Navy Unable to Host Save the Bay

This notice was issued Thursday by Leanne Danielsen from Save The Bay regarding the annual Save the Bay Swim:

Today the Navy informed Save The Bay that Naval Station Newport cannot host the start to the 2013 Save The Bay Swim due to fiscal constraints imposed by federal budget sequestration.  We can assure you that Save The Bay will not cancel the Swim. The Navy has been great partner for more than three decades.  Many of our swimmers are current or former Navy personnel.   We hope the situation with the Navy can be resolved in the coming weeks.

In the meantime, we are exploring alternatives.  As you know, Save The Bay’s Swim has a storied history.  This year’s is our 37th crossing of the Bay. The Swim is one of the longest running and most beautiful open water charitable swims in the country.  And we rely on the Swim to fund our mission to protect, restore and explore Narragansett Bay.  We ask for your patience and understanding, and will keep you posted as the situation develops.

Also on the same day, the Rhode Island National Guard announced it was canceling this year's air show in Quonset. Several acts, including the show's headliners the Blue Angels, pulled out of the show due to federal budget cuts – also known as the sequester.