The new and improved page for the Clean Up Boat is here.

The Charles River is a beautiful recreational asset that is enjoyed by people from around the world. One thing that detracts from the enjoyment is the presence of trash floating on the surface. Since the dam and locks prevent the river from flushing this trash, it floats back and forth as the wind shifts, until someone picks it out, or it sinks. Governmental agencies are hard pressed for funds, and not in a position to remove this trash. So rather than complaining about the situation, we have decided to get off our butts, and do something.

The Charles River Clean Up Boat is a privately funded, 501(c)(3), non-profit, organization whose objective is to remove the floating trash from the Charles River. With a refurbished boat, and a new motor courtesy of the Boston Duck Tours, we started our clean up operations in June of 2004. Patrolling the river several times a week during the summer and fall of 2004, more than two hundred bags of floating trash were removed by our volunteers, greatly improving the water quality and appearance of the Charles. Our efforts were highlighted in an article published by the Boston Globe in October 2004.

In 2005, we plan to clean the river earlier in the year, and keep it cleaner. We will also clean areas that we could not access in 2004. The 2005 plan is to increase the number of hours we will operate, and add a skiff to allow us to clean pockets we cannot access with the larger boat. In addition we plan to add a prop shield to the motor so we can better operate in the lagoons along the Esplanade.

In addition to the Massachusetts Department of Conservation and Recreation and the Boston Duck Tours, groups that have assisted this effort in 2004 include the Watertown Yacht Club, the Charles River Yacht Club, the Massachusetts Bay League, the Esplanade Association, the Cambridge Office of Tourism, the Cambridge Boat Club, the Royal Sonesta Hotel, the Pfizer Corporation, Research Technology Center, Triumvirate Environmental, Inc., the Arsenal on the Charles, the Genzyme Corporation, the Massachusetts Institute of Technology, and the Cambridgeside Galleria. Individuals have also contributed, and it is with everyone concerned sharing the financial burden that we can continue to keep the Charles looking beautiful.

A day on the river can be very enjoyable. We do not go in bad, or uncomfortable conditions. If the weather threatens we come in. Our intent is to make the volunteer’s experience fun and rewarding. Many people bring their mates, friend, or children and find the day to be a quality experience.

If you are interested in volunteering to help on the river, or in making a donation to support the operation of the Clean Up Boat, please contact Tom McNichol at 508.877.3624, or cleanupboat@yahoo.com.