URGENT! TN River Closed Completely

[rsimms]

I am shocked by this, however I am told by an Auxiliary Coast Guard member that the Tennessee River will be closed to ALL boat traffic for the Head of the Hooch 3-day Rower's Event.

That means NO ONE travels up or downriver at all between Mile 467 and 464... (roughly South Chick mouth to downtown). That hasn't been the case in year's past... they have allowed "No Wake" transit of the area. However I'm told, "Not this year, due to the number of rowers constantly crossing the river in two places and the overall number of rowers on the water in that area they decided to close it completely to motor vessel traffic."

MILE 467.0 - MILE 464.0 - MARINE EVENT

The Head of the Hooch Race Marine Event will take place on Tennessee River from Mile 464.0 to 467.0 on November 4-6, 2011. The event will be
held between 12:00 p.m. until 5:00 p.m., on Friday, November 4, 2011, from 7:00 a.m. until 7:00 p.m., on Saturday, November 5, 2011 and from
7:00 a.m. until 7:00 p.m., on Sunday, November 6, 2011. The COTP Ohio Valley has established a Special Local Regulation for this event. No
vessels will be allowed to transit between Miles 464.0 and 467.0, without the permission of the U.S. Coast Guard Patrol Commander on the above
dates and times. The Patrol Commander will monitor VHF-FM Channel 16, during this event. For up-to-date information, mariners can contact PO
James Alter, U.S. Coast Guard MSD, at (615) 736-5421.

 

[smalliemouth]

One thing is for sure, there gonna be busy trying to get everybody thats fishing to go the other way specially if the fish are bitin.

 

[Fishin Fool]

Pretty stupid, but Chattanooga is rapidly getting that way. I think it is a shame that just because someone wants to use the water way, that everyone else is not able to use it as well. But as I said, Chattanooga is getting really good at this. I stopped going to the farmer's market this past summer because out of the 4 times I went, 3 times the roads were completely blocked for a "run", with unclear detour routes and signs that were blown down. I am sure this event is put on by well meaning folks and a lot of people will have a lot of fun, and the motels, hotels and so on will make some cash. But what about the folks that would like to see the fall leaves, go fishing, or just ride through? Many of us only have so many weekends free and each one is precious. Mark my words, when something like this can shut down the Tennessee River to all traffic, it's not long before they feel free to do it ANYTIME there is an event on the river or lake.</p>

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***I see Richard has cleared things up in the below post. Let's hope it doesn't get any more restrictive than this. These "escorts" are a device to keep boaters and fishermen off the water, period
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[rsimms]

As I said... I was shocked by this because it didn't conform with previous years' practices. I waded into the Coast Guard bureaucracy and get an answer that makes much more sense:

According to U.S. Coast Guard Petty Officer James Alter ...

There is NO River Closure Friday.

On Saturday and Sunday, recreational boats WILL be allowed to transit the area “under escort.” That of course means they are likely to be held up to wait their turn… but they will be allowed to transit the area with an escort from Coast Guard or other law enforcement vessel.

It is completely closed to Commercial traffic (barges).

All of this conforms to previous year’s practices.

As previously posted in other threads, just allow LOTS of extra time if you intend to boat from anywhere near the Dam to downtown Chattanooga or beyond.

 

[wweaver]

I can't belive that they can shut off a water way just for some rowing event. I'm not against people having an event but that is rediculous in my opinion.

 

[Oldman]

this is pure stupid

 

[Oldman]

they should be in lake junior going in circles.lol

 

[fishnboy]

I cant see how they can do that.I paid good money to have my boat on that water.That sounds like a lawsuit if someone wanted to fight it. emoAngry

 

[Carl Guffey]

fishnboy - 11/4/2011 9:07 AM I cant see how they can do that.I paid good money to have my boat on that water.That sounds like a lawsuit if someone wanted to fight it. emoAngry

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<font size="3" face="georgia,palatino">They can be on that water because the same people who tells you that you can be on that water, told them that they could use it that day! <font color="#cc0000" size="4">THE US COAST GUARD <font color="#000000">It is a navigational waterway and subject to what ever the Coast Guard deems.</font></font></font></p>

 

[offshore]

Bunch of bull if you ask me!

 

[greenhead]

This does not bother me in the least! Sometimes you have to heed way to others. At least no one has stopped us from heading up river at daylight on Saturday mornings waking up everyone that lives on the river.
Its those huge cruisers that should all be in Lake Junior going in circles.

 

[jig fisher]

This event is suppose to bring in almost 5 million dollars to our local econamy with almost 10,000 participants I'll give up a couple of days on the river and fish the lake for that kind of boost. Just my humble opinion.

 

[WOBBLE HEAD]

I wasn't planning on going down there these dates anyways.....if fisherman push this....their liable to get push back even harder.....when millions of dollars comes in to play....the millions of dollars will always win....

 

[fishnboy]

jig fisher - 11/4/2011 9:03 PM



This event is suppose to bring in almost 5 million dollars to our local econamy with almost 10,000 participants I'll give up a couple of days on the river and fish the lake for that kind of boost. Just my humble opinion.

Guess your prob right.Never thought about how much money it brings to chatt.And they are alot of them here.I wish chattanooga would do for bass fishing what they do for row boats.

 

[finbully]

Plenty of other water to fish guys. The river is multi-use. A couple of days of closure is not a big deal.

How many times are roads closed? This is such a non-issue, but people wine about anything!

Please pass the cheese and crackers.

 

[jig fisher]

fishnboy - 11/5/2011 1:21 PM

jig fisher - 11/4/2011 9:03 PM



This event is suppose to bring in almost 5 million dollars to our local econamy with almost 10,000 participants I'll give up a couple of days on the river and fish the lake for that kind of boost. Just my humble opinion.

Guess your prob right.Never thought about how much money it brings to chatt.And they are alot of them here.I wish chattanooga would do for bass fishing what they do for row boats.

I totally agree.