-round jobs. 

Jon Goldman, the creator of the video, was also the organizer of the event. He also created the documentary Oil in the Family.

See Paul Rifkin's coverage of the event here.