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

[@Edward-yw4dt]

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.

[@GaleForceTwins]

Thank you so very much!! We appreciate it 😊🐟

[@MarcusAurelius33036]

@@GaleForceTwins Can’t get a better endorsement than that!!!!

[@nycityslicker2024]

I agree with you I’m 51 I just leaned a few things from these girls they are amazing ahead of their time they gonna be on tv or something or instructors for boat license . Love from the big 🍎N.Y. Getting my first boat at 51 Jesus lol 😂. Ernest/SHAZZAM

[@douglasantonetz2174]

Agree with Edward, me being a USCG Veteran. EZ for an inexperienced boater to understand.

[@jimmyfumbanks6081]

In DC or Where? . I pray it wasnt on a USCG Vessell.

[@3007Doug]

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!

[@tommyfelix2748]

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.

[@GaleForceTwins]

We are so glad this video was helpful!!

[@rosssmith7782]

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

[@davidncw4613]

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.

[@CarlBart-h6i]

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

[@GaleForceTwins]

Our pleasure! That is a great compliment. Thank you 😊

[@ryukiddin]

Knowledge is safety. Get ready for some major changes out there. Lots of inexperienced boaters. Don't forget the Coast guard also offers many inexpensive or free classes

[@salvatoresalamone3804]

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

[@glennlepien473]

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!

[@SwitchbackXThunter]

I caught that too. Had to rewatch it to make sure my eyes weren’t playing tricks on me! Video is very well done as they all are from the Gale Force Twins!

[@richardsherman5143]

GREAT VIDEO, I wish all inexperience boaters could see this.

[@srmonty120690]

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!!!!

[@lindacares2215]

I use to vacation in Lake George and Seaside Heights!!! I am currently living in Myrtle Beach South Carolina and we just bought a boat and this a whole new way of having fun!! ⚓⚓⚓⚓Best of luck to you!!

[@paulb4276]

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!!

[@Murge816]

I just got my boating licenses and I’m trying to pack as much knowledge as possible to keep safe for me and others I will be sharing the water with. This video explained a lot. Thank you!

[@GaleForceTwins]

That is awesome! Thank you for watching!!

[@jimmyduramax8296]

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.

[@linuxman0]

I'm soooooo 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!!

[@oscarconi3303]

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.

[@GaleForceTwins]

Those are some very good points!! Especially be courteous to kayakers fishing off the beach!

[@danielhill5979]

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.

[@johnmrbartlett]

Thank you ladies. My family and I are thinking about traveling south on the ICW from Norfolk, Va on a Saturday, stay overnight somewhere and return on a Sunday and this video helped me tremendously. Thanks again.

[@rockydubois1052]

You might make it to Elizabeth City lol

[@gravl1]

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.”

[@woodyhuband9248]

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). 👍

[@GaleForceTwins]

That’s so kind 😊 thank you!!

[@burlosurviorhills7321]

I agree well done and No captain brags about learning the hard way myself included Miss Behaving.

[@floridagirl9064]

a boater for 60 years & your babygirl is a new boater? somethings not adding up here sir!

[@longgone9869]

question about etiquette. You’ve called the bridge and it’s going up. Can you make the pass a soon a you have safe clearance or should the bridge go up all the way first?

[@larrymayberry2312]

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

[@hookednrolling2009]

Larry here here red right return its never failed me here in Miami Florida 47 yrs since I hit the water as a green horn started at ten 1973 and now I taught my son and starting to now teach my 13 yr old grand son JT Hooked N Rolling Offshore 🐠🐟🎣🛥🌴⛱😊😊🙏🏻🙏🏻🙏🏻

[@darjohnson]

@The Southern Cross pcr

[@devondriscoll1703]

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.

[@KyphoJoe]

Agreed! Please include this in a future video. 🙏🏼

[@willbraswell4906]

Have boated in Florida for many years and really appreciate the well done refresher. Thank you!

[@rodrodgers1241]

I have been on the water my whole life. (I'm 53) and still picked up a couple of things from this video. Thanks girls keep up the great work!

[@patrickbennett2737]

Best, most clearly explained essential informational video on navigational signage, and the ICW that I have ever seen. Even explains how to contact bridge tenders and give them pertinent information to line up your vessel to proceed thru. Wow! Fantastic video Ladies. I learned a lot. Thank you so much.

