Due to the possibility of extreme weather associated with an approaching front, and a hurricane making its way up the coast, Tisbury Harbormaster Jay Wilbur and officials from the Massachusetts Department of Transportation will delay the scheduled closing of the temporary Lagoon drawbridge to vessels that require the span to be raised, until Tuesday morning, Oct. 6, so boats may still find safe haven.
“That could change depending on where the storm goes,” Tisbury selectman and Lagoon Bridge committee member Melinda Loberg told The Times late Wednesday afternoon. “If the hurricane doesn’t materialize in this direction, or if it’s downgraded, they can reschedule the closing for Saturday.”
Ms. Loberg said that larger boats that were planning on staying out all winter will be able to take shelter in the Lagoon. “Most of the boats have already committed to where they will be, but there are a few stragglers,” she said. “The problem is that there are not enough free vacant moorings behind the breakwater in Tisbury for these boats to have secure moorings. I believe there are still some open moorings in Tashmoo. If there are people who are really scrambling, they should call the harbormaster.”
According the National Weather Service, 40- to 50-mph winds are expected Thursday night and Friday; however, “confidence is low” that Hurricane Joaquin will impact the region.
The new bridge is expected to be functioning by February 2016. Until that time, once it is closed, there will be no raising of the drawbridge.
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