An early spring is bringing fears of a severe drought in Rhode Island and elsewhere in New England.

Dangers of an Early Drought in RI

4/5/2012 - It has been an early spring so far, and as leaves and buds come out, trees and plants will start sucking water out of the ground at a very fast pace. Generally, this is a time of abundant water (April showers bring May flowers!). This year, however, our streams are… SEE MORE
Friends of the Bay's sole focus is protecting the quality of the water around Oyster Bay. Photo courtesy of Friends of the Bay.

Friends of the Bay Begins Water-Quality Checks

4/5/2012 - Friends of the Bay is the only organization whose sole focus is protecting the quality of the water in the Oyster Bay/Cold Spring Harbor Complex. Friends of the Bay staff and volunteers take water samples and collect scientific data at nineteen sites throughout the harbor on a weekly basis from… SEE MORE
The pristine shores of Western Cove in the village of Sunshine. Sheep and Little Sheep islands sit in the distance.

Deer Isle, a Delightful Watery Escape

4/2/2012 - Deer Isle, a geographically fractured island that marks the eastern boundary of Penobscot Bay, splits into numerous pieces of land, each protected by a seemingly endless amount of harbors, coves, inlets, and islands. Surrounded on all four sides by separate bodies of water, the island is truly a paradise for… SEE MORE
Even an unnamed storm can expose a harbor's vulnerabilities. Make a storm plan now to prevent surprises this summer.

Creating a Storm Plan: 4 Tips to Remember

4/1/2012 - There is little that can be done on board once a Category 2 or above hurricane arrives. Make your preparations, EARLY, and seek shelter on shore. Check your insurance for a named storm clause which may pay, at least partially, for hauling expenses. But storms less powerful than hurricanes will… SEE MORE
A Northeaster, though not a named storm like a hurricane, can be a big, dangerous storm.

Planning for Summer Means Planning for Storms

3/31/2012 - If you're like most sailors, April finds you making plans for the boating season ahead. You're probably scouring the charts and deciding which favorite harbors to visit this year, and which new destinations to plug into the GPS. I learned the hard way, though, that in addition to these dreamy… SEE MORE
Wind Map, a slick new online tool to see wind patterns nationwide.

New Toy for Weather Junkies: Wind Map

3/29/2012 - We've said it before, and we'll say it again: We are weather junkies. We love anything that helps us better understand the conditions around us, and the latest online gadget looks like one that will be fun to stare at for hours on end. We discovered Wind Map through an… SEE MORE
Buck's Harbor is a beautiful and wild place, where rocky islands guard the rough waters of Machias Bay.

Savoring the Quiet Around Machias

3/29/2012 - Maine's Washington County is the place where the term Downeast becomes less of a myth and more of a reality. Towns like Cutler, Jonesport, and Lubec sit perched on the bold cliffs over the rough waters of the Atlantic. The lobster boats outnumber pleasure craft, and the working man outnumbers… SEE MORE