Chesapeake Bay News

The Maryland Department of Natural Resources (DNR) has removed two sunken barges from the Somers Cove Marina, making it ready to welcome boaters this season. The barges sank in the marsh of Jersey Island near Somers Cove Marina approximately 20 years ago.

“For years, this area of the marina has been a bit of an eyesore. Now, we can begin the first stage of a beautification project in that section,” said Lloyd Tyler, executive director of Somers Cove Marina.

Beautification efforts include covering the land next to the project area with topsoil and grass, and planting new trees.

Steven’s Marine Construction was awarded the contract to remove the sunken barges. Fuel tanks from the barges were properly drained and removed before the barges were hauled out, which will result in safer navigation of the area. Following removal, the barges’ corroding steel was taken to Delmarva Recycling Inc. to be recycled.

“The commission is very supportive of this effort to remove the old barges,” said Somers Cover Marina Commissioner Ladell Dorman. “They were a potential hazard to navigation as well as a possible source of pollution.”

In conjunction with ongoing projects to replace an old dock with a floating dock, and to upgrade and repair the fuel dock, removal of the sunken barges has Somers Cove Marina ready to welcome boaters for the 2010 boating season.

This removal was made possible by $13,500 from the Waterway Improvement Fund, which is supported by the five percent excise tax boaters pay when registering a vessel in Maryland.

This information is provided as a public service of the Maryland Department of Natural Resources. www.dnr.maryland.gov

A new facility is to be known as the “Martha H. Williams Memorial Pool at Somers Cove Marina”.

Governor Martin O’Malley was joined by state and local officials to dedicate the Somers Cove Marina Pool in Crisfield with a new name, the “Martha H. Williams Memorial Pool at Somers Cove Marina.” The announcement was made at the Annual J. Millard Tawes Crab & Clam Bake in Crisfield, MD on Wednesday, July 15.

“Mrs. Williams may not be with us now, but her memory will live on forever through this pool that she used as her classroom for 11 years,” said Governor O’Malley.

In April, Maryland Department of Natural Resources (DNR) Secretary John Griffin requested on behalf of the Somers Cove Marina Commission that the Board of Public Works (BPW) approve the renaming of the Somers Cove Marina Pool after Martha H. Williams, an American Red Cross volunteer and swimming instructor at the marina pool for more than 11 years. Through her efforts, more than 500 children learned to swim and many of them went on to become lifeguards in the area. Williams passed away in December 2008. The swimming program continues today, where many children of Mrs. Williams’ students are now learning to swim. The BPW approved the renaming at its May 20th meeting.

Among the state and local officials present were Delegate Norman Conway, Crisfield Mayor P.J. Purnell, Jr., DNR Secretary John Griffin, Williams family members, the Somers Cove Marina Commission and local citizens.

“Both the Commission and I feel it is a fitting tribute to name the Somers Cove Marina pool in honor of this dedicated volunteer,” said Secretary Griffin.

Representatives of the Maryland Red Cross presented a plaque to the Somers Cove Marina Commission at the Annual J. Millard Tawes Crab & Clam Bake. Held every year on the third Wednesday in July at Somers Cover Marina in Crisfield, the event is a celebration in honor of Crisfield native J. Millard Tawes, the 54th Governor of Maryland, and is recognized as one of Maryland’s finest seafood festivals with all-you-can-eat crabs, clams, fish, corn-on-the-cob and much more in an outdoor setting.