Drawbridge Experience

[Hillbillyfunk]

Most of the bridge tenders are really nice people, my favorite is the lady that works during the day at US 1 over Snake Creek in the keys, I go through quite often and she knows my boat and will as "how was your sail? did you have a good time?" ect, if I have been away for a while she tells me "welcome home, hows Mattie?" (Mattie is my dog/crew mate).

BTW I was in contact with the bridge tender in question

[susan kennedy]

]Why do you assume it is my attitude? I try to be friendly clear and brief. I identify myself and my intentions. am honest in my estimation of arrival and do NOT ask for special consideration...i go as fast as I can but if I am not there In time, at the hour or whatever, I understand, hold fast or circle and do not grumble. I do my best to be an easy going polite boater, respectful of their regulations and difficulties with traffic. Most of my evil experiences have been between Miami and fort lauderdale

[Kettlewell]

Most of my evil experiences have been between Miami and fort lauderdale

As you know that is an extremely busy stretch with lots of bridges, but in my experience it isn't quite as bad as the stretch north of Ft. Lauderdale up to Palm Beach. In any case, that is an area where there are bound to be traffic jams up on land that have to be dealt with, bridges that might not be working too well due to overuse, crowded waters, and yes even cranky bridge tenders who are tired of being yelled at (not by you). I have been held up for a long time at a bridge with people yelling and screaming at the tender, calling him names, etc., when it turned out that there was an emergency vehicle up on the bridge and they had to wait until it could move. At times the radios have not been working. Other times my clock wasn't perfectly synchornized with theirs. Frequently the awkward schedules make it harder to catch the next bridge. I'm not saying that all bridge tenders are saints, just that I think they do a great job most of the time and I have had very few problems myself.

[markpierce]

Originally Posted by Kettlewell

Never, ever approach an opening bridge without establishing communications with the bridge tender and being very certain he or she knows your intentions. Never, ever assume they can see you and know what you are trying to do. ...

That's one reason I chose to have a yellow roof. It's highly visible from highway/railroad bridges, ship bridges as well as aircraft. The boat stands out. You guys in white boats are just another white-topped wave.

[Brazil]

It is Brickell bridge . The guy is really an a#%hole. Every time I pass there is problem. He never respond to the radio calls and refuse to communicate completely . I was wandering how can I file a complain

[Unicorn Dreams]

Call Florida Department of Transportation, Bridge Division

[David M]

In the Sacramento and San Joaquin Delta, I honestly feel like I am waking them up sometimes. I think maybe they might sleep in shifts and if one hears a call for a nearby bridge, they use their cellphone to wake up their buddy...just speculating of course but sometimes it seems like it takes a minute or so for them to come back on Ch 9 which would be about the amount of time it takes one bridge tender to call and wake up the other.

[Blue Stocking]

He may be shuttling between 2 bridges.
I know on the Trent-Severn lock system (cant remember exactly where) you can see him drive on the road between locks, paralleling your boat.

[Unicorn Dreams]

On the GIWW west of New Orleans, the bridge tender is also the lock master running between the two locations..

[s/vfootloose]

In S. FL. it doesn't work that way. DOT subcontracts bridgetenders. They make $10-12 an hour. Most are good some suck. There have been at least two instances in the last year of pedestrians being killed when they raised the bridge when they were on it. I have to go thru 6 bridges to get out, the worst is the 11th ave swing bidge in Ft. Lauderdale. I've waited for more than a hour while watching the bridgetender BSing on their cell phone.

[Hillbillyfunk]

Originally Posted by Brazil

It is Brickell bridge . The guy is really an a#%hole. Every time I pass there is problem. He never respond to the radio calls and refuse to communicate completely . I was wandering how can I file a complain

It's not just me? I have heard from other about that bridge/tender...Funny thing is the next day I had to clear the same bridge twice and there was a very polite professional woman on the radio on that bridge, do they rotate them out?

[senormechanico]

Originally Posted by Kettlewell

Never, ever approach an opening bridge without establishing communications with the bridge tender and being very certain he or she knows your intentions. Never, ever assume they can see you and know what you are trying to do.

Then there's Seattle which outlawed talking to bridge tenders unless you're a commercial boat...Grrr!

I'm glad I escaped King County long ago.

[wildebeest3]

Amen to that good advice. If I am at the tail end, I just say quickly, "So and So Bridge, Barco is number ten in line, thank you!"

[sabray]

On the connecticut river at the railroad bridge you must say old lyme railroad bridge not saybrook not ct river. 2 years ago I couldnt get the tender to answer then I learned. much better now that we are talking. I say dear Mr. old Lyme railroad bridge and they say yes pretty little cutter would you like this bridge up etc...Its all so nice its sickening.

[Therapy]

I never ask for a bridge opening.

I ask for information for an opening. They then tell me.

Never a problem except once.

Ana Maria Bascule Bridge, April 2011. I called and was told on the hour. That was 15 min. With no traffic I just floated down tide and then motored up a few times. At 5min after my wife suggested I call again. I didn't, saying maybe his clock didn't match ours. Ours being two cell phones, ships clock, computer and chart plotter. I don't know what he had. At 12min after she had had enough and I called. He was obviously quite surprised he had forgotten about us, from his tone. I don't know what centerfold he was masturbating on but he dropped both immediately and the bridge opened immediately after that. I have no idea what the cars (that most probably know the schedule) thought of us.