"No Wake" zone near Governors Island Bridge
 

I could have sworn both sides of the bridge going to Governors Island had a no wake zone on both sides. This past Saturday I was heading North towards Weirs Beach and still on the South side of the bridge. There was a boat in front of me that stayed at speed all the way to the bridge. I looked around for the "No Wake" bouy but couldn't find. There was another boat infront of me at headway speed and one behind (I don't think I was the only boat confused). I pulled out my Bizer chart and see nothing now. Have I lost my mind? Did I only think the South side was a "No Wake" or was it at some point and it changed?

No wake starts at the bridge from the south been that way as long as I've been on the lake, about 12 years now...

The south side is just the standard 150 foot rule. The floating light near that area seems to confuse many people and I see them treat it like a no wake sign. Fortunately, that area opens up quickly so there's usually plenty of room to go around the slower boats if headed south and eager to get back to cruising speed.

I see this 'mistake' made almost everytime I go under the bridge. In fact, I sometimes get a look from others if I power up before reaching the south side marker. I can understand why people make this mistake but it is pretty clear.

I get the same look too. I also sometimes get that look when I go through the Bear Island no wake zone south bound and stay to the far right, and go around the obstruction marked by spars on the west side. The NWZ is much shorter over that way.

Guilty!
 

Ok, I confess....I gave "the look" to a couple of people who powered up in what I thought was that NWZ one summer many years ago, until I learned I was wrong, not them.

Ahhh...now I feel better for having confessed. :)

Shame, shame.

Your punishment: Much more time on the lake.....

Thanks everyone...now I can't want to cruise up to the 150' point!

Be careful approaching from the south side and thinking that it is just the 150' rule at play. On busy weekend, the Marine Patrol, are usually around flagging people to slow down out around the lighted Marker... It is a safety issue...

In short use common sense....

Are you saying 'slow down' within 150' of other boats, or 150' of the marker? I am assuming you mean other boats.

...or someone shielding themselves from traffic...
 

There is no requirement to keep 150-feet from navigation markers; however, depending on the marker's location, there'll be somebody fishing within those 150-feet!

:eek2:

Here's a video of the area being discussed:

<iframe width="640" height="360" src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/q3FnYtvFY_M?rel=0" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen></iframe>

Thank you - this was my point.

I used to hang around there a lot. I can't count he times I have seen boats clear the bridge and throttle up immediately, heading toward the Witches or into the bay. It's almost funny when the MP is waiting just down the beach, keeping an eye on things, and flags down the rocketeer.

Now THAT is a penance I can handle! :)