Gas Buoy - Shrewsbury Rocks

[hammer4reel]

Originally Posted by dakota560

I'm not challenging your post so don't take it that way. I've seen many tankers and tugs pulling large barges pass through the rattlesnake just east of where the outside can was marking the eastern end of the Shrewsbury Rocks. So it might not be the HA or BA lanes but it is a lane of some sort used commonly for southerly traffic. Whether that buoy was an official marker or not for shipping lanes I'm not sure, I always assumed that buoy was there to mark the rocks and potential navigating hazard to larger vessels. If not, what was the purpose of that buoy. I'm sure as others have mentioned all large vessels have GPS plotters as did Joseph Hazelwood on the Valdez on that fateful day in 1989 but I would think if a buoy, especially a well lit buoy at night, could act as an added insurance policy that a boat doesn't run aground and create another environmental disaster it would make sense leaving it there. If it was an important marker for all these years, why isn't it now?

Have seen the same thing HUNDREDS of times. its def a barge travel area frequently used.

electronics can misfunction at any time, and many times when a LP barge goes past they block out your gps.

Dan absolutely agree, I've seen countless barges as well as tankers taking that route south out of Sandy Hook or the Hudson, AND if they're passing the snake they're not that far from the beginning of the Shrewsbury Rocks and the buoy we're talking about. Don't see nearly as many motoring north towards SH but have seen a few taking that course as well. If there were God forbid a spill there it would be an absolute disaster to the marine environment in that area and with the tides most likely Sandy Hook Bay, arguably some of the most popular fishing areas on the coast. Sandy Hook National Park could effectively be closed down. Don't understand why the powers to be would remove a buoy I'm assuming was intended to mark a navigational hazard coming out of one of the busiest ports in the world. That rock formation reaches almost three miles offshore and should be marked. Like I said, it'll go back up after a disaster strikes so some bureaucrat can cover their ass!

Just curious in your post, what does LP stand for? Liquid Propane by any chance? Have my reasons for asking but wanted to see your reply first.