The Big Wake, Big Mistake! campaign by the NJ Bay Islands Initiative aims to educate boaters on the importance of reducing wake in sensitive coastal areas. It emphasizes the dangers that large wakes pose to kayakers, paddleboarders, and smaller vessels, as well as the disruption to fishing, erosion of fragile shorelines, and damage to wildlife habitats. By promoting mindful navigation, adherence to speed regulations, and awareness of environmental impacts, the campaign encourages responsible boating to protect New Jersey’s bay islands and coastal ecosystems.

What is a wake? A wake is a wave that is artificially created from a vessel as it travels through the water, the faster the vessel, the stronger the wake.

Key Characteristics of a Wake:

  • The size and intensity depend on the boat’s speed, weight, and hull design.
  • Wakes can impact other boats, erode shorelines, and disturb wildlife.
  • Excessive wakes can create dangerous conditions for small watercraft, swimmers, and fragile ecosystems.

Managing wake size by reducing speed and following no-wake zones helps improve safety and protect the environment.

What is a “No Wake Zone”?

A No Wake Zone is an area of water where boats must travel at idle speed, producing little to no wake. These zones are designated to protect people, property, and the environment.

Boaters must follow posted signs and markers indicating a No Wake Zone to ensure safety and environmental responsibility.

Watch!

The Ocean County Sheriff’s Office (OCSO), NJDEP, and Save Barnegat Bay collaborated in the creation of this video of how watercraft operation effects the health of the Barnegat Bay, and the Sedge Island Marine Conservation Zone.

Key Wake Rules in NJ Bays and Waterways

You are responsible for your wake!

  • Boat operators must regulate speed to avoid causing danger, injury, or property damage due to their wake.
  • Operators can be held liable for injuries or damages caused by their wake.

Use slow speed, and don’t throw a wake:

  • Within 200 feet of marinas, piers, docks, wharfs, or shorelines.
  • In lagoons, canals, and confined areas less than 200 feet wide.
  • Around work barges, platforms, or floats actively engaged in work.
  • When passing through bridge openings of 400 feet or less.
  • Near vessels not under command (disabled or anchored).
  • When passing emergency vessels displaying blue flashing lights.
  • Around Coast Guard-recognized vessels engaged in official activities with red and yellow flashing lights.

Watching your wake helps bay island & shore protection.

  • Excessive wakes contribute to shoreline erosion, harming habitats and endangering wildlife such as horseshoe crabs, terrapins, and shorebirds.
  • Boaters are encouraged to reduce wakes when outside of a channel or in shallow waters to prevent habitat degradation, especially if seagrass beds are visible

For more information, visit the NJ State Police Marine Services Bureau and the New Jersey Boating Safety Initiative​.

Wakes from motorized watercraft have a number of impacts on our bay islands. Check out our boater guides for Safety & Wake Awareness, Shoreline Erosion Awareness, and Wildlife & Habitat Protection. 

NJBII Boating Safety & Wake Awareness GuideDownload
NJBII Boating & Shoreline Erosion Awareness GuideDownload
NJBII Boating Around Wildlife & Habitat GuideDownload

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

I am a boater, how can I help bay islands?

Boaters can help protect New Jersey’s Bay Islands by following responsible boating practices that minimize environmental impact. Here are ways to protect these fragile ecosystems.

1. Minimize Wake Impact
  • Follow No Wake Zones to prevent shoreline erosion.
  • Reduce speed near marshes, islands, and nesting areas to avoid damaging habitats.
2. Avoid Sensitive Areas
  • Stay out of restricted or protected island areas where birds and marine life nest.
  • Avoid disturbing seagrass beds and oyster reefs, which provide essential habitats.
3. Anchor Responsibly
  • Anchor only in designated areas to avoid damaging submerged vegetation.
  • Use sandbars or deep water instead of sensitive marshlands for stopping.
  • If stranded in shallow water, check the tides to see if a high tide can free the boat carefully. If not, call a boat tow company (linked below!) for help to get out without harming sensitive habitat. 

Boat Towing & On-Water Assistance Membership | Sea Tow

BoatUS – Boat Insurance and Towing Membership

4. Prevent Pollution
  • Never dump trash, fishing line, or fuel into the water.
  • Use pump-out stations for sewage disposal.
5. Respect Wildlife
  • Keep a safe distance from nesting shorebirds, terrapins, and horseshoe crabs.
  • Avoid creating excessive noise that can disturb wildlife in natural areas.
6. Support Conservation Efforts
  • Follow local conservation guidelines and report any hazardous spills or illegal activities.
  • Participate in cleanup events and support organizations protecting NJ bay islands.

For more details, check out resources from the NJDEP Barnegat Bay Protection Program or GoBoatingNJ.org | Your Source for NJ Boating Resources.

I am not a boater, how can I help bay islands?

Even if you’re not a boater, there are several effective ways you can help protect the bay islands in New Jersey and their ecosystems.

1. Support Local Conservation Efforts
  • Volunteer with NJBII partner organizations to help with cleanups, restoration projects, and habitat preservation.
  • Participate in or donate to local programs aimed at protecting wildlife, restoring wetlands, and reducing shoreline erosion.
2. Educate and Advocate
  • Spread awareness about the importance of preserving bay islands and wetlands.
  • Advocate for stronger environmental policies and conservation laws that protect these areas. Support state and local initiatives to limit pollution and promote responsible development along shorelines.
3. Reduce Pollution
  • Minimize your personal carbon footprint by using eco-friendly products and reducing waste that can end up in waterways.
  • Properly dispose of waste and chemicals (paint, oils, pesticides) to prevent them from entering stormwater drains that lead to the bay.
  • Use native plants in landscaping to prevent erosion and limit water pollution caused by runoff.
4. Support Wildlife Conservation
  • Respect local wildlife by avoiding disturbing nesting areas for shorebirds and terrapins, even when visiting beaches or parks.
  • Participate in citizen science programs where you can report sightings of endangered species like horseshoe crabs, terrapins, and oystercatchers.
5. Engage in Beach and Waterway Cleanups
  • Organize or join clean-up events at local beaches, parks, and shorelines, focusing on removing trash that can harm wildlife and pollute the water.
  • Remove debris from waterways that can hinder wildlife or contribute to pollution.
6. Protect Local Watersheds
  • Take steps to reduce your water use and use rain barrels to help manage runoff.
  • Support programs that work to protect the watersheds feeding into the bay islands, like those focused on reducing agricultural runoff or urban stormwater.

By taking these steps, you can contribute to the long-term health of New Jersey’s bay islands and surrounding ecosystems, ensuring they thrive for future generations.

How do I report boating violations?

In New Jersey, boater violations can be reported to the New Jersey State Police Marine Services Bureau. Here’s how you can report violations:

1. NJ State Police Marine Services Bureau
2. Local Law Enforcement Agencies
  • You can also report violations to local police departments or municipalities with jurisdiction over specific waterways. They may handle violations related to wake zones, speeding, or unsafe boating practices.
3. NJ Department of Environmental Protection (NJDEP)
  • If the violation involves environmental damage, such as shoreline erosion, waste dumping, or damage to wildlife habitats, contact the NJDEP Division of Law Enforcement:
    • Phone: Call the DEP’s 24-hour Environmental Complaint Hotline at 1-877-WARN DEP (1-877-927-6337).
    • Website: You can report environmental violations directly on the NJDEP’s webpage.
    • Mobile App: Download the WARN NJDEP App to report environmental non-emergencies.

By reporting violations, you help protect New Jersey’s waterways and ensure the safety and preservation of the state’s aquatic ecosystems.