Basics About The Boating Regulations Along The Mississippi River
Not all travelers know that along the waters of the Mississippi River, the United States Inland Navigation Rules will be applied. The Mississippi River boating regulations will include several rules about dredges, tugs towing barges and riverboats so big they need to have the entire channel to themselves.
Navigation Rules – Tows & Dredges
Rules 18 (a) – will demand that all ships will keep clear of ships restricted in their own ability to maneuver, like dredges as well as “a ship which is engaged in a towing operations like severely restricts the towing ship and her tow in their own ability of deviating from their course.” The Mississippi River is regularly being dredged, and towing ships are quite common.
Navigation Rules – Large Riverboats
Rule 18 (d) – will demand that all ships should avoid impeding the safe passage of other ships constrained by their very own draft. South of Jump Shoal Light 67, vessels will be using all the channel for navigation turns; it is expected for you to stay out of their way.
Sailboats and Vessels Fishing
If you should be operation a power-driven ship, it is expected for you to yield to all sailing ships which operate under sail alone, as well as all fishing ships.
Communications
South of Lock 10 at Mile 615.0, it is expected for you to be using VHF Channel 67 for communication as well as stand a listening watch on VHF Channel 13. North of Mile 615.0, it is expected for you to use VHF Channel 16 for guard and Channel 13 for communication.
Locks
All locks are monitored on Channel 13. The entry of the ships into locks will be determined by the lockmaster. You should be following the instructions of the lockmaster to the letter to be able to avoid any possible misunderstandings.
What Options Are Available For Overnight Riverboat Cruises In The Midwest
One of the 4 regions in the United States of America, the Midwest will span from Ohio to Kansas and from North Dakota to Michigan. From a labyrinth of various waterways to cultural or historical towns, the area will include a myriad of natural landscapes. Popular for its powerful waterways, reminding here Illinois, Ohio or Mississippi rivers, riverboat cruise tours are a very popular way to check out the center of the Midwest. While most of the cruise tours will usually only last not more than a few hours, there will also be some overnight river boat cruise tours along the areas many rivers.
One of the only classic paddle-wheel river boats from United States which will provide overnight stays, the Spirit of Peoria will sail on the Mississippi and Illinois rivers. You may choose from a wide range of themes, from sightseeing tours to day cruises or murder mystery cruise tours. A 2-day cruise tour to Starved Rock State Park or a 4-night cruise from Peoria to St. Louis or Florence are among the most popular options that you can choose. On board this riverboat you will be able to enjoy narrations, music, buffet-style dining or a Mark Twain impersonator.
Resembling a classic Victorian river boat, the Twilight Riverboat includes 3 decks, sun decks as well as comfortable adorned dinning areas. Cruising from Le Claire to Dubuque along the Mississippi River, the 2-day cruise will take guests past cultural landmarks, dense forests or rolling farmlands. While being on board this riverboat, you may listen to classic blues, country or folk music, taste freshly prepared cuisines, as well as learn about the history of the encountered areas.
Check out the Ohio, Cumberland, Mississippi or Illinois rivers on a classic riverboat, using the services of Mississippi River Cruises. Take a glimpse of the rich history and the wide variety landscapes from the nearby areas on board their riverboat. Ranging from 8 to 12 day cruise tours, you will be traveling from St. Louis to St. Paul while you will be enjoying nightly live entertainment, cocktail parties or large staterooms with their very balcony as well as full of modern amenities. With wide space for over 130 guests, the river cruise boat has 6 lounges, ballroom, many viewing decks, fitness area as well as a library.
Mississippi River Boats – Three Of The Most Popular Riverboats Along The Mississippi River
If you are planning to take a cruise tour on the Mississippi River or on one of its tributaries, you will have to be pretty selective about which cruise ship you will choose. There are a few different vessels available which will offer you a unique experience. From experiencing life as it actually was in the good times a while ago, sailing on cruise vessels which will provide good amenities is a great idea.
Spirit of Peoria
A cruise tour on board the Spirit of Peoria will give you a great opportunity to travel along the waters of the Mississippi River as well as its tributaries. This boat is an authentic paddle-wheeler which will provide vintage live entertainment while will sail to/from Starved Rock. The cuisine is quite great, and so is the entertainment provided on this boat. A two-day cruise tour will include charges of around $310/person as of 2010. The three-day cruise tour will cost around $480/person in the all inclusive package.
Niagara Prince
Exploring the Mississippi River or one of its tributaries on board the Niagara Prince may be the experience of your lifetime. This vessel is not too large and it will offer easy access to bodies of water that are generally inaccessible to the larger vessels. Besides offering you the chance to explore the little-known parts along the Mississippi River, Niagara Prince will offer you a better insight into the history of these areas as well. It will also set you on the shores of the river so you can have a quality time biking or kayaking as well as taking pictures of the scenic landscapes. The boat has lounges, restaurants, bars or non-smoking public areas. The cuisine on this ship is generally American, but passenger may submit their own restrictions when it comes to their diet as well.
