Senator Schumer Calls for Repair of Damaged Jones Beach Lighthouse
July 8th, 2013 - Wantaugh, NY - United States Senator Charles E. Schumer today urged the U.S. Coast Guard to replace the main navigational light tower at the end of the rocky jetty at Jones Inlet that was destroyed by Superstorm Sandy. The breakaway was also badly damaged after the storm and needs to be repaired by the Army Corps of Engineers. Jones Inlet connects the Atlantic Ocean to numerous communities along the south shore of Long Island, and without proper lighting and broken rocks, the inlet can be treacherous for boaters and fishermen especially at night or in rough, foggy conditions. Although the Army Corps and the U.S. Coast Guard anticipate beginning work on both the light tower and the breakaway in FY14, Schumer today urged that this work be expedited to ensure safe navigation for fishermen and recreational boaters that utilize this highly used waterway.
“Superstorm Sandy wreaked havoc on Long Island’s waterways and now without a main light tower beaming over Jones Inlet, it’s incredibly dangerous for boaters navigating their vessels in the dark or in foggy weather,” said Schumer. “Boaters depend on this navigational light tower and the U.S. Coast Guard and the Army Corps should repair the light and Jones Inlet at flank speed.”
Prior to Superstorm Sandy, boaters sailing along the inlet worried about their safety due to the dim light, which failed to properly indicate the end of the Jetty and the start of Jones Inlet. The flashing navigational light at the end of the Jones Inlet rock jetty is essential to ensuring boater safety through the inlet. Particularly during nighttime and in rough weather, boaters are dependent upon lights such as these for navigational aid. With the summer season underway, the number of boaters has skyrocketed and is therefore a potential risk if not addressed immediately.
Superstorm Sandy destroyed the light tower at the end of the jetty at Jones Inlet as well as the rocks used for the breakaway. The broken light poses a constant threat to boaters who cannot see where the breakaway ends and the inlets begins at night or during foggy weather and the damaged breakaway creates a safety hazard as there are broken rocks now scattered along the eastern shore of the waterway.
The light tower is maintained by the U.S. Coast Guard and the breakaway is maintained by the Army Corps of Engineers. The U.S. Coast Guard and the Army Corps of Engineers say that work is slated to begin in FY14.
Schumer today urged the U.S. Coast Guard and the Army Corps of Engineers to expedite work on both the light tower and the breakaway at Jones Inlet. In addition, Schumer asked that the U.S. Coast Guard replace the light with a stronger strobe that will cut through other light distractions because the prior light was too dim for boaters.
A copy of Schumer’s letter is below:
Dear Colonel Owen and Coast Guard :
I write you today to request your assistance in repairing and replacing the damaged breakwater and tower with light along the eastern entrance of Jones Inlet in the Town of Hempstead. It is imperative that this project begin immediately to protect the boaters and fishermen who use this inlet daily.
After Superstorm Sandy, the Jones Inlet breakwater was severely damaged and the navigational light, located at the end of the breakwater, was washed out to sea. This has created an extremely hazardous passage for boats, especially at night or in rough, foggy conditions. Fishermen and boaters continue to use this inlet which connects the Atlantic Ocean with various Long Island south shore inland communities.
I would specifically request that the Army Corps of Engineers work with the Coast Guard immediately to repair Jones Inlet breakwater and replace navigational light with brighter light at the end of the rocks. Currently, work is anticipated to start sometime in FY 2014 by both the ACOE and the Coast Guard. I am requesting that this project be expedited so that work can begin right away. It is imperative that this project commence immediately to protect the boaters and fishermen who use this inlet daily. I again urge your quick and prompt cooperation with this important request.
Sincerely,
U.S. Senator Charles E. Schumer