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 ---------------------------------------- From: "Frank Arndorfer" <fmja10@yahoo.com> Sent: Thursday, March 08, 2012 1:48 PM To: great-loop@lists.trawlering.com Subject: GL: Bridge etiquete ICW 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.

Someone wrote... > Currently in the process of returning from Miami north towards Charleston > and then on to Annapolis via the Atlantic ICW. ... > 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. This assumes a channel with a characteristic and known prevailing current. Unfortunately, the ICW has many areas which are tidal in nature and unless visually obvious ( or from changes in rudder response) would be difficult to define as to the direction of the current. Rule 9 has an interesting paragraph... A power-driven vessel operating in narrow channels or fairways ... and proceeding down with a following current shall have the right-of-way over an unbound vessel, shall propose the manner and place of passage, and shall initiate the maneuvering signals prescribed ... While defining which vessel has the right of way, the rule also obligates the down vessel to initiate the communication process. When did you ever have that happen??? The best personal policy is ( to paraphrase rule 9) to proceed along the course of a narrow channel as near to the outer limit of the channel lies on her starboard side as is safe and practicable. I would add ... in a meeting situation. And then consider the gross tonnage and common sense rules. Some of the ICE can get downright thin near the outer limits so you have to be careful. OK, some of the ICE can get downright thin in the middle of the channel too. :-) T