[@elliottcarey6961]

ladies....fantastic video. you have the unique talent of being informative and at the same time not being overbearing . talking to people instead of down to them will always yield better results keep it up!!!

[@davidstewart5014]

You, ladies are great and fun to watch. I retired from the United States Navy after 32 years and you do a great job and you’re fun to watch. Thank you and have a great one. Maybe will see you on the water.

[@snakecat586]

Got my boaters license when I was 15 im 28 now. Since I moved and started my company it’s been about 2 years since I’ve been fluent driving the boat. Going to the keys next week and rented a boat. I appreciate the recap very helpful. Just want to make sure I still remember everything. My last name is gayle. So that’s cool

[@johnfaison3686]

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 work........you make the "U" very proud!

[@paulbalzano381]

Excellent information - I'm a sit-on-top kayaker out of Venice, FL - Amazing how many young ladies are becoming Captains. I have a 29 year old lady Captain across the street that teaches and takes clients out Fly fishing. Keep up the great KZbins.

[@ronwilcom5819]

Great video as usual -- you mentioned that the numbers on the makers are just counting up or down ... but as a color blind boater not only the shape of the markers but also the fact that red/nun buoys are marked with EVEN numbers and that green/can markers are marked with ODD numbers is also helpful.

[@harald53er]

Mentioned at 14:57.

[@nassaumikes9415]

Hello and thanks for the informative video. I'm 62 and have lived and have been boating here in Miami all my life. I was told red right return meant if you're heading towards key west it work's.. Red on the mainland side makes sense. Learned other things as well. Thanks and BTW heard about you fronn Boat US. Glad I did. You gals make me want to get out and go fishing :)

[@TheFalconJetDriver]

Great videos Ladies, I grew up on Lower Chesapeake in Chesapeake, VA. Spent a lot of time on both ditches. I saw so many uneducated boaters on the water. Then I moved to North Texas even worse on the lakes lots of people with no brains but had lots of money. Zero boating knowledge or skills. It was all ways a boat show at the ramps. Sort of the 79 street ramp MIA great work 😀🛫

[@shanemcgonnell2689]

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!

[@burlosurviorhills7321]

Great advice being Captain for a few years in Crystal River and Homosassa boaters be warned shallow and slow and No wake is for miles and enforcement is watching you. Girls keep up the good work.

[@jeffreymancauskas4285]

fantastic job on navigational skills im going to have my daughter watch this since she ALWAYS wants to drive the boat. just always watch for local waterways as well. PVC pipe.

[@GaleForceTwins]

We are glad this was helpful 😊

[@etc-and-more]

In all seriousness this little video should be part of any state boating course, especially for states that the ICW runs through. You went over pretty much everything that took me the whole NY to Fort Lauderdale ICW trip to learn (plus a bit more). Excellent presentation.

[@yakisakisumo]

Learning a lot. THANK YOU! Me and my family are going down to stay in Cape Coral in April 2022 (it's end of Jan 2022 now). Our place will have a boat and I want to be prepared on how to operate it safely. These videos are awesome for me!!! THANK YOU and GREAT JOB!

[@craigallan8667]

My wife learns better from you two about navigation and I learn a bunch from the fishing videos. Thanks for the hard work.

[@rbilardo47]

Great information all boaters should know, and I'm sure a lot don't know. You really go into detail. So precious to see two sisters, twins no less, enjoying the same enjoyments. God Bless you both. I had a 32' Carver Mariner up north in NJ, and now living in Florida without a boat, hoping someday to own another.

[@AmerQuin]

Outstanding video, Ladies! Thank you. I love how you use the word “Respectfully” so often here. Respectfully... is my guiding principle for everything I do in life. Thanks again.

[@vyctorialuong9727]

I love how you guys educate and inform the public as women.

[@kirkwilliams4942]

WHAT DOES THAT HAVE TO DO WITH IT??????

[@Icutmetal]

How else would they do it?

[@theavail2138]

I've learned so much about boating from you ladies thank you for the great information😊

[@castejb]

Thank you, I am a relatively new boater with about 1-2 years of ownership and still found all the information here amazing and explained in such a simple manner. I hope nothing but success to you gals.

