The Isabel Holmes Bridge (Hwy133) lies north of the northernmost Wilmington Turning Basin in the northeast Cape Fear River and has a closed vertical clearance of 40ft. Wilmington, NC, off the AICW, is a popular side trip for many Waterway cruisers. Additional restrictions are currently in place (see link below for that Local Notice to Mariners.)

NC ‘“ ATLANTIC INTRACOASTAL WATERWAY (AIWW) ‘“ MYRTLE GROVE SOUND TO LITTLE RIVER ‘“ CAPE FEAR RIVER ‘“ NORTHEAST CAPE FEAR RIVER – BRIDGE CLOSURE Week 03/12
Mariners are advised that the Isabel S. Holmes Bridge, at mile 1.0, across the Northeast Cape Fear River, Wilmington, NC, will be maintained in the closed-to-navigation position from 10 a.m. to 12 p.m. (noon) on Saturday, March 10, 2012, to accommodate the 100th-year Anniversary Girl Scout Ceremonial Walk. Upon completion of the walk, the drawbridge will continue an authorized temporary deviation facilitating structural, electrical and mechanical repairs, where as the drawbridge will be closed to vessels requiring an opening until 11 p.m. on April 30, 2012; except that vessel openings will be provided if at least three hours advance notice is given to the bridge tender at (910) 251-5774 or via marine radio on channel 13 VHF. In closed position to vessels, the available vertical clearance is approximately 42 feet, above MHW. At all other times, the drawbridge will operate in accordance with the drawbridge regulations set out in Title 33 Code of Federal Regulations Part 117.829(a). Mariners able to pass under the closed span may do so at anytime and should exercise caution when transiting the area. Chart: 11537.

Click Here For an Earlier Posting of Ongoing Restrictions on this Bridge

Click Here To Open A Chart View Window, Zoomed To A “Navigation Alert” Position at Isabel Holmes Bridge