MIAMI – The Coast Guard is seeking comment on the updated temporary deviation from the operating schedule that governs the Florida East Coast Railroad Bridge, across the Okeechobee Waterway, mile 7.41 at Stuart, Fla., published in the Federal Register on Tuesday, February 6.

This deviation is effective starting at 12:01 a.m. on February 12, 2024.

Click here for Coast Guard publishes revised temporary deviation for Okeechobee Waterway, St. Lucie River Railroad Bridge

See NAV ALERT: UPDATE

FLORIDA – OKEECHOBEE WATERWAY (ST LUCIE RIVER) – FEC RAILROAD BRIDGE: Rulemaking / Temporary Deviation UPDATE: 10/27/23
UPDATE: The Coast Guard is reopening the comment period to solicit additional comments concerning its notice of temporary deviation to the regulation governing the Florida East Coast (FEC) Railroad Bridge, across the Okeechobee Waterway (OWW), mile 7.41, at Stuart, FL. The expected increase in  railway service was delayed and did not commence until late September 2023. The original comment period for the temporary deviation that was
published on August 11, 2023 (88 FR 54487) will be reopened and published in the Federal Register starting Friday November 3rd, through November 30th. The notice is identified by docket number USCG-2022-0222 at https://www.regulations.gov. Additional information is provided in the online document, Please read.

The U.S. Coast Guard has issued a temporary deviation to drawbridge operation regulation, 33 CFR 117.317(c), that governs the FEC Stuart Railroad Bridge, across the Okeechobee Waterway (St. Lucie River), mile 7.41, at Stuart, Florida. The temporary deviation authorized on June 6, 2023, effective on June 21, 2023, is hereby cancelled as of 11:59 p.m. on August 8, 2023. Under this revised temporary deviation, the FEC Stuart Railroad Bridge will
operate as follows from 12:01 a.m. on August 15, 2023, through 11:59 p.m. on December 17, 2023:
1. The FEC Railroad Bridge will be maintained in the fully open-to-navigation position, except during periods when it is closed for the passage of train traffic, to conduct inspections, and to perform maintenance and repairs authorized by the Coast Guard.
2. The bridge will not be closed for more than 50 consecutive minutes in any given hour during daytime operations (6 a.m. to 10 p.m.) and for more than 8 total hours during daytime operations (6 a.m. to 10 p.m.).
3. Notwithstanding condition #1 and #2, the drawbridge will open and remain open to navigation for a fixed 10-minute period at the top of each hour from 6 a.m. to 10 p.m. In addition, the drawbridge will open and remain open to navigation for a fixed 15-minute period as outlined in the table below:
Monday through Friday 8:55 a.m. through 9:10 a.m.,
Saturday and Sunday:
8:55 a.m. through 9:10 a.m.,
9:55 a.m. through 10:10 a.m.,
10:55 a.m. through 11:10 a.m.,
12:55 p.m. through 1:10 p.m.,
4:55 p.m. through 5:10 p.m.
4. From 10:01 p.m. until 5:59 a.m. daily, the drawbridge will remain in the fully open-to navigation position, except during periods when it is closed for the passage of train traffic, to conduct inspections, and to perform maintenance and repairs authorized by the Coast Guard. The drawbridge will not be closed more than 60 consecutive minutes.
5. If a train is in the track circuit at the start of a fixed opening period, the opening may be delayed up to, but not more than, five minutes. Once the train has cleared the circuit, the bridge must open immediately for navigation to begin the fixed opening period.
6. The drawbridge will be tended from 6 a.m. to 10 p.m., daily. The bridge tender will monitor VHF-FM channels 9 and 16 and will provide estimated times of drawbridge openings and closures, or any operational information requested. Operational information will be provided 24  hours a day by telephone at (772) 403-1005.
7. The drawbridge owner will maintain a mobile application. The drawbridge owner will publish drawbridge opening times, and the drawbridge owner will provide timely updates to schedules, including but not limited to, impacts due to emergency circumstances, inspections, maintenance, and repairs authorized by the Coast Guard.
8. Signs will be posted and visible to marine traffic, displaying VHF radio contact information, application information, and the telephone number for the bridge tender.
A single crane and a single material barge are located on the water at the site of the FEC Stuart River Bridge lighted IAW Inland Navigation rules. All equipment is moored outside (south) of the channel fender system, and not expected to impede navigation. There is a bridge app and website for the Florida East Coast (FEC) Railroad Bridge, across the Okeechobee Waterway (St. Lucie River), at Stuart, FL. This app and website provides mariners with real-time information about the FEC Railway/Brightline rail bridge openings and closures. To download the
bridge app, search for “Bridge Schedule” in the Apple and Android app stores or visit http://www.bridgeschedule.com.
If you have questions on this rulemaking, call or e-mail Ms. Jennifer Zercher, Bridge Management Specialist, Seventh Coast Guard District, telephone 305-415-6740, email Jennifer.N.Zercher@uscg.mil LNM 23/23

