PLT OF LA4 GIVING SINGLE ENG SEA ORIENTATION TO A STUDENT HAS NEAR MISS WITH WATER VESSEL WHEN ATTEMPTING TO STEP TAXI THROUGH OPEN DRAWBRIDGE WITHOUT PRIOR ARRANGEMENT.

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I WAS GIVING A FRIEND SES (SINGLE ENG SEA) ORIENTATION AND HAD LANDED MY LA4-200 LAKE BUCCANEER IN THE PASQUOTANK RIVER AT ELIZABETH CITY; NC. I HAD INFORMED MIL/ECG TWR OF MY INTENTION TO LAND IN THE RIVER OUTSIDE THEIR AIRSPACE AND HAD THEIR APPROVAL. THE WIND DIRECTION (020 DEGS AT 9 KTS) REQUIRED A LNDG UP-RIVER FROM THE US 158 BRIDGE IN DOWNTOWN ELIZABETH CITY. I HAD WANTED TO BE ON THE OTHER SIDE OF THE BRIDGE TO SHOW MY FRIEND/STUDENT HIS BOAT; WHICH WE MOVED THERE. WE WERE IN STEP TAXI AT ABOUT 30 MPH WHEN I SAW THAT THE DRAW BRIDGE WAS OPEN. HAPPY THAT I NOW COULD TRANSIT TO THE OTHER SIDE OF THE BRIDGE; I INTENDED TO PASS THROUGH THE OPEN BRIDGE IN STEP TAXI. I ASSUMED THE VESSEL I HAD JUST PASSED WAS THE CAUSE OF THE BRIDGE BEING OPEN. WHEN I TURNED TO TRANSIT THE OPEN BRIDGE; I ALMOST HIT THE HOUSEBOAT IT HAD BEEN OPENED TO LET PASS. A RADICAL TURN TO STARBOARD PREVENTED A COLLISION; BUT IT WAS NEARLY A 'MID-WATER' AS MY YOUNG SON SAID WHEN I WAS TEACHING HIM TO SAIL AND AVOID OTHER BOATS. WHAT I LEARNED: NEVER TRANSIT A DRAWBRIDGE WITHOUT A MARINE RADIO CAPABLE OF CHANNEL 13 TO BE IN CONTACT WITH THE BRIDGE OPERATOR. DO NOT GO THROUGH A BRIDGE ON THE 'STEP;' ALWAYS SLOWLY IN FULL DISPLACEMENT TAXI. DO NOT ASSUME A 'CLR CHANNEL' UNTIL YOU HAVE A VISUAL CONFIRMATION OR HAVE BEEN SO ADVISED BY THE BRIDGE OPERATOR. EXPERIENCE AS A MIL OFFICER AND SEAPLANE CFI DO NOT PRECLUDE POOR JUDGEMENT/STUPIDITY.