Tender Woes at Little River Swing Bridge, AICW Statute Mile 347, Myrtle Beach, SC
Little River Bridge - Click for Chartview
With a closed vertical clearance of 7ft, Little River Swing Bridge crosses the Waterway at Statute Mile 347 just north of the Marina at Dock Holidays.
Upon arrival at the swing bridge at approximately 11:00 pm on August 10, 2013, our boat could not make it under the swing bridge. We waited patiently for approximately 10 minutes while we watched the `swing bridge’ worker walk around in his operations office as well as look out the window at us. Although even knowing that he saw us waiting, we gave him the benefit of the doubt and politely touched our horn one quick time to try to make certain that he saw us. Well, as soon as we did that, he turned off his lights in his office as if he didn’t exist! So, we were at a loss as what to do and luckily I had my phone to try to locate a website with information about the bridge. Fortunately, I found the site with a contact number and we called it only to get harassed by the man working that night. He told us to put the top of our boat down’¦which we could not do because it is a permanent metal frame’¦then he preceded to asking multiple questions as our boat name and where we were from’¦but what really was unprofessional was the comment from him and I quote, `This is the last thing I need at midnight!’ What a very bad and frustrating ending to what was a perfect day. I would hope the inconsiderate, unprofessional, and very rude man will be dealt with according!!!
Sharon Walker
And, just in case you thought that cruisers could not make a difference by posting their experiences here on the Salty Southeast Cruisers’ Net, SSECN Senior Editor, Captain Larry Dorminy, forwarded Captain Walker’s note above to Michael.B.Lieberum, USCG Chief of Operations Section, Bridge Branch. We received this very encouraging response:
I will advise the bridge owner of this unprofessional behavior. If the vessel owner would like to make a formal complaint, they can email me with the details, this would allow this office to formally issue a complaint to the State of South Carolina, the bridge owner.
Mike
Michael Lieberum
Seventh Coast Guard District
Bridge Branch
Chief of Operations Section
I hope they do file a complaint. We have been cruising the ICW for many years and this bridge/bridge tender has always been a problem. Nastiness has been the order of the day here!
Bobbie Blowers
We have cruised through the Little River Swing Bridge many, many times north and southbound and it has always been pleasant passage. Sunday, April 13, 2014 being the latest passage. There have also been times when i have heard Boaters not being so pleasant with the Bridge Tenders causing them to get a little agitated with the Boater. A `10’³ for the Little River Swing Bridge. Keep up the good work.
The `Fire Dog’ & Crew
Raymond W Smith
Click Here To Open A Chart View Window, Zoomed To the Location of Little River Swing Bridge
Comments from Cruisers (1)
The swing bridge tenders have to deal with licencesed professional captains as well as the weekend warriors who think they are captains and quite often under the influence from the many surrounding bars accessible by water in the area. They are responsible not only for the vessels but motor and pedestrian traffic as well. If your lucky enough to be on the water slow down and enjoy it.