[@frankwern8784]

Another nicely done and informative video. Sadly, I can say is that far too many of our fellow boaters have never watched a video of this type or opened a safe boating manual.

[@Funexpected]

You're both great communicators, informative and easy to understand. I like your style of teaching.

[@kazielthomson3953]

Hi ladies I found your video and it’s very detailed. thanks!. I am a new boater that just join a boat club in Georgia. I am so excited to see your as captain’s, I normally go to Panama City Florida to deep sea fishing on charters. Please keep me posted when you’ll charter start back up.

[@BenGrilling]

1st thing i learned about Starboard side and remembering..., if your a star, raise your hand. Most people are right handed, and it’s the right side of your boat/Starboard..lol, keep up the good teaching/work, i love your channel. Ben from Michigan (Walleye fishing:o)

[@teddyrivas1082]

This is the first time seeing yous on u tube, what your showing is great information, for first time boaters, and I've seen a lot of these boaters on u tube, but they never ever show you what you just shown, i think there should be more information like yours shown, because it will make a better boater for people that are not familiar with these markers, really like it. And hope a pray that these boaters appreciate everything yous are doing for boaters! Good Job! Keep on boating!

[@thercattrainer]

TY for educating people about Nav Aids! Bridge clearance also depends on High/Low tides too.

[@deanrobinson7956]

I just moved to Florida just purchased a boat and taking to the water as a complete amateur. Although being on Minnesota waterways all my life starting fresh here and following your lessons and advice is well worth the time invested. Thanks for all the tips so far

[@alaiello1799]

Wow ladies, awesome video. We are spending our first winter in Florida and want to rent a boat often while we are here and are a bit worried about ICW regulations but not anymore thanks to your clear and informative video! I am ready to go boating!!

[@blcouch]

Having run the Gulf Intracoastal Waterway since 2007 and Western Rivers (towboat captain) since 2001, Red Right Returning and Greens Toward the Gulf have been my mantras😄

[@tluns810]

Good job ladies, sometimes I may go a few months or years off a boat, so it's great to get a refresher as well as any updates or revisions that have been made since my last outing.

[@1WEBBERBOY]

Getting close to buying my very 1st boat and these videos are much needed... Thanks ladies...

[@GaleForceTwins]

Our pleasure!

[@Driftwood50]

Great job explaining and giving ways to remember the markers, bridges and stand off vessels rules.

[@disabledcamperhardnocks8068]

You guys are great. Thanks for explaining it so well.

[@davidcox389]

I don’t own a boat but I have learned so much off of your videos 2 intelligent young ladies keep up the good work you look like you’re having so much fun.God bless you both

[@GaleForceTwins]

So glad you enjoy our videos! Even without a boat ☺️

[@keithtrump2122]

Excellent video! Cool to see the waterway near our place in Ft.Lauderdale. Shopping for new furniture with my wife while watching it. She just said, “Stop watching GaleForce Twins and help me pick out a sofa!” 😊

[@troylink9118]

Very good video for the Rules of the road, young ladies. I hope that many people see and learn from the two of you. Thank you. Captain Troy A. Link Sr.

[@Frostytravels]

Great job little miss....being from Ky, and moving to Florida I am really learning saltwater fishing from you both. Excellent job and wonderful videos.

[@jshrawder49]

MM Port wine is great!! When I was a kid I learned Starboard is the right side because that is the hand I use to point to the stars. I think I was like 3yo and a Captian told me that. Never forgot it!

[@one4uf]

Great video that serves as a great and easy educational tool for those less experienced and an awesome reminder for those of us that have been on the water our whole lives. Keep up the great content!

[@jeffb9939]

You girls are amazing.... Clearly explained rules of the ICW....

[@jumper2079]

I see others have said it already, but I'm going to add mine in too. Thank you too ladies for doing these videos.

[@gsxrguy8125]

Ok, I’m not a boater but would like to know. How do you find gas, and what’s the process for fueling up? Thanks for the videos, learned something new. Not only that out of about 5 videos, your is the first that really made it clear.

