First and foremost, the waterways belong to all users. In southern Brazoria County, we have a large volume of commercial and recreational traffic through Labor Day. The Friends of the River San Bernard, along with the US Coast Guard Aux and Texas Parks and Wildlife, each teach a boater safety class and incorporates specific information on the inherent dangers of sharing the waterways with barges and other boaters.

 

When approaching a barge, if you can’t see the tow pilot house window, the pilot can’t see you. Some of the river bends are very tight. Slow down, move to the side because the bow of the barge is pointed at the inside of the river bend and the tow boat is swinging to the outside of the bend to make it around. VHF 10 is the working channel on the San Bernard if you need to talk to the Captain of the tow.

 

Boating safety classes can only make boaters more aware. It’s up to all operators to be vigilant observers of the risks of operating in the waterways we share. Continued awareness of waterway risks is everyone’s responsibility.