Several markers missing

[dippasan]

Hi Folks,
We happily made our way out to Sleepers Island on Friday afternoon to open up the camp for the summer. I just wanted to let people know that I noticed several markers missing just in the short ride from WAM to Sleepers.

The channel markers at the entrance to WAM (Small's Cove) have either moved or are missing completely. There's only 1 or 2 left and they're in the wrong locations. Also, the red tip marker on the south side of Sleepers east of the castle is gone. This marker protects boaters from very shallow and rocky water on the south side of Sleepers.

I would imagine there are lots of others markers either missing or misplaced.
I have called and emailed Marine Patrol to inform them. They tell me that they will be surveying the marker locations in the coming weeks.

See you on the lake!!!!

[First Mate]

On a short but lovely first ride on Monday, we noticed:

Between Mark & Mink Islands, mid-channel, the southernmost of the pair of red top markers is missing.

East of Loon Island (near Shep Brown's) the black top is missing.

We saw a bald eagle perched in a tree on Blueberry Island (near Black Cat). Nice to see it has returned! What a blessing it is to be here on this beautiful lake.

[hapeboatr]

The red spar just south of Ledge Island as you enter Fish Cove and Round Cove is missing. It is normally a black-red-black east to west sequence that gives a lot of boaters fits to begin with. I have had to wave a number of people to steer east of the eastern most black. Also a black spar off the east side of Stonedam Island is missing.

[Phantom]

In General -- everyone needs to be cautious ....

This past weekend, we traveled around quite extensively. There are numerous markers either missing or out of place.

Red top south of Jolly
Black Tops West side of Blueberry

and many others !



.

[smith point boater]

To the Marine Patrol. Last Wednesday we called about the lighted marker #48 at Smith Point being out of position and the adjacent marker being gone. Within 1/2 an hour the maintenance boat was out there repositioning the lighted marker. The black marker still needs to be replaced but at least they have the lighted marker in the right spot. Safe boating everyone

[Phantom]

Did anyone else happen to notice the new "Orange" buoy/marker off the NW end of Diamond ? Roughly in the position where the Sea Ray ran aground.


It was reasonably close to shore so don't know if that is a private marker or a new State

.

[ursa minor]

The sailboat races often use large orange inflatable buoys to mark out the courses but from your description of it being close to shore that's probably not the case.

[Phantom]

ursa -- it is a floating buoy style as a "no wake" or "Floating light" ... but redish/orange


on my fly by, it seemed to have something mounted on the top (as it a light) but perhaps not

.

[Slickcraft]

The red marker that is normally next to FL 26 has been missing the last 2+ days. MP must be aware as they go by FL 26 several times a day.

Anyway pass between FL 26 and Belknap Point.


Never-mind, the marker was replaced while we were on the mainland today.

[Fargo]

The lights on the GI bridge have been out since last year's Thanksgiving storm. Need those lights back on so boaters can find the bridge center.

[Little Bear]

Originally Posted by Phantom

ursa -- it is a floating buoy style as a "no wake" or "Floating light" ... but redish/orange


on my fly by, it seemed to have something mounted on the top (as it a light) but perhaps not

.

This buoy (or whatever it is) is flashing red/orange at night.

[dippasan]

FYI
I emailed Marine Patrol again last week regarding the red nav marker that's missing on the south side of Sleepers to which I promptly got a nice reply explaining the situation.

The email reply mentioned that there are 3 maintenance personel that service the 6 big lakes in the region and that they also prepare the MP boats for the season so they are extremely busy right now. It is on the list to be replaced.

Thanks!

[Phantom]

Pretty sad state of affairs when there is only 3 maintenance people available for such a large (ongoing) task -- which includes servicing the boats in my humble opinion.

Saw one of the maintenance boats yesterday off Becky's Garden resetting the missing Red Top and actually commented that there should be two people aboard for a job like that instead of the one individual struggling ----- now I know why


.

[Phantom]

Originally Posted by Little Bear

This buoy (or whatever it is) is flashing red/orange at night.

In my experience flashing "yellowish/ orange" usually denotes the outer perimeter of a mooring field ...... aka Samoset, Lakeshore Park, etc ..... no mooring field near this one off Diamond.

Interesting & thanks - I thought I saw what looked to be a light mounted atop this buoy.



.

[First Mate]

There's also a red top marker missing off the point at the entrance to Fish Cove itself (once you're inside the NWZ).

[Fargo]

I'm happy to report that the GI bridge lights came on last night.

[Misty Blue]

I have worked with the CG on Aids To Navigation and it is a tough, never ending job.

The NHMP does an awesome job at maintaining the state's ATONs and are to be thanked for a thankless, yet vital job.

Three maintenance personnel for the whole state? The next time that you are in a bitchy mood call your state representative and tell them to start funding the MP in a way that shows that they really care about marine safety.

Whenever I have notified Gilford of an ATON that was missing of off station they have responded. I got no complaints.

Misty Blue