Buoyed by his success at influencing the Coast Guard in regard to the closures of the Belt Line RR Bridge in Norfolk, boating advocate, Jim Healy, has addressed the issue of RR bridge closures in south Florida as part of the new All Aboard Florida train schedules.
For Jim’s complete letter, CLICK HERE.
Staniel Cay Yacht Club, A SALTY SOUTHEAST CRUISERS’ NET SPONSOR, is a hub of activities, as well as that laid back Bahamian lifestyle.
Staniel Cay Yacht Club Makes Investment in Your Enjoyment
Over the years we have watched Staniel Cay Yacht Club make sure they were able to serve their customers without sacrificing or spoiling their “island atmosphere” and they have done an outstanding job. As their popularity has grown, they have worked hard to make sure everyone
has a great experience, beyond what they might have ever expected. To sustain and maintain this level of service, quality and charm, look at this latest investment in your enjoyment….
The Staniel Cay Yacht Club has expanded their capacity to serve in their dining room. Here’s the view as you park your dinghy for dinner.
Just look at all the windows; they are bringing the view right into the dining room.
Here’s a look from the inside looking out……
…and the original dining area is still part of the overall dining area and experience. Everything is just a little larger, so you and all your friends can enjoy breakfast, lunch, or dinner together !!
Staniel Cay is still the Bahamas quintessential “island atmosphere.”
And the Captains lounge area is still very much “Staniel Cay” charm.
Staniel Cay Yacht Club has been and remains a favorite Bahamas destination.
They are committed to making sure they can serve their loyal and new customers with the highest service standards.
We know, we’ve personally experienced their hospitality and it is indeed first class and five star !! The “laid back and enjoy” atmosphere is still very much their focus.
Staniel Cay knows how to make improvements while keeping the “main thing”…”the main thing” !!
Subject: Thank You: Airstrip Open!
Dear Staniel Cay Airport Supporters,
THANK YOU! Together, we did it! Our collective voice (and your many signatures!) encouraged action, and we are thrilled to report the re-opening of the Staniel Cay airport as of yesterday! The official notice can be seen at http://www.thebahamasweekly.com/publish/bis-news-updates/Staniel_Cay_Airport_Re-Opened_to_Air_Traffic45182.shtml
Once again, thank you so very much for your support and collective efforts. We look forward to welcoming you back to Staniel ‘“ as you land on our new and improved home airstrip!
Brooks Miller & Stephen Miller
on behalf of
Concerned Citizens of Staniel Cay & Vicinity
P.S. Our apologies for any duplication in emails as news of this exciting accomplishment spreads.
It is always nice to get good reviews and especially nice when it is on one of our SPONSORS! Jekyll Harbor Marina is one of my favorite stops – even Jimmy Buffett stops here! Jekyll Harbor Marina lies along the easterly banks of the AICW’s passage through Jekyll Creek, immediately south of the 65-foot fixed bridge.
Once safely through the shoals before the bridge, Jekyll Island Marina justifiably remains a favourite friendly stopover for boats of all shapes and sizes. Not only impeccable facilities but now they offer a courtesy golf cart enabling you to visit the brand new Beach Village stores and ogle at the huge mansions once owned by JP Morgan, Rockefeller and other “robber barons” of bygone years. Wonderful golf courses and even croquet amidst impeccable and super clean landscaping wherever you go. An onsite restaurant offers great local sea food dishes. Other amenities include a laundry, free WiFi, fish cleaning station, clean showers and fuel at competitive prices – I was able even to have Pisces pressure washed at very reasonable cost. Both staff and fellow boaters will do everything possible to make your stay pleasant and safe. During “snowbird” season, you might like to make a reservation either via VHF 16 or telephone (912) 635 3137. Undoubtedly a Five Star rating…….
Cap’n Parky
Click Here To View the Cruisers’ Net’s Georgia Marina Directory Listing For Jekyll Harbor Marina
Click Here To Open A Chart View Window, Zoomed To the Location of Jekyll Harbor Marina
Brunswick Landing Marina, a very popular facility with long term resident cruisers as well as transient cruisers sits well off the direct path of the Waterway, flanking the eastern banks of Academy Creek off Brunswick River, near the heart of downtown Brunswick, Georgia.
