Saugatuck River Navigation Rules of the River

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Saugatuck River NavigationRules of the River
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Contents

• Overview
• River Talk
• Marine Navigation
• Rules of the River
• Land Marks
• Etiquette
• Navigation
• Rowing Upstream
• Rowing Downstream
• The Bridges
• Safety
• The Tides
• Lighting
• Red Zones
• Rowers Commitment

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River Talk

• Up Stream When standing on the dock and facing
  the water, up stream is to your left toward Town
  Bridge (north).
• Down Stream When standing on the dock facing
  the water, down stream is to your right toward
  the bridges and LI Sound.
• Right of Way When two boats are converging, the
  boat heading down stream has the right of way.
  The boat heading up stream is required to yield.
• A color that is uniquely visible to the human
  eye at long distances, in low light and in fog is
  required attire by all rowers.
• Western Shore Same side as the Saugatuck
  clubhouse on the Norwalk side of the river.
• Eastern Shore Across the river from Saugatuck
  on the Fairfield side of the river.

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Marine Navigation
Important to note that our river is a navigable
marine waterway, and all the rules of marine
navigation apply. Best to be familiar with them.
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Rules of the River

• Right of Way
• Boats Heading Up Stream - from Cedar Point to SRC
  and from SRC to Town Bridge - are to row up the
  eastern (Fairfield) shore and do NOT have right
  of way. Boats heading up stream must yield at all
  times to boats heading down stream.
• Boats Heading Down Stream - from Town Bridge to
  SRC and from SRC to Cedar Point - are to row
  down the western (Norwalk) shore and shall have
  the right of way. Note boats with the right of
  way have a responsibility to navigate properly,
  and yield at all times to avoid a collision.
• Required
• When rowing upstream through the moorings, you
  are required to pause and look for boats heading
  downstream before proceeding through the narrows.
  
• When rowing upstream along the race course, you
  are required to pause at the Gazebo and look for
  boats heading down through the RR bridge before
  proceeding.
• When rowing before 700 am and after 700 pm, you
  are required to wear a hi-viz top and display bow
  and stern lights on your boat.
• No Row Period From mid-November to mid-March no
  club boats are permitted to be used.
• Four-Oar Rule From mid-March to mid-April club
  boats are required to have a minimum of four oars
  (i.e., no singles or pairs) due to the risk of
  hypothermia.

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Land Marks
Up Stream
Down Stream
The Gazebo
Town Bridge
At the top of the race course serves as the
finish line for the 1,000 meter course.
Furthest point north that is accessible to rowers
out of Saugatuck.
Mud Island
The Culvert
On the Norwalk side of the race course requires
careful navigation at low tide.
500 meters south of Town Bridge and not exposed
at high tide.
Stony Point
The Narrows
The southern tip of land on the Norwalk side of
the race course.
A 200 meter stretch of water extending from the
Moorings to Mud Island.
White Bridge
The Moorings
Located on Saugatuck Island directly across the
bay from the race course.
Visible from the club house where the river
narrows leading to town bridge.
Cedar Point
Low Tide Rock
The eastern tip of Saugatuck Island the the last
stretch of land before LI Sound.
Located along the Norwalk side of the river just
south of the Moorings.
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Etiquette

• At the Club
• When possible, adjust your foot stretchers on
  slings or on the river rather than at the dock.
• Limit dock time to 1 minute when boats are
  returning or waiting to launch. Position oars to
  the side and near where you intend to launch.
• Boats returning to the dock have right of way
  over those waiting to launch.
• Boats returning to the boathouse have right of
  way over boats heading down to the water.

• On the Water
• Always be on the alert for other boats and
  obstructions and call out to others when theres
  a risk of collision.
• Be thoughtful and considerate of your fellow
  rowers, even when you think its their fault.
  Some are learning and some are ignorant of the
  rules (no excuse!). More than likely, youre
  only half right.

