Bridges, Bridges, Bridges, plus a few Locks

73 Foot Fixed Bridge

We crossed into Florida from Alabama on October 30, 2015. We stopped in Fort Walton Beach for Halloween (no trick-or-treaters) and to attend church. From here, our plans are to go to Apalachicola before we cross the Gulf of Mexico for Tampa, Florida. There we will leave “Little Lara” for a few

Pontoon Bridge

weeks while we go to visit family for the holidays. As we traveled

Lift Bridge

through the Intracoastal Waterway we have thus far sailed under 32 bridges and through five locks. There are different types of bridges: some fixed, some swing, some pontoon, some lift, and some bascule. The fixed bridges are the easiest to get under, the lowest being 45 feet and the tallest 150 feet. However, most of these bridges averaged 73 feet in height. Realize, “Little Lara's” mast height is 40 feet. Therefore, any bridge less than 40 feet in height we have to call the “Bridge Master” and request an opening. Each bridge opens differently depending on its design. Lift bridges are lifted up by massive cables attached to each end of the bridge. When closed, these bridges maybe 30-40 feet off the water allowing small craft to easily pass underneath without an opening. Swing bridges swing open, as do pontoon bridges, and when closed there is typically no clearance. Bascule bridges are the most interesting as the entire bridge is lifted from one end or both ends. Closed, these bridges may also be as low as 30-40 feet off the water. Though the winds, currents, and tides make it challenging to wait for a bridge opening, it is always fun to watch them open, allowing us to pass underneath. But, bridges are not as interesting as the locks.

Bascule Bridge

Harvey Lock
Note the two bridges before the lock

Jay "fending-off" tugboat "Miss B"

Since leaving Baytown we have passed through five locks: Calcasieu, Leland-Bowman, Bayou Beouf, Harvey and Industrial. We were held up at the Calcasieu Lock because they were doing maintenance on it, so we diverted to Lake Charles, Louisiana where we ended staying for over a week because we enjoyed the city and the people there so much. When we arrived at the Harvey Lock we also had to wait because the Harvey Railroad Bascule Bridge (immediately before the lock) was having electrical problems and refused to raise until an Electrician was called out to correct the issue. Meanwhile, we had to circle, do “lazy eights”, anything to maintain our position while the currents and winds swirled all around “Little Lara”. Eventually, we were able to enter the lock and were directed to tie up to the tugboat "Miss B" (we later had to scrub her paint off our boat!). The lock closed and the water level dropped until we were able to enter the mighty Mississippi River, where we traveled down stream at 8 knots with a nice 2.5 knot current pushing us along. After six miles we entered the Industrial Lock. There we were told by the "Lock Master" we would have to wait for five hours for the next available opening. As might be imagined, we could not use past tactics to maintain our position, so we tied up at a nearby dock. After 30 minutes the "Lock Master" radioed us that he was ready to take us through the lock. So off we went. Perhaps he was being kind for giving us conflicting information earlier, but he complemented us on the seamanship like manner in which we transversed the lock. He told us that most sailboats get caught in the current inside the lock turning unintended circles. “Little Lara” just motored through, tied up, and waited like a pro.

Peggy "fending-off" in the Industrial Lock

Hopefully, you will enjoy the two bridge videos below.

Until next time, Fair winds.