Boat Snaps Utility Pole

BARNSTABLE At about 1:15 PM an unusual event took place on Route 6A in Barnstable. It isn't every day that a boat collides with a utility pole on Route 6A or any other road for that matter, but that is exactly what happened this afternoon.

An SUV was towing a fiberglass boat about 20 to 25' feet in length on a trailer eastbound on Route 6A when the boat trailer with the Boston Whaler type vessel on board became disconnected from the towing vehicle and slammed into a utility pole in front of 2905 Main Street. The pole was snapped and a cross bar supporting high power lines was split and hanging precariously.The boat appeared to be some sort of Law Enforcement vessel as it was equipped with a towing post and blue light and said WFO-Whaler-5 Port Ops on the vessel and trailer.

Barnstable Police were able to keep traffic moving most of the time throughout the the investigation, and repair of the broken pole. Barnstable Patrol Officer David Downs is investigating and was  assisted at the scene by Patrol Officer Gretchen Allen.

Barnstable Fire Rescue also responded to the scene, but there were apparently no injuries. They remained on the scene for public safety reasons considering the power lines that were hanging off the pole on the east bound side of the street. Several times Fire Rescue personnel politely asked onlookers to move from under the damaged wires above.

NStar responded with two utility trucks to deal with the damaged pole and Capeway Towing was called to remove the damaged boat.