OK it’s around 5 miles off the ICW on the East River, but the extra mileage is well worth it. This is a first class marina at reasonably low cost. Immaculate floating slips, spotless restrooms and showers, free laundry, free to use BBQ and free beer. Diesel and Gas at competitive price. Nearby within walking distance are several restaurants including Thai, Chinese, Breakfast and goat curry. It’s a bike ride to an Autostore and a 5 mile taxi to the likes of Walmart, Publix and one of my favourites – Sonny BBQ. The marina accepts transients and liveaboards at competitive rates. You’re also likely to meet several of those intrepid Captains with tall masts who sail the world’s oceans. Contact the world’s friendliest Dockmaster on VHF 16 or Tel (912) 262 9264 AFTER you pass through 105 ft high cable bridge.. Five Star rating in my book.
Cap’n Parky
Click Here To View the Georgia Cruisers’ Net Marina Directory Listing For Brunswick Landing Marina
Click Here To Open A Chart View Window, Zoomed To the Location of Brunswick Landing Marina
Two Way Fish Camp is on the South Altamaha River, off the Waterway departing west between markers #218 and #218A. Old South charm and one of this editor’s favorite spots – well worth the trip!
Around Mile Marker 660 turn into the South Altamaha River to get a mile or so to the marina – watch the markers carefully on a “Red Right Return” basis. This super friendly marina is certainly much more than a fish camp – in fact the name reminds you that you can freshwater fish north of the marina, or saltwater fish south of the marina. Two way fishing. Floating slips are in good shape, an excellent ma and pa type restaurant on site and a haul out crane with repair yard able to fix most anything wrong. To be honest the restrooms and showers could do with a spot of modernization but the systems themselves worked well. Quite a few liveaboards here anxious to help a fellow boater get to the nearest grocery and other stores. Also a chance to make friends with Coastguard trainees who one day may come to your rescue – who knows? A Four Star rating in my book – five if they spruce up the restrooms.
Cap’n Parky
Click Here To View the Georgia Cruisers’ Net Marina Directory Listing For Two Way Fish Camp
Click Here To Open A Chart View Window, Zoomed To the Location of Two Way Fish Camp
We began hearing of extreme shallows at Hell Gate last year, see /?p=145174 and /?p=146335. Mike and Cathy wisely made this passage near high tide and had no problem. SSECN still recommends MID TO HIGH TIDE as a requirement for navigating through Hell Gate.
Just passed Hell Gate 1 hour before high tide- minimum observed depth 10 feet. Had approx 6 ft of tide
Mike & Cathy
S/V Second Flight
Click Here To View the Cruisers’ Net’s “AICW Problem Stretches” Listing For Hell Gate
Click Here To Open A Chart View Window, Zoomed To This AICW Problem Stretch
Harbortown Marina sits on the northern banks of Taylor Creek, which cuts into the Waterway’s western flank, south of unlighted daybeacon #184, just north of the Ft. Pierce Inlet.
Awesome restaurant and tiki bar at the marina! WiFi was so/so even being docked in front of the marina office! Advertisement stated that they have loaner bikes for transients’¦. they had one that was working. Different pricing for being on the wall vs. in a slip’¦. found this weird and backwards! More expensive to be exposed? Also had to listen to the bar noise and pay more? ASK to be in a slip!! Less per foot!! No grass for dogs’¦.. all area’s that were green had signs for NO DOG WALKING. Strange place, but the tiki bar was the bomb! 🙂
Still Clueless
Click Here To Open A Chart View Window, Zoomed To the Location of Harbortown Marina
They have grass for the dogs, but it is further into the parking area, closer to the pool.
Praise from Still Clueless parallels the many positive comments by other cruisers, as well as my personal experience there. Thunderbolt Marine flanks the Waterway’s southwestern shores just northwest of the small, charted square cove, south of AICW marker #35.
We cannot say enough about this marina! Easy in, easy out. FREE laundry! Awesome restaurant (Tuby’s) is just a short walk away. Immaculate shower/bathrooms. A true bargain! Will be back next summer, and every fall here out!
Still Clueless
Click Here To View the Georgia Cruisers’ Net Marina Directory Listing For Thunderbolt Marine
Click Here To Open A Chart View Window, Zoomed To the Location of Thunderbolt Marine
Completely agree… been there many times over the last few migrations… always consistently good !
Hilton Head Harbor RV Resort and Marina overlooks the Waterway’s southwestern shoreline opposite marker #20, north of Calibogue Sound.
