Dangerous Weekend Warrior Boating

[Billfish715]

Right of way through the bridges is always a problem. The accepted "rule" for negotiating the MR RR bridge is that the boats navigating "with" the tide have the right of way. There is also some common sense involved in navigating because of the limited visibility caused by the tressel and the structure itself. It's hard to see to the other side. There is no traffic cop or stop light so unless captains observe the "right of way" based on the tide, it can be a free-for-all.

I like the way the bridge operators in the Shark River control the traffic through that area. It's pretty tight and can be a disaster without someone directing the boats through. A simple radio request from a captain with the boat's name and then a response from the operator indicating your place in line and when to proceed is something the MR RR bridge operator might be able to do once the span opens after a closure. Of course the yakkers compound the issue because they have no radiios for the most part.

I could go on about close calls with the kayaks and I'm sure many boaters could do the same thing. Yakkers in the fog, yakkers in inlets, yakkers without flags, yakkers with no lifejackets, yakkers in the troughs of steep waves, yakkers with no boating safety certificates. The same can be said about rental skiff operators.

The board members who fish from party or charter boats usually don't see
what's happening but for those of you who run your own boats, don't be afraid to get on the airhorn or loudspeaker to make your presence and opinions known.

[courbeco]

Originally Posted by Billfish715

Right of way through the bridges is always a problem. The accepted "rule" for negotiating the MR RR bridge is that the boats navigating "with" the tide have the right of way. There is also some common sense involved in navigating because of the limited visibility caused by the tressel and the structure itself. It's hard to see to the other side. There is no traffic cop or stop light so unless captains observe the "right of way" based on the tide, it can be a free-for-all.

I like the way the bridge operators in the Shark River control the traffic through that area. It's pretty tight and can be a disaster without someone directing the boats through. A simple radio request from a captain with the boat's name and then a response from the operator indicating your place in line and when to proceed is something the MR RR bridge operator might be able to do once the span opens after a closure. Of course the yakkers compound the issue because they have no radiios for the most part.

I could go on about close calls with the kayaks and I'm sure many boaters could do the same thing. Yakkers in the fog, yakkers in inlets, yakkers without flags, yakkers with no lifejackets, yakkers in the troughs of steep waves, yakkers with no boating safety certificates. The same can be said about rental skiff operators.

The board members who fish from party or charter boats usually don't see
what's happening but for those of you who run your own boats, don't be afraid to get on the airhorn or loudspeaker to make your presence and opinions known.

Nicely said.....I couldn't agree more. Fortunately, I sold my boat before the yakkers became a problem, but always had to contend with the jet ski's and rentals. Monitoring VHF channel 13 was always a must when departing/entering SRI. The bridge captains were always helpful and kept an eye out for the larger vessels navigating through the bridges.

[Gerry Zagorski]

Originally Posted by Billfish715

Right of way through the bridges is always a problem. The accepted "rule" for negotiating the MR RR bridge is that the boats navigating "with" the tide have the right of way. There is also some common sense involved in navigating because of the limited visibility caused by the tressel and the structure itself. It's hard to see to the other side. There is no traffic cop or stop light so unless captains observe the "right of way" based on the tide, it can be a free-for-all.

I like the way the bridge operators in the Shark River control the traffic through that area. It's pretty tight and can be a disaster without someone directing the boats through. A simple radio request from a captain with the boat's name and then a response from the operator indicating your place in line and when to proceed is something the MR RR bridge operator might be able to do once the span opens after a closure. Of course the yakkers compound the issue because they have no radiios for the most part.

I could go on about close calls with the kayaks and I'm sure many boaters could do the same thing. Yakkers in the fog, yakkers in inlets, yakkers without flags, yakkers with no lifejackets, yakkers in the troughs of steep waves, yakkers with no boating safety certificates. The same can be said about rental skiff operators.

