I have traded in my sails for work on an ICW tug for a while and have noticed some things that would help other sailors understand the way that the large barges move along the waterway.
1. Most barges and commercial traffic monitors channel 13 on the VHF. Getting them on 16 and 09 is difficult sometimes.
2. Most of tugs and barges are restricted by draft. Our tug draws nine feet and we have run aground several times dodging people who try to exert their right of way.
3. As sailors know, crosswinds are great for sailors so that you can reach on down the waterway. For barges, the crosswinds cause the barge to zig zag or crab down the waterway. It a very difficult task. Watch out for these when the wind is above 15.
4. Be good representatives of the sailing world. We had a fellow who saw us having a time getting up to a bridge and he lay his sailboat over to the side and waited for us to pass. After hearing the captain curse all of us blow boaters, it was nice to hear him say thank you as the sailboat pulled in behing us.
5. We usually suck some of the water out of the waterway. Be careful as it may bump you on the bottom but the water will come right back.
6. Please do not anchor in the channel. We have had to toot at several boats, sail and power, that have anchored in the waterway.
7. Use anchor lights. As we come within a hundred feet of you at night there is nothing like having to back down on our engines. Frightening for both of us.
I hope that this will help us all have a better time on the waterway and understand a little of what each has to do with. I will forever be a sailor and a Cape Dory sailor at that but have not understood the other side until now. Give me a wave as you pass by on the waterway. I'll look at you with envy.
Bob B.
sv Oblivion
Tug - Royal Engineer, SC, NC, VA and FL.
BundyR@aol.com
ICW and commercial traffic
Moderator: Jim Walsh