Special Report: Eye in the sky

David Tonnesen, Artist
"Its like my baby, its sort of like a living thing."

What 'it' is, is a giant cod fish sculpture designed by local artist David Tonnesen.

David Tonnesen, Artist
"The cod fish is so important that it has become the symbol of prosperity."

The sculpture of the states official fish sits high above the harbor on top of the Legal Seafood building. It's more than just a work of art - - it’s a tool for boaters.

David Tonnesen, Artist
"I wanted to add something contemporary to it, so the eye ball is actually a beacon communicating wind speed."

For example - - next time your in the harbor and you see the fish's eye violet and pules blue once, the wind speed is between 1.8 and 4 miles per hour. If the eye is yellow with 5 orange pulses the wind is 19-24 miles per hour.

It's already come in handy for Captain Jim Fisher of the Mass Bay Lines.

Jim Fisher, Captain of the Mass Bay Lines
"From the other side you can see what's going on, by the time you get there you know what it's all about."

He takes commuters and tourists through the harbor almost daily and says besides the usefulness of this new landmark - - it’s become a conversation piece for visitors on his ship.

Jim Fisher, Captain of the Mass Bay Lines
"I do have quite a few conversations with the tourists about what it is and what it's about, but I actively try to engage them to try to give them a better experience in Boston."

If you don't find yourself out in the harbor, you can view the statue through a live web camera. To find it, log onto our web site at WHDH.Com and click on Special Features. In the news room Francis Rivera, 7News.

Related link:
Live View of Boston Harbor