What Are the Rules for Navigating West Neck Bridge?

Had a friend ask me that question the other day. I didn't know the answer, and because it was something I also have thought about several times and/or discussed with others over the years, I finally decided to see if I could find an answer.

What the friend really wanted to know was whether it's OK to run through the pilings on step.

My first action was to contact the Boat U.S. Foundation. In short order, I received the following response from Ted Sensenbrenner, whose title is development director, foundation:

"The short answer is that it depends on the local waterway authority to make that determination for any particular bridge," he said, "and it will usually be posted with a sign. However, there is no state or federal law that addresses all bridges.

"In general, if you can't see through to the other side, or your visibility is restricted by a piling, or there may be other boats rounding and just coming into sight, being on step may be considered as operating at an unsafe speed or possibly traveling too fast for conditions.

"If there is no law or posted sign for that particular bridge, but an on-water officer witnesses a pass that is way too close to another boat, or if you rock a small boat, that officer has the discretion of interpreting what they saw as 'unsafe' and can write a ticket, even if there is no law or sign posted about slowing to pass under the bridge.

"So, while there's no blanket law...I personally think etiquette would dictate that you slow down, since you never know if there is a small kayak angler, stand-up paddle boarder, etc., just on the other side," Sensenbrenner concluded.

And BoatSafe.com had this to say on the subject:

"Even if you can navigate under the bridge with plenty of clearance, always slow down and do so at idle speed. You may not be able to see if another boater is on the other side, out of view, until the boat suddenly darts out into the bridge channel."

I also asked Chad Boyce, biologist with the Virginia Department of Game and Inland Fisheries, for a comment. He indicated he will check with their CPOs on their interpretation but said he personally doesn't feel idle speed is required at West Neck Bridge. (NOTE: Haven't heard from the CPOs yet, as of the time of this posting.) He added this word of caution, however: "Obviously, if someone is fishing and you run by them closely on plane, you will be responsible if any damage were to occur to the other boat."

The consensus here would appear to be thus: You'll be better served to always err on the side of caution. Can only speak for myself, but I plan to keep on idling through West Neck Bridge. Don't ever want to be the cause of someone being injured on the water or otherwise as a result of carelessness on my part.