Dangerous Weekend Warrior Boating

[Billfish715]

Right of way through the bridges is always a problem. The accepted "rule" for negotiating the MR RR bridge is that the boats navigating "with" the tide have the right of way. There is also some common sense involved in navigating because of the limited visibility caused by the tressel and the structure itself. It's hard to see to the other side. There is no traffic cop or stop light so unless captains observe the "right of way" based on the tide, it can be a free-for-all.

I like the way the bridge operators in the Shark River control the traffic through that area. It's pretty tight and can be a disaster without someone directing the boats through. A simple radio request from a captain with the boat's name and then a response from the operator indicating your place in line and when to proceed is something the MR RR bridge operator might be able to do once the span opens after a closure. Of course the yakkers compound the issue because they have no radiios for the most part.

I could go on about close calls with the kayaks and I'm sure many boaters could do the same thing. Yakkers in the fog, yakkers in inlets, yakkers without flags, yakkers with no lifejackets, yakkers in the troughs of steep waves, yakkers with no boating safety certificates. The same can be said about rental skiff operators.

The board members who fish from party or charter boats usually don't see
what's happening but for those of you who run your own boats, don't be afraid to get on the airhorn or loudspeaker to make your presence and opinions known.