CA473229 - Killarney to/ Little Current
Canadian Hydrographic Service
Central and Arctic Region

NAVIGATION SAFETY CALL
Before entering or leaving Little Current, vessels should broadcast their
position and intentions on VHF Channel 16 (156.8 MHz).

CAUTION
The central abutment of the bridge does not lie parallel to the axis of the
current; the master of a vessel must allow for the current being about
15 degrees on the bow.

CAUTION
There is generally a current in the harbour, varying in strength with
wind and atmospheric pressure.  A strong current may drag the buoys below the
surface of the water.  The current is strongest at the bridge.  Studies in 1971
showed that with no wind or atmospheric pressure disturbances, the normal
current at the bridge is up to 2 knots and may reverse its direction several
times in a 24-hour period.  A strong east or west wind causes a current in
the direction of the wind; for example, a 27-knot wind causes a 4-knot
current and a 42-knot wind causes a 7-knot current.  To maintain steerageway,
it is advisable to enter the channel against the current or at slack water.
Sufficient power and considerable care are required, particularly at the
bridge and in the sharply curved west entrance channel.

BRIDGE
A swing bridge with a clearance when closed of 5.5m crosses the channel
at Shutin Point.  When open, the bridge gives a passage 46m wide on each
side of the swing span.

BRIDGE LIGHTS
Little Current swing bridge lights (1003) include: a light near the top
centre of the bridge structure; one white light on each abutment of the
bridge on each side of the channel to be used; and one white light on each
end of the rest piers for the swing span.  There are also two lights at
each end of the swing span, one on each side, which show red when the bridge
is closed for shipping and green when it is open.  Vessels use the passage on
their starboard hand and thus pass between two white lights and to starboard
of two green lights.  The lights are privately maintained.

BRIDGE HOURS
From June 15 to September 15, the bridge opens on demand for commercial
traffic and every hour for pleasure craft between 06:00 and 22:00 and on
1 hour notice for commercial traffic between 22:00 and 06:00.

BRIDGE SIGNALS
The signal used by a commercial vessel ready to pass through the bridge
is three long blasts on the whistle.  The bridge operator will answer with one
long blast and one short blast when the bridge is open and clear for traffic,
or five short blasts if there will be a delay.

