Twenty-five hardy swimmers braved the cold water to race between Eastern Point and Rockaway House in Massachusetts’ Gloucester Harbor. They are swimming to protest harbor pollution in this fourth “Annual Swim for a Clean Harbor” race.

The object is to increase public awareness of harbor toxins. In 1980, the swim was especially pertinent: there was a major environmental event in the harbor and millions of gallons of overflow spilled, including industrial oils and raw sewage. Fortunately, a new sewage plant is now in the works, and the oil problem has diminished.

Sarah Robbins, 70, and her daughter were organizers of this event. They still participate and hope that soon the swimming event can be renamed: “Thanks for a Clean Harbor.”

Editor’s Note: An article on this topic was published in The Boston Globe, Sept. 4, 1982, titled “A race to save the harbor they love,” by Gale Warner.” Due to copyright issues, we are unable to reproduce it as published.