Low Water Protocol on St Johns River

[way2fast]

Many air boaters who ride the southern part of the St Johns River have adopted a Low Water Protocol due to the lack of rain. At the low water levels the river is currently seeing the trails and channels develope banks which are frequently hidden by grass and vegetation. Where there normally would be a gradual slope with normal water levels, the low water causes steep sided banks which prevent a boat or ski from jumping out of the trail to let another boat pass. The result can be a serious "flying dismount" or worse yet, a head on collision. Air boaters are following a Low Water Protocol which involves stopping before entering a narrow or blind trail and turning your engine off. They recommend waiting a minute or so to see if another boat can be heard in the vicinity. If no boats are in the area then proceed.

Air boaters sit in elevated seats and have a much better view of what may lie ahead than do PWC operators. Yet they choose to follow the above safety proceedure when water levels are as low as they currently are. It might be a good suggestion for all boat operators to do the same. The life you save might be yours !

Richard

[ChewsteR]

go pound sand, those banks have been there for 6 months, but you dont ride the river so you would not know. All your doing is trying to start more shit.

[way2fast]

go pound sand, those banks have been there for 6 months, but you dont ride the river so you would not know. All your doing is trying to start more shit.

I have been riding that river for 15 years....before you even knew what a PWC was....I know about the banks, but did you ever consider that some of the other people who occasionally ride the river might not !

If you don't have anything useful to say, stay off my thread !!!!


Richard

[Duke]

go pound sand, those banks have been there for 6 months, but you dont ride the river so you would not know. All your doing is trying to start more shit.

I agree Chewster.

Carrie and I rode from 50 to 520 and never once saw an airboater practicing this. We all agree to bare right when in a blind corner like we always have and not to pass an airboat until they see us on their port side. There were at least 40 airboats at the tree swing Sunday in which Carrie and I talked to almost everyone, none of them spoke of any such thing.....

[way2fast]

I agree Chewster.

Carrie and I rode from 50 to 520 and never once saw an airboater practicing this. We all agree to bare right when in a blind corner like we always have and not to pass an airboat until they see us on their port side. There were at least 40 airboats at the tree swing Sunday in which Carrie and I talked to almost everyone, none of them spoke of any such thing.....

The info that I posted was from the forum run by the Brevard Air Boat Association.....don't believe me, then check out their website yourself. They are one of the largest clubs in the area !!


Richard

[Duke]

The info that I posted was from the forum run by the Brevard Air Boat Association.....don't believe me, then check out their website yourself. They are one of the largest clubs in the area !!


Richard

Just read their forum and the last news letter they had was in January.

Nothing about a protocoll Richard.

http://www.brevardairboatclub.com/ABOUT%20US.htm

[way2fast]

Just read their forum and the last news letter they had was in January.

Nothing about a protocoll Richard.

http://www.brevardairboatclub.com/ABOUT%20US.htm

Here is my chance to make some cash for gas...how about a $$ between us that the protocall is on that website and was posted in April !!

Richard

[beerdart]

From the april news letter.. It might be a good idea???


Since the water is so low in the marsh it might be a
good idea to start following the low water protocol.
For the new comers to airboating, the low water
protocol recognizes that at low water levels the
trails develop banks. The banks prevents a boat
from jumping out of the trail to let another boat
pass. This can result in a serious head-on collision.
The low water protocol is to stop before you enter a
narrow or blind trail and shut your engine off. Wait
a minute or so and listen to see if you can hear any
other boats running in the area. If there are other
boats in the area wait until you are sure the trail is
clear before you proceed.

[beerdart]

Some other stuff from the site.

[Duke]

Here is my chance to make some cash for gas...how about a $$ between us that the protocall is on that website and was posted in April !!

Richard

Good for you Richard!! You finally found someone to jump on your bandwagon and try to stop jetskiers. I didn't notice the months were backwards.

Rode the entire river from 50 to 520 and then to 46 Sunday and the highest bank I saw was maybe a foot and a half. If you really feel this obscures riding conditions I feel sorry for ya. Just shows the desperation your going thru to stop us from riding the river.

Get a life Richard.