Channel Markers Gone Awry

We depend on channel markers whenever we move the boat.  The markers aid boaters in navigation in the same way as highway signs aid drivers.  One of the most important purposes of marine aids is to keep vessels with a deep draft (how far the boat goes under the surface of the water) from running aground and becoming stranded.  Meandering Joy has a draft of 5 feet. Markers and buoys do not have words printed on them but are identifiable by shape and color.  Color and shape are more visible in bad conditions like fog or rain and printed words.  Markers which are Triangles are Red and Square Markers are Green.

We are always careful when coming by Jekyll Island on the Jekyll River which is notoriously shallow at low tide.  Steve takes great care in planning the timing of our trips so that we don’t risk running aground and being stranded until the tide rises.  We had the additional problem of missing channel markers when we came through most recently.

Marker found floating down the river was attached to Red 20

Another Red Marker pushed over so far that it was almost impossible to see

We are thankful for paper charts, and two different electronic charts that aid in our navigation when the actual markers are not where they should be located.

Joy