Hi everyone,

As some may have heard, the barrier beach between Edgartown and
Chappaquiddick was breached by the big storms last month making
Chappy an Island again.

The current going through the narrow passage between Chappy and
Edgartown where the On Time ferries run is ferocious now. All tide
and current tables are wrong now.

I'll call your attention to the bottom middle photo at this site:

http://picasaweb.google.com/Bill.Brine/NortonPointBreach

The waves in the water are not a boat wake, but standing waves set up
by the current.

My advice would be to not try to sail into Edgartown harbor this
year, at least until you have tried to get through with power.

Here are some good articles describing the situation:

http://www.mvgazette.com/news/2007/04/20/spring_gale_roars.php

http://www.mvtimes.com/news/2007/04/19/norton_point_beach.php

http://www.mvgazette.com/news/2007/05/04/katama_breach_folo.php

http://www.mvtimes.com/news/2007/05/03/norton_point_breach.php

Of note here is a quote from the harbormaster:

"The current in the narrows used to run about one knot. Now it is
about three knots. While that might not sound fast, Mr. Blair said,
it is about two-thirds the top speed of the Chappy ferry. "