COMMENDATION FOR HARBORMASTER OFFICER DIMEO AND ASST MATTAR

FEBRUARY 13, 2021

State Rep Patrick Kearney, Chief Tavares, Harbormaster DiMeo, Asst Harbormaster Mattar, Steve Darcy (BOS), Mike Bradley (BOS), Representative from Sen. O’Connor’s Office, Michael Mareso Town Administrator. [PHOTO: LAURIE FRANCE]

A recount by Chief of Police Phillip A Tavares:

“On Tuesday, January 5th, 2021, at approximately 3:53 pm the Marshfield Police Department received several 911 calls reporting surfers who appeared t be in need of help in the waters off of Bay Avenue. The caller further stated that it appeared that the surfers had lost their surfboards in heavy surf and seas. They also relayed that the surfers had no way of making it to land safely as it was high tide and the waves were smashing against the seawall and rocks. For reference, I reviewed weather data for this date and I discovered the following: The winds were from the north at a steady 20 mph, seas from the east with steady 8 foot swells with building 12 foot wave sets. High tide this day was at 3:55 pm, sunset was at 4:25pm with water temperatures at 44 degrees an ambient temperature of 33 degrees.

You and Assistant Harbormaster Mattar were notified by the Police Department of these calls and you began your response in Marine Unit One. You arrived on scene a short time later and were able to visually locate the surfers off of Bay Avenue. You made a rapid assessment of the situation and made a quick and decisive plan to begin the rescue. In viewing the video of the incident and my conversations with your and other officers on shore, the following briefly summarizes your actions. You decided to back Marine Unit one down towards the surfers to keep the bow of the boat into the waves to prevent rollover. You also had to time the movements of the boat with the wave patters to put Assistant Mattar in the safest position possible to throw a rescue line to the surfers. During this entire evolution, the wave patter was relentless, the wind and seas were extremely significant, and the daylight was fading fast. Once in a safe position, Assistant Mattar was able to throw a life line to the surfers who were then brought on board Marine Unit One and transported to Green Harbor. Once they were on land, the Marshfield Fire Department was able to evaluate and treat them.

As stated, this is a brief synopsis and frankly does a great disservice to the actions you performed this day. I truly believe that your actions saved 2 lives on that day. Your ability to remain calm in a stressful situation, navigate the safe boat in treacherous conditions and formulate a rescue plan, all while keeping your crew safe is exemplary and worth of a commendation.”

Phillip A Tavares, Chief of Police Marshfield

ictured above, Marshfield Police Chief Phil Tavares outlining the extreme weather and conditions Marshfield’s Harbormaster Michael DiMeo and Assistant Harbormaster Charles Mattar were under during their heroic actions saving two surfers in extreme conditions. The event commodations took place on Saturday, February 13, 2021 at 10:00 AM at the Marshfield Maritime Center located at 100 Central Street in Marshfield. [PHOTO: LAURIE FRANCE]

Patrick J Kearney of the 4th Plymouth District in the Massachusetts House of Representatives presenting Marshfield Harbor Master, Michael DiMeo with Commendation from the Commonwealth. [PHOTO: LAURIE FRANCE]