RULES OF THE ROAD . . . BRIDGES

[SURV1969]

Can anyone tell me is there a "rule", that controls ingoing and outgoing traffic under a lift bridge, other than keeping to starboard?

I have noticed that going out is often very difficult since the weather that favors sailboats is the same weather when powerboats come in.

The channels are usually larger on the open side of a bridge and the channel is always clogged full of boats returning.

In the case of bascule-type bridges it's even worse since every bascule bridge in this area seems to open to the port-side.

[James V]

Usually the rules are not inforced. IF you need room, ask for it and the bridge tender will help. Also if someone is breaking the law the bridge tender can help.

Check with your local water police or coast guard. If it gets bad, take your camera and post locally. Corridanate with the water police. Me, I can just get as rude in a hurry, all that I need is to find them tied up some where and enough time to pull up the rudders and dagger board. I come back and explaine if they did not get the hint. Have your camera ready.

[NiceAft]

I'm not certain what you are asking?

There are rules concerning situations where boats are overtaking one another, and approaching . Commonly called the Rules Of The Road, but properly called Navigation Rules (NAVRULES). I don't recollect these rules being different for open water, or under a bridge. It all comes under the Inland Rules Of The Road.

When you mention Bascule bridge; are you referring to there not being enough height for a sailboat to pass?

Ray

[Catigale]

Whenever I go through a tended bridge, I await instructions from the bridge tender..if I dont get them, I ask for them.

Otherwise I apply rule 0 and dont hit anyone else...

[James V]

Some of these people do not care if they create so much wake that your mast hits the bridge from to much rocking or they will just cut in front of you and then you have to waite until the next bridge opening. Sometimes calling on the VHF and asking if they want to go first will solve the problem. I know in the narrow channels in Fl it helps.

Sundays are the worst, next is Sat and then hollidays.

[Night Sailor]

Unfortunatelly, it's easy for anyone with the money or good credit to buy a boat and use it on crowded waterways without even knowing there are such things as Nav rules. And it seems the bigger the power boat, they less brains the operators have when they step up to the helm.

So, use common sense, stay safe, but don't be afraid to select and aim for the part of the channel you want share as early as possible, even if it means using the favored side of the channel, if you get there first. Use that nice big iron horse on the rear to put your boat there in the sweet spot.

[eric3a]

..

[Catigale]

[pokerrick1]

Otherwise I apply rule 0 and dont hit anyone else...

I TRY to do that. Sometimes it doesn't work - - - right Mark?

Rick

[Chinook]

Going down the ICW during the fall migration, we got caught up in some pretty amazing traffic jams, waiting for a bridge that opened on the half hour. Sometimes 30 or more boats milling around in a constricted channel, with current, waiting for the opening. Fortunately, everyone maintained control and their good nature.

[puggsy]

you guys are so lucky having lift bridges... The powers that be over the last 100 years have built three bridges upriver from Fremantle harbour, Western Australia. The lowest being a clearance of only seven meters.
An old timber traffic bridge. It WAS a clearance of 8 miserable meters then when it looked like falling down, they stuck some 1 meter steel beams UNDER IT to prop it up and so reduced the clearance. On the West side is a rail bridge and on the east another [modern ?] traffic bridge with about a 9 meter clearance...And all three within a kilometer. Add to this a pretty nasty rushing tide and you have a yachties headache...
What makes it all worse is that the ruling govt. during the war years WW2, were offered by the Americans to make Fremantle a one way in and one way out port by cutting a wide channel from the river to the sea about two mile north of the harbour.[ Mosman Bay] If they had done
this, the clearances could have been about 20 meters. but they thought it would cost too much...How in the world could it cost...The Americans were going to do it for them...after all, they built the intracoastal waterway...I've seen it on Google Earth
Wonderful;...
that's my winge for now...regards to all...pugs.