Intercoastal Waterway in Florida USA.

The Intercoastal Waterway is a natural channel along the East Coast of the United States from Maryland down to Key West. This natural channel is not very deep and therefore only ships with a low draft can drive.

At the very shallow parts this artificial channel was dug out so that it is usable for the whole length.

Access to this waterway is via the so-called Inlets which can be found along the east coast. Vessels within the channel can reach the open water or can switch from open water into the protected channel at these inlets.

To cross the Intercoastal Waterway from the offshore islands to the mainland there are several bridges that are differently constructed.

There are stable constructed bridges which have a fixed height. Such bridges can only be past if the boats has no mast or a small height which will fit under the bridge. 

If the boat is equipped with a big mast which is not flexible to move down such a ships must stay outside in the Intracoastal or look for a draw bridge which allow the ship to move into the channels. 

Draw bridges in Florida are very common. There are draw bridges which have a fixed schedule and open at fixed times to allow the passage of sailboats. The car traffic is interrupted and has to wait during the opening of the draw bridge.

At less frequented draw bridges the opening of the bridge has to be requested. In this case the ship has to wait until the bridge is opened. The rest of the time these bridges remain constantly open to car traffic.

 

Florida

Dreams

Arrival-Service

Florida-Dream
Homes
Florida Realty

Florida Shop