I was going for a bit of a blast today, and came across an orange pipe sticking out of the water at Scarborough. It was vertical, about a km offshore, about 20cm in diameter, and the top end was sealed. It had blue paint below the waterline, and looked like it was anchored with some form of elastic rope so it could bob up and down.

Is this a swell buoy? Has anyone seen it before?

Yes I have seen it and thought the same.

I was wondering what that thing was

Its could be a marker bouy thats broken free.
There used to be one floating around Hillarys boat harbour entrance last year.
I wouldnt worry to much it will probably be gone next week with all the wind thats coming

how long has it been there?
blue paint below the water suggests anti foul
could be a windward mark for yachts racing out of hillarys?

Sounds like US navy explosive flare for marking pretend bombing runs.

Bring it back in Nebbs