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B-assman · 06-06-2006, 08:46 AM

Be careful near the bridge - the officers enforcing the rules aparently havent read them!

I went out this morning and since it was my first time this season going under the bridge -I specifically took the time to read the notice to see what the procedure was. According to the notice - Commercial vessels require an escort - pleasure craft drawing less than 15 ft may transit without escort during daylight hours. There is no mention of speed restrictions.

Nobody was around the bridge before 6am so I had no trouble going under the bridge.

On the way back Im coming north around the east side of Dutch and a patrol boat is on a parallel course with me - we're both going about 30kts headed toward the bridge. We were just north of Dutch (far away from the temporary bouys). I slow down figuring I'll let him go first and follow behind him. He then makes a hard right turn and heads straight for me - sirens and lights on. I stop and he comes along side and in that Arrogant Cop voice asks me - "Do you know what a siren is?" "Do you know what flashing lights mean?" He pauses after each of these stupid questions until I answer. He then proceeds to lecture me - telling me that this is a restricted zone, that I may only pass with his permission (you must hail him on ch 16 before transiting the bridge), and that I must travel at 5kts.

I knew full well that he's dead wrong - but all i can say at this point is "yes sir, sorry sir, it won't happen again sir"

So - be careful out there.

06-06-2006, 08:46 AM	#4
B-assman Registered User iTrader: (0) Join Date: Feb 2003 Location: EGRI Posts: 256	Barney Fife under the bridge. Be careful near the bridge - the officers enforcing the rules aparently havent read them! I went out this morning and since it was my first time this season going under the bridge -I specifically took the time to read the notice to see what the procedure was. According to the notice - Commercial vessels require an escort - pleasure craft drawing less than 15 ft may transit without escort during daylight hours. There is no mention of speed restrictions. Nobody was around the bridge before 6am so I had no trouble going under the bridge. On the way back Im coming north around the east side of Dutch and a patrol boat is on a parallel course with me - we're both going about 30kts headed toward the bridge. We were just north of Dutch (far away from the temporary bouys). I slow down figuring I'll let him go first and follow behind him. He then makes a hard right turn and heads straight for me - sirens and lights on. I stop and he comes along side and in that Arrogant Cop voice asks me - "Do you know what a siren is?" "Do you know what flashing lights mean?" He pauses after each of these stupid questions until I answer. He then proceeds to lecture me - telling me that this is a restricted zone, that I may only pass with his permission (you must hail him on ch 16 before transiting the bridge), and that I must travel at 5kts. I knew full well that he's dead wrong - but all i can say at this point is "yes sir, sorry sir, it won't happen again sir" So - be careful out there.