[Flounderpounder]

Ideally I feel that all boaters need to use common sense and have at least some semblance of situational awareness and not put themselves in harms way, but as we've seen in the "idiot boater" thread, that day is a long way off.[/quote]



I agree 110%!!! But that day will happen when monkeys fly out my butt!

 

[tideline_two]

think what you want to. but YOU ARE RESPONCEABLE FOR YOUR WAKE. your boat wake is not a wind wave is wasn't caused by god, it was caused by your boat and what ever damage it causes you can be held libel for.

 

[dbyrd2100]

I have to say that I've been nearly swamped in my 21 footer when anchored near the pass. I choose to anchor there and don't feel that every boat going out the pass needs to slow down. It would be nice if some of the yachts throwing 4 - 6' waves would watch their wake but I don't really expect them to for me. If your in an area that is conducive to wakes coming your way, make sure your prepared for it. If you have a small boat (which I've had most of my life) stay in safe areas. With all that being said, I always slow for people fishing. "Unless it's some A-hole that just waked me while I was fishing."

 

[C-monsters]

For all the "you are responsible for your wake" responses. I agree. You are responsible if you do something negligent, and your wake causes damages.And of course, anyone could try to make a case in civil court regardless of who is really at fault. But is going through a designated shipping channelunder a bridge on plane really negligent?

Telum--I know you dive and spearfish. And although you never would, what if you tried to dive in the main channel at 3-mile and shoot up some white trout appetizers? If you were hit by a boat while diving there, would the boat be responsible? The captain is responsible for his boat and wake after all. How is it any different if some yahoo decides to fish the inside of the channel along the pilings in a jonboat? Is my wake at fault for him getting swamped?

I certainly try to practice safe boating, and would never purposefully swamp someone, but I respectfully disagree that proper boating etiquette requires idle speed under allbridges. And by the way, none of this would be worth typing out if I wasn't stuck in my house instead of fishing.

 

[Dylan]

My brother, some buddies and I were fishing Sikes the other day when 2 Jet Skis came under the bridge..They each ran over a line...The guys they did it too were livid:banghead

 

[Getsome]

nextstep (3/13/2009)i dont go to no wake speed unless there is someone in and around the bridge, but do slow down. keeping her on plane to reduce wake and maintain control. common sense is always the way to go. their is never a time or need for wide open unless your running from a storm or in a tournament.:letsdrink

:withstupid

 

[DreamWeaver21]

To the original question, I don't believe there is a law about bridges being no wake zones in this area. I used to live in Jacksonvile, they did have a law about it.