Mark Alan Lovewell
The Vineyard Cup attracted 106 boats on Saturday for a 13-mile race across Nantucket Sound and back. The sailboats crossed the start in four separate class starts around noon.
In the three days of racing that began on Friday and ended on Sunday, one of the newest boats on the waterfront did the best.
Island waters are filled with bluefish, especially now. Striped bass fishing is sketchy and the bonito are only now arriving, but for Vineyard and Nantucket commercial and recreational anglers, there is one certainty: the bluefish are here.
Capt. Tom Mleczko of Nantucket reports bluefishing is good this summer for him, as good as it was last year. He fishes in a 29-foot Hawk called Priscilla J.
For the first time in years, crews from all six Island volunteer fire departments will participate in Sunday’s Dukes County Firefighters’ Muster in Oak Bluffs.
While the firemens’ muster is firefighting work and play at its best, the festivities have a serious aspect. The muster is another opportunity to practice firefighting skills, with the help of a clock, a crowd and competition.
Despite the rising price of aviation fuel, Angel Flight pilots continue to shuttle Vineyarders back and forth to Hyannis, Boston and afar for necessary medical appointments.
The price of fuel comes out of the pilots’ pockets, but still they are flying. Island pilot Mike Shabazian said: “You can’t whine about gas prices. If you do, you don’t fly.”
Menemsha Coast Guardsmen played a large role in a rescue attempt following a collision between a sailboat and power boat in Buzzards Bay on Friday that left an experienced sailor dead.
Coast Guard personnel aboard the Menemsha-based 25-foot rescue boat responded to a mayday call for help shortly after 1:45 p.m.
Senior chief Stephen Barr of the Menemsha Coast Guard station said the boat crew arrived on scene in less than 35 minutes and found another patrol boat already there.
An Island institution responsible for giving a bang to the season is having a hard time.
The Oak Bluffs Firemen’s Civic Association, which collects contributions each year to cover the cost for the August fireworks over Ocean Park, is this summer struggling to raise enough money.
“It is getting harder and harder,” said Ken Davey, president of the association.
This year’s fireworks are scheduled to take place on Saturday, August 23.