This increase in train service will double the wait time for boaters in the Okeechobee Waterway due the increased number of RR bridge waterway closings. 

BRIGHTLINE TO GO FROM 16 T0 30 TRAINS BETWEEN ORLANDO AND MIAMI

15 Round-Trips to Begin October 9

Orlando, Fla. (October 3, 2023) – Brightline, the only provider of modern, eco-friendly, higher-speed rail service in America, will double its train service between Orlando and Miami, just two weeks after opening the highly anticipated route. Brightline will begin running 30 trains daily starting October 9, with 15 daily departures from Miami and Orlando. 

The new hourly schedule begins with the first train leaving Orlando at 4:38 a.m., arriving into Miami at 8:11 a.m. The final train leaves Orlando at 8:54 p.m. The first train leaves Miami for Orlando at 6:41 a.m., arriving at 10:19 a.m. with the last train leaving Miami for Orlando at 9:41 p.m. Additional early-morning and late-night trains will operate between Brightline’s five South Florida stations.

Media Contacts:

Katie Mitzner, director of public affairs

katie.mitzner@gobrightline.com

407.502.3587

Vanessa Alfonso, director of media relations

vanessa.alfonso@gobrightline.com

305.744.2293

About Brightline

Brightline is the only provider of modern, eco-friendly, higher-speed rail service in America. The company currently serves Miami, Aventura, Fort Lauderdale, Boca Raton, West Palm Beach and Orlando. Brightline was recognized by Fast Company as one of the Most Innovative Companies in Travel and included in Condé Nast Traveler’s 2023 Hot List for the best new ways to travel. Offering a guest-first experience designed to reinvent train travel and take cars off the road, Brightline plans to bring its award-winning service to additional city pairs and congested corridors across the country that are too close to fly and too long to drive, with immediate plans to connect Las Vegas to Southern California. For more information, visit www.gobrightline.com and follow us on Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter.

Vessels navigating the Okeechobee Waterway may encounter potentially toxic Blue Green Algae. Stay out of the water and avoid breathing fumes. If you see the blue-green algae, please send us photos for posting. Thanks!

Lake Okeechobee Waterway Algae Notice

REFERENCE:
a.     33 CFR Navigation and Navigable Waters

1. Notice to Navigation

Based on information provided by the Florida Department of Environmental Protection and the Florida Department of Health, the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers advises the public, marinas, and those operating commercial and recreational vessels through the Okeechobee Waterway that there is the potential of encountering Blue Green Algae. According to the Florida Department of Health, visitors should be aware that water from areas with blue-green algae can make animals and people sick, and they should stay away from these areas. This algae may be blue, bright green, brown or red, and can have a strong odor like rotting plants. People who are very sensitive to smells may have respiratory irritation. If you come into contact with blue-green algae, get out of the area and wash off with soap and water. See your doctor if you think blue-green algae has made you sick.

The following precautions should be taken if you see algae:

• Do not swim at this location.
• Avoid getting water in your eyes, nose or mouth.
• Do not eat shellfish from affected area.
• Rinse fish fillets with tap or bottled water. Throw out the guts. Cook fish well.
• Keep pets and livestock away from affected location.

For Information about algal blooms, visit:

• The Florida Department of Environmental Protection’s Water Quality Status Map at https://protectingfloridatogether.gov/water-quality-status/lake-okeechobee
• The Florida Department of Environmental Protection’s Algal Bloom Dashboard at https://floridadep.gov/AlgalBloom or call 850-245-2118
• The Florida Department of Health’s Harmful Algae Blooms web page at http://www.floridahealth.gov/environmental- health/aquatic-toxins/harmful-algae-blooms/index.html or call 850-245-4250

2. Contact Information

For up-to-date Lock information contact the shift operator 7 a.m. to 5 p.m. at:

St. Lucie Lock & Dam 772-287-2665 or 863-662-9148

Port Mayaca Lock & Dam 561-924-2858 or 863-662-9424

Moore Haven Lock & Dam 863-946-0414 or 863-662-9533

Ortona Lock & Dam 863-675-0616 or 863- 662-9846

WP Franklin Lock & Dam 239-694-5451 or 863-662-9908

Canaveral Lock 321-783-5421 or 863-662-0298 (6 a.m. to 9:30 p.m.)

