Stuck under Morgan Rt.35 lift bridge

[GuyT]

Tonight while listening to channel 13 ( Love to listen to the NY Harbor inbound and outbound chatter) I heard some chatter from the Morgan Bridge (rt. 35) that got my attention. A small sailboat was stuck under the lift bridge. The bridge operator was shall we say very nervous. Some motor boats came over and helped the sailboat to the center of the channel so the bridge could be lifted and he was once again free. This took about 15 minutes - nail biting radio listening.After the road bridge went up, then the rail bridge had to go up. Then I could hear the bridge operators telling the towing vessel to keep the sailboat there until the coast guard showed up. Yes, the bridge operator called the coast guard. There was alot of squalk about inexperience and conjecture that this could have been easily avoided.My understanding is that the sailboat had lost its engine (literally fell off the transom) and had no control. He did not drop anchor and there he was - drifted under a lift bridge. The bridge only raises on the hour so you can't call and get it lifted anytime you want.My question to the forum is what do you think the Coast Guard will do to him? What is the sailboat operator responsible for? Do you think he will have to pay for the bridge to be inspected for damage?

 

[sailortonyb Allied Mis]

Nothing will come of it

The CG will probably make out a report and that will be the end of it. Accidents happen. He lost his engine does not make him necesarily more iresponsible than you getting a flat tire in your car. Thats just a guess.

 

[sailaway78]

My understanding

My understanding is that under those circumstances, they would raise the bridge. I would consider that at least some what of an emergency.

 

[Tom S]

I used to keep my old boat up the Cheesequake

creek and had to go through those bridges all the time. I still belong to the Morgans Creek Yacht Club (almost one of the Charter members)I have a story or two about those bridge tenders. I never trusted those bridge tenders. I recall getting there late on a Sunday night (after 9 & 10 pm?) and trying to hail the bridge tender for what seemed like forever. This was after the regular hourly scheduled times that was posted and was listed as on demand and to call channel 13 (?) I tried every channel possible and no response. I thought it was highly unprofessional not to respond back, what if there was an emergency ? I was starting to think I'd have to anchor out in the Raritan Bay for the night. For all I knew the guy was down the road getting a Pizza or across the street at Club Bene watching John Valby. Then suddenly the bridge opened up. No acknowledgement it just all of a sudden went up quickly, needless to say I think they were AWOL and got caught.I fondly (?) recall circling around in that little space between the rt 35 bridge and the RR bridge with way too many other boats waiting for the bridge to rise. I will say that it did help hone my close quarters handling skills. Something people should understand about the Cheesequake Creek (also known as Morgans Creek) is that the current there can be extreemly swift. If one lost their engine at the wrong time I can see that being a big problem. I have seen the current up to 5 knots. I kept my boat at Morgans Marina & watching sailboats back into a slip against a 4-5 kt cross current is a sight. (there were no finger piers you have to back in unless you are going to get off on the pointy end of the boat) I will say that many of the boaters in Morgans Marina were some of the best boat handlers I have ever seen. When I see boaters in protected marinas having trouble docking I always think they should spend one season at Morgans and their dock handling skills would increase 10 fold.Lot of History about that Area and that creek http://www.njhm.com/oldspyeinn.htm

 

[higgs]

Send to gitmo

I would expect the CG to inform him that he is responsible for any damage to the bridge. He probably did not do any damage and nothing will come of it legally and the sailor will only have his pride to think about.