GL: Fort Edward Dredge Report

[fred]

The NYC Canal Corp again reports the barricade to the Fort Edward Yacht 
Basin (at Lock 7, Champlain Canal) will be open on its regular schedule 
this week.

However, the Yacht Basin itself remains blocked by 200 foot barges and 
tugs.  Do not attempt to enter this harbor.  An iron fence remains in place 
across most of the pier.

The floating docks above lock C-7 (next door to my home) are available for 
all, including deep draft boats.  It is a free dock, no services are 
provided at this location, though it is an easy walk to the village 
including an excellent restaurant and several other eateries, hardware 
store, etc.

NEW:  ALL vessels entering the area between Lock 6 and Lock 8 are now 
required to contact "Vessel Traffic" on marine channel 18 upon entry.  Upon 
completion of this call, I suggest you announce you will stand by on 
channel 13, so that anything moving, as well as the lock, can contact as 
needed.  Please note, some oncoming tugs will now negotiate passing 
procedures with you as you approach.  "One Whistle" means you should keep 
right, and "Two Whistles" means you should keep left.  "On the One" is the 
same as "one whistle", meaning pass to the right.

NEW:  At least "some" navigational dredging is taking place in the Yacht 
Basin, hopefully this will eventually allow deeper draft boats to enter the 
harbor eventually, after being blocked for many years.

The area between Lock 6 and  Lock 7 is now marked "No Wake in work zones" 
and the area above lock 7 is now marked "5 MPH" for the entire short 
distance to Lock 8.

I have noticed that many French Canadian cruisers continue to race
thru the area at full throttle with their radio off, or simply do not
respond to radio calls on 13, they are cautioned that the language
barrier will not prevent a ticket.  Being stopped for a ticket
generally means a several hour stoppage at the next lock until the
marine patrol arrives.

Delays at lock 7 are rare, but occasionally do happen, usually when 2
barges meet there from opposite directions.  You may get a rare 45 minute
delay when this happens.

Feel free to request the latest info (or car service) via email to 
fred at tug44.org

Fred
Tug 44