(a) The movable spans of bridges over the Maumee River in the City shall be opened for the passage of vessels in the manner described herein, upon signal; namely one prolonged and one short blast of a horn or whistle, such signal to be given when such vessel is at a sufficient distance from such bridge to enable it to stop if for any reason such bridge cannot be opened. Upon receiving a signal from a vessel desiring to pass through the bridge, the bridge operator, if such bridge can be promptly opened, shall answer by one prolonged and one short blast from the bridge whistle which will indicate that such vessel may proceed toward the bridge, and such vessel shall acknowledge the bridge signal by one prolonged and one short blast of the horn or whistle:
(1) The draw of the Craig Memorial Highway Bridge, mile 3.30, at Toledo, shall operate as follows:
A. From April 1 through December 20.
1. Between the hours of 7 a.m. and 11 p.m., the draw need only open from three minutes before to three minutes after the hour and half-hour with no opening required at 7:30 a.m. and 4:30 p.m. for pleasure craft; for commercial vessels during this period of time, the draw shall open on signal as soon as possible.
2. Between the hours of 11 p.m. and 7 a.m., the draw shall open on signal for commercial vessels and pleasure craft.
B. From December 21 through March 31, no bridgetenders are required to be on duty at the bridge and the bridge shall open on signal from December 21 through December 31, if at least a four-hour advance notice is given and from January 1 through March 31, if at least twelve hour advance notice is given.
(2) The draw of the Martin Luther King, Jr. Bridge, mile 4.30 at Toledo, shall operate as follows:
A. From April 1 through December 20.
1. Between the hours of 7 a.m. and 11 p.m., the draw need only open from three minutes before to three minutes after the quarter and three-quarter hour with no opening required at 7:45 a.m. and 4:45 p.m. for pleasure craft; for commercial vessels, during this period of time, the draw shall open on signal as soon as possible.
2. Between the hours of 11 p.m. and 7 a.m., the draw shall open on signal for commercial vessels and pleasure craft.
B. From December 21 through March 31, no bridgetenders are required to be at the bridge and the draw shall open on signal from December 21 through December 31, if at least a four-hour advance notice is given and from January 1 through March 31, if at least a twelve-hour advance notice is given.
(3) The draws of the CSX Transportation Railroad Bridge, mile 1.07 and Norfolk and Western railroad bridge, mile 1.80, and the Conrail Railroad bridge, mile 5.76, all at the City shall operate as follows:
A. From April 1 through December 20, the draws shall open on signal for all vessels.
B. From December 21 through March 31, no bridgetenders are required to be at the bridges and the draws shall open on signal for commercial vessels and pleasure craft from December 21 through December 31, if at least a four-hour advance notice is given and from January 1 through March 31, if at least a twelve- hour advance notice is given.
(4) At all times, the bridges listed in this section shall open as soon as possible for public vessels of the United States, State or local government vessels used for public safety, commercial vessels, vessels in distress and vessels seeking shelter from rough waters or rough weather.
(Ord. 416-89. Passed 5-9-89.)
(b) If for any reason the bridge operator will be temporarily delayed in opening such bridge, he shall blow a check signal of three short blasts.
(c) If for any reason, the bridge operator cannot open such bridge in response to proper signals to do so, he shall blow a warning or danger signal from the bridge whistle of five or more short blasts.
(d) No bridge owner shall obstruct, or permit or cause to be obstructed, the passage of any vessels by permitting trucks, automobiles, railroad cars, locomotives or other obstructions to remain upon or across their movable bridge for longer than thirty minutes to the hindrance or inconvenience of vessels signaling to pass through any such bridge. No bridge owner shall fail, at the end of each thirty minute period of obstruction of vessel passage, to cause such trucks, automobiles, railroad cars, locomotives or other obstructions to be removed for sufficient time to allow passage of all such vessels.
Upon the bridge owner or operator notifying the Commissioner of Streets, Bridges and Harbor ninety-six hours in advance of routine maintenance to be performed on the bridge, the owner may place the affected bridge out of service for a period of time not to exceed two hours.
This section does not apply to the obstruction of vessel passage caused by a continuously moving through train or by circumstances wholly beyond the control of the bridge owner, but applies to other obstructions, including without limitation those caused by pavement or track maintenance, stopped trains and trains engaged in switching, loading, unloading or shift change.
Upon the filing of an affidavit or complaint for violation of this section, summons shall be issued to the bridge owner, which summons shall be served on the owner or the agent of the owner within the City.
(1952 Code § 22-4-1; Ord. 181-79)
(e) If for any reason a Municipal, State or railroad bridge operator cannot open such bridge in response to proper notice, and if the circumstances require clarification beyond the sounding of a horn/whistle, marine radios, via the FCC designated channel, will be utilized as a communication device to boaters.
(Ord. 416-89. Passed 5-9-89.)