Hey all I stopped for 3 days due to sickness and Jack and Bourbon were both friendly and they checked in on me regularly. If your looking for good food and a good nights sleep give them a try. The restaurant was pricey but the food is great and the ladies will go the extra mile. I was so sick and the restaurant gave me a big bowl of soup and would not take a penny. If you stop make sure you have a biscuit for Bourbon, Jack’s Labrador and give him a hug from me. Before you leave don’t forget to top off your tanks as the fuel is the lowest price around.
M&M’s Delite
Click Here To View the South Carolina Cruisers’ Net Marina Directory Listing For Hilton Head Harbor
Click Here To Open A Chart View Window, Zoomed To the Location of Hilton Head Harbor
The entrance channel leading to Amelia Island Yacht Basin, A SALTY SOUTHEAST CRUISERS’ NET SPONSOR, cuts into the Waterway’s eastern shore, immediately north of the Kingsley Creek Railway Bridge and just south of Waterway marker #13. Only gasoline pumps are out of service!/p>
Click Here To Open A Chart View Window, Zoomed To the Location of Amelia Island Yacht Basin
This article by Prentiss Findlay in Charleston’s Post and Courier is a second follow up to his earlier piece on much needed dredging in the Problem Stretch at Isle of Palms area of the Waterway, /?p=150352. As before, SSECN recommends SLOW passage at mid to high tide.
Inland Waterway at Breach Inlet to get long-awaited dredging
Prentiss Findlay
Prentiss Findlay Email Facebook @prentissfindlay
Nov 13 2015 12:26 pm Nov 13 4:50 pm
The Intracoastal Waterway at Breach Inlet will be dredged to improve navigation.
Dredging of the dangerously shallow Intracoastal Waterway at Breach Inlet between Sullivan’s Island and Isle of Palms begins this week, the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers said.
`It’s long overdue,’ said Charleston County Councilman Dickie Schweers.
The county contributed $500,000 to the nearly $3 million effort which includes work in McClellanville to dredge a waterway channel for fishing trawlers.
Some $2.4 million in federal funds has been authorized for both projects.
`This project is a prime example of how collaboration between federal and non-federal partners for dredging can lead to increased waterway maintenance,’ said Brad Pickel, executive director of the Atlantic Intracoastal Waterway Association.
The waterway at Breach Inlet is almost dry at low tide because of shoaling, a condition in which sand builds up and blocks the channel. The authorized channel depth is 12 feet and the width is 90 feet.
Waterway dredging at the inlet will last about a week, said Glenn Jeffries, Corps spokeswoman.
Mile-long Jeremy Creek in McClellanville, which is part of the waterway, will be dredged starting in mid-January, Jeffries said.
`This schedule is tentative. Weather and machinery have a lot to do with a dredging schedule. But we will start in Breach Inlet for sure,’ she said.
The last substantial funding the Army Corps received for waterway dredging was in 2009 through the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act.
Waterway conditions at Breach Inlet at low tide have been blamed for boating injuries. `There’s just been a huge safety issue out there,’ said IOP City Administrator Linda Tucker.
A Mount Pleasant woman was seriously injured in a 2013 boating accident blamed on the shallow waterway. She was traveling in a 44-foot trawler drawing 3 feet 10 inches of water that hit bottom. The impact caused her to fall. Doctors determined she had a fractured vertebrae, a concussion and a broken rib. She spent two nights in the hospital, officials said.
IOP Marina and Charleston City Marina lose customers because recreational vessels often go offshore to avoid the waterway here, said IOP Mayor Dick Cronin.
`They just basically have bypassed our marina and the city marina to a large extent,’ he said.
Sen. Lindsey Graham’s office was instrumental in getting funds for the dredging, Cronin said.
`We had appealed to everybody and their brother,’ he said.
In McClellanville, Jeremy Creek is the route to two seafood processing plants. But it has become a muddy mess that idles trawlers for long stretches of the day, said Mayor Rutledge Leland.
`It’s getting worse and worse. Every time you see a boat moving anywhere from half-tide on down there’s mud boiling up behind it,’ he said.
After dredging, the creek will be eight feet deep at low tide, he said.
`That should help for a couple or three years anyway. It will start silting immediately. We’ll have to start arguing and lobbying and begging almost as soon as they get through but that’s the way it works to get ourselves into the next budget,’ he said.
The creek was created from mud flats as part of the original waterway project, he said.
