George Andrews Wrote:
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> I'm inclined to believe that even the U.S. Coast Guard would understand the railroad giving
> preference to the movement of Interstate Commerce, over that of a Bayliner or Hobie Cat.

And you can go ahead and incline that all you want. In fact, I encourage you to do so, from the sidewalk of the Interstate Bridge (that's Interstate 5) between Hayden Island, Oregon and Vancouver, Washington. As the Oregon Department of Transportation employed Bridgetender routinely shuts down a six-lane Interstate Highway so a sailboat can pass on through. Oh, there's an ambulance running code 3 with a sick child from Vancouver needing to go to Doernbecher? The sail boat has priority. Next time, call Life Flight.

Yes, the boats have right-of-way. The only time I'm aware of the Coast Guard allowing otherwise is during rush hour in urban areas on busy roads, but even that limitation only applies to pleasure craft - large vessels still get a bridge opening.