Rip tide warning system explored at Conimicut Point

By John Howell
Posted 10/11/16

The Conimicut Village Association is exploring a rip tide warning system that an oceanographer believes could be the first of its kind for installation at the Conimicut Point spit, the site of several drownings - the most recent being July

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Rip tide warning system explored at Conimicut Point

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The Conimicut Village Association is exploring a rip tide warning system that an oceanographer believes could be the first of its kind for installation at the Conimicut Point spit, the site of several drownings – the most recent being July 22, 2013, when a 16-year old boy was swept into deep waters.

At an association meeting Wednesday at the Woodbury Union Church, Doug Wilson outlined his proposal for a system comprised of two units – one in the water and the other land-based – that would communicate wirelessly and provide a warning when the rip tide reaches a certain velocity. Water-based sensors would be mounted on a pile driven into the shoal that extends easterly toward Conimicut Light and is a favorite place for fishing and those looking to go wading.

The pile would be outfitted with a light and a solar panel to supply electricity to instruments measuring wave activity and currents. It would stand at least 12 feet about the mean high tide. Data would be transmitted to a receiving station on shore, which would record the information and trigger an alarm when the rip tide reached dangerous levels. That alarm could be a flashing light, whistle, or even a verbal warning in English and Spanish.

The CVA suggested a warning system as it looked at how best to spend $100,000 in Community Development Block Grant funds. Although such a system would benefit to the larger community, because it would be mounted outside the area designated as eligible for grant funding, CDBG funds could not be used. This has not deterred Conimicut resident Lonnie Barham, who followed up on the concept and with research on the internet found and contacted Wilson. The association paid to have Wilson visit Warwick and attend Wednesday’s meeting.

Wilson, who worked as an oceanographer for the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, and now runs his own firm, Caribbean Wind LLC, took an interest in the concept and designed the proposed system.

“I think you invented this. No one has chosen an application like this,” he said.

Wilson said a basic warning system could be built for about $30,000. For an additional $8,000 to $10,000, he said it could contain a website feature that would allow for real-time offsite monitoring, and for another $8,000 to $10,000 the system could be designed to use historic data in forecasting dangerous conditions.

Conditions are especially treacherous when the current runs counter to the wind and waves, Barham said.

That’s the way Bob Daniels, who was fishing at the point Saturday afternoon, sees it too. Daniels has been visiting the point since 1992, and from personal experience knows the pull of the tide. He used to walk out on the shoal into waist deep water in pursuit of bluefish and stripers, but no more. On one occasion he fought his way back to shore, collapsing on the beach in exhaustion. Now he only goes knee-deep in the water and when the tide starts rising he heads for shore.

He finds conditions can change rapidly. “At one minute it can be calm and then in the next the waves will be crashing against each other,” he said.

Wakes thrown up by passing tankers and tugs are also a hazard, pointed out Ward 4 Councilman Joseph Solomon. Those waves that are far larger than wakes of pleasure boats rise out of the water in the shallows of the shoals.

Daniels knows what Solomon is talking about. He said he rescued a friend who was washed off the point by the wake of a passing barge.

Janet Freedman, geologist with the Coastal Resources Management Council, who also attended the meeting, outlined the process for permitting such a facility. She said the first step would be Coast Guard approval. The Army Corps of Engineers would also be involved, but although CRMC regulations prohibit construction on the shoreline she thought the agency board would grant an exception for landside station based on its purpose.

Fire Chief James McLaughlin, who was also in attendance, favored the device.

“Anything that has the potential of saving a life is worth it,” he said.

The CVA will explore the permitting and a grant to build a rip tide warning system at the point, Barham said.

Comments

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  • RISchadenfreude

    Local residents will be thrilled by an alarm at every tidal change, or better yet, a verbal warning in Spanish in the middle of the night!

    It isn't a "rip" tide, but the regular current during incoming, and to a lesser extent outgoing, tides.

    Too bad they can't devise a Common Sense Alarm.

    Tuesday, October 11, 2016 Report this

  • JohnStark

    It's really this simple: Respect Nature. I've been wading at the Point since the 70's with never a problem, but you can't be reckless. There's already a very visible sign warning of strong currents. If parents keep a close eye on their children, especially those who can't swim, it will alleviate most of the risk. If waves are crashing and the current is strong, get out the water! Common sense goes a long way.

    Tuesday, October 11, 2016 Report this

  • richardcorrente

    Maybe a sign that says "Dangerous Riptide" might be inexpensive and the most effective way to prevent danger.

    John Stark is right. Common sense does go a long way but sometimes it isn't so "common". Maybe a reminder is all we need.

    I have fished the point a hundred times for a half a century and I don't think I ever went without a friend.

    Richard Corrente

    Endorsed Democrat for Mayor

    Tuesday, October 11, 2016 Report this

  • Thecaptain

    I am a firm believer in Natural Selection.

    Tuesday, October 11, 2016 Report this

  • gwsjr75

    This is not really a "rip tide" in any normal sense. It is an exposed shoal that a lot of water passes quickly at certain times. And the biggest danger is not the water itself. The danger is that the shoal effectively turns to quicksand when the water runs rapidly across it, and if you try to walk or run along the shoal when that is happening you sink into the shoal and get trapped by the sand. That danger -- of walking on the shoal when the tide comes in -- is the one that needs to be advertised most clearly. I too question the alarm idea, in part because it will give a false sense of security when the alarm is not ringing.

    Wednesday, October 12, 2016 Report this

  • Justanidiot

    How about we just build a wall to keep people off the point?

    Thursday, October 13, 2016 Report this