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For the last week or two, mysterious contraptions have been spotted from King Salmon. Curious Outpost readers have inquired about the big equipment in Humboldt Bay. What are they doing out there?

Well, we have the answer!

Some aging navigational aids used by mariners to maneuver the notoriously dangerous entrance to Humboldt Bay are being replaced.

When contractors grabbed onto two of the fixed structures, the pilings holding them up broke off.

“Ironically, I put those in 30 years ago! That’s how old they are,” said Leroy Zerlang, of Zerlang and Zerlang Marine Services, which took the barge out by tugboat.

West Coast Contractors have been tackling the replacement of a handful of navigational aids, a project for the United States Coast Guard.

This includes some of the bay’s day markers (nicknamed ‘lollipops’ for their resemblance to the suckers) and the entrance’s second set of ranges.

Narrow navigation channels in the bay must be followed to avoid hazards like shallow depths. Pilots wait for these ranges to line up before making a turn deeper into the bay.

“If [bar pilots] don’t have a range that’s operational, they won’t bring the vessel in after dark. That’s how important they are,” said Zerlang.

To replace these, the contractors are using a jack-up barge. The solid structure lifts itself five feet above high tide, keeping it safe from waves. It’s set up near King Salmon right now.

These barges are commonly used in oil fields, and are quite imposing.

“This is the first time I’ve ever seen a jack-up barge used on Humboldt Bay,” remarked Zerlang. Other barges float on the water’s surface, making them more vulnerable to swells.

Working with it was cool, he said. It was challenging at times, requiring skilled bar pilots to tow it carefully. Zerlang is expecting they’ll tug the barge back in a week.

The timing of the work was carefully planned with pilots and the Harbor Safety Committee, he said, alongside environmental regulations and weather. Soon, when the weather turns, not even a jack-up barge can get in there.

These navigational markers are constantly beaten by waves. Conditions in one stretch of water earned the name “Rock and Roll Alley,” for turbulence known to toss vessels around.

When asked how often these markings get replaced, Harbor District Executive Director Chris Mikkelsen said, “not often enough.”