Some states, such as Florida and North Carolina, have dedicated funding for waterway maintenance. The Florida Inland Navigation District collects about $20 million annually to pay for waterway maintenance in 12 counties. North Carolina funds waterway maintenance through boater registration fees and the gas tax.
Click Here To Open A Chart View Window, Zoomed To This AICW Problem Stretch
Good reports keep pouring in for SALTY SOUTHEAST CRUISERS’ NET SPONSOR, Marineland Marina which lies south ‘“ southeast of AICW marker #87, along the Waterway’s eastern shore.
Such an awesome little marina! Very nice staff, helpful and went above and beyond to ensure we were happy. Even provided a loaner car for a run to the Public. Beach is just a 2 minute walk!! Quiet, and deserted, we had it to ourselves! Can’t wait to stop back in the Spring!
Still Clueless
All of the glowing reviews posted previously are very well-deserved. Easy in and out. Staff VERY friendly and helpful. Facilities were very clean, also. By far, the best value we found traveling from NC to FL.
Capt Jack Henry & 1st mate Steve Oakley
Click Here To View the Eastern Florida Cruisers’ Net Marina Directory Listing For Marineland Marina
Click Here To Open A Chart View Window, Zoomed To the Location of Marineland Marina
Skipper Meyer sent us a report about these anchorages back in October, /?p=153405, and now he fills in many details about the area. The twin Jensen Beach Bridge anchorages lie west of the Waterway, north and south of the Jensen Beach bridge, south of unlighted daybeacon #219.
So I ended up staying here nearly two weeks. The spot was just too good. There’s a nice park north of the anchorage that my dog loved and a bait shop west that was happy to let me use their beach for the dink. Shopping and restaurants are within a stone’s throw and there’s also a laundromat near the Publix about 1/2 mile away. The anchor did come up muddy but held well through some moderate winds.
Chad Meyer
Click Here To Open A Chart View Window, Zoomed To the Location of Jensen Beach Bridge CAnchorages
As this report from Channel 7 News, Miami/Fort Lauderdale states, a number of West Marine stores have been targeted recently by burglars throughout Florida. If you have information that might lead to an arrest, please Miami-Dade Crime Stoppers at 305-471-TIPS.
Florida Marine supply store burglarized
Posted: Nov 12, 2015 11:22 AM EST
Updated: Nov 12, 2015 11:22 AM EST
MIAMI (WSVN) — A Florida Marine supply store is offering a cash reward to anyone who can help police find crooks, they believe, are targeting their stores.
According to the general manager at West Marine, four men seen on the store’s surveillance video cleaned out display cases at the South Dixie Highway location. They made off with thousands of dollars worth in merchandise, including Marine electronics, sunglasses, fishing reels and other items.
The company said this was the eighth break-in at a West Marine store statewide. Burglaries have happened in North Palm Beach, Miami, Tampa, Winter Haven, Jacksonville, and as far north as Hilton Head, South Carolina.
If you have any information on this crime, call Miami-Dade Crime Stoppers at 305-471-TIPS. Remember, you can always remain anonymous, and you may be eligible for a $1000 reward.
BoatUS remains the premiere advocate for boaters on all waters and SSECN is proud to have BoatUS as a SPONSOR!
Boating Apps That Keep You Current
By Mark Corke
Want to be a savvy boater? There’s an app for that.
Although many of us go boating to escape and unplug, there are some very compelling reasons to take your smartphone or tablet with you, even if you have no intention of making a phone call. With a seemingly unending number of apps available for the boater, we loaded up our phone with some of the latest and most popular, then took them for a spin. Most are available via iTunes and Google Play, but we also included a website, when possible, where you can find extra information.
CLICK HERE for the list of apps.
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34 Nordic Tug – In Stock Now
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For a Virtual Tour of our 34 Nordic Tug In Stock Now
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NEW AND BROKERAGE BOATS AVAILABLE
Click to here to visit more yachts for sale in the Carolina’s!
www.intracoastalyachtsales.com
Or Call Capt. Ric Stanley in Wrightsville Beach NC at 910-297-4444
Capt. Doug Ford in Little River SC at 843-340-0080
Capt. Bobby Gregory in Charleston SC at 843-412-6587
Angelfish Creek, like Broad Creek just to the north, connects Card Sound and Hawk Channel and sees a lot of traffic, especially large sportsfishing vessels. Capt. Abell is responding to comments made earlier in /?p=100355 on traffic in Angelfish Creek and offers good advice about sharing the narrow, but short channel. See /?p=153759 for a recent Navigation Alert for Angelfish Creek.
