Projo 7 to 7 News Blog

A year ago today:
Warwick officials are asking the public to heed posted warnings and stay off the long sandbar at Conimicut Point after four people had to be rescued from the water over the past two days, including a 14-year-old East Providence girl who was seriously injured. Mayor Scott Avedisian said city officials are looking for more ways to deter people from the sandbar without banning them from the shore.

5 years ago today:
On the first day of new port-security rules around the United States, two foreign ships docked in the Port of Providence are ordered to leave. The ships did not comply with new regulations, said Coast Guard Petty Officer Amy Thomas, who said the vessels motored outside of U.S. waters. The Coast Guard would not release any details about them because of security concerns. Under the ambitious maritime anti-terrorism program that went into effect today, the Coast Guard must now inspect every foreign ship coming to a U.S. port to make sure they have taken steps to improve security. The inspections are tied to an international maritime treaty proposed by the United States shortly after the Sept. 11 attacks to create the first worldwide security standards for ships and ports.

25 years ago today:
Four North Providence residents swim about 30 feet to the Block Island shore after jumping from their boat, which was being swept toward rocks by waves and wind, according to Coast Guard officers. Chief Steven J. Huttman, officer-in-charge at the Block Island Coast Guard Station, said the 25-foot Bertrum fiberglass Rocky II was "pretty well beat" when it was driven onto rocks near Southeast Lighthouse. The incident occurred in heavy fog about 10:30 a.m., as the four - Rocco DeAngelo, 48, and Rocco DeAngelo Jr., 19, both of 8 Angelo St., Richard Leone, 16, of 11 Conifer Drive, and Danny Acciardo, believed to be in his 30s, of 128 Leo Ave. - were fishing. The elder DeAngelo said a large wave hit the boat, stalling its engine. Successive waves and wind then rushed against the boat, tossing it aground. After the four swam to safety, a Block Island resident drove them to Old Harbor, where they were examined by a rescue squad.

On the national front:

In 1863, the Civil War Battle of Gettysburg, resulting in a Union victory, began in Pennsylvania.

Read The Associated Press's Today in History.

Watch video highlights from Today in History.

 Tags  Block Island Conimicut Point U.S. Coast Guard

Leave a comment

Please be civil. Vicious comments, personal attacks and profanity won't be published. Name and email are required; email address will not publish.

Name:

Email:

URL:  

Remember personal info?

Captcha:

Type the characters you see in the picture above.