Orange-white Nav Aids in North Barnegate Bay

[comsnark]

Ever have a boat North of Toms River? Ever see those goofy Orange-white-Orange barrels?

Who puts those things out there? Is it the county? The State? The town?

In my view (I am often out at night) these things are little more than navigation hazards. They are not aids. They showed up for the first time this year this weekend (a little late, eh?) and disappeared off the bay just after labor day last year (a little early, eh?)

Now. . .after spending some time plotting about 3/4 of these things. . .I have begun to see a logic: They seem to be be shoal markers! I was scared to creep up on a few. (I pulled the drives all the way up approaching "N"), but at least two of them (particularly the one at the entrance to Silver Bay) I have to dodge at least once per weekend.

So if I may ask politely: Who is responsible for these navaids?

 

[ImpulseIII]

Are you sure they are nav aids and not racing marks for sail boat races sponsored by the various yacht clubs in the area?

 

[J Levine]

Frank is right, the barrels are marks using for one design sail boat races. They are located in a number of strategic spots and all lettered on the side. Depending on the wind conditions the race committee selects a course and communicates it to the participating boats prior to the beginning of each race.

 

[ImpulseIII]

Jon,

I will have to show this post to my wife.....According to her I am never right. My day is made!!! :thumbsup:

 

[osd9]

Many Yacht Clubs also use the big "round" morring fenders to mark their courses, and will generally have their "call sign" on the marker. (ie; TRYC, BHYC, etc)

I am always amazed that they are actually given permits to mark accross the entire Toms River for Saturday afternoon races.... The quintessential "OH $HIT" as power boats approach and try to go up/down river..... :smt017

It is a great way to check your radar and practice the MARPA feature... :wink:


Frank: quick...go out and play the mega-millions...... :grin:

 

[comsnark]

Many Yacht Clubs also use the big "round" morring fenders to mark their courses, and will generally have their "call sign" on the marker. (ie; TRYC, BHYC, etc)
quote]

The big round markers are ok: They are put down before the race, and picked up after the race. I won't run one down after dark.

These barrels sit out there all season long. Just a single letter on the side of each. No other owner marks. I used to think they were racing marks. . .but I honestly have not seen a race use these barrels.

 

[osd9]

The big round markers are ok: They are put down before the race, and picked up after the race. I won't run one down after dark.

There are two of those big round fenders sitting in the area just north and west of ICW 36....been there for a few days now.....somebody fogot to pick 'em up... :smt017......either that or there is multi-day race going on.....

 

[ImpulseIII]

Years ago, before I saw the light and bought my first Searay, I was a (dare I say) sailor :smt018 . We used to race with TRYC and IHYC and the orange barrels were racing marks. They were placed in the bay at the beginning of the racing season and removed in the fall. No general navigational purposes at all.

 

[J Levine]

My father in law races two different classes of one design sail boats on the bay and I have been around the sport for most of my life. Trust me on this one, that is the orange and white lettered barrels are for. He also has a power boat so he is not all bad! Been with him on his 28' E Scow in a 25+knt blow with 5 big guys. We had the boat up on plane and hauling along faster than I usually cruise the the old Sea Ray. Damn thing doesn't even have a fuel tank. If oil hits $200 a barrel we will all be much more interested in sailing.

 

[comsnark]

So. . . coming into silver bay around 9:30pm, I impressed a guest by pointing out the exact location of the dreaded "O" barrel 15 seconds before it became visible. I then executed my turn into bay around the barrel.

A few minutes later, a "Go-Fast" boat whizzed by on plane. Maybe going 30mph (on plane, but not hammering).

Passed me at an acceptable distance. He passed the barrel with maybe a few feet to spare. <<shudder>>

 

[rondds]

there are few of those barrels in the metedeconk and i've always wondered what they were for. there's a sailing club near the mouth of the river that has races across the channel fairly regularly, and they put down their own buoys and remove them after the race. the one comsnark speaks of is placed pretty much DEAD CENTER of the deep water entrance of silver bay. i assumed it was there as an aid that sort of says "stay close to me and you'll be OK." but i can see how it could be a hazard at night.

still another reason you have to be 50,000 times more alert when boating on this bay!

 

[comsnark]

I was out on the bay this morning dodging rain drops, and warming up the engines. Looks like those &$#@ nav hazards are gone for the season.