As Capt. Copeland stated it is necessary for large sport boats to stay on top to transit this stretch of water’¦ I to captain a 50+ foot sport fish and have a draft of 5′-3’³ and always run through at 25 plus KTS. I sometimes will have to wait for the East channel to be clear before shooting though and every once and a while there is someone in a center console that just doesn’t get it and we will meet in the worse possible spot’¦ I cannot stop as it would result in disaster, so please pay attention to the larger boats up on top transiting Angelfish creek, we’re not trying to show off, only trying to get through!
Wes Abell
Click Here To Open A Chart View Window, Zoomed To A “Navigation Alert” Position at Angelfish Creek
The problem with Captain Wes Abell’s argument is that we all have experience on the water. That experience includes encounters with large sport fish vessels. In the overwhelming number of cases, that experience is negative. I am always surprised when I encounter a polite sport fish captain. Appreciative, definitely, but surprised. Wes, it’s your colleagues that give you a well-earned lousy reputation. I agree with the other poster that said, if you can’t manage that passage safely, find another route. Inconvenient, but what if you hurt or kill that dummy center console operator that “doesn’t get it?” If I were on that jury….
I admittedly am not familiar with the Anglefish Creek transit.
I am familiar with rules of the road and have a modicum of common sense.
If a sport boat, NEEDS, to stay on plane to transit a body of water common sense would dictate that an alternate route should be pursued.
It would seem, from looking at the map provided, that Broad Creek is an available alternative.
One thing not mentioned but should be made abundantly clear is that the captain of a boat is RESPONSIBLE for his wake. This is proven law.
Should a sports boat, pursuing a shallow channel need to stay on plane to transit that channel he is responsible for ANY damage caused by his boats wake. The reason is no release of that responsibility. A recent 2015 BoatUS Seaworthy magazine article, I believe, related a story of a sport boat who’s wake overturned a Jon boat and the sports boat was held responsible, even though there was NO, No Wake zone, for the damage caused to the Jon boat and it’s occupants.
You ‘need’ to run through a narrow channel, make sure you understand it could become a costly run.
I don’t doubt that the sportsfisher captains honestly believe that running on plane is essential, but I wonder if any actual measurement has been done to see if this belief is correct? What is the actual draft of their vessel at plane versus at hull speed; what is the actual depth at the entrances? Sure, I’d avoid ruining a $40,000 prop, but I wouldn’t place others at risk of injury or death to do so.
The CCCC proves that there was always plenty to do on their visit to Charlotte Harbor. Fishermen’s Village Marina, A SALTY SOUTHEAST CRUISERS’ NET SPONSOR, is on Charlotte Harbor/Peace River’s southeastern shore.
CCCC Revisits Fisherman’s Village Marina
By Steve and Nell Winner
Despite a rocky, rolling, breeze driven Charlotte Harbor, eleven hardy Cape Coral Cruise Club vessels and their crews maneuvered their way to Fisherman’s Village Marina in Punta Gorda for the October 21-23 cruise. Counting the boat crews and folks who traveled by land yacht, over 30 club members enjoyed all or some of planned activities over the 3 day event.
While some went fishing, others played card games, went biking on Marina provided bicycles, or visited the local art galleries. All enjoyed shopping at the local craft and tourist shops on Fisherman’s Village concourse. Warm weather and light breezes added to the pleasure of afternoon pool time where many members floated and shared stories of the day.
Steve and Nell Winner coordinated the cruise and attending members enjoyed daily hot breakfast casseroles prepared by Nell. As is customary with this group each afternoon ended with happy hour snacks and docktails in the Captain’s lounge. The staff at Fisherman’s Village Marina are quite accommodating in that the Marina makes the Captain’s lounge available at no added cost.
Wednesday was a pre-arranged pizza party in the Captain’s lounge with several pizzas delivered by a local restaurant. All enjoyed pizza along with their favorite beverages.
Thursday evening was the group dinner party at the `Captains Table’ restaurant on the second floor at the north end of the concourse. All participants enjoyed a wonderful salad bar and meal overlooking Charlotte Harbor while watching the sun set on a beautiful clear evening.
