Governors Island Channel closed Wednesday to routine boating traffic.

[Marine Patrol]

The Governors Island Channel will be closed to routine boating traffic today in order to complete the replacement of the bridge's navigation lights.

As some of you may have noticed that the state has replaced the lights on Black Cat Island, Long Island, and Mosquito Bridge(Winnisquam) with new energy efficient LED lights. Today's work will complete the last phase of the project with the installation of the fixtures on the GI bridge.

We will have a patrol boat in the area asking boaters to use alternate routes and will keep boaters updated via VHF channel 16.

If anyone has any questions, please call Marine Patrol at 603-293-2037.

Safe Boating!!

Tim Dunleavy
Lieutenant
NH Marine Patrol

[robmac]

Thank you for the update.

[LIforrelaxin]

So I noticed the new lights on the LI bridge this weekend and immediately wondered why it is now a 3 light operation instead of a five light operation.

I didn't look from the Northern side but from the South eastern side it was green in the middle indicating boats only passing through the middle. The old system seem to make a little more sense lining boats up offset even at night.

[XCR-700]

Kudos to Tim Dunleavy for using this forum as a means of communication !

This is truly creative thinking that will benefit both boaters and the Marine Patrol.

You will note that his postings are informative without being “preachy”, they have a pleasant and positive tone, and are NOT self-promoting!

As a civil servant myself, and a tax payer, I have to tip my hat that this is exactly what I think we all what to see from our tax dollars and public employees/officials/politicians/etc. :)

Thank You Tim!!!

[Seeker]

So I noticed the new lights on the LI bridge this weekend and immediately wondered why it is now a 3 light operation instead of a five light operation.

I didn't look from the Northern side but from the South eastern side it was green in the middle indicating boats only passing through the middle. The old system seem to make a little more sense lining boats up offset even at night.

A green light indicates the center of the navigable channel. If there is more than one channel the preferred channel is indicated by three verticle white lights.

MP please correct me if this doesn't work on Winnie as it does elsewhere.

[Bizer]

A green light indicates the center of the navigable channel. If there is more than one channel the preferred channel is indicated by three vertical white lights. That is correct. The green indicates the center of the channel, not the preferred boating route. Red lights normally indicate the edges of the channel.

I don't believe any bridges on Winni have more than one span so the 3-white-lights would not apply.

http://www.uscg.mil/hq/cg5/cg5411/Lighting.pdf

[LIforrelaxin]

Bizer, and Seeker, Thank you very much for that information... Never knew that... But that makes sense. I liked that old scheme as the new one has caused some confusion as I witnessed Sat. Night.... However it fits an overall std. which is the way it should be.

People just need to get used to the new scheme that is all....

[Marine Patrol]

Bizer, etc are correct. Green marks the center of the channel with the red lights marking the sides of the navigable channel.

Although we seriously considered leaving the configuration the same, we had to consider the state's participation in the NASBLA safe boating curriculum. The old display was not consistent with any other acceptable configuration and we wanted to be sure anyone visiting NH waters could recognize the display.

Not only was this project cosidered a navigational/technological upgrade, it was also deesigned to reduce electrical expenses. The reduction of light fixtures in combination with the proper display made it an easy decision.Safe Boating!!

Tim Dunleavy
NHMP