I think they only open it --other than during the wee hours --for
commercial traffic, and if you are there, you can scoot on thru. So
I've been told.

I believe that is so. But it happens on regular schedule 2 or 3 times a
week. I am sure the days can be predetermined.

wrote:

I think they only open it --other than during the wee hours --for
commercial traffic, and if you are there, you can scoot on thru. So
I've been told.

I believe that is so. But it happens on regular schedule 2 or 3 times a
week. I am sure the days can be predetermined.

I would not count on that. I've been on the way across the bridge
when it has been opened - on my way to catch a plane at DCA, and it
took them an hour to get the bridge back down - I almost missed my
plane. If it were to happen today, I'm sure we would miss the plane
as we did not check in until the gate was almost closed.

This is an old post from letter from Stuart and Ann Yellen in 11/2001
issue of Seven Seas Cruising Association bulletin:

* 2/3 of way up the Potomac, if M-F 8-5, call VHF 16 to Dahlgren
Firing Range to get directions around.

* Woodrow Wilson Bridge: need opening if 50 feet or more. VHF 13
or 16.
Weekends will open 0000-0645 [2200-0545?] if called 4 hours
ahead.
Weekdays will open 0000-0445 if called 12 hours ahead.

Mount Vernon.
70+ miles up the Potomac river.
Has a transient dock; have to call in advance to arrange.


grandma Rosalie

I think they only open it --other than during the wee hours --for
commercial traffic, and if you are there, you can scoot on thru. So
I've been told.

I believe that is so. But it happens on regular schedule 2 or 3 times
a week. I am sure the days can be predetermined.

I would not count on that. I've been on the way across the bridge
when it has been opened - on my way to catch a plane at DCA, and it
took them an hour to get the bridge back down - I almost missed my
plane. If it were to happen today, I'm sure we would miss the plane
as we did not check in until the gate was almost closed.

I'm not sure how your driving experience relates to the schedule of the
bridge?

But I believe the length of time to close was related to failing
mechanisms in the lift machinery. The bridge stuck several times over
the last 10 years.

I've lived in Alexandria and local region for 40 of my 50 years.
The bridge opens on schedule, as I referred above, for commercial
shipping. At least twice a week a freighter comes in to unload at the
Robinson terminal. There was much debate about that when the plans for
the replacement bridge were being considered. The new bridge will allow
the freighters to come through w/o having to open. Tall Ships will still
get the tip o' the road.

wrote:

I think they only open it --other than during the wee hours --for
commercial traffic, and if you are there, you can scoot on thru. So
I've been told.

This is an excerpt from a book called "A Year in Paradise" by a couple
on a boat called "Witch of Endor"
http://www.yearinparadise.com/inside.html

"The bridge does open, but only between 12 midnight and five AM, and
then only if you give them 12 hour’s notice by telephone. You have to
call to make an appointment to get through the damn bridge in the
middle of the night! And then, there you would be—in total darkness in
an unfamiliar place surrounded by the lights of Alexandria, Washington
National Airport, Bolling Air Force Base, and the District of
Columbia, trying to follow a channel marked with unlighted buoys!"

In their case, their mast was only 48 feet, so they didn't have to
have the bridge opened.

I believe that is so. But it happens on regular schedule 2 or 3 times
a week. I am sure the days can be predetermined.

I would not count on that. I've been on the way across the bridge
when it has been opened - on my way to catch a plane at DCA, and it
took them an hour to get the bridge back down - I almost missed my
plane. If it were to happen today, I'm sure we would miss the plane
as we did not check in until the gate was almost closed.

I'm not sure how your driving experience relates to the schedule of the
bridge?

Just that raising the bridge anytime during the day has the potential
for a massive amount of gridlock in the Washington area even if it
doesn't get stuck. I was stuck in traffic for a half an hour (3 to
3:30) before I turned around and went another way when the Yorktown
bridge over the Rappahannock opened - the opening was scheduled for 2
pm

But I believe the length of time to close was related to failing
mechanisms in the lift machinery. The bridge stuck several times over
the last 10 years.

