An All Aboard Florida Protest by Jim Healy
To: United States Coast Guard Office of Bridge Programs
From: James B. Healy, private citizen
Subject: All Aboard Florida passenger rail project
Many communities along the FEC right-of-way route have expressed concerns over the project due to projected delays in fire/rescue response and traffic congestion within their communities. In light of a recent catastrophic boat fire in the anchorage immediately south of the St. Luce River RR bridge, it seems reasonable to conclude that emergency response to marine facilities and incidents would also be delayed by a closed bridge, resulting in great economic loss and placing lives at increased risk.
Life-safety and marine casualty concerns also extend to small boat operations due to “traffic delays” when a public waterway is confiscated and blocked for private commercial interests. In one incident last month (November, 2015), the USCG Bridge Division permitted the Beltline Railroad Bridge across the south branch of the Elizabeth River in Norfolk, VA, to close the Intracoastal Waterway for as long as 4 hours at a time during the daylight hours in the peak traffic season of recreational vessel movement. One such closure on one day trapped 71 small vessels, created a very significant safety risk to maritime assets, and except for calm weather, potentially endangered human health and welfare. Similar problems occurred in Beaufort, SC, when the Lady’s Island Swing Bridge was allowed to close, for dubious commercial reasons, for several hours at a time. The Jay Jay Railroad Bridge at Titusville, FL, is an example of a bridge that, when closed, is impossible for boaters to contact. Boaters encountering a closed condition at Jay Jay are trapped in narrow, shallow, exposed waters with no way to get useful information on duration of closure and no nearby safe harbor or cover. I look to the United States Coast Guard Bridge Division to ensure these issues do not happen again at the St. Lucie, Loxahatchee and New River bridge crossings as a result of All Aboard Florida.
According to its website, the Mission Statement of the USCG Marine Transportation System Directorate, Office of Bridge Programs, states: “To administer the various bridge statutes, environmental laws of the United States, pertinent regulations and policies in a timely, courteous, responsive and professional manner. This mission will contribute to the development of a safer, more efficient and convenient marine and land transportation system that will effectively utilize and conserve the nations resources in a cost efficient manner, while providing for the well-being, general safety, security, and interests of the citizens of the United States.”
I write to emphasize that part of the mission statement that states: “…while providing for the well-being, general safety, security, and interests of the citizens of the United States” I realize I am a very small entity opposing both an enormous private commercial interests and the treasury of the State of Florida in pursuit of increased tax receipts. Alone, I cannot possibly compete with those interests. But if the USCG Bridge Division honors its own mission statement, my access to, and free use of, the regulated waterways of Florida can be preserved. I look to the USCG Bridge Division to actually protect my rights and my interests as a citizen.
In recognition of the fact that closures of the waterway confiscates the right of free passage from citizen waterway users, I urge that permitting of bridges for All Aboard Florida contain, at a minimum, the following restrictions for The New River RR bridge, the Loxahatchee RR bridge and the St. Lucie River RR bridge:
1. 24/7/365 around-the-clock onsite attendant/bridge tender to control the operation of the bridge,
2, onsite attendant/bridge tender to be responsible to respond to radio contacts from vessels via VHF Channels 09 AND 16 relative to bridge openings and closings,
3. The bridge shall not be closed more than 60 minutes combined for any 120 minute time period beginning at 12:01 a.m. each day, and
4. The bridge shall remain open to maritime traffic when trains are not crossing.
I further ask that if longer periods of closure are determined to be NECESSARY, that FECI be required to construct and maintain safe docking/mooring facilities, on both sides and adjacent to these bridges, where boats can find safe moorings to hold against swift currents and inclement weather while waiting for bridge openings, and that bridge operators be financially obligated to reimburse non-commercial vessels in cases where accidents result because of exceeding the mandated duration of permitted closure. These large RR companies must have some binding responsibility to prevent them from winking and nodding and apologizing, but failing to operate in compliance with the rules.
Respectfully submitted,
James B. Healy
Tracking number: 1jz-8mf4-az29
Jim
Peg and Jim Healy aboard Sanctuary, lying Boca Raton, FL
http://gilwellbear.wordpress.com
Monk 36 Hull #132
MMSI #367042570
AGLCA #3767
MTOA #3436
Comments from Cruisers (4)
What would happen if we allowed I-95 or I-595 to be closed one hour out of every two hours? (ie: half of the day) Admittedly, a lot more traffic would be affected, but isn’t the principle the same? MAYHEM!
Thank you so much for articulating well the challenges this proposal entails. I’ve been in places where the current is ripping. Waiting for a bridge to get around to opening could have been downright dangerous. Compound that with a multitude of boats all waiting? That’s an accident waiting to happen.
Your idea of a tie up on each side of the bridge seems not only fair, but sensible as well. And having bridge-tenders available via VHF radio is simply smart. Knowing what the status is on the next opening is helpful.
One can only hope the little guys will be protected by those in charge following the stated rules, i.e. “while providing for the well-being, general safety, security, and interests of the citizens of the United States.”
I’m a citizen and would hope that my voice is heard too.
Janice aboard Seaweed
currently on the Gulf coast of Florida
Salute Jim and other patriots who are ever vigilant not only for users and potential users of our public waterways!
In a world of “boaters” of all competencies and desires to contribute to the maritime community (or dearth of intention ton to contribte) Jim Healy is truly both a “yachtsman” and has earned the title of “patriot warrior!”
Thank you Jim
Alan V. Cecil
Hampton Roads, Va.
Excellent and very accurate request to the USCG. Thank you for taking the time and effort to taking action on this most important issue. It is most disappointing that one private company thinks they have a right to put the safety of our residents at risk, have a significant negative affect on our property values, restrict our access to Federal waterways and jeopardize the financial viability of our community . How can our State and Federal agencies allow this to happen???