| WHAT RECREATIONAL BOATERS
SHOULD KNOW
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Commercial vessels, including towboats and tugboats, operate 365 days a year, 24 hours
a day
The speed of a ship, towboat, or tugboat can be deceptive. A tow
can travel one mile in seven minutes - a ship even faster and it
generally takes 3/4 to 1 and a half miles to stop. For example,
if a water skier falls a thousand feet in front of a moving tug
or tow, the skier has less than one minute to get out of the way.
Large vessels must maintain speed to steer, and they must stay in
the channel - it's the only place deep enough for them to
operate. Many channels are unmarked. On some waterways, the
channel extends bank to bank, so expect vessel traffic on any
portion of the waterway.
A pilot's "blind spot" can extend for hundreds of feet
in front of the deep-draft ships, tugboats and towboats pushing
barges.
Pilots and towboat operators use VHF radio channels 13 and 16
In a collision situation, try to escape to the port (left) side.
It takes four to six minutes and 2,000 to 4,000 feet for a ship
to stop after its engines are reversed. The reversing action will
swing the ship's bow toward starboard.
In narrow canals a tug's or tow's powerful engines can cause a
smaller vessel to be pulled toward the tow when passing
alongside.
"Wheel Wash" is a strong underwater current caused by
towboat or ship engines that can result in severe turbulence
hundreds of yards behind a large vessel.
A tug without barges in front could be towing a log raft, barge
or other objects on a long submerged line behind it, which lie
low in the water and are difficult to see. Never pass closely
behind a tugboat.
Sailboating on inland rivers can be hazardous, and sailboaters
and wind surfers should know that a tow or tug can "steal
your wind" - so you won't have the same wind you started
with when executing a sailing maneuver near a commercial vessel.
Operating in adverse weather or low visibility can prove
extremely dangerous. Why take a chance?
Ships, towboats and tugboats use VHF radio channels 13 and 16. If
you are unsure of your situation, or their intentions, feel free
to contact them. Remember, you are sharing the waterways with
vessels operated by highly trained and conscientious
professionals. If you have a true emergency or need information,
they can and will help if properly contacted.
TRIBAL FISHING
Indian gillnet fisheries are active on the
river from August through October. In addition, fishing
activity can be intense from mid-June through mid-July.
Watch for fishing nets and fishing boats. While the nets are
difficult to see, the corks and buoys that hold them up are
easier to spot.
Don't sail close to nets and never jump over or otherwise
interfere with the nets. Also, never cut ropes that are
attached to buoys or nets.
As with any boat, never assume that the operator can see or
avoid you.
TRAINS
On both sides of the river, the railroad
tracks are in constant use with an average of 24 trains a
day. TRAINS ALWAYS HAVE RIGHT OF WAY. They travel at high
speeds, and approach silently from either direction. Even if
a train has passed, there may be another close behind, or
from the other direction. Crossing the tracks where there is
no protected crossing is against the law, if caught you can
face a fine up to $250.00.
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