I've lived in Alexandria and local region for 40 of my 50 years.
The bridge opens on schedule, as I referred above, for commercial
shipping. At least twice a week a freighter comes in to unload at the
Robinson terminal. There was much debate about that when the plans for
the replacement bridge were being considered. The new bridge will allow
the freighters to come through w/o having to open. Tall Ships will still
get the tip o' the road.

I bow to your superior local knowledge. I was unable to find anything
on the internet about the commercial shipping openings for the bridge
except what is below

======
H.AMDT.629 (A004)
Amends: H.R.5055 (offered 6/22/1992)

AMENDMENT DESCRIPTION:
Amendment limits the time during which the Coast Guard is permitted to
open for boat traffic the drawbridge of the Woodrow Wilson Bridge
between Virginia and Maryland.

AMENDMENT PURPOSE:
An amendment restricting the Coast Guard scheduled openings of the
Woodrow Wilson drawbridge to non-peak hours of automobile traffic.
Bridge openings would be prohibited for commercial vessels between the
hours of 5 a.m. to 10 a.m. and 2 p.m. to 8 p.m. Monday through Friday
and between 2 p.m. to 7 p.m. on Saturdays, Sundays, and federal
holidays. Bridge openings would be prohibited for recreational vessels
between the hours of 5 a.m. to midnight Monday through Friday and
between 7 a.m. to midnight on Saturdays, Sundays, and federal
holidays, unless the bridge has been opened for commercial vessels.

STATUS:
6/22/1992 4:07pm:
On agreeing to the Hoyer amendment (A004) Agreed to by voice
vote.
================

I can't find the information which I had that said 24 hours notice was
required - it's probably in a cruising guide and is on the boat.

In 1998, the bridge opened about 220 times a year and required 4 hours
notice.

After 9-11 the entire river north of the bridge was closed down for a
time and boats were only allowed to leave the area.

On Sept 18 2001, the Coast Guard directive on the bridge said:

Vessels or persons wishing to enter the Potomac River Security Zone through the Woodrow Wilson Memorial Drawbridge, including those re-entering the zone, may do so between 5:30 a.m. and 7 p.m., subject to Coast Guard inspection.

* The Woodrow Wilson Memorial Drawbridge will have a special opening for recreational boaters at Noon. Recreational vessels wishing to transit under the bridge must be at the bridge before Noon.



Jan 19, 2004 for the State of the Union address
Coast Guard security patrols will saturate the Potomac River and all of its tributaries north of the Woodrow Wilson Bridge. Units from Coast Guard Station Washington, D.C., Coast Guard Maritime Safety and Security Team 91106 from New York City, N.Y., and the Beluga from Norfolk, Va., and the D.C. Metro Police Harbor Unit will all be a part the 2-day security detail.

In addition to increased patrols, the Coast Guard will be identifying and tracking all commercial shipping traffic north of the Woodrow Wilson Bridge.

Coast Guard Notice to Mariners - July 2004
VA/MD – POTOMAC RIVER – WOODROW WILSON BRIDGE – BRIDGE INFO Mariners are advised that construction of the new Woodrow Wilson Memorial Drawbridge across the Potomac River, mile 103.8, between the City of Alexandria, Virginia and Oxon Hill, Maryland is ongoing until 2010. Excessive speed and wake by boaters may cause serious or fatal incidents to the Bridge project. It is crucial that mariners obey the speed restrictions and eliminate wakes through the work zone due to the sensitive and precise nature of the work and for worker safety. A temporary floating/sliding bridge will be in place in the waterway during drawbridge construction until further notice. There will be intermittent day-time channel restrictions as a result of the floating bridge and mariners are urged to listen to the BNMs for updates of it’s position in the waterway. Mariners are also urged to use extreme caution when transiting this area for work barges, exposed piles, and anchor buoys. For further information and
updates to construction operations, contact Mr. Mike Baker, Environmental Construction Manager for the Woodrow Wilson Bridge Project at 301-567-0094 Ext 242 or visit the Project’s website online at www.wilsonbridge.com. Charts 12285 & 12289.

