Tracks municipalities that have marine police units or are proposing them
Correspondent
Brick’s Marine Police Unit was launched in May.
Navigating through the boating regulations on Barnegat Bay became a little easier last week with the creation of a new map by Save Barnegat Bay (SBB).
The map details which municipalities and boroughs currently have their own police boats, and the daily hours and seasons of enforcement. It was created by Jennifer O’Reilly, the group’s associate executive director, with Geographic Information System (GIS) software.
Save Barnegat Bay, based in Lavallette, is a nonprofit environmental group dedicated to conserving the undeveloped natural lands and clean waters that comprise Barnegat Bay.
Currently, Brick Township and the boroughs of Brielle, Mantoloking and Lavallette are working with the state marine police to enforce state boating regulations. Proposals to create local marine police units are pending in Dover Township and Island Heights Borough.
A new map located on www.savebarnegatbay.org tracks marine police enforcement capacities of various bay municipalities.
"In viewing this map, one clearly sees the direction in which we need to head for a safer and quieter experience out on the Bay," O’Reilly said. "Right now, we are reliant on the over-stretched state marine police for assistance and law enforcement almost everywhere south of Lavallette."
The New Jersey State Police maintain five waterfront stations statewide, with patrol responsibilities for territorial seas extending to three nautical miles offshore along the 127 miles of Atlantic Ocean coastline. Additionally, state police patrol more than 1,750 miles of interior tidal shoreline; 100 inland bays, rivers, creeks and coves; and more than 800 lakes and ponds covering over 700 square miles.
Since the Sept. 11 terrorist attacks, marine police duties have expanded to include the monitoring of nuclear power plants, as well as commercial vessels carrying and transferring hazardous materials.
Brick’s portion of Barnegat Bay is policed by two boats, according to the map. The township has yet to determine its daily hours of enforcement and the duration of the enforcement season.
The Brick Marine Police Unit enforces no-wake zones and noise regulations, and ensures that boaters are taking personal safety precautions while on Barnegat Bay.
There is currently no speed limit on Barnegat Bay, a "hurdle" that SBB is trying to overcome.
"We tried to get a speed limit set in September, but it was extremely unpopular," said O’Reilly.
If a boat is stopped, police issue mostly warnings on first offenses and fines on second offenses.
"Our purpose is to educate the public and to encourage further municipal on-the-water boating enforcement throughout Barnegat Bay," said O’Reilly. "There are all of these rules and regulations, and nobody even knows them."
The map can be obtained from SBB by visiting their Web site at www.savebarnegatbay.org or by calling (732) 830-3600.