Sea Hear Now boat cruises ready to rock for Bruce Springsteen on Asbury Park beach
Thirty-five thousand by land and more by sea when Bruce Springsteen and the E Street Band hit the beach on Sunday, Sept. 15.
That's because boat captains at the Jersey Shore are ready to hit the Atlantic Ocean waters off Asbury Park when the Boss and the band play the city's Sea Hear Now on Sunday night.
“The only thing that concerns us is the ocean condition, whether it will be good for us to be out there,” said Bill McKim, who's 120-foot Jersey Girl boat out of Belmar is taking reservations for Sea Hear Now cruises for Sept. 14 and Sept. 15.
Weather reports are indeed looking good since we spoke to McKim last week. Capt. Alan Shinn of the Miss Belmar Princess, Royal Miss Belmar and Ocean Explorer announced on Sept. 6 that his boats will also be cruising the seas off the Asbury Park shore during the show.
“Guys are just waiting to see how the weather will be,” said McKim last week. “Expect to see boats from Point Pleasant and boats from Belmar, and I'm sure each guy with a six-passenger boat from Monmouth Beach will be there. I expect every guy who has a boat that works will be out there.“
McKim sailed on last year's fest.
“We had no problems at all for the Foo Fighters, the sound was fantastic,” McKim said. “You're a distance from the stage but it was enjoyable. We're looking forward it.”
Boaters should be more than 200 yards from the shore, or outside of the breakers, said the New Jersey State Police Marine Services Bureau.
“Our troopers will be out on patrol as usual, ensuring everyone's safety on the water,” said New Jersey State Police Sgt. Charles Marchan via email about the Sea Hear Now weekend. “Whether you’re boating or fishing, we are always on hand to keep the public safe and enforce boating laws. As always, we remind everyone to wear life jackets, follow safety guidelines, and be mindful of others on the water.”
Springsteen and the E Street Band play the North Beach, north of Convention Hall, from 7:30 to 10:30 p.m. on Sunday. Noah Kahan headlines the fest on Sept. 14. The Gaslight Anthem, the Trey Anastasio Band, the Black Crowes, Norah Jones, 311, the Revivalists, Kool & The Gang, the Hives and more will play over the two days on the fest’s three stages on the North Beach and in Bradley Park.
More: Asbury Park road, beach, boardwalk closures for Bruce Springsteen and Sea Hear Now
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“It's more of an experience of being out on the water,” McKim said. “You're hearing the music and experiencing it and you got bathroom facilities on the boat and it's BYOB, so you can save your money that way. It's an enjoyable time. It won't be overcrowded and everybody will be able to see and hear.”
Sea Hear Now boat cruises
Jersey Girl out of Belmar Marina, starting at $85 for Saturday, $325 Sunday. jerseyshorewhalewatchingtour.com.
Miss Belmar Princess, Royal Miss Belmar and Ocean Explorer out of Belmar Marina, $150. 732-681-6866; missbelmar.com.
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Chris Jordan, a Jersey Shore native, covers entertainment and features for the USA Today Network New Jersey. Contact him at [email protected]
This article originally appeared on Asbury Park Press: Sea Hear Now boat cruises ready for Bruce Springsteen on the beach
