Captain John’s discussion below of Western Florida bridges in general, and the Anna Maria Island Bridge, in particular, gives some great cruising advice for all mariners plying the western coastline of the Sunshine State. And, watch out for a certain bridge operator (see below)!

We have cruised the FL West Coast extensively, both offshore and ICW. SUNBURST has been through every bridge along the west FL ICW at least once (excepting Charlotte Harbor’s eastern reaches) and with a vertical clearance of 23′ has required her share of openings. This height, as it turns out, is exceptional in that it also approximates the vertical clearance of innumerable west coast bascule bridges. The decision to request an opening is never taken lightly, and we have no designs on unnecessarily impeding road traffic or taxing the bridge tenders. However, we also emphatically endeavor to avoid dis-masting ourselves; placing SUNBURST or crew in peril, or otherwise engaging bridge spans in a physical sense. (We know the bridge will win every time!).
So the usual drill as we approach any bridge that is even remotely close to our vertical clearance involves the oft rehearsed combination of straining (to discern a tide card reading) through binoculars and hand wringing. Anything less than 24 feet will generate discussion on Ch 9. The vast majority of our bridge tenders are very professional and courteous, and in keeping with our collective goal to transcend the said span safely, readily and happily comply with our requests for an opening (within the constraints of the bridge opening policies).
Here, the Anna Maria bridge has distinguished herself as consistently problematic. On no less than 4 occasions within the last 12 months the bridge tender has proven recalcitrant, difficult, unpleasant and frankly cantankerous. This has now become part of our planning calculus: whenever feasible (weather, etc) we opt for offshore passage between Tampa Bay and Long Boat Pass.
I would like to emphasize the fact that approaching this particular bridge, like so many others along the ICW, does NOT uniformly generate a request for opening. Due consideration is given to the tide, tide card reading, and so forth such that we pass safely under the closed span just as often as we must (reluctantly, in this case) request a bridge opening. The point is that responsibility for the safety of my crew, my boat rests squarely and unambiguously upon my shoulders. I cannot be `bullied’ into unsafe operation under any circumstance.
Although I have posted this negative comment regarding one particular bridge (and perhaps one individual?), I just as vigorously applaud the professionalism of the vast majority of bridge operators along the FL west coast ICW!
Capt. John Moritz

Subject: Ana Maria Bridge tender
Cruising News: I have been Passing under Ana Maria Bridge for Years. This is the worst Bridge tender on the west cost of Florida. He seems to forget he would not
have a Job if it where not for sailboaters
Ken Brown

Anytime cruisers can find a good boat repair service, it's cause for celebration! And, sounds like Captains Russ and Carolyn found two super repair firms in Sarasota!

Recently we had a fairly bad crossing of the Big Bend.  We experienced some damage to the gel-coat and to some covers.  When we arrived at the Sarasota Yacht Club, I asked if there were someone who could make emergency repairs.  They referred me to Jim Wasilewski Marine Services (941-320-6003).  It seemed like only a matter of moments before Jim arrived and they began the repairs immediately.  I had a tear in the tender cover and Jim had someone at the boat that afternoon.  He fixed the repair for $50.  Then our clothes washer failed.  Within an hour or so, we had a replacement on the way.  When we pulled the rugs in the saloon, to remove and replace the washer, Carolyn became entranced with the teak and holly floors.  Jim recommended Capt. Rick Hanson of Rick's Performance Marine (941-915-5465) to remove the rugs and refinish the floors.  Capt. Rick, on short notice arranged to have the floors prepared and varnished.  We were having some difficulty with
one head and the holding tank.  Since Capt. Rick handles air conditioning, refrigeration and plumbing, he took care of it.  Since we removed the carpets from the two staircases to the staterooms and
engine room, we needed new rugs.  Presto, Jim had Dane Halse of Custom Marine Interiors (941-356-3466) arrive to measure, cut and install the new rugs.  Carolyn likes the rugs so much, she wants the same material in our home.  Everything was done quite professionally, expeditiously, reasonably and with a smile.  I would recommend them if you are in the area.  Apparently they operate from Naples to Bradenton. 
Best
Russ and Carolyn Deane

The story below is reproduced by permission of the authors. This story was originally contributed to the "Sarasota Herald Tribune," but it was substantially reduced in size by the newspaper. We present the entire, original text below.
For those who don't know, the city of Sarasota is trying to establish a mooring field off its downtown waterfront, hard by Marina Operations (Marina Jacks). A dedicated group of boat owners who have long been anchored on these waters are opposing this project. Captain Ken Delacy, co-author of the article below, is one of the prime movers in this group.

