Northshore magazine showcases the best that the North Shore of Boston, MA has to offer.
Issue link: http://read.uberflip.com/i/1252581
85 per hour, the story is no different. Chris Valaskatgis, president of the Northeast Charterboat Captain's Association, says that every measure of safety is being taken seriously. Thanks to a generous sponsor (Minn Kota/Humminbird), clients will be provided with free "buffs" (a cloth mask originally designed to combat sun and heat on the water) that has been approved by the CDC as an appropriate style of mask to wear. Valaskatgis will be "maxing out the number of people on trips to maintain proper social distancing. We will be wiping down the boat and equipment every hour, probably more, to ensure cleanliness. We will have hand sanitizer readily available and clients will be responsible for their own food and drink to be kept in a personal cooler," he says. Dark Horse, N E W B U R Y P O R T George and Will French are brothers and co-owners of the Dark Horse who are also making safety their highest priority. Launched in 2018, the Dark Horse was constructed in Maine over two years. Built entirely of composite materials, resulting in a sturdy but lightweight and fuel-efficient vessel. Frequent and favorite destinations include trips to the Merrimac River, local marshes, Plum Island, and Castle Hill. Expect all of the required sanitation procedures as well as masks, gloves, and avoiding mixing groups of people who are not already in close contact with one another. Dark Horse darkhorsecharters.com Manolin Charters manolincharters.com Two Captains Charters twocaptainscharters.com Schooner Ardelle schoonerardelle.com Thomas E. Lannon schooner.org When and If sailwhenandif.com Private Boat Owners If you're a private boat owner, you might be wondering what your options for getting out on the water are. Donny Pattullo is a Newburyport resident and avid boater who predicts a slow recovery. "Unfortunately, I think full boats of 50-plus strangers heading out for a day of fishing or an evening party cruise in July are as unlikely as an airplane full of travelers at the same time." But boat owners can still enjoy the water. "The North Shore is rife with places for overnights. If you typically go dock- to-dock but want to keep social distance and anchoring overnight makes you nervous, look for places to get a mooring," he recommends. "Many towns now use Dockwa to rent their moorings and also have local reviews like where to walk the dog or find the best lobster roll. ActiveCaptain is another resource for local reviews," he says. "A three-night mooring trip could start in Gloucester to see the commercial activity, through the Annisquam River and over to Ipswich Harbor for some fun at the beach, and then up to Newburyport for some exploring downtown," says Pattullo. Another idea is to be "your own whale watch. Head out a few miles, slow down, and look around. If the whale watch boats are running, check out their location but be respectful of them and the whales and keep your distance," says Pattullo. PHOTOGRAPHS COURTESY OF DONNY PATTULLO (TOP RIGHT), COURTESY OF DARK HORSE (BOTTOM LEFT) can to ensure the health and safety of clients and crew. Salzmann plans to roll out more affordable private charters for smaller groups this summer "in a way that practices social distancing and is acceptable for all involved," he explains. Manolin Charters, NEWBURYPORT On the Manolin, a 24-foot semi-custom boat with an open deck and top speeds of 42 miles Top, Donny Pattullo and his family. Left, The Darkhorse runs fishing charters out of Newburyport. Boat Safety For-hire charter fishing was allowed to resume after May 25 provided that operators meet the required safety standards: No more than 10 people, including any captain and crew, are aboard a single vessel at any one time. Other protocols include six feet of social distance, face coverings, and regular sanitation procedures among other requirements. Contacts