Sea Buoy Removed
The sea buoy that broke free in Ocracoke Inlet during Hurricane Dorian in September, 2019, is finally on its way, via flat bed truck, to US Coast Guard Station Fort Macon. The 18,500 pound navigational marker was deposited above the high tide line by Dorian's swell, and was a popular backdrop for photos.
Darren Burrus, owner of Cape Dredging in Buxton, NC, was contracted to remove the buoy by the Coast Guard. He led the work crew that coalesced during a social gathering on John Carter's porch. "The next job we might have to charge [him]" said Kathy Ballance, who was outfitted in a hard hat and vest to assist.
Darren's daughter Adrian deftly attached chains from the buoy to an excavator. She has been working around heavy equipment with her Dad "maybe since I was like four," she said. "He would take me out in the tractors and I would sleep."
The only snafu occurred as the crew followed the buoy and excavator off the beach in their truck, and bounced through ruts created by the weight of the channel marker.
"We hit that damn rut. Drinks we'd just opened went airborne, but I caught mine without a drop spilled," said Kathy.
After securing the buoy for transport, Darren returned to the beach to smooth out the ruts.
To watch a short video and see more photos of the move, visit the OcracokeCurrent facebook page!
