March 9th 2009
Goodbye Boot Key Bridge
Boot Key Harbor
Marathon, FL Keys
by Charmaine Smith Ladd
 
Say a long goodbye to the bascule bridge of Boot Key Harbor. The Bridge, which used to facilitate car traffic from Vaca Key to Boot Key, has seen its better days and traffic was prohibited upon it nearly one year ago.  As of tomorrow, the bridge will be pinned into the upright position and will remain permanently open.
For sailboats and tall fishing trawlers, the permanent opening allows the freedom to come and go outside of what used to be the bridge's normal opening hours (7am-7pm). This now affords a convenient flexibility that is no doubt more to the liking of those deeper draft vessels which cannot navigate the open route of Sister's creek to enter or depart Boot Key Harbor (BKH).
The Bridgetenders of Boot Key Harbor (BKH) were arguably the absolute best anywhere.  Friendly, informative, and helpful, those who sailed into BKH were often remembered and welcomed back upon their return.  No doubt the caring, calm and familiar voices of these great bridgetenders will be missed on VHF Channel 9 for many, many years to come.
To Boot Key Harbor's former bridgetenders, and in particular to its most endearing trio consisting of Lee, Howard, and Wayne: On behalf of all who have been first welcomed by one of you upon arrival and lastly wished fair winds upon their departure: 'Thank You and Fair Winds to You All.'
Charmaine Smith Ladd, SSECN's Regional Correspondent for the Florida Keys, bringing you "The Low Down from Down Low."

Subject: End of an Era – Boot Key
Cruising News: This morning the harbor witnessed the end of an era.  The Boot Key Harbor bascule bridge was \"pinned\" open, and cruisers heard the last of the bridgetenders on CH 09.  It was commonly stated that they were the best bridgetenders on the East and Gulf Coasts, and I know that I believed it.  I always seemed to come in when Lee on s/v Orion was working and anchored next to him the first year.  After that, he always remembered who I was, and welcomed me personally!  Granted, without any vehicle traffic on the bridge, their job made it easier to focus on the vessel traffic in and out of the harbor, but they were still the best.  Tonight at sunset, there will be a \"last sunset\" at the bridge, and if the camera and my brain works, maybe even pictures.
Peace and Fair Winds, Bill Watson s/v Kittiwake