Aerial Lift Bridge Operators: Pay Attention To Signals

DULUTH- Aerial Lift Bridge operators tell FOX 21 that not enough boaters are familiar with an important safety feature on the bridge, and they should be.

Operators say the water currents flowing in and out of the channel under the bridge can be moving very fast.

So, to prevent problems, there is a system in place that are similar to traffic signals to let boaters know what kind of current they are dealing with.

The lakers and salties are familiar with the lights, but not enough recreational boaters are aware of the system, which can lead to accidents, according to officials.

Aerial Lift Bridge operator Dave Campbell said, "The last couple that we have had, I attribute to the fact that they got too close to the bridge. They didn't realize how strong the current was or what direction the current was going, and it pulled their boat into the bridge."

A red light means a fast moving current is moving in.

A green means a swift moving current is moving out.

An amber light means the current is neutral.

A flashing red means the current is moving over 1 ½ knots, which we are told is a very strong current.