Comments on: Town Plans Deal with South Port to Protect Inner Harbor

By: Roger L. Munz

Roger L. Munz — Mon, 28 Jan 2013 03:12:59 +0000

I believe the Town Fathers should tread very lightly in committing $500,000 to a somewhat questionable technology and project. This is one plan that should not be rushed into. IF this is so great at calming the seas, than let’s see a demonstration across a part of the town harbor for several months to truly evaluate its potential.

By: David Kabler

David Kabler — Thu, 24 Jan 2013 18:24:53 +0000

I have had personal experience with these floating wave attenuators in the boat harbor of Cambridge, MD. The harbormaster warned me upon docking my schooner there that it won’t work, and that my boat would rock like mad when a tug pushing a barge up or down the river passes the town. He was absolutely right! One pass of a tug and I tossed my lines and left the marina to dock in the town’s old harbor.

By: Elizabeth Davis

Elizabeth Davis — Thu, 24 Jan 2013 02:37:12 +0000

I realize that the information above doesn’t STATE that the example in the video is the wave attenuator that is being proposed by town staff but it is certainly implied. The example in the video is one type of attenuator. The device demonstrated in the video is not what the town is exploring for the Harbor — never has been. If you search for “wave attenuator” on the Internet you will see many different types. You will also learn that a wave attenuator can be a dock — much like “A” dock at the harbor — which by the way is an attenuator. Furthermore if you look at page 4 of the packet provided to Council (link above) you will see that what is being proposed is a wave attenuator as part of the dock system in keeping with what already exists. The fact that a “floating plastic attenuator” isn’t being explored is a valid reason why no information was provided in the staff’s report regarding the lifespan of said device. But at this point it has not even been determined that attenuators are the final decision.

By: Rick Thomas Sr.

Rick Thomas Sr. — Tue, 22 Jan 2013 19:02:02 +0000

From what I’ve seen the problem in the town harbor is swells not waves. These wave attenuators may break down the surface waves but would just float on and over the swells, allowing them to continue into the harbor. We have a huge concrete plant on the harbor and we can’t find a way to put in a concrete form of breakwater?

By: Larry Stevens

Larry Stevens — Tue, 22 Jan 2013 13:57:45 +0000

Oh man, now I’ve seen it all! I sincerely hope the floating wave attenuator never sees the light of day in or around Cape Charles. Not only would it be aesthetically unpleasing when installed, just think what it would look like 2-3 years later when it is covered with grime, oil, seaweed, etc. It would collect every imaginable thing that drifts across the Bay (the list is too long to mention). It would be an environmental nightmare. Yikes — a terrible idea!

By: Deborah Bender

Deborah Bender — Tue, 22 Jan 2013 13:42:47 +0000

So let me get this straight — we are going to help South Port with the wave attenuators and SOUTH PORT OWES THE TOWN OVER $5,000 in water bills and won’t pay? Are you kidding me? And now our town manager wants to waive the water bills? Give me a break!

If anyone owns a home in this town, has the water SHUT OFF because they are going to be gone for an extended length of time, they still have to pay the minimum bill. Why should South Port get out of paying their water bill?