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While our nation’s inland and coastal waterways play host to thousands of recreational boats, at the same time, they also carry barges, tugboats and large ships loaded with tons of cargo.

Be Aware

Being aware of the constraints under which these commercial vessels operate can arm recreational boaters with the best protection against danger and could save your life!

Commercial 184963661

What Boaters Can Do

  • For safety, stay out of the path of towboats and barges approaching bridges and locks.
  • Designate and assign one person in a recreational boat to look out, particularly for commercial traffic.
  • Understand whistle signals, and stay clear of vessels sounding the "danger" signal, which is at least five or more short whistle blasts.
  • Don't water ski or jet ski in and around tows.
  • Avoid cargo loading docks and "parked" or moored vessels in fleeting areas.

What Recreational Boaters Should Know

"Wheel Wash" is a strong underwater current caused by towboat or ship engines.
A pilot's "blind spot" can extend for hundreds of feet in front of tugboats and towboats pushing barges