2004
10. August 17, WTOP News (Washington, DC) — Boaters feeling Code Orange effects. Motorists
and truck drivers around Capitol Hill and other areas of downtown Washington, DC, aren't the
only vehicles feeling the effects of the Orange Alert. A new rule that went into effect when
the terror level was raised requires commercial boats operating north of the Woodrow
Wilson Bridge and up to the Key Bridge to get in touch with the Coast Guard. Desmond
Fletcher with the Coast Guard Washington says these boats will have to provide their position,
number of people on board, and the name of the vessel. Recreational boaters may be
approached by the Coast Guard or DC's Harbor Patrol to determine their status. Fletcher says
it's not clear how long this will be in effect, but it will be at least through the duration of this
Orange alert.


grandma Rosalie

This is an excerpt from a book called "A Year in Paradise" by a couple
on a boat called "Witch of Endor"
http://www.yearinparadise.com/inside.html

"The bridge does open, but only between 12 midnight and five AM, and
then only if you give them 12 hour’s notice by telephone. You have to
call to make an appointment to get through the damn bridge in the
middle of the night! And then, there you would be—in total darkness in
an unfamiliar place surrounded by the lights of Alexandria, Washington
National Airport, Bolling Air Force Base, and the District of
Columbia, trying to follow a channel marked with unlighted buoys!"

It is difficult for me to believe they actually made the transit since
their description is so wide of reality.

"Total darkness... ...surrounded by lights" ???

South of the bridge heading north the lights of all the places they
mention are well upriver, on the far side of the bridge they have not
yet gone under. Not a problem.

"trying to follow a channel marked with unlighted buoys" ???

There is no weirdly winding channel to decipher like into some inlets.
It's rather straight the whole last 5 miles. Two slight bends in course,
one at 2 miles, one two miles later. A dime store compass would have
been more than sufficient, only if they are so severely nearsighted they
could see much beyond the bow.

Coming up to DC from the south:
For the 2 miles heading north to the bridge, heading is slightly west of
North. At one mile before the bridge is a flashing red marker. The
channel makers on the bridge are lighted and easy to see, as is the fact
that they are marking the peak of the extremely lit bridge. Once under
the bridge one bears slightly to the right to parallel Alexandria - on
your port.

Now heading slightly east of north it's a straight run past Alex. There
are the two airports, one major and active on the west shore, one pretty
much closed except for some minor traffic to the east. I never had
problems passing between them and seeing where I was. For the channel
there a couple of flashing reds, then a series of greens. By this time
Nat'l Airport is far to the port side, and Bolling airfield is close to
starboard. That takes care of the 2 miles north of the bridge.

Now a slight bearing to port, heading about due north, for one half
mile, well lit, leading into the very well lit Washington Channel for
the last 1/2 mile up to the marina's. Deep water.

So for the 5 miles coming up to DC: Straight for two miles with a light
at one mile and a light at the bridge. Slight bearing starboard, run two
miles, multiple well lit markers. Slight bearing to port for a half mile
straight run, well lit, into the channel to the marinas.

I have no idea why that couple in the book had so much trouble. Getting
into Annapolis is more effort. But as far as the bridge opening, not
being local they would not know about the regular arrivals (in daylight)
of the freighters (carrying newsprint I believe).

Regarding the various security restrictions, those are a different
matter. But well worth their own unique thread. The various security
forces are antsy, and much more likely to inspect then in the previous
decades. All recreational skippers are required to have proof of passing
a boating safety course. No grandfathering.

wrote:

This is an excerpt from a book called "A Year in Paradise" by a couple
on a boat called "Witch of Endor"
http://www.yearinparadise.com/inside.html

"The bridge does open, but only between 12 midnight and five AM, and
then only if you give them 12 hour’s notice by telephone. You have to
call to make an appointment to get through the damn bridge in the
middle of the night! And then, there you would be—in total darkness in
an unfamiliar place surrounded by the lights of Alexandria, Washington
National Airport, Bolling Air Force Base, and the District of
Columbia, trying to follow a channel marked with unlighted buoys!"

