Local Knowledge

The intent of this area is to help make our boaters safer and more knowledgable. While some of this stuff may seem obvious to anybody who has been on the river for a while, it should benefit visitors and newcomers alike. Do you have something to add? Please use the feedback link above. -Eric

Local Tidbits listed below include:

• Six Mile Island and the Federal Mooring Buoys?
• Commercial Vessels and the Sailing Lines
• Louisville Waterfront
• Twelve Mile Island
• What About the Cove at the Tip of Six Mile Island?
• Barges Cutting the Corners

Six Mile Island and the Federal Mooring Buoys?

We received reports from distraught boaters from the weekends of June 28 and July 5th, 2008. Both weekends, commercial barges tied up very close to beached recreational boaters on Six Mile Island. On July 28th, a barge tied to a Federal Mooring Buoy and came within 100 yards of a beached houseboat. July 5th was a little different in that there were approximately eight boats beached along Six Mile Island, and a barge had a houseboat moved. Specifically, the barge was stopping for a crew change and provisioning. The houseboat's crew was in a dinghy, with only passengers on the houseboat. The barge signaled by horn, then, without VHF contact, called the LMPD to remove houseboat. The houseboat's owner was reached by cellphone, then, they returned and moved the boat off the shore and out of the way.

Louisville's recreational boaters have been using Six Mile Island for over thirty years to beach, so you can imagine the surprise from this recent activity. Boaters wrote us asking for opinions on the matter. For starters, here is an excerpt from the January, 2008 Chart #87:

Until this chart revision, these particular moorings were labels "Federal Mooring Buoys for Emergency Use." You may notice that the term "for Emergency Use" has been removed. Either way, according to several sources, these mooring buoys are available for use by commercial traffic at the discretion of their captains. Unlike us, they do not have as many options for stopping.

Some points that were raised, in no particular order:

• The Federal Mooring System is for the exclusive use of commercial traffic on the waterways.
• The captain of the (tow) had every right to use those moorings and choose which ones he wanted for whatever reason that he deemed necessary.
• Could they have picked another mooring buoy? We are reminded that these folks are working, while we are playing.
• If, however, the commercial operator acted aggressively or in such a manner as to jeopardize the safe departure of the houseboat from the beach, that complaint should go to the Coast Guard or to the Safety Officer for the barge line.
• McAlpine Lock construction the delays have been more frequent within the last few years. The message to pleasure boaters is very clear: If you to wish to beach on six mile island, you may have to move if a commercial vessel wishes to use the moorings.
• Monitor VHF ch. 13 for commercial traffic
• What if the houseboat crew was drinking (somebody asked)? Do we want to go there? Consider keeping at least one person alert, in case of an emergency or a requirement to move the boat.

I know that this is not exactly what you wanted to hear; we're just laying out the information we've gathered. Captain George East adds the following:

• "In my 25 plus years as a professional captain delivering boats all over Western Rivers, the Intercoastal Waterways and most of the major ports and harbors on the Atlantic and Gulf Coasts, I have found most commercial crews to be courteous and helpful to pleasure boats. Some have done favors for me that go above and beyond the norm. As usual there are always exceptions. Try to keep in mind when you are sharing the waterways with commercial vessels."

Commercial Vessels and the Sailing Lines

The above river chart segment, reprinted with permission from the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, shows an example of the Sailing Line. This line represents the area that you can expect to find commercial barge traffic operating. It will always be inside the channel markers, which are indicated by the red and green markers and buoys.

Here is where safety comes to play: Given that it can take up to a mile for some barges to stop, why would anybody want to spend time hanging out where the magenta line is depicted? Sounds obvious, but almost every weekend we see boats full of kids and tubers hanging out in these areas. To be safe, I'd recommend not stopping in these areas, and have at a minimum a hand-held VHF radio. If you're having a bad day and your engine isn't working, at least you can make a call on Channel 16 "This is the USS Minnow, we are unable to move under our own power, mile 603, approaching barge please acknowledge..."

For more information, please see Captain George East's article (upcoming) on "Navigating the River Safely." Also, visit our "Resources" tab to download river charts.

Louisville Waterfront

The following has been reprinted with permission from the Louisville Waterpark Development Corporation. Click here to for more information and to visit their website.

From June 1 to November 1, boaters may dock at the wharf at their own risk. No alcoholic beverages may be taken from or to a vessel while at the wharf. No rafting may occur to vessels tied to the wharf.

When approaching or leaving the wharf, check that the channel is free of traffic and cross the channel directly, taking the shortest path across. Please look for and stay clear of barge traffic.

The exact location of red markers may vary slightly from the line indicated on this map.

Twelve Mile Island

We've all heard the discussion, "Is the area south of 12 Mile Island a No-Wake Zone?" Because it is outside the channel, the area makes for a wonderful place to spend a day, evening, or even weekend. There was a petition circulated not too long ago to make the area a no-wake zone. This movement was unsuccessful. What the effort did produce, however, was an awareness on the part of local boaters.

As a boater who enjoys the calm waters in that area, I do my best to respect other boaters out there. If I want to traverse the area on plane when there are boats there, I stay to the north side of the island, closer to the sailing line. A runabout going through the area can sometimes pass along the KY shore without causing too much wake at the other side. If you anchor to the north of the island, you are close to the sailing line, so don't be too surprised if you don't get the same courtesy over there.

Just a reminder that as a boater, you are responsible for your own wake. The river is a small place where people get to know each other and recognize their boats after a short time, so please drive safely and respect your fellow boaters.

What About the Cove at the Tip of Six Mile Island?

Rumor, as of February, 2008:

• According to Indiana DNR Fish and Wildlife officers, the owner of the "cove" at the tip of Six Mile Island has been able to secure a Federal Injunction to close the "Cove" to the public. Indiana officers will patrol and enforce the injunction this summer.

Editorial from February:

• The owner has excerised his right to file an injuction. At this phase, the injuction has been filed but not won. Until the case is litigated the cove will be considered private property. Boaters found in the cove will be considered trespassing. That is to say, they will first be asked to leave.

July update:

• There is a new site with more information on the cove and legal efforts to keep it open for public boating: SaveTheCove.com
• Boats have been observed using the cove recently. It is also worth noting that boaters are doing a good job of self-policing and asking other boaters to keep noise levels down.
• It has also been observed that on some occasions there has been an increase of vessel checks at the entrance to the area.

Barges Cutting the Corners

Heading down the river from 18 Mile Island, there have been a few times where I found myself head-on with an upbound tow near the KY side in the area of Mile 587. This area features a rather large bend in the river. On more than one occasion, including a few night runs, I found myself altering course to the KY side, far from the Sailing Line, only to get squeezed along the KY shore by the barge.

Looking at "the big picture" (above), it's easy to see why a commercial operator would want to cut the corner and save some time and fuel. In this example, keep in mind that you can call the tow captain on Ch. 13 to let him know you're there and which side you'll be passing on (the "one" or the "two"). More importantly, a radio call eliminates any question on his part whether you are situationally aware of his position and direction.

Check back for future updates...

-Capt. Eric