Below, I have copied a LIVELY discussion on AICW Bridge Etiquette, which has been appearing on the GL (Great Loop) mail list during early March, 2012, and since the original publication of this posting, other Cruisers’ Net users have chimed in. There’s some really good advice here, not only for the Waterway, but for all bridge navigation in general.

Currently in the process of returning from Miami north towards Charleston and then on to Annapolis via the Atlantic ICW. On the southbound and now northbound travels, one encounters numerous bridges, especially in Florida. While awaiting openings, I was always of the impression that the ‘down current’ ( traveling WITH the current) boat had right-of-way after the opening process.
Now an article in the current issue of POWER AND MOTORYACHT has shed some doubt on that assumption.
Quote:
“Nowhere in the rules does it state that Rule 9 (a) and Rule 14 (d) regarding current applies to ALL inland waters. In fact it states just the opposite, and it further details exactly just where those rules regarding current do apply: “The Great Lakes, Western Rivers, or waters specified by the Secretary.” Those waters are further specified by the Secretary in CFR 33.8923.”
Unquote.
Who is the Secretary.???
What is CFR 33.8923.???
And most importantly, what IS the rule.????
Frank and Ronda Arndorfer
LaNostra

Frank:
Rule 3 of the Inland Rules says, “‘Secretary’ means the Secretary of the department in which the Coast Guard is operating; ”
Rule 9 applies to “narrow channels.” Re-read your passage from Power and Motoryacht while thinking of the difference between the ICW and the “Great Lakes, Western Rivers or waters specified….”
The “downbound” rule does NOT apply in the ICW.
Bill

The boat traveling with a favorable current should have the right of way because of maneuverability as was stated well above, but that doesn’t mean the boats coming the other way will follow that logic. There’s a lot of stuff not detailed in the rules that still should be done for common courtesy and safety, and this is one of them. However, if there is a line of fast power craft waiting to come the other way I think there is about a 50/50 chance one or more of them will blast through as soon as that bridge is open no matter how difficult that makes it for anyone else.
John Kettlewell

There is no commonly accepted right of way for that, and it would be dangerous to try to rely on it if there were. For safety’s sake let the boat with the biggest fenders and anybody that looks anxious, go first. It’s always best to radio any commercial tows and let them decide what they wish to do and follow their wishes, as they can’t steer very well.
Pleasure boats including at least half of the folks reading this, generally have their radio turned off anyway.
No sense even thinking about what the actual regulations are simply because nobody knows what they are anyway and you will only be “dead right”.
The regulations according to Fred: “If you’re not in their way, they can’t run you down”. Words to live by.
Fred
Tug 44

A thought for sailboat operators’¦you might want to chat with the twin screw power boats waiting with you for the bridge. Encourage them to go by you and get right up to the bridge to go through first. They can get a lot closer to the bridge due to ability to maneuver, so that letting them go ahead doesn’t `cost’ you anything. You don’t want to be up there in a crowd of boats anyway. The big benefit’¦getting them through first will avoid the necessity to have a passing situation after the bridge.
K. C. Moore, Jr.

My 2 cents, common sense will tell you downstream should have the right of way, all other factors being equal. My guess, it’s not a rule on the ICW as the ICW is Tidal, downstream changes. Other obvious factors, tonnage, ability to maneuver, safety, just plain
being polite.
Well , maybe that was 3 cents worth.
See you in Paradise!
Capt. Sterling

Ralph,
Backing a twin engine powerboat and an under-powered sailboat are two vastly different tasks! I never owned a sailboat that would back straight to save your life. In fact, one or two of them seemed to prefer corkscrewing sideways. They are the devil’s handiwork!
Regards,
Randy Pickelmann
Morning Star

I owned many sailboats. Sailboat tracking (fore or aft) will vary with the keel design. Spade keels will tend to make the boat rotate even if backing. But this principle applies the same to sailboats because the prop is closer to upwind and in reverse it pulls the boat.
If the boat is underpowered, then that is an entirely different problem to be dealt with.
And we have to remember that backing invokes prop pull, usually to port. But the experienced helmsman should know and understand this and apply it.
Flat bottom planing hull boats are hard to maneuver at low speeds because they float across the top of the water. Deep V boats with higher dead rise in the stern provide some better level of tracking.
I still maintain that backing into the wind affords more control at slow speeds than bow to. But as I said earlier – it’s a paradigm shift in thinking for most folks.
R.