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Up Stream
Mud Island
Town Bridge
The Narrows
Saugatuck RC
Eastern (Fairfield) Shore across from Saugatuck
Western (Norwalk) shore same side as Saugatuck
The Race Course
Stony Point
The Bay
Cedar Point
Down Stream
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Rowing Up Stream

• Saugatuck to Town Bridge

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At the Dock
Launching Always launch and return with your bow
pointed downstream. Rowing Up Stream From the
dock, take two strokes toward the bridge, then
make a wide turn upstream. Slow or stop
shy of the Moorings. Look for oncoming boats
before proceeding through the narrows. Rowing
Down stream Proceed through all three bridges
staying close to the western (Norwalk)
shore. Note When the tide is going out, the
current will draw you quickly into the bridge
supports. Careful
Saugatuck
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Narrows to Town Bridge
Up Stream Running north from the narrows, keep
to the eastern (Fairfield) side of the channel.
After passing the dock at the top of the
narrows, row hard port before turning north
toward Town Bridge. Note Be sure to stop well
short of town bridge at low tide. No
water! Down stream When rowing back to
Saugatuck, stay close to the western (Norwalk)
shore. Note Watch out for docks and fishing
lines. Many a casualty!
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Rowing Down Stream

• Saugatuck to Cedar Point

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The Bridges
There are three bridges south of Saugatuck. Each
requires thoughtful navigation and patience to
ensure safe passage.
Down Stream When rowing down stream you are
required to row through all three western arches
that define the navigable marine channel. Up
Stream When rowing up stream you are required
to row through the western arch of the railroad
bridge. Note When rowing upstream, you may row
through the center arches of the I-95 and Bridge
Street bridges but only above mid-tide due to
rocks obstructions.
The passages through the bridges are very narrow.
Proceed with caution and always look for
oncoming traffic.
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The Race Course
Down Stream Proceed under all three bridges.
When thru the railroad bridge, turn west and head
down the western (Norwalk) side of the channel
and NOT down the race course. Note When rowing
down stream at low tide, stay close to the
middle of the river to avoid the culvert that
extends from the yellow boathouse. Up Stream
Row up the eastern side of the race course. Slow
or stop at the gazebo. Look for boats heading
down stream through the railroad bridge before
proceeding.
The Culvert
Warning The race course is a navigable marine
waterway. Watch for marine traffic in the
channel especially fishing boats at dawn.
The race course (1,000 Meters)
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The Bay

• Down Stream From the end of the race course,
  stay on the western (Norwalk) shore and follow
  the channel all the way to Cedar Point.
• Up Stream On your return, stay on the eastern
  (Fairfield) side of the channel buoys up thru the
  race course.
• Warning The channel and the race course are
  navigable marine waterways. Watch for marine
  traffic especially fishing boats at dawn.
• Cutting Across the Bay Do this only above mid
  tide and in good weather.
• Down stream Row from Stony Point directly to the
  White Bridge.
• Up Stream Row east to Cedar Point, then turn
  north and proceed directly across the bay and up
  the race course.

Sand Bar
White Bridge
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The Tides
Tidal swings on the Saugatuck River can range up
to 9.7 feet. At low tide, normally safe
passages can become unnavigable.
At low tide, the Rules of the River must
necessarily yield to good judgment and the
coachs discretion.
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Navigation Lighting
When rowing before 700 am or after 700 pm, all
rowers must wear hi-viz tops and all boats must
display proper marine lighting.
All boats must display Red and Green bow lights.
Search Rowing Lights online for a list of
lights designed for rowers.
In addition, all boats must display a bright
white stern light. Quality lighting can be
obtained from any bike shop.
Hat lights are optional but a really good idea.
Red in back and white on the bill. Obtained from
any bike shop.
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Red Zones
Where even the most experienced scullers get in
troubleand when

• When rowing hard we tend to focus on rowing and
  not navigation
• When rowing in the dark without hi-viz apparel
  and proper lighting
• When rowing on the race course - side by side in
  both directions
• When passing under the railroad bridge its
  narrow and unforgiving
• When making the turn near Mud Island we tend to
  cut the corner

Can you see him?
Docks can be very unforgiving
How about now???
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So RememberSafety First
Bright colors and bright lights. Look and
listen. When in doubt, yield. Proceed slowly
through the bridges. Yes, you have the right of
way over power boats, but only if they see
youand only if they care!
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Rowers Commitment
I have read the Rules of the River, and I
understand their purpose and intent. By signing
this document, I acknowledge my obligation to
abide by these rules, and further commit to
helping educate others so that we may all enjoy
the privilege of rowing at Saugatuck.
Signed Name Date
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