EP Native Kevin Connors: Keeping Boaters Safe

Harbormaster, Coast Guard Chief, Fire Department Boat Captain and more ...... Kevin Connors.

Whether it was responding to the September 11, 2001 terrorist attacks that killed 2,996 people and injured 6,000 others, or being called to help manage the North Cape Oil Spill in 1996 when the barge North Cape and the tug Scandia grounded on Moonstone Beach in South Kingstown, RI spilling an estimated 851,928,000 gallons of home heating oil throughout a large area of Block Island Sound, East Providence native Kevin Connors was a key player. A Chief in the United States Coast Guard, a coxswain - described as the person in charge of a boat, particularly its navigation and steering, Kevin Connors is a skilled boat Captain. He spent 30 years in the Coast Guard both in active duty and in the reserve force. He was stationed in Point Judith and Block Island where he was involved in countless rescue missions. His official rank was that of a Boatswain Mate Chief, a highly trained Coast Guard Captain. "I loved the search and rescue part of the job. It's what I still love to do, help people on the seas," Connors told the Reporter in a recent interview while patrolling the waters around Narragansett and Point Judith, RI.

When Connors was ready to retire from Coast Guard duty, the government wasn't quite ready to let him go. The Guard was having trouble finding a suitable replacement for Connors so he had to stay on until one could be found. "Yeah, I stayed on a bit to help with recruitment and training. I was glad to help and couldn't just walk away until I felt I did all I could do to help," said the generally quiet and unassuming Connors.

Kevin Connors grew up in Rumford, RI on Barney Street. His Mom, Barbara Connors and other family still live in East Providence. Connors graduated from Saint Raphael Academy in 1978 and moved to Narragansett, RI in 1992 when getting married. Connors also was a member of the Providence Fire Department for 25 years where he served as - of course - a fire boat Captain. He spent a few years briefly as a Narragansett police officer also.

"I attended Thompson elementary school in EP and then attended St. Margaret's and graduated from St. Ray's. I do understand being a Townie and I did learn to swim at the East Providence High pool," Connors chuckled. "I do miss EP and visit family quite often. I enjoy eating out at Avenue N restaurant not far from my old neighborhood," Connors said.

But these days the retired Fire Department and Coast Guard Captain is still actively keeping people on the water safe. It's safe to say that Kevin Connors has spent much of his life in a boat keeping people safe. After retiring fully from the Coast Guard and fire and police departments he served, he thought he would relax on a beach somewhere. He relaxed for about a day until there was a knock on his door. The Narragansett police wanted Connors to be their harbormaster. The job of harbormaster functions in the capacity of a peace officer, and has the authority to investigate and enforce provisions of federal and state laws and regulations. In addition to patrolling the ocean, rivers, ponds, harbors, etc., the job would entail much more. Officials said he would be responsible for the administration and enforcement of the provisions of a harbor management plan and ordinances regulating the use of town wharves, docks, piers, marinas, moorings and vessels.

He would also have to process applications for the issuance of mooring permits and assign proper placements of moorings. There would be monthly reports and coordination with Coast Guard and other jurisdictional law and maritime enforcement. A lot to do. Connors thought for a minute or two and then accepted the job with a wide smile. He would continue his lifetime passion of being on the water helping people.

"I want people to be safe, I really do," Connors said. "It's not so much about the fines if someone is not following the rules. It's about teaching people about safety and how to respect the water and other boaters. I'm like a cop on the water but with a classroom to teach," Connors said. Connors has also been known to take time to teach boaters how to tie a proper knot on their lines.

Indeed it's not a joke. On any given day there are thousands of boaters, swimmers, kayakers, canoeists, jet-skis, paddle boarders and other assortment of water enthusiasts on Rhode Island's South County beaches and waterways. Connors is charged with monitoring these activities and enforcing the maritime laws. "Occasionally I will stop and issue a ticket to a boater who may be blatantly breaking laws and endangering self or others. But for most first offenders I will explain the laws and issue a warning. I'd rather follow a boat safely back to their dock or mooring and make sure all arrive safely," he explained.

