Change in No Wake Zone in Southern Patcong Creek

[Ron]

After this weekend's fatal accident on the creek, I made a formal request as the City of Somers Point's Harbormaster to the state to expand the No Wake zone at the southern portion of the creek on Tuesday.   

Below is the diagram of the expanded No Wake zone recommendation that I provided to the state.     As of this writing, then are installing a large No Wale sign on the point and two additional No Wake barrels to expand the zone to and beyond the bridge.    Those familiar with the creek may remember that there was traditionally a No Wake/No Water Skiing sign on the point at the first bend in the creek up until about six or seven years ago.

[Ron]

Signs have been deployed in the point.   No wake barrels to follow.

[Stuck Not Anchored]

The no wake zone should go all the way up to the Dredge.  That would eliminate the jet ski zombie hoards.

[Ron]

The no wake zone should go all the way up to the Dredge.  That would eliminate the jet ski zombie hoards.

That's not going to happen...

....and they are gnats, not zombies.   Get your derogatory descriptors correct.

[crewstation]

That's not going to happen...

....and they are gnats, not zombies.   Get your derogatory descriptors correct.

Exactly.  Generally not harmful, but really, really annoying.

[Capt. Debbie]

Why not post a 15 MPH speed limit like Lake Hopatcong or Greenwood Lake instead of clogging everything up at 3-5 mph?  Use a drone for observation of speeds- easy.

They put that "slow speed zone" sign up in Cheesequake Creek too. Saw it last Sunday. 

[Ron]

Why not post a 15 MPH speed limit like Lake Hopatcong or Greenwood Lake instead of clogging everything up at 3-5 mph?  Use a drone for observation of speeds- easy.

The area it's warranted will be covered properly.     There is no need to limit speeds up and down the entire creek.

[Stuck Not Anchored]

They apparently dropped another NO WAKE barrel between the second one and the point early this morning.  I saw I saw it on my 11:30 trip.

[Ron]

They apparently dropped another NO WAKE barrel between the second one and the point early this morning.  I saw I saw it on my 11:30 trip.

Yes.   They were supposed to get 1-2 more out today or tomorrow

We are also in discussions about what the prohibited waterski area is.     They say their maps show from the point to the parkway bridge.    I told them that was not the way it was set up in the past, and if we were going to run with that, they need to close the loop by putting another sign facing north at the parkway bridge.

[Stuck Not Anchored]

The No Water Skiing  Should include no tubing.  I never understood how you can drag people on a 50 foot line through a river that is 100' wide in some places and has boat traffic.

[8th day]

What they really need to do is enforce what we already have - from another undercover jet ski - the jet skis in the ocean city and Somers  point area seem to ignore the current signs and rules . Routinely going through no wake zones and bridges too fast .

[Ron]

What they really need to do is enforce what we already have - from another undercover jet ski - the jet skis in the ocean city and Somers  point area seem to ignore the current signs and rules . Routinely going through no wake zones and bridges too fast .

There is additional enforcement going on.    Heard they issued over a dozen tickets a couple of weeks back at the mouth of the creek.

[r_ventura_23]

Good!  Wish they would enforce the no wake zone in my lagoon.

[fishnchip]

Ron,

Thanks for the additional 3 buoys put in the new no wake zone.  Its a great start and I watched boats swing the point and drop off plane by the 2nd buoy.  I think we need to educate the gnat riders and other boaters what "No Wake" means.  In Maryland, they use a 6MPH speed limit on certain rivers that is strictly enforced and not having a speedometer onboard is not an excuse.  They gave my brother a speeding ticket with a 6hp , 7.5' inflatable on the Sassafrass a few years back.  I think using MPH rather than or in addition to the term "Wake" might help.  We could make signs like Woodbury Heights did and use the "Meet our Judge?  Go Faster" slogan on them.  Just a thought.   

That being said, how heavy is the crab pot under those buoys and how often do you check them?   

[Ron]

Ron,

Thanks for the additional 3 buoys put in the new no wake zone.  Its a great start and I watched boats swing the point and drop off plane by the 2nd buoy.  I think we need to educate the gnat riders and other boaters what "No Wake" means.  In Maryland, they use a 6MPH speed limit on certain rivers that is strictly enforced and not having a speedometer onboard is not an excuse.  They gave my brother a speeding ticket with a 6hp , 7.5' inflatable on the Sassafrass a few years back.  I think using MPH rather than or in addition to the term "Wake" might help.  We could make signs like Woodbury Heights did and use the "Meet our Judge?  Go Faster" slogan on them.  Just a thought.   

That being said, how heavy is the crab pot under those buoys and how often do you check them?   

That is a commercial crabber 125's buoy.