[Swimmer]

Many times in the last several years, mostly during daylight hours, I have seen or been annoyed by boats going to fast fast. By this I mean pleasure craft, not freight carrying, work type vessels, like barges.

Several times I have even watched as two and three boats would go by actually racing, trying to overtake, one another. This occurred during especially heavy traffic on weekends. Sometimes it boggles my mind, and that doesn't take much nowadays, how selfish people are driving their boats through the canal oblivious to what is the appropriate speed.

I am not talking about the one boat that goes by at 4:30 a.m. quick as a rabbit. Because the faster he gets out of the way the sooner a hookup might happen.

And I never see any body told to slow down. I wrote a Paul Gaureau, of the Army Corps of Engineers, and he was very kind to reply. He said many citations are given out every year.

Maybe I am being petty. The following is Mr. Gareau's reply:



In reply to your observation regarding speeding in the Canal, Section 207.20(j) of the regulations states that all vessels are directed to pass mooring and boat basin facilities, the state pier (fish pier), ESCO Terminal and all floating plants engaged in maintenance of the waterway at a minimum speed consistent with safe navigation. A specific speed is not listed which allows the master/operator of a vessel to exercise discretion and determine the best speed based on prevailing conditions. Additionally, the prescribed running times are intended to control the destructive effects of excessive wake and to provide for the safety of all vessels navigating within the waterway.

Every vessel leaves a wake regardless of the speed of advance. I am going to assume that your statement regarding the no wake rule refers to "excessive wake" within the limits of the Canal. This is also subjective and dependent on prevailing conditions. What Traffic Controllers and Patrol Boat Operators are concerned with are vessel wakes that may cause significant bank erosion and are dangerous to other vessels, particularly small recreational vessels.

Over time, large wakes that cause breaking waves on the banks of the Canal erode the sand behind the protective granite rip-rap, which in turn causes the rip-rap to slide down and out of position. When this occurs, significant bank erosion can and will occur, which requires expensive maintenance and repairs.

In addition to the regulation listed above, the Canal Manager is authorized to prescribe rules governing the movement of vessels using the waterway. There are signs posted at several locations throughout the Canal (on the Bourne/Sagamore bridge abutments for example) notifying vessels of a 10 mile-per-hour (8.5 knots) speed limit and minimum wake requirement.

That said, we know that there are vessels that do not adhere to the regulations. I know that it is frustrating for citizens and law abiding boat operators to see those that have no concern for the regulations. Our boat operators are doing the best that they can to get people to comply with the regulations, numerous tickets are written each year. Boat operators also know where (and when) our boats are tied up and generally maintain the proper speed when coming by us.

I thank you for expressing your concern and state that the same laws are still in place and our boat operators and Marine Traffic Controllers still try to enforce them.

Thank you,

Paul Gaudreau