Newtown Rotary Learns About Waterway Watch Program

Commodore Ron Willson of the US Coast Guard Auxiliary talked to Newtown Rotarians about the Waterway Watch program destined to help protect rivers and waterfront areas.  He said there are 12 million registered boats, plus about 20 million small unregistered boats, 70 million boaters and millions of people working on boats and waterfront businesses.  This is an impressive force of eyes and ears to help protect the nation’s bridges and shores, he said.

Commodore Willson cited a case in New Haven where a motorist going over the I-95 bridge in New Haven noticed two motorists parked on the bridge, holding up traffic, taking pictures of the area containing large oil storage tanks.  He dotted down the license number and called the Waterway Watch telephone number (877-24 WATCH).  The license number was traced to a car rental company and the car was rented at the time to two Middle East men who had traveled from Canada and were previously involved in suspicious actions.

Commodore Willson said suspicious actions should be reported to 877-24 WATCH.  

The United States is currently in an era that requires everyone to be “alert, observe, and report,” any suspicious actions of people who may appear to be taking particular attention to bridges, power plants, oil storage areas, and similar facilities, he said.

No one should approach a person who is acting suspiciously, he added. Instead, the circumstances should be reported to the Waterway Watch hotline so that the proper authorities can deal with the situation as required.

The Rotary Club of Newtown is composed of business and professional men and women who are dedicated to local, regional, and international service. The organization meets Mondays at 6:15 pm for a dinner meeting at the Fireside Inn.