124 seamanship secrets
keep you in the center of the channel as you pass beneath the bridge. On moving
bridges, green lights indicate that the bridge has opened and it’s safe to proceed. On
these bridges, always double-check to make sure the structure has opened completely
before you attempt to pass through. Call the bridge tender if in doubt.
White lights. On fi xed bridges, three vertical white lights over the green
center span range lights indicate that another passage exists to the side of the
main channel (see illustration on page 122).
MOVABLE BRIDGE OPENING REQUIREMENTS
If you need to pass under a bascule, swing, or lift bridge, you have two op-
tions. Call the bridge tender on your VHF-FM radio or sound and receive
the appropriate whistle signal.
VHF-FM radio. If your boat has a radio, try this method fi rst. Call the bridge
tender to establish communications on Channel 16. Th en shift to Channel 13 and re-
quest an opening. In Florida, use Channel 9 to call and request a bridge opening.
Sound signals. If your boat has no radio or the tender doesn’t answer,
use your whistle or horn. Sound a prolonged (4- to 6-second) blast, followed
Lift bridge lighting (closed and open positions).