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You have just purchased that brand new 40' yacht and are all set to start cruising. You are excited to take her out on the Intracoastal and take her south. This has been your vision and it is at long last coming true. You have already invested quite a bit of time studying your new vessel, her mechanical systems, her plumbing, her electronics; you think you are all set. And what about cruising in the Intracoastal waterway? That 25 foot center console you upgraded from to your new vessel gave you plenty of training, didn't it? A good number of you new to boating might or might not know there are specific rules to grasp when coming to a bridge. Even as most of the older bridges have been updated with higher draw bridges of sixty-five feet, there are still a number of lower draw bridges to contend with on the Atlantic Intracoastal Waterway. Some of these draw bridges are as low as 8'. Before you get going, there are a number of things to bear in mind. On that twenty-five foot boat bridges weren't a problem; you were not elevated enough to matter. But this forty foot boat will require bridges to go up allowing you to pass beneath. So what are the regulations when you are coming to a bridge? To start with, look on your chart to check what the vertical height is of the bridge. You should be familiar with the height of your boat also. You can also read one of the cruising books where they furnish bridge information. As you come near the draw bridge, you should look for the tide marker on the right side of the draw bridge at the water line to validate if your trawler or motor yacht can safely clear the bridge at the center without having it open. If you are able to, proceed at slow speed and go through the middle of the span. Please note that you must lower antennas and outriggers if that will permit you to safely pass under the draw bridge without it opening; many draw bridge tenders will refuse to open if you have them up. If you can't safely go through the bridge while it is down, you have to then check to see if it will open on request or if there is a an established timetable. Nearly all bridges have the timetable posted if they have one. If there is a set timetable, you have to delay. You can also find this information in the Dozier's Waterway Guide. Don't wait until the last minute to put together your strategy. I would advise checking the waterway handbook in advance. This will allow you to plan your arrival at the draw bridge at the scheduled opening hour. If it opens on request, hail the draw bridge tender on your VHF radio. Draw bridges in many states monitor VHF channel 13 while bridges in South Carolina and Georgia monitor channel 9 and bridges in Florida monitor both channel 16 and 9. Only call the tender when you can see the draw bridge as he won't do anything until he verifies you will be present for the opening. The tender will also wait to open a bridge if there are several vessels traveling together; he will wait until every one of the boats is set to pass by at once. Once the draw bridge is wide open, go forward at an idle speed. If you are going underneath the bridge with additional vessels, make certain to keep a safe distance from them; there are currents and turbulence near bridge pilings. Sustain a no-wake speed until you have passed signs telling you to resume normal safe operation. It is customary to call and thank the draw bridge tender on the VHF for his help; some merely wave as they pass. Mike Dickens, the author, is a live aboard boat owner and owner/Broker of Paradise Yachts in Florida USA. Paradise Yachts offers used quality yachts to customers worldwide. 904/556-9431 Visit the Paradise Yachts website to view our selection of Used Trawlers, Used Motor Yachts, and Used Sailboats for Sale
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