Using radio to call

Take Five

Member
Mar 10, 2009
92
New Jersey
Boat Info
1985 Sea Ray Sundancer 250
1987 Ford F250 7.5L 4 speed manual with 3.55 rear.
Engines
2007 250 Mercruiser 5.7
Hey guys, I added rador arch on my boat last year, (aluminum rador arch) that has few fishing rod holder. Anyway, I am deaf and cannot hear over the radio. I was wondering how can I communicate the bridge operator to open the bridge?

I can go under the bridge on low to medium tide, but high tide, nope.. Do you know any other way of communicating the operator??
 
Perhaps more experienced guys will chime in and correct me but.........

Thanks to my brother, (CSR member techmitch), I am enjoying some very interesting reading here lately. Chapmans has a chapter on communications in which different methods are discussed. An international code of symbols, flags, light signaling & Morse code. Might be worth checking in to, not only for communicating with the bridge operator but as a general safety precaution.
 
Possibly you could go to the bridge and ask for their telephone number. Then TTY to someone who can call the bridge for you. I guess I'm way behind, you probably don't TTY anymore, but, use text messaging instead. Maybe that is it! Check with the bridge and see if you could text message them.

Whatever the case, I'm sure that if you make yourself known to the bridge operators, they will work something out with you.

Another thought - take a recent picture of your boat with you when you go to see the bridgemaster. Maybe a 5x7 at the minimum.
 
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You need to read the "US Aids to Navigation" or the "US coast Pilots". There are established sound signals for requesting a bridge opening...........this is literally as simple as blowing your horn.
 
Possibly you could go to the bridge and ask for their telephone number. Then TTY to someone who can call the bridge for you. I guess I'm way behind, you probably don't TTY anymore, but, use text messaging instead. Maybe that is it! Check with the bridge and see if you could text message them.

Whatever the case, I'm sure that if you make yourself known to the bridge operators, they will work something out with you.

Another thought - take a recent picture of your boat with you when you go to see the bridgemaster. Maybe a 5x7 at the minimum.


it a train bridge and there no way i can access to them on road. Maybe i'll ask my hearing friend, and one day, when i get to the bridge, I'll have my friend communicate with the operator and see how we can communicate next time.. Thanks guys.
 
Webster is right, as always. In your situation, however, you can not hear the bridgetender acknowledge. If all else fails in trying to deal with that bridge, you may want to contact the New Jersey Bridge Authority to explain your situation and ask for help.

Drawbridge Opening Signals: The operator of a vessel requesting a drawbridge to open shall signal the bridge tender, and the bridge tender shall acknowledge that signal. The following are the most common types of signals a vessel operator should use to request an opening:
  1. <LI class=numberslistshort>Radiotelephone Communications - Most bridges monitor VHF-FM channels 13 and 16 with the exception of bridges in Florida. In June 1996, the FCC published a notice stating that all boaters throughout the State of Florida should hail bridge tenders on VHF-FM channel 9 to reduce the high amount of traffic on channel 13. Boaters operating in Georgia and South Carolina are encouraged to follow the same procedures.
    Note: Boaters should always use "low power (1watt) output" on their VHF-FM marine radio when hailing a bridge tender.
  2. Sound Signals - These signals shall be made by whistle, horn, megaphone, or hailer. To request an opening, the vessel operator shall give the "opening signal" consisting of one prolonged blast (4 to 6 seconds duration) followed by one short blast (about 1 second duration). The draw tender shall reply with the same sound signal (one prolonged followed by one short) acknowledging that the draw can be opened immediately. When a vessel approaches a drawbridge with the draw in the open position, the vessel shall give the opening signal. If no acknowledgement is received within 30 seconds, the vessel may proceed, with caution, through the open draw. When a draw cannot be opened immediately, or is open and must be closed promptly, the draw tender shall give five short blasts sounded in rapid succession after the vessel's opening signal request.
 

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