[Capt. Debbie]

I've been working down inside that area steady as a tow boat operator for 16 going on 17 years.

The scenario you rue is not all that bad. Usually after 430pm or so 75% of the boat traffic is gone. It is not all that chaotic. Things have changed.

Pre- gas hike ($4/gallon) in 2005 and before there was much more boat traffic. Sandy's destruction and the diversion of boat insurance money into home repairs did not help.

So YES, there is more traffic on a holiday weekend as opposed to a weekday. But you'd worry yourself into paralysis thinking of massive carnage awaiting you.

Go out. Expect boats out there. But fearing that is unjustified.