[@muskietime]

Most boaters have Charts, either electronic or, if they are “real boater” paper and electronic Charts. The Charts identity Marinas that carry fuel (gas and diesel) but it is always prudent to check availability and hours of operation. Most times, you can just pull up to the usually well marked fuel dock (usually at the end of the pier and has “gas station” looking pumps). You will have decided to set your dock fenders/bumpers and dock lines on the side closest to your fuel fill up cap is located on the boat. Getting fuel is not very difficult once you have done it a few times. With everything boating, plan before you have to act and have things set up for how you want things to go but always be ready for when things do not go as planned. This is easier than it sounds once you get the hang of it. Be well.

[@pedrofundora6100]

I have been boating for a long time. I find these videos very informative. I have navigated from Pensacola to Miami thru the Okeechobee Lake and many times to the Bahamas and the Florida Keys and I hope that more boaters watch these videos they are very nice..

[@GaleForceTwins]

Thank you so very much!! 😊🐟

[@antoniocampbell463]

This is the best video that I found explaining the ICW Channel Markers. Thanks for posting.

[@imnoaussiediveandfishing]

Great video explaining IALA B navigation clearly and easy to understand. The one thing that most boaters need educating on, is who is the Stand on vessel and who is give way vessel. It gets tiresome with the weekend boaters thinking whoever has the biggest boat and the most motors has the right of way everywhere. Its quite simple to understand, the port and starboard lights on the boat work like traffic lights. if you are approaching another vessel and you can see his port light (red) it means you are the (give way vessel), the same boat will be seeing your starboard (green light) telling that boat he can carry on making him the stand on vessel. I know there are other factors that may change this methodology but 99% of time this applies.

[@robertbyrd5219]

Just a small comment, it's really easy to remember 'left-port-red' and 'right-starboard-green'...Short words on one side, long words on the other. And the buoy numbers, colors and shapes ... 'even red nuns carry odd green cans'...I know you've heard both of these, but you're talking to people that are just starting out that need all the help they can get...those helped me a lot when I was starting out..good video...thanks.

[@micaelacotton5850]

The mild panic in yalls face at 14:58 😂 I love it

[@rdtaguestudios]

Wow! LOTs of good information. Coming from, unfortunately, Illinois (Southern...NOT Chicago!!!) I typically boat on small fresh water lake and rivers. However, we vacation in Destin, Fl. and will travel on the coast line in rentals. I'm sure growing up on the Big Water, like I assume you ladies did, these signs, are 2nd nature. But, to a land locked person, like myself, there is a LOT to retain. Thank you for your videos and your service to the community.

[@plantboy2221]

I'm green and not exactly sure what questions to ask. Your channel is very helpful.

[@greggmartin5267]

Ladies that was a very fine video straight to the point better than most thank you and keep it up 🙋

[@ShooterSway]

Great vid. Suggestions for navigating shallow waters? I understand it's best to stick to the main channels, but curious how to identify depth more easily. Do all boats have depth meters?

[@kjoneill43]

A nice little rhyme to help remember for buoys/daymarkers is "Even Red Nuns have Odd Green Cans." Additionally, when navigating around other vessels, always avoid a "Constant bearing, decreasing range" (CBDR) situation by making an early and apparent course change to avoid collision as you said. BEAT ARMY!

[@tuckerclagett2196]

Stumbled on you today and really enjoyed your videos! Very informative and you explain things in a nice, easy to understand manner. There are a ton of people on KZbin who know stuff, but are bad at teaching. You both are great at it. Thanks!

[@junnapitanofficial]

Whaching here and full support. I love fishing

[@sledzep01]

How do you determine the working height of your boat? Does fuel and other loads matter much? How much extra is good to leave for wave height? Great stuff as usual

[@AN-kg4ei]

I was wondering also about high and low water impacts. I know there's often a depth marker but was curious if within a foot or two is usually a recommended no-go for example. Tricky with a hard top I'm sure.

[@stevenaugust8819]

Thx y'all sweetie I'm a new boater trying to get all the tips possible 👍👍👍

[@jfllc.florida1331]

This explanation of the red and green markers are fantastic very educational.

[@Charactermatters650]

Other way around - “no port left” for old sailors would be bad news - they drank port wine and liked it very much - it was a way for greenhorns to remember port and starboard - “No port left boys” Port is on the left facing bow. Just a wisdom drop from an old man.

[@2020matrix8]

I have no idea how I landed on this video but, I’m glad I did! My Grandparents (RIP Nene & Papa) built their home that I grew up visiting, this was so heartwarming, love it!!

