Save The Bay Swim Closing Narragansett Bay To Boat Traffic

NEWPORT, RI — Saturday is shaping up to be a beautiful day to be on the water, but it won't be boats you'll see in the Narragansett Bay on Saturday morning. The area around Jamestown and the Newport Bridge will be closed to boat traffic for the annual Save The Bay Swim.

From 8:30 a.m. until 11:30 a.m. on Saturday, the Coat Guard will create a "safety zone" in the East Passage of the Narragansett Bay between Gould Island, Conanicut and the Newport Bridge. Any boats trying to get through the area during that time can do so by going around the western side of Jamestown.

During the annual Save The Bay Swim, approximately 500 swimmers and 200 kayakers take to the Narragansett Bay, traveling 1.7 nautical miles across the open water from Naval Station Newport to Potter Cove in Jamestown. The event is the organization's largest fundraiser of the year. Registration is still open and costs $50 per swimmer or kayaker.

The Coast Guard may let certain boats through the area on a case-by-case basis by calling them on VHF channel 16. Any boaters will questions can call Save The Bay at 401-272-3540 before the event.