b'RULES OF THE ROAD AND NAVIGATIONMovable Bridges Continued from Page 32you are passing under the bridge. Each gauge is installed on the end of the right channel pier or a pier protection structure facing approaching vessels. It 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 conditions or circumstances.Air draft of a vesselOtherwise known as vertical clear-ance, is the 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 rods cannot count in the measurement. They must be lowered. If after lowering all of the nonstructural and nonessential navigation components of your vessel, you still cannot pass under the bridge, you will need to contact the bridge tender.Signaling a Bridge Moveable bridges must open promptly and fully for the pas-sage of vessels when a request or signal to open is given. There are some bridges that have set opening and closing schedule to facilitate the smooth flow of traffic.There are several acceptable methods to contact the bridge tender to discuss scheduled openings and to request an open-ing. The best method to hail the bridge tender is on VHF marine radio channel 13 using low power or one watt. The vessel and the bridge tender shall monitor the frequency used until the vessel has cleared the bridge. When hailing the bridge tender, repeat the name of the bridge three times and be sure toeven if you require an opening. The bridge tender may not be include the name and description of your vessel when request- able to see you, so wait for the next opening.ing an opening. Let the bridge tender know the direction you areThe visual signal to request the opening of a draw is a white headed and when you request the opening.flag raised and lowered vertically or a white, amber, or green When radiotelephone contact cannot be initiated or main- light raised and lowered vertically. The tender shall reply in kind tained, sound or visual signals shall be used. Sound signalsif the bridge can be opened. Also, the tender could raise a red shall be made by whistle, horn, megaphone, hailer, or otherflag or swing a red light back and forth horizontally in full sight device capable of producing the described signals loud enoughof the vessel within 30 seconds of the vessels opening signal. to be heard by the drawtender. The sound signal to request theThe tender could also show a fixed or flashing red light(s) within opening of a draw is one prolonged blast followed by one short30 seconds of the vessels opening signal and repeat it until blast sounded not more than three seconds after the prolongedacknowledged in some manner by the requesting vessel.blast. If the tender can open the bridge immediately, the replyIn areas where there is more than one moveable bridge, sig-sound signal is one prolonged blast followed by one short blastnals can vary. So please check federal regulations in your area. sounded within 30 seconds of the requesting signal. When theThe bridge tender shall take all reasonable measures to have draw cannot be opened immediately, the tender shall reply withthe draw opened, regardless of the operating schedule of the five short blasts sounded in rapid succession within 30 secondsbridge, for the passage of emergency vehicles, vessels, or other of the vessels opening signal. The signal shall be repeated untilemergency situations. The bridge tender will open provided the acknowledged in some manner by the requesting vessel. If youopening does not conflict with local emergency management hear five short blasts from the bridge and the bridge is open,procedures, which have been approved by the cognizant Coast it means the bridge is being closed. Do not try to pass throughGuard Captain of the Port.2023 Connecticut BOATERS GUIDE33'