"You can't park there!" Islanders poke fun as "naughty buoy" breaks free

Saturday 25 March 2023

A large navigation buoy which broke free during rough seas on a beach in St. Clement has been removed by crane.

The East Rock Buoy, which normally marks the southern end of the channel into St. Helier, known as the small roads, was left stranded at Grève d’Azette following last night’s gale-force winds.

Ahead of its removal, many islanders have flocked to the eastern bay to snap or simply catch a glimpse of the green giant.

Photos posted to social media have attracted an array of jokey comments.

Pictured: Many islanders headed to Grève d'Azette this morning to snap the green navigation aid. (Emma Turner)

"Look at that bad buoy!" said Andy Jay.

Tony Esnouf came up with a song in the marker's honour: "Bad buoys, bad buoys, what ya gonna do? What ya gonna do when they come for you?"

Steve Turner quipped: "He's not protecting maritime traffic, he's a very naughty buoy!"

Pictured: The East Rock Buoy normally marks the small roads. (Adrian Rabet)

Several commenters quipped: "You can't park there, mate!"

One 'photo' posted by Andria Carter on the 'Jersey by phone camera' Facebook group suggested a parking control officer even went to inspect.

Rory Steel questioned whether it really was an buoy at all, instead wondering on Twitter whether the Statue of Liberty's torch had in fact been uncovered.

Others wondered whether or not the item was now up for grabs.

Pictured: Parking control takes a look... (Adrina Carter)

"When something like this washes up on the beach, can anybody claim it or claim salvage rights over it?" Helier Falle questioned.

"New garden ornament?" Theresa Perchard replied.

"Finders keepers!" exclaimed Emma Turner.

But Ports of Jersey dashed hopes this afternoon, when they confirmed to Express that they planned to retrieve the East Rock Buoy.

Pictured: The "very naughty buoy" won't be around for much longer, as Ports of Jersey officials are planning to remove it.

A Ports of Jersey spokesperson said: "From time to time during periods of rough seas, the buoys' anchor chains break, and they drift free.

"The harbour authority will be retrieving this buoy over the low water period today, if accessible by a crane from shore."

The spokesperson added that a navigation warning would be broadcast by Jersey Coastguard and St Helier VTS "to inform shipping that this buoy is 'missing'" in the meantime.

By around 16:00, the buoy had been removed.

We have retrieved the East Rock Buoy from Greve d’Azette beach after rough seas caused its anchor chains to break. We’ll return it to its rightful position when weather and sea conditions allow. We have issued a navigation warning to shipping. pic.twitter.com/2r1QmDIhxQ

— Ports of Jersey (@PortsofJersey) March 25, 2023

Ports said it would be returned "to its rightful position when weather and sea conditions allow."