It is difficult for me to believe they actually made the transit since
their description is so wide of reality.

"Total darkness... ...surrounded by lights" ???

I didn't quote the whole thing. Their mast was only 48 feet, so they
did not in fact have to go under at night.

The 'total darkness' and the rest of it was their projection of what
it would be like if they tried it. And it isn't far from what I would
fear if I were to go to DC by boat.

It's sometimes hard to tell from the charts exactly what you would
face in person - assuming you have the correct and up-to-date charts.

South of the bridge heading north the lights of all the places they
mention are well upriver, on the far side of the bridge they have not
yet gone under. Not a problem.

"trying to follow a channel marked with unlighted buoys" ???

There is no weirdly winding channel to decipher like into some inlets.
It's rather straight the whole last 5 miles. Two slight bends in course,
one at 2 miles, one two miles later. A dime store compass would have
been more than sufficient, only if they are so severely nearsighted they
could see much beyond the bow.

Coming up to DC from the south:
For the 2 miles heading north to the bridge, heading is slightly west of
North. At one mile before the bridge is a flashing red marker. The
channel makers on the bridge are lighted and easy to see, as is the fact
that they are marking the peak of the extremely lit bridge. Once under
the bridge one bears slightly to the right to parallel Alexandria - on
your port.

Now heading slightly east of north it's a straight run past Alex. There
are the two airports, one major and active on the west shore, one pretty
much closed except for some minor traffic to the east. I never had
problems passing between them and seeing where I was. For the channel
there a couple of flashing reds, then a series of greens. By this time
Nat'l Airport is far to the port side, and Bolling airfield is close to
starboard. That takes care of the 2 miles north of the bridge.

Now a slight bearing to port, heading about due north, for one half
mile, well lit, leading into the very well lit Washington Channel for
the last 1/2 mile up to the marina's. Deep water.

So for the 5 miles coming up to DC: Straight for two miles with a light
at one mile and a light at the bridge. Slight bearing starboard, run two
miles, multiple well lit markers. Slight bearing to port for a half mile
straight run, well lit, into the channel to the marinas.

I have no idea why that couple in the book had so much trouble. Getting
into Annapolis is more effort. But as far as the bridge opening, not
being local they would not know about the regular arrivals (in daylight)
of the freighters (carrying newsprint I believe).

I told my husband that I thought the only things coming into DC was
the paper for the Washington Post, and he said there were also barges
and tugs with oil etc. But we didn't think the barges would have to
have the bridge opened nor would the tugs.

Regarding the various security restrictions, those are a different
matter. But well worth their own unique thread. The various security
forces are antsy, and much more likely to inspect then in the previous
decades. All recreational skippers are required to have proof of passing
a boating safety course. No grandfathering.

I didn't know that about the boating safety course.

grandma Rosalie

Where, when and for whom did this take place?

SV


wrote ...
All recreational skippers are required to have proof of passing
a boating safety course. No grandfathering.

Where, when and for whom did this take place?

I don't know when it was passed, other than sometime n the last few
years. It applies to all operating a pleasure craft in DC waters. If
your hand is on the helm it applies to you.

The 'total darkness' and the rest of it was their projection of what
it would be like if they tried it. And it isn't far from what I would
fear if I were to go to DC by boat.

It's sometimes hard to tell from the charts exactly what you would
face in person - assuming you have the correct and up-to-date charts.

I understand. this is partly why I am clarifying the situation for
anyone reading who might be considering the trip. The fear expressed by
those otherwise experienced long distance cruisers was completely
misplaced in this quite benign stretch of the river.

I told my husband that I thought the only things coming into DC was
the paper for the Washington Post, and he said there were also barges
and tugs with oil etc. But we didn't think the barges would have to
have the bridge opened nor would the tugs.

I believe you are correct. I think I recall it is the freighter with the
giant paper rolls that requires the bridge to open twice a week.

Quoting from the DC Harbor Police website:

"Anyone operating a vessel on District of Columbia waterways is required
to have a Boating Safety Certificate."

The Potomac north of the Woodrow Wilson Bridge is DC waters.