American Queen
The American Queen is a great cruise boat which has been modeled along the lines of the great steamboat palaces which sailed along the Mississippi River in the nineteenth century. It provides one of the best modern designs in the river cruise industry, coupled with vintage appeal. This cruise boat will provide everything a passenger will need to make your excursion special while you will be sailing along the Mississippi River. One of the main attractions is the tasteful food which is served on board.
All in all, this boat provides the opportunity of relaxing during the day and party during the night. The amenities which are being provided on board are great, starting from the staterooms equipped which closets as well as large storage space. A Ladies Parlor will allow women to pamper themselves all they want, and there are many activities on board which may include cards in the Gentlemen`s Card Room as well.
Mississippi River Boat Tours – Taking A Small Glimpse Of The History Of United States
Why not consider a boat tour along the water of the Mississippi River? It is a wonderful place for your future boat tour vacation as you will be able to enjoy some really great scenic views as well as some extraordinary cultural experiences. You will for sure have a great time spent while you view this majestic river. There is a lot to learn about the history of the United States along the Mississippi River. Many of its river boats have a great historical look as well.
This is the second longest river from the United States, having a length of over 2.300 miles from its source in Lake Itasca, Minnesota. Mississippi River it will empty in the Gulf of Mexico. The longest tributary of Mississippi is Missouri River, which will measure over 2.500 miles.
Missouri River will flow from the confluence of the Madison, Gallatin and Jefferson. Taken together, the Mississippi River, the Missouri River and the Jefferson River will form the longest river system from North America. If being measured from the source of the Jefferson to the Gulf of Mexico, the length of the Mississippi – Jefferson – Missouri rivers will be of almost 4.000 miles, making this combination the fourth longest river system in the world. The uppermost 207 miles of this river system are called the Jefferson, the intervening 2.340 miles are called the Missouri, while the lowest 1.350 miles are being a part of the Mississippi.
The Arkansas River is considered the second longest tributary of the Mississippi. Being measured by water volume, the Ohio River will be the largest of all tributaries of the Mississippi River.
Lake Onalaska, the widest point of the Mississippi, is being located close to La Crosse, where the river is almost five miles wide. Since Lake Onalaska has been created by Lock and Dam No. 7, historically speaking, Lake Pepin is the widest natural spot at almost three miles wide. These certain areas, however, are reservoir and not free flowing rivers. In those certain areas where the Mississippi River is a flowing river, it will exceed around one mile in width in various places.
Having these basic aspects in your mind, most of the cruise enthusiasts out there will always choose a boat tour on the Mississippi River if they want to take a small glimpse from the history of the United States.
American Queen – Essential Details You May Want To Know About The American Queen Riverboat
The American Queen riverboat , modeled after the extraordinary steamboat palaces of the nineteenth century, is considered a beautiful blend between modern design and vintage appeal. It tend to look just like a traveler interested in the history of United States has always imagined a steamboat would look, exactly like the river ships can always been see on television or in movies.
This river boat has the largest collection of Tiffany-style stained-glass lamps you have probably ever seen. The pilot house has been topped by a ornate cupola. The American Queen river ship has also two massive black smoke-tacks. It is really surprising for the average guest to see the smoke stacks lowered down to the horizontal while the passengers pass under the bridge.
Crew members will always greet passengers with welcoming, refreshing drinks. At the boat`s bow, a sweeping exterior staircase will lead to the entrance foyer of Cabin Deck off which will be the leather-furnished Gentlemen`s Card Room. In the opposite direction you can enter the Ladie`s Parlor, a beautiful drawing room in Victorian-style. Past both these rooms, you can find the antiques-laden Mark Twain Gallery, which will overlook the dining room which is ideal for a relaxing atmosphere.
Most of the Mississippi River cruises offered on board this ship are from New Orleans and most of the stops along the way will generally include Baton Rouge, Natchez, Vicksburg and the Oaks Plantation. All of the stops encountered along the cruise will be filled with very interesting attractions and sights to see. If you are lucky enough, you could even hold a baby alligator on your hands on any of the swamp side tours offered along the way.
During the evening, you could enjoy the various shows that are offered in the engine room bar. Afterwards there will usually be some dancing and if you would get a cozy setting, it will be quite easy to make new friends as well.
The food is considered exceptionally good. It could get pretty difficult to decide whether you should eat at the main sitting, or to sample a buffet-style meal on the ship`s bow. That will actually be if you will have enough room after the chili dog snack you had an hour before. After a Mississippi River cruise on board the American Queen riverboat you will probably think that you haven`t had a better service offered to you.
One of the guest`s favorites on board the American Queen riverboat is the hot dog stand on the stern of the ship. There will also be steam calliope concerts on the back. There is practically nothing greater on board a Mississippi River cruise like kicking back with a hot dog topped with delightful condiments, a beer, while listening to the calliope.