On this sunny day in June, the Reporter tagged along for a ride with Connors throughout Salt Pond in Narragansett and Point Judith and along the Harbor of Refuge in front of Sand Hill Cove beach. Along the way Harbormaster Connors stopped a sailing school and advised them of how better to navigate the channel with approaching vessels. He also came along side a boater who was not operating totally within the laws of the sea. When Connors was trying to explain the procedure for rights of way, the boater became agitated and wasn't very courteous to the Harbormaster. After the discussion was becoming futile, Connors raised his voice slightly and told the man, "we'll continue this in the morning in my office." When asked why he didn't give the argumentative boater a citation, Connors just smiled. "He'll get over it. I'll see him tomorrow." The next day Connors received a lengthy apologetic email from the man. "It's all good," said Connors. "He probably had a bad day."

Kevin Connors had some bad days a few years ago. His beloved wife, Kathy, became ill in 2006. She, too, loved the water and together they enjoyed everything about life. "Cancer came into our life and it changed everything. My wife wouldn't let it keep her down. She refused to let people feel sorry for her and she insisted that they continue on until the very end," said a now melancholy Connors. The couple took small boat rides and visited friends and family with everyone knowing that the cancer was now fatal. After she died Kevin Connors took solace while on the sea more than ever. But my "strength of family and friends and memories of what we had, are irreplaceable," he said.

Kevin Connors can tell many interesting stories. He tells of the time in 1983 when he was called to escort the Australia II back to Newport by boat after the Australian 12 meter defeated the Americans which held the Cup since 1851.

He was assigned to the Mariel Boat Lift of 1980 while in the Coast Guard. The mass-migration of Cubans seeking asylum in Florida was an enforcement nightmare in which Connors played a major role. Connors was also a first responder when the tanker ‘World Prodigy’ ran aground just outside the mouth of the West Passage of Narragansett Bay. Tons of No. 2 fuel oil were released into the water and drifted over a total area of about 120 sq miles.

And he smiles a lot when telling of how he was asked to captain former Mayor Buddy Cianci's yacht for some Cianci trips to Block Island. Although prodded, Connors would not give the Reporter any juicy insight into those Cianci voyages!

One admirer of Harbormaster Connors is the current Narragansett Police Chief, Sean Corrigan. "I've worked in Internal Affairs for the Narragansett police for 30 years. If any officer has a complaint against them I would know," said Chief Corrigan. "Kevin does an excellent job. I never have to worry about him or how he treats people on the water. It is absolutely true that he is respected, laid back but very fair and firm, " added Chief Corrigan.

The Reporter agrees. While watching Connors in action, it becomes quite clear that his best attribute may be his demeanor. He is not a "cowboy" on the water, pulling boaters over left and right. Connors has no problem in issuing a stern warning or a ticket if warranted but he prefers to de-escalate a problem and see that it doesn't happen again. Connors is on-call 24-7 and takes pride in rescue missions. "I love helping people and it is very sad when an avoidable accident happens out there," as he motions to the vast waters of Point Judith Sound.

Kevin Connors has also met someone whom he describes as a "ferry tale" relation. Kathleen and I met on the Block Island ferry during a recent November trip. "This woman is the love of my life," he says with a big smile and a big hug for her. The two openly talk of the sadness in Connors losing his first wife and they talk of their same love for the ocean and life in general. "He is a wonderful harbormaster," Kathleen said. "He is very concerned about saving people and teaching people to keep safe on the water."

Connors invites his former EP community to say hi anytime they may see him on the water. So if you're in a boat "down South County way" and you see the white Narragansett Harbormaster boat, wave him over and bring some Townie love. Just make sure you're not speeding and have all of the required safety equipment aboard. You may get a ticket or a lecture on boat safety.