Narragansett to receive $3M from Homeland Security

The U.S. Department of Homeland Security and U.S. Department of Justice announced that $3.04 million will be awarded to Narragansett to help develop interoperable communications systems. The funds are part of a program to develop demonstration projects that will use equipment and technology to increase interoperability among the fire service, law enforcement, and emergency medical service communities.

"These grants are intended to help develop solutions that will guide future communications equipment funding so that all communities can meet an interoperability performance standard," said Dept. of Homeland Security's Tom Ridge in a written statement. Narragansett will receive the funding for the Washington County Interoperable Communications Project, which will create a communications network to provide radio and data interoperability to all public safety agencies throughout the Washington County area.

Recreational boat losses from Hurricane Isabel: $150 million

The Boat Owners Association of the United States reported that losses to recreational boats from Hurricane Isabel (not including marinas, other infrastructure or commercial vessels) will total over $150 million. Most of the damage occurred in the upper reaches of the Chesapeake Bay and Potomac River watersheds, far from the storm's North Carolina landfall.

"The surprise of this storm was the severity of storm surge throughout the Chesapeake Bay and Potomac River, in spite of the storm's landfall far to the south, and its subsequent track inland," said Carroll Robertson, vice president Marine Insurance, in a written statement.

"Boaters who took advantage of the long lead time before Isabel hit and made hurricane preparations by either removing their boat, or adding extra lines, chafe protection, reducing windage and buttoning up tightly, generally fared OK," said Robertson, adding, "The sheer number of boats in this area has resulted in one of the largest economic losses to recreational boats from any catastrophe including Hurricane Andrew in 1992."

In the upper Chesapeake and Potomac, a combination of wind driven storm surge and high tide was exacerbated by runoff of rainfall, catching many unprepared with record setting high water. Most of the damaged vessels were left in boatlifts or in slips to weather the storm. The north and west sides of the Chesapeake Bay were particularly hard hit.

Suspected ordnance found at Quonset Point

The Army Corps of Engineers reported that during an environmental remediation project at the Blue Beach property at Quonset Point in North Kingstown, several pieces of suspected ordnance were found.

When the larger pieces of ordnance were unearthed last week, U.S. Navy Explosives Ordnance Disposal from Newport and the State Fire Marshal were called in to investigate. For safety reasons, the fire marshal closed the site as well as two adjacent construction sites while an investigation is conducted.

On Monday, Sept. 22, the Navy determined that all pieces unearthed up to that point, excepting one sea mine, were inert. Another sea mine was unearthed later that day and determined to be inert. The inert pieces were filled with concrete or were empty. They ranged from small pieces of ordnance, such as rocket warheads, to larger pieces, such as sea mines. To date, roughly 20 pieces have been found at the site.

The investigation of the one remaining naval sea mine proved inconclusive. It has no fuse and does not pose an immediate danger, but will be treated as hazardous material and escorted from the site by the Navy EOD for disposal.