How to Navigate the ICW: Channel Markers, Bridges and Wake Zones

How to Navigate the ICW: Channel Markers, Bridges and Wake Zones

Whether you're a new boater or an experienced captain it's always important to keep the rules of the road fresh in your mind! In this video we cover topics such as red right returning, no wake zones and how to properly call a bridge. Additionally, we explain how to identify an ICW channel marker from a smaller channel channel marker; how to properly read seasonal wake zone signs and understand who has the right of way! If you find this video helpful leave it in the comments and let us know!

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[Edward-ywdt]

I retired from the US Coast Guard after 27 years and I thought you girls did a wonderful job in this video. Please keep up the good job.

[Doug]

These young ladies are absolutely awesome! I'm a 58 year old man and have owned three boats yet every time I watch these girls, I learn something I didn't know before. Kepp up the great work ladies!

[tommyfelix]

My teenage twin daughters do not like it when dad tries to teach them something but I showed them this video and they love these girls so much and they paid attention and learned so much. I actually learned something and I’ve been boating for over 25 years.

[davidncw]

Outstanding, TY!! Im an old guy that finds it hard to relate to young folks. You two young ladies are a breath of fresh air for me, thank you soooo much.

[hluvitt]

Getting back to boating after 45 years. These two wonderful young ladies are just loaded with information. Thank you for your very professional video; I learned a LOT. Looking forward to watching another video of yours. Also having a hearing problem I was able to understand everything that you both said; you speak very clearly and annunciate very well. Thanks for your time

[rosssmith]

Everyone with a boat in Florida should watch this or anywhere really. I even learned something today waiting on TS or Hurricane !

[glennlepien]

That looks like 10½ ft or 11ft marker .. the 9ft mark is above the "10" because it shows the Verticle Clearance from Waterline to bottom of the bridge .. Thanks for the Video .. very informative and helpful .. (I'd bet that many of the boaters watching this are seeing this for the first time based on some of the videos I've seen). In addition to "Red, Right, Returning" you can use "R.E.N.T." and "C.O.G.S." as memory keys. BZ GFTs .. Press On!

[stargasm]

I'm glad to see that someone actually made a video about navigating the ICW and encountering other vessels. The wild west it was!! I grew up in Boynton Beach and we'd go out on the ICW on the weekends. It was obvious how many people didn't know what they were doing (or didn't follow the rules). A word of warning to all of you who go out on the ICW on the weekends in S. Fl, be careful!!

[gravl]

One exception: when entering the Caloosahatchee waterway (in Lee County, FL), the markers in the river will be reversed. This is because the intracoastal cuts through Florida from the Atlantic, across Okeechobee, then out to the Gulf. The red markers are on the right, or northward side based on the perspective of “returning” from the Atlantic. For boaters “returning” from the Gulf, the red markers will be on your left while in the Intracoastal. There is a point near Sanibel Island where the markers “cross.”

[paulb]

Good for you two. It's nice to see young people understanding the rules and following them. Having grown up in FL, I know how crazy it can get. I am guessing your parents trained you both. They trained you well. If you did this on your own, a big congratulations!! Nice job ladies!!

[danielhill]

I grew up on fresh water lakes — just now learning how to navigate the ICW and all the crazy boaters in Miami and S Florida. I’ve watched SO MANY vids from rec boaters to the associations — yours are the best. I really appreciate how you give enough detail to be thorough while keeping it understandable. NICE JOB (from a communicator and filmmaker). Would love to charter . . . Not to fish but to learn more (hard to find people to do that). Regardless, keep up the great work.

[woodyhuband]

I just found your channel, and this video. Coming from a boater for 60 years, I think did a fine job on explaining the essentials of coastal navigating.
I will be sure to recommend this video to any new boaters that I meet (including my daughter and son in law). 👍

[shanemcgonnell]

The description of the red on land side is what I’ve been missing my whole life boating in Fl on both coasts! Thank you!

[oscarconi]

Girls, or should I say ladies, I take my hat off for you. You are teaching A LOT! And you make it interesting and fun.
Please, don’t forget to emphasize “courtesy” and “common sense”. That’s something that you don’t always see in South Florida, especially in Miami area.
And, as a flight instructor taught me many years ago, assume that whoever is driving the boat nearby HAS NOT SEEN YOU AND IS NOT VERY SMART...that way you’ll have better chances of avoiding a lot of troubles...
Thank you, Emily and Amanda.

[salvatoresalamone]

I got my boating license a long time ago and I just got a boat last week and I love watching your videos to refresh my memory, they are very helpful

[larrymayberry]

The first thing my dad taught me was green right going, red right returning. Thanks for the info ladies !

[jimmyduramax]

Totally agree with Devon D. Can’t say enough about your excellent teaching presentations! Just sent this video to my 12 year old grandson who’s taking his boater’s license lessons, and soon, test.

[johnfaison]

I would like to commend you ladies for teaching the boat handling as well as the fishing skills. As a life long boater and fellow Hurricane (Class of '85) it is a pleasure to watch your enthusiasm and excitement in these fields. Keep up the great make the "U" very proud!

[devondriscoll]

Great information, well presented. The thing that scares me is charts, GPS, radar, communications and at sea navigation. Some videos on that stuff would be awesome.

[srmonty]

Been a Lake boater (Lake George) and just moved to the Jersey Shore and buying a boat. New to Salt Water on open waters and the ICW. THIS WAS Super helpful!!!!