About the Boat Ride

[cwpilgrim]

Say, we don't have to wear farby life preservers or any such thing on the boat ride do we?

[Matt Woodburn]

Re: About the Boat Ride

Nope. They are on the boat ready if we need them though.

[CompanyWag]

Re: About the Boat Ride

You know, that thought did occur to me. I remember hearing about USMC reenactors being required to wear orange life jackets for a recreated Higgins boat landing. I'm sure there will be things we will have to turn a blind eye to on our boat, but I'm glad to hear this is one compromise we won't have to make!

Paul McKee

[coastaltrash]

Re: About the Boat Ride

Not to really speak for anyone- but when you are dealing with water safety, it entirely depends on the kind of craft you are talking about. For example, the Coast Guard requires a life preserver or flotation device be accessible for every passenger. (100 passengers=100 pfd) And on a jet ski you are required to wear one at all times in certain states. But in the case of the type of craft you guys will be on (a paddle boat) you are not required to wear a vest at all times while you are on the boat. That would be like wearing a life vest at all times while on a cruise or a river tour.

[Matt Woodburn]

Re: About the Boat Ride

We have life jackets in a locker on the top deck. We're going to simply cover it with canvas to hide the modern locker, but the canvas can be pulled off in two seconds if needed. Same thing we're doing with a number of other modern intrusions. Covering them with canvas, only using candle lanterns to keep the lighting low, etc. Some of the modern safety gear will be seen and the chairs aren't period. Easy to overlook in the dim light if you try. As I said on our event website, focus on what the original boys did...your plate of food, for some of them, it was their last; your pards faces, for some of them it was the last time they saw them; wonder what lies ahead for you at the battle front; write a quick letter home; look up at the night sky, it's the same one they saw; listen to the paddle wheel splashing in the water as it pushes us along, it's the same splashing they heard. I think you get the point. You'll also be busy getting your breakfast, filling your haversack with rations, listening to the Navy guys yell about where to form the food line, how to load/unload, and alot more. If you play an instrument that you carry on your back, bring it. Arrive with a plan and ability to create your own fun and atmosphere. That way you're more in control and have a great time.

[Mike Ventura]

Re: About the Boat Ride

Matt:

Matt--

I'm a licensed U.S. Coast Guard Master Mariner (captain's license) and have been since 1986. I'm licensed for both inland (river) and offshore (ocean) vessels up to 500 gross tons (storage capacity). I ASSUME that you guys have run all of this by the Coast Guard Marine Safety Office? Because, if I were the master of that vessel, there's no way that you are throwing any canvas over the PFDs, and I don't care how soon you think that you can "uncover them," it's a major safety violation. Regardless of what the charterer or even the skipper might tell you, you really need to talk to the Coast Guard Marine Safety Office for that area. Better to do it now, than to be shut down on the day of the event! The Coast Guard does not mess around with safety regs and they could care less about period historical accuracy. If you want to contact me offline, I'd be happy to point you in the right direction. I'm guessing that this is most likely in the New Orleans District.

[JimConley]

Re: About the Boat Ride

Mike,
I’m curious. While I understand your position on the subject, does the Coast Guard even regulate that section of the Tennessee? I understand that it probably falls under the TVA and has to be monitored by some agency.

I only ask because the stretch of the Ohio that passes over us here in Louisville is not regulated by the Coast Guard. In fact, the local police department gets a federal grant because the department has a river unit and oversees a specific directive. And, I can also say that authority on the river here is mainly concerned with the safety of commercial shipping transports and the irregular instances that require emergency assistance.

I’m just curious if anyone would even bother to go through such a lengthy inspection. I’m not privy to how these fellows went about securing Admiral Woodburn’s Vessel, but it appears that safety measures have already been covered in the arrangements. It seems to me that no issue would come over a sheet of canvas covering the safety equipment unless a couple hundred reenactors took a plunge into the drink and an investigation had to be done.

[Matt Woodburn]

Re: About the Boat Ride

Yes tried to get permission to increase the boat capacity, but that was a no go from the coast guard. Yes we have permission for what we're doing, but the 200 pounds of explosive that the regiment would normally carry CANNOT come on board. All rounds will be collected at registration and re-distributed at the landing. Something about candle light and black powder that doesn't mix in confined quarters - rings of Sultana. Safety has been a major concern for all. So much so that we also have a 20 year Navy amphibious assault craft deck master onboard the entire time that will coordinate our embark and debark, infantry movement while on board, etc., i.e. have to fill the bottom deck first before filling top deck and vice versa to while loading lest we flip over like a Calcutta Ferry. We are having to leave all the safety equipment exposed, i.e. fire fighting, life saving, etc. They are coast guard requirements that we cannot get around, so that's what guys will have to overlook. Hope that clears confusion.

Original question was answered and we've gotten off track with this thread now so it's closed.