Boaters Cautioned that Flooding May Have Moved Buoys

The Pa. Fish and Boat Commission (PFBC) is warning boaters throughout the state to be cautious when venturing out on the water after the recent flooding from Hurricane Irene and Tropical Storm Lee.

Many aids to navigation, especially buoys, that boaters rely on to warn them of dangerous areas such as low-head dams, rocks or narrow channels, may have washed away or were removed prior to the flooding.

“Buoys that remain may have moved off station and may no longer mark the proper areas,” said Ryan Walt, PFBC boating and watercraft safety manager.

Buoys were reported lost or removed from the Delaware River, Schuylkill River near Norristown and the Neshaminy Creek in Bucks County.

Buoys owned by the PFBC are normally removed for the winter by late September or early October so missing buoys will not be replaced until traditional boating season begins in the spring.

Boaters who observe PFBC-owned buoys entangled in flood debris are encouraged to contact the appropriate regional office to report them. A list of the regional offices and phone numbers is available on the PFBC website at: http://fishandboat.com/dir_regions.htm.

In addition, boaters who observe what they believe to be hazardous materials such as chemical drums in flood debris should contact the Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection (www.dep.state.pa.us) or their county emergency management agency.