The board members who fish from party or charter boats usually don't see
what's happening but for those of you who run your own boats, don't be afraid to get on the airhorn or loudspeaker to make your presence and opinions known.

And the reason for the boats that are running with the current having the right of way is because you loose the ability to steer at slow speeds with the current at your back.

[HDMarc]

Originally Posted by Capt. Frank

Your description sounded more like the Parmount added to the free for all.

Not at all, Francis slowly approached the mess of boats and alerted them to his presence and the morons acted accordingly, you can't add to the chaos with a boat that big and slow, Francis made his way through the herd in a safe and professional manner.

[catsmeow]

Fish out of the Rumson Muni ramp and fish the hook area. Luckily semi-retired and can fish weekdays. Last year was fishing the tip of the hook and hear a load roar of engines and and huge sport fisherman rounds the tip full bore. The guy on the flying bridge waves to me as he goes by. I look over my shoulder and here comes this huge wake. I have 17' aluminum sea nymph center console with a 90 mariner. My eyes like bug out and we do a big up and over the wake. I say holy $%^%. So what was the wave like hey dude i'm gonna swamp ya. I know there are channels but like that close to shore do ya have to run wide open ? Anyway thats my 2 cents. Oh was also broadsided by a 24 ft sailboat in the Navasink by a couple under motor powere sitting back in the pulpit with no clear vision ahead. Had 3 small kids in the boat. Luckly but a huge dent in the aluminum hull and did not come up into the boat. Boat was totaled and this boat I have is the replacement. That was in 1985. The old boat was a durautic 16ft side console. Maybe a few of you remember Mac's up in Washington, NJ. Thats where I bought it. Most boating accidentstake place on clear days as was this one.

[hammerin hank]

I kept my 25' Grady at Hoffmans for 8 years, my slip was second in from the end opposite the R.R, tracks, it was bad enough playing the current game to go back into my slip,the water rushes like the Colorado River , but on the weekends, it's CRAZY... When that R.R. Bridge goes down its demo derby time, but when it's up ,on a Saturday or Sunday afternoon, boats comming in and going out,,,bedlam I've seen crashes, broken antennas, and outriggers, the worst cursing know to man,,,jet skis struck,,, un real. You could have sold tickets to that show,,,When those rich Wall Street dudes buy boats, all of us fishermen are in danger......

[HighHook94]

Unfortunately, i can't fish during the week because of my long commute to nyc for work. So i am stuck fishing on weekends, and i only have a kayak unless i go on my father's boat. Last weekend i went on the manasquan river for fluke (i usually go to shark river or RB, but was trying to mix it up) and the boat traffic was absolutely insane. On top of that, people were being absolute idiots with their big boats. I am out there in a little kayak (in a no wake zone) trying to stay out of everyone's way (which i was). However, people see me in the kayak and purposely speed up and go flying by me no farther than 5 feet away from my kayak which had their wake crashing over the side of my kayak and almost flipped me over. Not only did they do this on purpose, but they would look back and laugh after they did it. This happened three times last weekend before i got fed up and left. I will never go back to that river again, fishing sucked anyway. I'll stick to shark river and RB. Can't believe how irresponsible people are with their boats. All of the boats that gave me trouble were non-fishing boats. Just people cruising around with bikini chicks on their boats with beers in their hands.

[skate king]

Originally Posted by Capt. Kevin

I did!!!

Called him out and it was the right thing to do! Maybe he will come away with something positive for future trips!

[shrimpman steve]

Originally Posted by Capt. Kevin

I did!!!

I can't blame you in the least!!

[RC.]

Originally Posted by Capt. Kevin

I did!!!

Curious. ..what was his response when confronted?

Unfortunately this irresponsible boating is not limited to weekend warriors. I've had well respected charter boats steam by me in Manasquan river at 30 kts, near dark, no lights on....the kind of boats that post on here and everyone responds with "great job, atta boy, way to go."

It's everywhere, especially at that MR RR bridge.

RC