Hard hat and gloves on markers

[Vashon_Trawler]

Over the weekend, I saw two ICW channel markers, several miles apart, with a pair of gloves and hard hat nailed to them. I assumed these were placed there in memory of a worker who was killed. I didn't see a name on the hat though. Is my assumption correct?

 

[boomerang]

A hard hat & gloves is marking gang territory like graffiti and tennis shoes thrown over a telephone wire! Beware!
Who knows. Maybe it is a memorial or tribute to somebody. For years we had a deer head mount on a marker locally...until a hurricane blew it off. My guess was it wasn't a tribute to the deer but more than likely somebody's wife requested the damn thing be removed from the living room.

 

[Vashon_Trawler]

Thanks--I wasn't sure if this was some Coast Guard or Army Core of Engineers custom. In retrospect, I recall seeing more hardhats/gloves nailed to the occasional marker throughout my journeys on the ICW.

 

[Shrew]

Thanks--I wasn't sure if this was some Coast Guard or Army Core of Engineers custom. In retrospect, I recall seeing more hardhats/gloves nailed to the occasional marker throughout my journeys on the ICW.

ACoE doesn't manage markers (to my knowledge). I can't see CG adorning ATONS. I don't believe this is like the 'Miliary Cross' (Boots, gun and Helmet) tribute. I could find no references to this behavior online, which leads me to believe this is not a widespread tradition. This sounds like a local action.

 

[menzies]

We were told that the hard hats nailed to the markers are generally put there by a departing OIC, (Officer in Charge of an ANT, or Aid to Navigation station), as he moves on or retires from the CG.

 

[Vashon_Trawler]

Ah, that makes sense! This was bugging me as I passed by the marker with the gloves and hat again last weekend! Thank you!

 

[Vashon_Trawler]

I passed by one of the markers again yesterday--here are the photos. Thanks again for clearing up the mystery.

 

[BeeJay]

Every Xmas we have a marker adorned with a Christmas tree. The Harbor master made his displeasure known so in the last few years the culprit has hit back by adding solar lights.