b'RULES OF THE ROAD AND NAVIGATIONMovable Bridges The raising and lowering of train and traffic bridges are regulated by the US Coast Guard. You need to understand some critical information to safely pass under these bridges:Bridge clearance - is the distance between the water sur-face and the lowest portion of the bridge over the channel. This distance is measured in feet and can be found on the chart that the bridge is shown. Bridge clearances are refer-enced at mean high tide, with clearances changing through-out the tidal cycle. At low tide there will be more clearance than at an above average high tide.Many fixed and all moveable bridges will have a clear-ance gauge on each side of the bridge. This gauge will indicate the bridge clearance at the specific time you are passing under the bridge. Each gauge is installed on the end of the right channel pier or pier protection structure facing approaching vessels and extends to a reasonable height above high water so as to be meaningful to the viewer. Other or additional locations may be used under particular condi-tions or circumstances.Air draft of a vessel - or vertical clearance is amount of vertical space that the boat needs to pass safely under an object. This distance is measured from the boats waterline to the top of the highest structural object on the boat. By federal regulation, movable antennas that are not essential to navigation and fishing poles cannot count in the measure-ment. They must be lowered. If after lowering all of the non-structural and nonessential navigation components of your vessel, you still cannot pass under the bridge, you will need to contact the bridge tender. described signals loud enough to be heard by the draw-Signaling the Bridge:tender. The sound signal to request the opening of a draw is Moveable bridges must open promptly and fully for theone prolonged blast followed by one short blast sounded not passage of vessels when a request or signal to open is given.more than three seconds after the prolonged blast.However, there are bridges that have set opening and closingIf the tender can open the bridge immediately, the reply schedules to facilitate the smooth flow of traffic so you maysound signal is one prolonged blast followed by one short have to wait. blast sounded within 30 seconds of the requesting signal. There are several acceptable methods to contact theWhen the draw cannot be opened immediately, the tender bridge tender to discuss scheduled openings and to requestshall reply with five short blasts sounded in rapid succession an opening. The best method is by VHF marine radio viawithin 30 seconds of the vessels opening signal. The signal channel 13 using low power (one watt). The vessel and theshall be repeated until acknowledged in some manner by the bridge tender shall monitor the frequency used until the ves- requesting vessel.sel has cleared the draw. The visual signal to request the opening of a draw is a Using the radio, identify the name of the bridge (repeatedwhite flag raised and lowered vertically or a white, amber, three times) you need opened and the name and descrip- or green light raised and lowered vertically. The tender shall tion of your vessel (eg. sailboat, 30 foot powerboat). Let thereply in kind if the bridge can be opened or raise a red flag bridge tender know the direction you are headed and whenor swing a red light back and forth horizontally in full sight of you request the opening. When radio or telephone contactthe vessel within 30 seconds of the vessels opening signal cannot be initiated or maintained, sound or visual signalsor show a fixed or flashing red light(s) within 30 seconds of shall be used. the vessels opening signal and repeat until acknowledged in Sound signals shall be made by whistle, horn, mega- some manner by the requesting vessel.phone, hailer, or other device capable of producing theFive Short Blasts: If you hear this sound from the bridge 342022 Connecticut BOATERS GUIDE'