Florida Coast Railroad Bridge
Bascule drawbridgeFlorida Coast Railroad Bridge is a bascule drawbridge with 4 ft of clearance closed, measured to mean high water. Its open clearance is not charted.
Clearances are from NOAA chart US5FL6EN, measured to mean high water. Actual clearance is lower whenever the water stands above that level, as at higher tides and in storm surge. Always confirm against your vessel's air draft and the posted clearance gauge before transiting.
Pathr nautical charts
Florida Coast Railroad Bridge on the chart
Find the bridge and its charted vertical clearance in one view. Select a pin to compare nearby bridges, see open and closed clearances where charted, and open its operating details.
How to request an opening
(b) Florida East Coast Railroad (FEC) Bridge, mile 7.41, at Stuart. The draw shall operate as follows: (1) The drawbridge 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 drawbridge will not be closed for more than 50 consecutive minutes in any given hour during daytime operations (6 a.m. to 8 p.m.) and for more than 7 total hours during daytime operations (6 a.m. to 8 p.m.). (3) Notwithstanding paragraph (c)(1) of this section, 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 8 p.m. (4) From 8:01 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 during this time frame. (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 8 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 (305) 889-5576. (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.
Source: US Coast Guard drawbridge regulations, 33 CFR 117.317 (Okeechobee Waterway). Confirm before transiting.
Frequently asked
What is the clearance under Florida Coast Railroad Bridge?+
Florida Coast Railroad Bridge is a bascule drawbridge with 4 ft of clearance closed, measured to mean high water. Its open clearance is not charted. These figures are from NOAA chart data. Real clearance drops whenever the water stands above the level they are measured to, so leave a margin for your air draft.
How do I get Florida Coast Railroad Bridge to open?+
Contact the bridge tender on VHF-FM Channel 9 or by phone at (305) 889-5576, or sound the required signal. Operating schedule: (b) Florida East Coast Railroad (FEC) Bridge, mile 7.41, at Stuart. The draw shall operate as follows: (1) The drawbridge will be maintained in the fully open-to-navigation position, except during periods when it is closed for the passage o
Tides & conditions at this crossing
Clearance under Florida Coast Railroad Bridge shrinks as the water rises. Check the water level and marine conditions at the nearest NOAA station, A1A highway bridge (0 mi away).