The Friday morning departure saw all boaters safely exiting the harbor and traversing much calmer conditions on Charlotte Harbor and the Gulf Intracoastal Waterway. The Cape Coral Cruise Club has been making Fisherman’s Village Marina a fall cruise destination for years and it is a cruise that regularly takes all the slips that the marina makes available.
The Cape Coral Cruise Club is open to new members who own a boat with overnight accommodations and reside in the Cape Coral / Ft. Myers area. For membership information please contact Phil Kryger at 239-541-0236. View a short picture video of recent Club activities and read additional Club information on its website
www.c-c-c-c.org
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Click Here To Open A Chart View Window, Zoomed To the Location of Fishermen’s Village
According to a spokesperson at the marina, the MLW in the entrance to Delegal Creek is 3 ft with a tidal range of 8-9 ft and, as Cap’n Parky confirms, mid to high tide would be the best time to enter Delegal Creek. Once in the creek, there is plenty of depth, however the entrance channel is an issue if you draw more than 3 ft. The entrance channel begins northeast of waterway flashing daybeacon #86. just north of Hell Gate.
Recently had the opportunity to visit Delegal Creek Marina at Mile Marker 601 a few miles south of Isla of Hope. This is the best and friendliest marina I have stayed at for a while. Certainly it’s probably a good idea to enter the creek a couple of hours before or after low tide – which gives you an easy channel around 8ft or more. The marina offers a lower transient rate than average while at the same time giving first class facilities well sheltered from inclement weather. Super clean restrooms and showers, laundry, floating slips, clubhouse, and above all a courtesy golf cart giving you a delightful run through the woods of Skidaway Island to the Publix grocery store, Bar & Grill restaurant and other stores at the Village. If you have a motorised dinghy – great fun also visiting nearby tropical island beaches. I give it a Five Star rating. Call Dockmaster Billy in advance for a reservation at (912) 224 3885.
Cap’n Parky
Click Here To View the Cruisers’ Net’s Georgia Marina Directory Listing For Delegal Creek Marina
Click Here To Open A Chart View Window, Zoomed To the Location of Delegal Creek
Comments from Cruisers (6)
When you threaten with civil forfeiture for no veritable legal reason, you really are doing “something” and you should have considered the legal consequences. This as was witnessed by roughly 45 some people at the FWC meeting in Bradenton. (McClash comments at FWC meeting/statements made in front of law enforcement officers who did absolutely nothing, did not even admonish or correct)
Charles said, “The actual company (http://www.allaboardflorida.com/) who is building out the route may not be aware that some of their intended plans will have any impact on the boating community, after all they are train people not boat people and I would guess that bridge closures are for building out the plant.”
You’re a bit behind the curve. They had public hearings in Jupiter and Stuart last fall, specifically to let boaters have their say. Many boaters attended and voiced their concerns. There were some good bridge opening schedule compromises suggested that claim to minimize inconvenience for boaters.
This will be old news by the time I am anticipating being able to cruise anywhere in Florida, BUT, I need to ask the question, has anyone tried contacting the All Aboard Florida company about these issues?
The actual company (http://www.allaboardflorida.com/) who is building out the route may not be aware that some of their intended plans will have any impact on the boating community, after all they are train people not boat people and I would guess that bridge closures are for building out the plant.
If contact, as is going on with the Coast Guard, phrased in the same context didn’t work, or a favorable response, compromise wasn’t able to be reached then a few letters to the editors of the local papers might help.
This company doesn’t want bad publicity as they want to sell seats on their trains.
The wrong kind of publicity will have an impact on those sales.
Just a thought.
This will only make the traffic jams worse than they are now, in the heart of the City.
When the current runs hard, it is very difficult to maintain your position.
This will lead to increased collisions and safety concerns.
One of our MTOA friends has a good point about these bridge closures. I suggest that if you were involved in any of these closures, please write to the Coast Guard. Our boating community provides a lot of taxes and financial benefits to all the communities along the ICW.
Larry Moser
Thank you Jim for a well thought, fact based response. I personally have experienced the frustrations at Titusville and St. Lucie with closed bridges for extended periods of time with no one to talk to……all before All Aboard Florida. I personally don’t want to experience swift currents, narrow channels, many boats trying to maneuver closely, and short tempers due to no one knowing when the torture is going to end. A bridge tender with a radio and no bridge control will be a little help to calm nerves of cruisers when you experience a closed bridge for extended times with no train crossing. Your letter calmly makes a compelling case that I would make with less facts and more anger.