Chief Richard D. Howe
20 Westford Road
Tyngsborough, MA 01879
For Immediate Release
Friday, June 10, 2016
Contact: Jessica Sacco
Phone: 617-993-0003
Email: john@jgpr.net
Tyngsborough Police Remind Residents to Follow Water Safety Tips This Summer
TYNGSBOROUGH — As warmer weather approaches, Chief Richard D. Howe would like to remind residents of essential water safety tips while spending time on Lake Mascuppic, Massapoag Pond and the Merrimack River this summer.
“Tyngsborough has many places and opportunities to enjoy the summer outdoors,” Chief Howe said. “We’re asking the community to please remain safe while doing so. Be alert, be aware and watch over children at all times.”
The Merrimack River is a popular boating and kayaking destination during the summer months. Current boating activities on the river include canoeing, kayaking, rowing and power boating. The river provides both quickwater and flatwater experiences for canoeists and kayakers and is one of the largest surface water bodies in the region for power boating.
Massapoag Pond, located off of Massapoag Road, is also heavily utilized for boating, fishing and swimming.
The American Canoe Association offers the following safety tips to kayakers, paddlers, and recreational boaters:
- Always wear a life jacket.
- Children under the age of 12 must wear a life jacket in a public body of water at all times.
- Be a competent swimmer with the ability to handle oneself underwater, moving water, surf or current.
- Keep the craft under control. Do not enter a rapid unless you are reasonably sure you can navigate it or swim the entire rapid in case you capsize.
- Keep a lookout for hazards and avoid them. Watch for fog, especially on coastal waters.
- Know your emotional and physical limitations.
- Group members need to constantly assess the behavior of others in their group.
Lake Mascuppic, located in Tyngsborough with a Massachusetts state boat ramp in Dracut, is fully recreational with heavy boat traffic in the summer months. The developed waterline is open for swimming and boating. Tyngsborough has issued the following regulations for the Town Beach on Lake Mascuppic:
- The Town Beach on Lake Mascuppic will be open from Memorial Day through Labor Day from 8:30 a.m. to 8:30 p.m. on both weekdays and weekends.
- All persons swimming or bathing at the Town Beach should do so at their own risk. No lifeguards are on duty.
- All children under the age of 17 must be supervised by an adult while on Town Beach.
- Swimming at the beach shall be confined to areas marked by roped buoys designated by the Parks and Recreation Commission.
- No boating vessels of any kind are permitted within 200 feet of the beach.
- Children must be monitored when playing on the beach’s playground equipment.
- Smoking and drinking alcoholic beverages are prohibited.
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