Boats and Kayaks

    In recent years, incidents of the seals at Rome Point being disturbed and chased away from the haul-out have increased; however, we are pleased to note that the spring season of 2011 showed a marked reduction in the seal harassment events we recorded. In almost all cases, boat operators or kayakers are responsible for these unfortunate occurrences. The seals need their rest and the stress associated with being chased from the rocks has a negative impact on these animals. Sometimes the seals will be harassed repeatedly several times in a day or on several consecutive days by different watercraft. Being disturbed is especially troublesome for the pregnant female seals in the spring; pup-bearing seals need to conserve their energy for their northern migration. In addition, the thoughtless disturbance of the seals can spoil an outing for hopeful seal watchers who have walked out to Rome Point to observe seals in a responsible manner.

    Romepointseals.org does not look kindly upon watercraft operators who disturb or harass the seals. Why take a boat out to bother the seals when you can see the seals much better from a calm, stable onshore location using relatively inexpensive sport optics? I have been monitoring this location for 8 years and have detailed notes recording the names, registration numbers, and descriptions of boats and kayaks that have disturbed or harassed the seals in the past. Everyone deserves the benefit of the doubt; however, repeat or intentional violators of the Federal Marine Mammal Protection Act that we observe will be videotaped and our eyewitness account will be submitted to the proper authorities.

    We recognize that in most cases mariners do not intend to cause any harm, they just want to get an up-close look at the seals. Our sympathy lies especially with kayakers, who may not realize that harbor seals are very sensitive to their presence and can be disturbed by kayaks as far as 1/2 mile away. Mariners who are navigating in the vicinity of hauled-out seals in winter are advised to observe the following guidelines.

Boats must maintain a distance of at least 50 yards and should plan to view the seals quietly, using binoculars. If seals are leaving the rocks and entering the water because of the presence of a boat or kayak, that vessel is too close and is in violation of Federal law.
Do not approach the seal haul-out site. Boats should maintain their distance and pass the rocks under power, using the tide and wind to maintain a course parallel to the rocks, but far enough away that the seals remain undisturbed.
Do not shout, sound the horn, attempt to feed seals, or allow dogs on board to bark at the seals. Avoid sudden movements on the boat.
Observe the seals for signs that your presence is disturbing them, such as: looking at you, increased activity, stretching their necks into the air, or starting to move towards the water. Back off immediately if the seals are reacting to your presence.
Kayakers paddling in the vicinity of Rome Point when seals are present should hug the coastline along the western shore of Narragansett Bay. To avoid disturbing the seals you must stay as close to the shore as possible; if you stay inside of the outer-most, close-in rock at the point there is a good chance that you can sneak past the seals. Proceed quickly and quietly through the area, staying close to the shore until 1/2 mile past the haul-out rocks. Alternately, kayaks are advised to proceed around the north side of Fox island and stay at least 300 yards from the seal haul-out rocks as they pass by down the center of the west passage. Approaching the seal haul-out rocks with a kayak will definitely scare the seals away. We have definitely observed a significant increase in awareness among the kayaking community that Rome Point is a special marine mammal habitat over the past couple of years. We extend our gratitude to the conscientious paddlers who we see going out of their way to avoid spooking the seal herd; your exemplary conservation ethics have not gone un-noticed, and your considerate actions are greatly appreciated.

The best way to observe seals at Rome Point is from shore using a spotting scope. Everyone is invited to join me and the other seal observers on the Rome Point shore; I am always eager to share my scope with all interested persons and families. Kayakers are urged to beach in Bissel Cove and walk across the point to view the seals. The seals, as well as your neighbors and fellow nature lovers, will think most highly of you for your kind consideration.

For anyone who is looking for a fun and educational excursion on the bay in winter, we recommend the excellent seal watch cruises offered by Save The Bay out of Newport, RI. The expert captains of the Alletta Morris know how to get close enough to the seals to get great views without bothering them, while the knowledgeable naturalists on board can tell you all about seals. Save The Bay Seal Tours