There's A YouTube Channel For That
from Contributing Writer
Thomas E. Dawson
Several of America’s Boating Channel videos were filmed in and around Cape Coral. “Navigating Locks” is one of my personal favorites.
The idea behind “Navigating Locks” came from a local member of the Cape Coral Power Squadron back in 2021. At that time, the city still had the Chiquita Lock, and many new residents were struggling with how to get through a lock safely.
The idea was passed on to the United States Power Squadron (USPS) video production team and they went to work on writing a script and securing approval from the U.S. Coast Guard.
In 2022 the script was approved and the USPS video team reached out to Scott Steele, the Commander of the club to rounded up a bunch of volunteers with boats and in January 2023 filming started.
However, fate got in the way as Hurricane Ian in 2022 had put the city’s lock was out of commission. Luckily the Franklin Lock is just up river and the lockmaster there was happy to help the team out.
If you are planning a trip across the Intracoastal, you will be passing through this and four other locks as you head to the east coast, and this video will help you prepare for the experience.
Find this and other video shorts at www.youtube.com/
@AmericasBoatingChannel
Stay safe on the water!
Thomas E. Dawson
Cape Coral, Florida
Thomas E. Dawson is a member of the Cape Coral Sail and Power Squadron. If you plan of visiting Lee County, Florida, Dawson is the author of two books about boating there, Safe Boating in Southwest Florida Cape Coral Edition and Barret Bonden’s Local Knowledge Recommended - Things You Wish Someone Had Told You About Boating Here! Both books are available on Amazon.
