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On 10 Sep 2003 00:40:01 GMT, reg (Gfretwell) wrote:
How common is this? I know it has been the law in Pinellas County (Fla) for a
number of years but in Lee County it is a mixed bag. If you exclude the bridges
that are in congested docking areas where everything is no wake, we have 2 main
ones near me (New Pass and Big Carlos Pass). Big Carlos is idle speed under the
draw span, New Pass is "Normal Safe".
Is there any logic to this?
BTW if I read the sign correctly, anywhere else under the Big Carlos bridge is
Normal Safe too but you might get a 4 oz pyramid sinker and a few hooks in your
face
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I believe there are two reasons: One is safety (reduced congestion
and wakes in a narrow passage). The second reason would be to
minimize wake erosion to the bridge structures.

Obviously the degree to which these are real issues depends on the
individual bridge, length of span, depth and width of channel, size
and speed of typical boats, etc. It's definitely not a one size fits
all type of judgement but unfortunately that's the way the rules
always end up. And then of course there's the infamous "manatee"
issue invented by the Save the Manatee club. Do manatees live and
congregate near bridges or just the people who watch them?