Westport Fishermen's Association

The Helen Ellis Charitable Trust announced today that the WFA will receive a grant to fund the production of a brochure about the Lifesaving Station. The grant, in the amount of $1250, will pay for design, photography and printing for the brochure which will be used to inform residents and visitors about the project as well as use in fundraising. "While we have tried to inform people as much as possible, there are still a lot that may not know," says Jim Perry, the Project Coordinator for the WFA.

The Westport Board of Selectmen unanimously approved the transfer of funds awarded by the Community Preservation Committee for use in matching a grant from the DCR. The funds were awarded at last year's town meeting for the restoration of the Lifesaving Station at Horseneck Point. "This was the last hurdle to securing the matching funds from the state and at this point it's down to just picking up the check," remarked Jim Perry, the project coordinator for the WFA.

The restoration of Westport’s historic Lifesaving Station at Horseneck Point got a major boost today when the Massachusetts Department of Recreation and Conservation awarded it $60,000 in matching funds as part of its partnership grant program. The building is located on property owned by the DCR and leased to the Westport Fishermen's Association. "We are, of course, very pleased," says Jim Perry, the project coordinator for the WFA. "This is not only a major boost to our fundraising but it shows the support from the state and DCR for this project."

A storm wasn't the only thing brewing last tuesday night - so were generous portions of oyster stew, served up with fresh cornbread and home-made apple pie. Officially, the meeting is a requirement of the group's charter but it's also an excuse to meet and enjoy traditional fishermen's fare. A warm crowd filled the tables downstairs at the Westport Point United Methodist Church. Most were locals from Westport or Little Compton but there was a strong contingent from Bristol, Rhode Island as well.

A February tradition going back over twenty years is the preparation of the traditional oyster stew that will be served during the Annual Meeting. Before any flame hits a pan several hundred oysters must be liberated from their shells by the tedious and sometimes dangerous shucking process. This group is accustomed to the work, several have been around since the beginning.

The Humane Society of Massachusetts erected its sixty-ninth lifesaving station in April of 1888 at the Westport harbor entrance, on the west end of Horseneck Beach. The station was 16’x32’, a simple shingled post-and beam structure on posts with a floor, and pitched roof to house a 30’ lifeboat named “Westport”. This typical HSM station was un-manned and performed the simple function of housing the lifeboat and associated equipment in the boat room. A 1901 Eldridge Harbor map shows the station located just inside the stone jetty on the more protected river beach.

Kayla Cordeiro, Sherry Warner, and Amanda Whipple are seniors at Durfee High School. They all share some unusual schoolwork. Normally not a typical high school chore ,but all three students spend part of their day caring for a few thousand juvenile quahogs that will eventually make their way into the sand flats of the Westport River.

Ever wonder just what Stripers do when they're underwater looking up at your boat? Are they laughing at your bait or just at you? Well, put an end to your curiosity Tuesday, February 12 when famed underwater videographer and fisherman extraordinaire Mike Laptew gives a presentation during our annual meeting. Following generous helpings of our fresh Oyster Stew and home-made apple pie, Mike will show High Definition footage from his latest offering, Stripers Gone Wild.

Progress is moving swiftly on this year's raffle creation, coming to form in Tom Perkins' garage. The craft is a 14' kayak made from cedar planking and in finished form weighing in at around 40 pounds. The hull is in its finishing stage and now Tom and Jack and whoever else stops by to help are working on the top deck, including some inlayed redwood that creates a stylish line down the middle. Tom will kindly show the progress to members who wish to stop by but you may be required to lend a hand sanding or holding something in place.

Show your support! We now have some fantastic WFA hats available for purchase. Pick from Nantucket Red, Beach Grass Tan, or Seawater Blue. They cost $20 or are free with our premium membership. Supplies are limited so order today by emailing Jim