By John Lynds
With over one million spectators and 49 historic sailing ships from 13 nations converging on Boston Harbor on Saturday, June 17 the 2017 parade of sailing ships is expected to be an exciting afternoon on the city’s waterfront.
However, while the event will be a fun-filled day for Boston residents and visitors alike, law enforcement and elected officials are letting people know to expect heightened security along the water’s edge in East Boston and across the harbor.
The Department of Homeland Security is coordinating with the U.S. Coast Guard and local law enforcement to ensure what some have called ‘Super Bowl-like’ security at the Parade of Sail.
“This will be a Homeland Security operation and from what I understand it is the same level security the Department provides for events like the Super Bowl,” said City Councilor Sal LaMattina at a recent community meeting. “We ask residents to be patient and cooperate and adhere to ‘no-parking’ postings prior to the event on aEast Boston’s streets.”
Several streets will have parking restrictions and/or be blocked to vehicular traffic on the day of the event.
In Eastie residents and visitors are welcome to enjoy the event from designated viewing points along the Harbor. These viewing areas will open at 7 a.m. the day of the event and include LoPresti Park on Sumner Street, the Lewis Mall Harbor Park, Piers Park and the Navy Fuel Pier on Marginal Street in Jeffries Point. Spectators should arrive early in order to get through the security zone and have bags properly checked prior to entering the viewing areas.
In Eastie, several streets will be closed to traffic and have parking restrictions. Cars must be removed and parking will be prohibited on Sumner Street from Havre to Orleans Street and from Bremen Street to Sumner Street all the way down to Marginal Street from 12 midnight to 4 p.m., Saturday, June 17.
The following roads will be closed to traffic and parking will be prohibited on June 17 from 6:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m.;
Sumner Street – New Street to Havre Street
New Street in its entirety
Border Street – Maverick Street to Sumner Street
Landing Street in its entirety
London Street – Maverick Street to Sumner Street
Liverpool Street – Maverick Street to Sumner Street
Marginal Street in its entirety
Orleans Street – Webster Street to Marginal Street
Haynes Street in its entirety
Cottage Street – Webster Street to Marginal Street
Jeffries Street – Sumner Street to Marginal Street
Sumner Street at Jeffries Street
Sail Boston has also released a list of items that will be prohibited in the viewing areas along the waterfront.
These items include backpacks or large bags, coolers on wheels; firearms, weapons, sharp objects or fireworks; pop up tents or canopies; cans, glass containers, pre-mixed beverages or alcoholic beverages; wagons or pull carts; drones; pets (excluding certified service animals); grills, propane tanks, or open flames; and bicycles.
Items that will be allowed at the event are small clutch purses/bags that are easily searchable; shoulder strap or single handle coolers; folding/beach chairs; umbrellas; baby strollers; diaper bags that are easily searchable; glass baby bottles; and blankets or tarps with a max size 10 feet by 10 feet.