Ralph your discussion about wind is generally correct, though sailboats behave differently than twin engine flat transom power boats, but the OP was about current, in which case your guideline is not correct. But back to etiquette.
I have found that in general the people on the other side do have their radio on, usually on the bridge channel (9 south of North Carolina, 13 in NC,VA and MD), so I try that first then 16. Unless I feel that standing off is difficult, I usually let the other guys go first so I have a cleaner path on through. Often times, even with the current behind you, it is much easier to stand off than maneuver through a crowd of small boats. 80% of the time, we are the biggest widest boat. I do not consider myself a master helmsman, but experience has instructed me how to mitigate my skill deficits.
In South Florida, my main strategy is to avoid the ICW entirely and use the ocean. If conditions don’t permit that, then go at dawn before the commuter rush hour on land and most boaters. Avoid the weekends too; there are a large number of very poor boaters there, either ignorant, rude, or both. You have to deploy defensive boating practices as the dumbest things will happen. Then, adjust my speed between bridges so that I arrive very close to the opening time to cut “hanging around time” to a bare minimum. Almost all the urban bridges open at defined times, though you still have to call and request an opening. This strategy comes into play in parts of North Carolina (Wrightsville, Figure Eight, Surf City) and all of Virginia.
George
Hatteras 56MY

My guide:
1. In general pass on the one whistle (port to port).
2. Wind on the stern and / or current on the stern always go first. Really it’s the vessel with the least control under the circumstances.
3. Bigger and usually deeper draft boat has right of way (law of tonnage).
4. If there is any question whatsoever, talk with the boater to come to a decision – wind, current and type and size of boat make a difference
5. If they don’t respond to your radio hail, communicate with the bridge tender to see if they could raise them and make the suggestion we chat on the radio about who should pass through first or both simultaneously. As one tow captain was heard to tell another, “You ain’t scared, I ain’t scared, bring it on captain, see you on the two!”
NOTE: If you are unable to raise the other boat (this goes for any situation and any boat), memorize these words and say them clearly. “Negative contact with the _____(identify other boat with best description and location as possible _____ on Channel 16. Will attempt contact on channel 09, 10 or 13, etc. Site first the channel you contacted the bridge on and then the standard bridge to bridge channel for your area. End by stating that you are shifting to channel XX AND standing by on channel 16, state your boat name again”
This is particularly important when talking with smaller vessels, especially sailboats who usually have but one radio and it’s mounted down in the cabin or when attempting contact us senile old guys (you know who you are) who forget to turn on one of the radios. Regardless, boats our size should have two radios operational with one always on 16. Always keep in mind that the USCG has big antennas and is ever vigilant listening to channel 16? You’ve made the effort, the bridge tender is also on notice. Let them know your plans.
6. I keep my hand held load-hailer handy at the bridge and I communicate with them that way. Yelling at them, “Bring it on captain, bring it on. ” while waving them through at the same time as a last resort works as well.
NOTE: If you need to pass through the bridge first for whatever reason, again, make the contact attempts AND be sure to advise the bridge tender of your needs. Make sure they acknowledge. Or, run through the “Negative Contact” item with them as you do with other boats. You’ll be delighted at how fast these people will respond when you say those magic CYA words.
Best,
Bob
Bob & Kemba DeGroot
Aboard M/V Spirit Dancer, DeFever 49 CMY

Well Said George; Also Portable VHF radios are Cheap. The new ones will Scan multiple channels. I keep a Portable stationed at the lower Helm and upper helm at the fly bridge to give me mobilility of communications anywhere on deck. Plus a fixed mount at both locations. Also carry one when in the Dingy. I always scan Ch/9/13/15/22 to stay in touch. I wish some of our sailing friends would invest in a scanning Portable. Especially when they are hanging on my stern when trying to maneuver at a bridge. You can never find the sailors on a portable in the cockpit. Either they dont have one or the main unit is down below at the nav station out of reach. You try and call them, they might be on the bridge channel, to tell them to get off my butt and you can never raise them, they dont have a portable that scans. Think I am going to add a portable bull horn/hailer to my inventory (smile)
Safe cruising to all
Bob
Capt Bob
M/Y ALLEZ! MT50 WB

Spirit Dancer sums up this thread real nice. some might want to print a copy, laminate it (smile) and put it at both helm stations. Its what I do, but Spirit Dancer puts it together real good. Safe cruising to All see Ya on the “One”
Capt Bob
M/Y ALLEZ! MT50 WB