Our View: Staying Safe On The Water

It’s been a while since there was a major change in the outer beach that protects Chatham’s eastern shoreline. The washing away of the April Fool’s Cut at the southern end of the barrier beach several years ago was the last major development. That triggered significant erosion along the Morris Island shoreline, leading to the demolition of all of the buildings on the Monomoy National Wildlife Refuge’s headquarters property on the island.

 Last week’s two-day nor’easter brought heavy winds and high tides that pounded the outer beach and created a new break in the northern tip of North Beach Island. A new sandy island was left between the North Inlet and North Beach Island. Unlike a one-tide-cycle washover, which is common on the low outer beach, the new break appeared to be staying open between tides, officials said. 

 This could change the dynamics of the North Inlet, which has been used by mariners to access the Atlantic for many years now. The inlet has been notorious for frequent shoaling and changes to the deep-water channel, and this new development is likely to complicate that. Officials are urging mariners to avoid the new cut and to be cautious when using the North Inlet. Also yet to be seen is the impact on the inner shore, especially around the area of the popular Cow Yard town landing.

 The timing is, of course, not great, as the summer boating season begins to ramp up. It’s also a reminder that the shoreline, both inside and outside, is ever-changing. We urge mariners to attend the June 14 seminar on navigating Chatham’s waterways sponsored by the Monomoy Yacht Club to get the latest on the town’s harbors and inlets. Even though conditions may change overnight, getting the latest information is the best way to stay safe on the water.