Rarely has a civic issue been so filled with multi-dimensional problems as the city’s thrust to construct a mooring field — slated to begin June 21 — in the most exquisite portion of Sarasota Bay, between Marina Jack and Selby Gardens. According to the city’s own report, the wasteful plan will cost taxpayers approximately $17.5 million over the next 20 years, with no concrete benefits.
A host of powerful reasons — legal, fiscal, environmental, aesthetic, human rights, and monopoly-related — underlie why this plan must be stopped.
Construction would likely dilute and permanently alter the French Riviera-like beauty of this sailboat-adorned bay – the charismatic jewel of downtown Sarasota. The natural look, rather than the organized plan the city is pushing to institute, is unique in Florida and rare in the entire world. Tampering with this sublime gem would be a tragic loss to the city.
The plan is engendering resentment among diverse demographic segments – from wealthy retirees to international tourists, condo and business owners. Too many unanswered questions/loopholes exist, too many concerns of legal improprieties, railroading a plan through against the wishes of the citizenry, and a power grabbing thrust by the Marina Jack Corp., the entity slated to manage it.
There was no rigorous cost-benefit analysis offered to taxpayers, documenting why a project – of such nebulous and questionable benefits — warrants spending so much in these brutal recessionary times, when the city is oppressed by a $9 million deficit. Wouldn’t this expenditure far better be allocated for social programs, health care, education, and job creation?
The travesty is that while the plan costs $1 million, the City is giving Marina Jack a deal: lowering its rent from 3.5% to 3.0% of gross sales, in exchange for operating the fields – leading to the estimated $17.5 million in lost tax revenue. Taxpayers would bear the burden for this sweetheart deal between Marina Jack and the city. Such deals are only justifiable if private investors can demonstrate compelling benefits to taxpayers, clearly not the case here.
It is unacceptable that there was no open bidding process for this contract, given that Marina Jack already profits from managing the downtown yacht harbor and O’Leary’s, plus being landlord to downtown boat rentals and LeBarge. Doesn’t the city have an obligation, to citizens, to spread the wealth beyond one corporate entity — one already enjoying what many consider over-arching power in Sarasota? (Unlike other downtown restaurants, MJ does not pay property taxes.)
If the plan moves forward, Marina Jack’s power grab would expand to the entire downtown bayfront, giving them monopoly control for decades. Many feel this project represents a conflict of interest: a profit making entity managing a not-for-profit operation, eliciting widespread cynicism about claims that Marina Jack would not profit from their managerial role.
The plan’s later phases will entail the environmentally risky dredging of the bay, and drilling into the bay floor to install 109 mooring holes, sparking concerns this could stir up the lead/arsenic documented in the immediate area. Many are outraged that this threat to the bay’s health is moving ahead without a detailed environmental impact study, independent oversight by an environmental entity, and meticulous documentation throughout the proposed three phases.
An injunction is urgently needed, to allow time for necessary legal, environmental and fiscal review, to satisfy citizens’ legitimate pressing concerns. The City Commission exists to serve taxpayers. We hope it urges a delay, pending full disclosure, a detailed cost-benefit analysis, and environmental impact study – the accountability taxpayers deserve.
We urge all concerned citizens to speak out at the City Commissioners’ meeting: Mon., June 15, 2:30 and 6 p.m., City Hall.
 
Jenny L. Rosenbaum, waterfront condo owner, and Capt. Ken Delacy
Sarasota Bayfront Alliance, a Coalition of Concerned Citizens
http://groups.google.com/group/sarasota-bayfront-alliance
SarasotaBayfrontAlliance@gmail.com