|
Written by Administrator
|
|
Jun 02, 2009 at 04:12 PM |
To cross from the Chester River to the Eastern Bay, we'll need to cross the Kent Narrows...
...and to get through the Narrows, we need to pass under the drawbridge. Some local knowledge is always helpful when navigating such places, and I was fortunate enough to get some of this from several registered users of this site, and from a helpful sailor I met in a West Marine in Lewe's Delaware.
One thing that the friendly West Marine fellow mentioned was that the Narrows Bridge operators will open the bridge off-schedule for you, but they will not decide who should go first if there are boats arriving at the same time from the North and the South. The passage under the bascule-style bridge is rather narrow (no pun intended) and would offer quite a squeeze if two boats attempted to pass through at the same time. One could sound an air horn (one short blast indicating 'I intend to leave you on my port side') and then proceed if the other boat shows no sign of making way first, but there's probably no real sure-fire method other than communicating with the other boat. Deferring to size is also an option.
Maryland bridge operators normally monitor VHF Channel 13 (there appears to be no standard; Florida and Georgia operators monitor VHF channel 9), however as of May 2008 Maryland highway administration in cooperation with the US Coast Guard is requesting that communications move from VHF channel 13 (which is used for bridge-to-bridge communications, meaning ship's bridge) to non-commercial channels VHF 68, 69 to limit recreational traffic on channel 13. This information came from Tom Neal's Cruising Tips on the BoatUS site. Read Tom Neal's cruising tips here.
Click here for the USCG listing of marine VHF frequencies.
Another useful piece of information was provided by Mary Lou, a registered user of this site who unfortunately cannot make the Rendezvous. Here's what Mary Lou said about the Narrows, and a few other issues:
"Winds are always a crapshoot on the Bay no matter what time of year.
We just motored back from St. Michaels to Rock Hall (winds SW 1-2
knots). 22.8 miles motoring at roughly 4 knots except for a 20 minute
jog waiting for the bridge at Kent Narrows. Suggest you insist that
anyone going through the Narrows have a very reliable motor capable
of pushing their boat at 2 or 3 knots against a 1 to 2 knot current.
We have a Yamaha 8 HT which is just fine. Our boat weighs 3000 lbs.
Our old Honda 8 was fine as well. The other option which is hard to
do is to time it for slack tide (essentially high and low tide).
There are current charts for Kent Narrows as well as tide charts for
Kent Narrows, St. Michaels and Rock Hall (Deep Landing, Swan Creek)
at http://tbone.biol.sc.edu/tide/sites_useastupper.html"
This post on our forum from Captain Pete is helpful as well:
Captain Pete's Post
Regarding the open Bay versus more 'protected' waters, Mary Lou says:
"Don't worry about the open Bay vs the Chester, it's really not that
different....On a weekend the mouth of the Chester (Love Pt. Light to Kent Narrows) can be quite rolly
with powerboat wakes. In fact for small boats, the largest hazard on
the Bay (other than thunderstorms) is some of the incredibly deep
powerboat wakes they may encounter. Memorial Day weekend, 4th of July
weekend and Labor Day weekend are probably the worst for that but
they are always a possibility. If you are able to take them on a bow
quarter powering or sailing into them, you retain more control."
Many thanks to Mary Lou! We'll miss her at the Rendezvous.
While most agree that navigations through the Narrows are uneventful, my West Marine buddy also mentioned the current. He said he witnessed a Catalina 22 drift into one of the bridge supports when its engine failed. His suggestion was to have an anchor handy for deployment just-in-case. Not a bad idea, but a last resort if there's an issue. The precaution is to have a well-maintained motor that is adequately powered for your vessel.
See you at the Rendezvous!
|
Comment by admin on 2009-06-08 19:10:07
Just a slight correction: The USCG and Maryland Highway Administration suggest moving to VHF channels 68, 69 after initial communication is established on the bridge-to-bridge navigation VHF channel 13. |
Comment by ejkessler on 2009-06-09 20:04:53
Friends, Check the Tide and Current info ... we should only see 1-2 knots at Max. You will all do just fine. It is far more exciting in anticipation that it will really be. Relax and enjoy, this will be a great trip. :) |
Comment by captpete on 2009-06-09 21:12:15
Also some added info on the bridge and right of way issues. Local custom has been that the vessel traveling with the current usually goes first as it is easier to hold against the current than having it at your stern. But be on your toes as I have been heading into the bridge opening several times only to have to back down hard to avoid a boat coming thru at me. This is where you start to understand the current has right of way issue. Even backing down hard, it is not easy to stop once you are in the opening. With the current running up your stern, stopping may not be possible. Ends up like playing chicken, but the one going with the current has a distinct disadvantage. Kind of like driving on ice. You are still driving, but full control is only an illusion. Usually alot of yelling and hand gestures from the other boat, even as you try to tell them about the local custom of going with the current goes first. On the good side, you usually don't spend much time in yelling distance to get too aggrevated. The 1 to 2 kts current is correct, for the rest of the narrows, until you come to the actual opening where it gets real narrow and deep. There for about 20 to 30 yards, the current can jump up a good bit. One more thing, there are usually a few small outboards anchored just outside the opening on both sides where the fishing is good because of the depth of water and current. They can give you a hard time about fouling their fishing lines if you get too close. But tough stuff for them as they are the ones fouling the area as you try to go thru the bridge. Will add in the tide tables for the narrows on my next comment. Have them but not right here at the computer. Lets just hope that the time in the narrows will be on or near slack water. See ya at Rock Hall... |
Please login or register to add comments |
|
Last Updated ( Jun 08, 2009 at 02:39 PM )
|
