Warmer weather has melted our frozen waterways​, but that's giving rise to unusual hazards. The unusually cold winter​ uprooted docks, and sent debris into the bays and the Long Island Sound.

Every passage should begin with a pre-departure checklist. From safety equipment to weather and charts, if you are planning on spending any time under sail, no check is more crucial than a rig check.

The incident occurred Saturday afternoon, when the Fall River Harbormaster and several other agencies responded to assess the scene. There, they saw that multiple lines holding the boat had ...