U.S. Army Corps of Engineers Point of Contact is Mr. Gary Hipkins at Gary.L.Hipkins@usace.army.mil or 863-983-8101.

//signed//
Gary L. Hipkins
Chief Navigation & Flood Risk Management
South Florida Operations

Contact

Erica Skolte
561-801-5734 (cell)
Erica.A.Skolte@usace.army.mil

Ortona Lock is located at Okeechobee Waterway Statute Mile 94, just east of unlighted daybeacon #1 and flashing daybeacon #2. No estimated time of repair is given. Our thanks to Specialist Erica Skolte for this notice.

Notice to Navigation 2020-016: Okeechobee Waterway – Ortona Lock 25-foot width restriction

https://www.saj.usace.army.mil/Missions/Civil-Works/Navigation/Notices-to-Navigation/Notice-to-Navigation-2020-016-Okeechobee-Waterway-Ortona-Lock-Width-Restriction/

NOTICE TO NAVIGATION INTERESTS

Date: 11/04/2020
US ARMY CORPS OF ENGINEERS
JACKSONVILLE DISTRICT
ATTN: CESAJ-OD-SN
PO Box 4970
JACKSONVILLE, FL 32232-0019
863-983-8101

NOTICE NUMBER: 2020-016
WATERWAY: OKEECHOBEE WATERWAY
EFFECTIVE: 11/04/2020

POC: http://www.saj.usace.army.mil/Missions/CivilWorks/Navigation/NoticestoNavigation.aspx

OKEECHOBEE WATERWAY
ORTONA LOCK & DAM

REFERENCE:
a.33 CFR Navigation and Navigable Waters

1.Notice to Navigation

The Ortona Lock and Dam will have a width restriction of 25 feet until further notice. This restriction is due to mechanical failure. Crews are currently assessing the situation. No estimated time of repair currently available.

The South Florida Operations Office advises all vessels to monitor the Jacksonville District website for any changes or updates.

2. Point of Contact is Bill Keeney at 863- 368-9086

//SIGNED//

Gary L. Hipkins
Chief, Navigation
South Florida Operations Office

Thanks for getting the word out!

Be safe!
Erica

Erica Skolte

Public Affairs Specialist

Corporate Communications Office

U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, Jacksonville District Palm Beach Gardens

OFFICE PHONE 561-340-1527

Cell:  561-801-5734

erica.a.skolte@usace.army.mil

Twitter @JaxStrong

Jacksonville District Facebook:

https://www.facebook.com/JacksonvilleDistrict

Jacksonville District: A team of professionals making tomorrow better “Keep Calm and Essayons”

Click Here To View the Okeechobee Cruisers’ Net Bridge Directory Listing For Ortona Lock

Click Here To Open A Chart View Window, Zoomed To the Location of Ortona Lock

This low hanging cable at Torry Island Bridge on Lake Okeechobee Route 2 has restricted navigation to vessels with less than 35ft air draft. See UPDATE: Low Cable from 11/26/18. Our thanks to Office Erica Skolte for this good news for sailing vessels.

Good news- Route 2 is open for navigation for sail boats. I expect that I will have an additional notice to navigation in the next day or so.
Erica

Erica Skolte
Public Affairs Specialist
Corporate Communications Office
U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, Jacksonville District
Palm Beach Gardens
NOTE: NEW OFFICE PHONE 561-340-1527
Cell: 561-801-5734
erica.a.skolte@usace.army.mil
Twitter @JaxStrong
Jacksonville District Facebook:
https://www.facebook.com/JacksonvilleDistrict
Jacksonville District: A team of professionals making tomorrow better
“Keep Calm and Essayons”

Click Here To View the Okeechobee Cruisers’ Net Bridge Directory Listing For Torry Island Bridge

Click Here To Open A Chart View Window, Zoomed To the Location of Torry Island Bridge