Earle Question…..

[Duffman]

I skirt the buoys every trip in/out and followed by the patrol boat just about every time.

Why exactly is the pier off limits? Wasn’t it decommissioned and passed to civilian control?

[june181901]

Absolutely not. Security is very tight at the pier and at Colts Neck.
Any citations issued are usually answerable at the U.S. Magistrate's Court in Newark, NJ.

[NJ Dave]

I skirt the buoys every trip in/out and followed by the patrol boat just about every time.

Why exactly is the pier off limits? Wasn’t it decommissioned and passed to civilian control?

Been there, done that. Once you have a mounted 50 caliber machine gun pointed at your head by a 20 year old yahoo you will stop the short cutting.
They take that pier serious with security ever since 9/11.
Don't do it, not worth the chance of a fine or the time being pulled over by the marine police boats

[Duffman]

Whoa hold on………….I don’t shortcut.

All I’m saying is I skirt the buoys tight on my ride in/out. It just makes for a shorter ride to and from my marina.

Just curious as to why it’s a closed zone. I understand the closure after 9/11 but haven’t seen a navy ship there in awhile.

[NoLimit]

The pier is connected to a railroad that goes to every munitions you can imagine and they Llosa them by the shipload. So no way you want to raise any concern especially if you have a faster boat.

[Fin Reaper]

Doesn’t matter how fast you boat is….you can’t outrun a 50 caliber LOL

[John D.]

Where does the railroad cross rte 36? Have never noticed that before but wasn’t looking either.

[Broad Bill]

I remember post 911 we were moving very slowly outside the markers along the south side of the pier. Wanted to see the contour on the fish finder. Clearly at least 25 ft outside the markers. Out of no where, zodiac with 50 cal mounted on the bow or whatever it is was on us. Said we were too close to the markers. We were heading in a westerly direction towards land running parallel to the markers and I remember the guy running the boat said "You're too close to the markers. Immediately turn to your port and move away. That's your left in case you don't know what side your port is".

I understand the stress these guys must be under but at the same time if you're outside the markers no one should have a machine gun pointed at their head. Eventually there's going to be an accident and someone's going to get hurt. After that encounter, I made sure to steer well clear otherwise your going to be stopped and God forbid ticketed which I imagine wouldn't be cheap. In the world we live in today, I can only imagine what's stored at Earle so steer clear would be my advice, these guys aren't f&$@#!g around.

[Gerry Zagorski]

Where does the railroad cross rte 36? Have never noticed that before but wasn’t looking either.
There is a railroad bridge going over route 36 just before Leonardo.

[NJ Dave]

Whoa hold on………….I don’t shortcut.

All I’m saying is I skirt the buoys tight on my ride in/out. It just makes for a shorter ride to and from my marina.

Just curious as to why it’s a closed zone. I understand the closure after 9/11 but haven’t seen a navy ship there in awhile.

Haha, I didn't mean it that was Dan, was just saying the close cutting / short cut is what gets their attention and they come right after you.
Boats kr not, it's an active pier manned by the military. Had a friend working there for 3 months
Every day they checked the work truck like it was the first time ever seeing them. I guess you jist never know

[Broad Bill]

They store nuclear bombs at Earle. Would only take one lunatic to trigger a catastrophic nuclear event in a very populated area so personally I'd rather see them err on the side of caution than be lax on security.