Page 30 May 14, 2008 The Locks Are Open – They’re Closed – They’re Open! O by VINCENT T. PICA, II Division Commander, 18-06 (1SR) - United States Coast Guard Auxiliary Perhaps since the time of the failed to do. The Hurricane of 1938 cre- tidal gates will be pushed closed by A Refresher on Lock Protocol Montaukett sachem Mongotucksee, ated what we now know as the that reciprocal flow of water… The locks are operated 24 hours a mariners and local businesses have Shinnecock Inlet. 27,000 boats per year What Do I Do??? day. The operator controls all move- wanted to connect the Peconic and now use that inlet. There are little choices until the ment of boats through the lock by light Shinnecock bays. The 4,700’ isthmus is The canal brought to light for the repairs are affected. These repairs will signals. All canal locks and lift bridges clearly the most convenient place to dig engineers what many locals had require essentially the creation of a monitor marine radio channel 13 and a canal – and dig they have since the known for centuries. The tides of the coffer dam (how bridge footings are cellular phones. 631-852-8299 – don’t time before the Revolution. There was Peconics and Shinnecock Bay were created.) The locks are sealed off and call anyone but the operator! only one problem. The Peconics and almost perfectly out of sync – high at all the water is drained from them. When approaching the lock, boaters Shinnecock bays are on different tidal one end while low at the other. Also, Then, using quick-drying cement, all should stop at a safe distance and follow cycles or clocks. This requires signifi- the Peconics themselves are naturally new footings for the lock mechanisms specified signals. Boaters should give cant mechanical management. This col- higher in water content – 3’ more when and seawalls are put in place. Once three (3) short blasts on the horn or umn is about that. measured tidally. The result was that dry, the coffer dam is removed and we whistle. The Locks are Broken! large volumes of water would flow have our locks back. Lock operators will reply with lights After centuries of attempts at main- swiftly, first in one direction and then in So, until then, you will need to call in the following manner: taining a canal, to little lasting avail, and the opposite direction, in accordance the Lock Master at 631-852-8299 and • Green: Lock is ready, craft may significant legislative maneuvering, the with the tidal cycle, causing heavy and just ask when the locks will be open advance. monies to create the Shinnecock Canal dangerous erosion in the canal. So, tide next. There are internet-based pro- • Red: Craft must wait. was appropriated in 1886. The amount gates were first built, pushed open by grams which will give you a good esti- • No Light: Craft must wait or tie up to to create the canal? $15,000…You can’t the Peconics “ebbing” into Shinnecock mate of when the ebbing and flooding approach wall. find a boat that motors through it today Bay and pushed closed by Shinnecock will occur. Notice I didn’t say when • Six flashes of red or green: Remain that costs that little… The canal wasn’t Bay “flooding” into the Peconics. In high and low tides are. This is all about stopped and await further instructions. completed until 1892 as running out of 1919, locks were added - the lock is 41 when the tides turn. You need the ebb On entering the lock chamber, all money (I guess $15,000 wasn’t quite feet wide and 250 feet long so anything and flood times, as I said, not the high boats must be equipped with adequate enough) and weather damages kept the that will fit is allowed to enter - and the and low tides. mooring lines and fenders. As you near canal “at bay” for years. But open it did system was complete. Almost…The BTW, who is the stand-on vessel the walls of the lock chamber, have your and there was an immediate positive locks had to be rebuilt about 30 years and who is the give-way vessel crew members ready to loop their lines effect on the fishing and clamming ago – and are now being virtually when two boats are in a head-on – not tie them - around the snubbing industries of the Shinnecock Bay as it rebuilt again. So, until the scheduled condition in the canal? The vessel posts. Serious injury can result from had increasingly become brackish as completion of May 31st, which means with the tidal current on her stern is using your hands or feet to fend off a rain water kept replacing the sea water they will be closed over the Memorial stand-on as she is less maneuverable wall. Use a boat hook or fender. that was within it. This then created the Day weekend, we are back to the sys- with that current pushing her. The As soon as the water in the lock urge to have an opening to the ocean tem of pre-1919…when the Peconics vessel with the current on her bow is chamber reaches the proper level, the and many failed attempts were made are ebbing south, the tidal gates will be give-way as she can effectively stand gates will be opened; boaters should therein…until 1938 when Mother pushed open by that rush of water and fast by matching throttle power to cast off all lines and proceed at a Nature accomplished what man had when Shinnecock is flooding north, the the push of the current. reduced speed to exit the chamber in station order. 1708 Montauk Highway, Movie Listing Hotline Mastic, NY 11950 1-631-657-3297 Showtime Information for Friday May 16 - Thursday May 22 Indiana Jones & The Kingdom The Forbidden Kingdom Man is this summer's smash action hit. 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