[@richardsqueeze]

This video closely coincides with the florida boaters safety coures. Im taking it now online and this video is super helpful with actually seeing what the course is teaching. Great video thanks for taking the time to make it and help out people new to boating.

[@douglaskeppel7517]

Awesome video, I’ve had boats all my life for lakes just bought another boat for going out in the inlets and offshore in Florida, it’s nice to have some people like u two to give pointers to other’s that are new to the saltwater boating. Awesome name to.

[@michellet2890]

thanks this was very helpful!! I am taking my boat licence exam next month in Australia, would love to see more videos like this.

[@BillSaltbush]

It's a little late now, but I hope you learned that the lateral markers in this (USA) part of the world are the opposite of those in Australia.

[@eugenechurch6135]

Bad ass lady teaching me something thing new!!!!

[@hectormartinhinojosa894]

I learn something new everytime I watch your videos, thank you for your help

[@patrickhampton6248]

Thanks for teaching me more about boating

[@GaleForceTwins]

Thanks for watching 😊

[@MarcusAurelius33036]

Another very helpful video. You might want to consider starting a once a month or quarter 2-3 day on the water boat training symposium for new boat owners. Having watched several of your videos over the last couple of days, I can tell both of you are natural teachers . God knows I would love to have had such a hands on course with knowledgeable boat captains. A couple of hours with a delivery captain just doesn’t cut it. It would be all the more helpful in the keys, where Bayside navigation is full of unpleasant propeller eating traps for those unfamiliar with the back country.

[@WonderfulWeekenders]

VERY informative and interesting video for someone (like me) who has no clue about boating. I enjoyed it!!

[@bdphourde]

First time here. Very nicely done! Your instructional method is clear, concise, and easy to understand and remember! It is invaluable to others. If you haven't already, could you also include some instruction on the larger waterways and their centerline markers with their sometimes confusing shapes and color coding anfd numbering.

[@gregstabryla9945]

Glad I found you ladies. Helps a ton. Would love to see you in or out of the water!. Please don't take that the wrong way.

[@yoelrodriguez5240]

Awesome video. Videos like these should be mandatory for boaters. South Florida is full of boat owners that have ZERO experience navigating.

[@Shopweasel]

Well now we watched it would it still be mandatory?

[@ianrkav]

That Intracoastal Waterway is amazing. 3000 miles long from Massachusetts to Brownsville Texas! I'm going to have to travel the entire length of it one day:-)

[@terrystringer5652]

Please produce a lesson on wake. Most boaters are clueless as to how much wake their own boat is producing. Why? Because from the skippers viewpoint, as they're looking aft, see no wake. Looks calm to them. But they are running around 2,500 +/- RPMs, bow straight up, unknowingly putting their boat in a "maximum wake" position. It puts others, especially in smaller vessels, in danger. And for no good reason. It creates chaos in the channels. Signal for them to slow down and they look at you like you have two heads. Larger boats are the biggest offenders. You girls are adorable and addictive. Keep up the good work!

[@ElliotP27]

Great info as always and you both are excellent teachers! I got my first boat in 40 years about 6 months ago. I Just finished the excellent online USPS Safe Boating Class from America's Boating Club. This video was a good follow up, especially with the buoy marker and ICW info. I live in N. GA but looking forward to trailering my boat to Fla over the winter. Our lakes get a little chilly this time of year! Keep up the great work!

[@gilesfisher5277]

I have just purchased a boat in Thailand where I will use what I have learned from you both.

[@RicBergstrom]

Love the channel. Great attitude about ROW. world would be a better place if more capns thought similarly!

[@franktill8419]

First off, you guys are awesome. Stumbled my way across your video while searching for boating information in the IC and the ocean in general. We are from Missouri and hope to put our boat in the big water someday and go to the Keys and the bahama's. It's a little scary having never boated anywhere except for lakes and rivers but with yoru help and the help of others, Ill be ready when the time comes. THANKS!

[@michiganengineer8621]

Thank you for the refresher ladies, most of my boating has been either small inland lakes or as crew on an ocean going vessel (CV-60 to be precise). I'd forgotten the 3R rule on channel markers and I had been wondering about the numbering on channel markers and thinking they were _something_ like the mile markers on paved roadways.