C&D Canal

J

Jensen

Member
Joined
Oct 3, 2004
RO Number
15455
Messages
113
Had a nice relaxing winter boating experience, watching the coast guard maintain buoys last night when the guys and I decided to head up to the Chesapeake Inn. We were cruising up the canal at night when we noticed little "blinky" lights. It was at night so we had some pretty limited visibility but by the time we saw it, we nearly hit something BIG!!! There were tiny lights on it meant to warn us off...
I was just wondering if anyone knows what is going on. There was no warning or anything over the radio. Just curious.

jenn
 
If it was just west of the 213 bridge on the south side, I believe it's dredging going on. I saw it last w/e when driving over the bridge. However I can't be sure. Maybe someone else knows exactly....
Keep a keen eye.....
 
It's in the LNM:

The Hopper Dredge LIBERTY ISLAND will be dredging in the C &D Canal from 23 November until 15 December, 2008. The Spud Barge WEEKS 273
will be located 1 mile west of the Chesapeake City Bridge outside the south canal channel limit and will be the pump out site for transfer of material
to the Chesapeake City Upland Disposal Site. The spud barge will be marked with flashing amber lights. While moored to the barge, the dredge
will extend 30 feet inside the south canal channel limit. The survey vessel PEARL RIVER will be assisting. All vessels will monitor VHF-FM CHs 13
and 16. Mariners are cautioned to stay clear of dredge. Mariners are cautioned to strictly comply with the Inland Rules of the Road when
approaching, passing and leaving the area of operations, and remain a safe distance away from the dredge, booster, buoys, cables, pipeline,
barges, derricks, wires and related equipment. Dredging projects are usually conducted twenty-four (24) hours a day seven (7) days a week.
Chart: 12277.
 
little blinky lights? what color, how many, placement? tugs, dredges and their pipes have specific ligthts and if you'[re going to run at night you should be familiar with them...

the lights shoudl visible from a distance, if you didn't see them till the last minute, it seems like your night vision was impaired... too many lights on the boat? un dimmed plotters?
 
Well that answers that. The amber lights on it are pretty dim, but not impossible. They are not incredibly well placed lights because there is a large part of the dredging pipe that extends beyond the last light. Anyway, no crisis, but thanks for info.
 
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