To the the famous ‘Limbo’ or not..

[AA3JY]

For those that have crossed Fl via Okeechobee waterway by way of a sailboat will recognize this limiting factor of a RR bridge in the back ground.

[wsmurdoch]

It was not a problem for us. We needed 45'-9". The bridge was 49'. But, the question remained, was it fully open?

[brazenarticle]

Looks fully opened, the photos attached are from 2020 with 44 feet of mast plus antennas.
Any information to share on conditions on the Ft Myers side of the waterway? I've been hoping to pass through and head north of Punta Gorda in a few weeks.

[AA3JY]

It is an active RR Lift bridge..within minutes of our passing under while waiting for the lock to open Port Mayaka..the RR Lift bridge did become active with a passing train..so yes beware of any RR activity with this bridge. Though their procedure is to have an individual to walk the bridge before the train proceeds we didn't see occur.

[Pete7]

I have rotated your first picture for you.

How tall is the concrete bridge? might just be the photo but looks lower than the RR bridge.

Perhaps one of the advantages of a little boat

[AA3JY]

The Highway 98 bridge in the foreground is 55 feet the Port Mayaca RR lift bridge in the background is listed at 49 feet. Picture is looking east from untop of the Port Mayaca lock

[Bobby Lex]

Originally Posted by brazenarticle

Any information to share on conditions on the Ft Myers side of the waterway? I've been hoping to pass through and head north of Punta Gorda in a few weeks.

I suggest you contact the USCG Station, Fort Myers Beach (239-463-5754) for the latest info. For quite a while after Hurricane Ian they were advising boaters to stay off the waterways in this area due to unknown shoaling and underwater obstacles (sunken boats, docks, houses, missing ATONS, etc.).

I do not know the latest status of that advisory.

Keep in mind that many services -- transient dockage, pumpouts, fuel, service/repairs etc. -- are not available and will remain so indefinitely.

The Fort Myers and Fort Myers Beach areas were affected the most. But there was also substantial damage as far south as Marco Island and as far north as Sarasota (including Punta Gorda).

Bob

[Chotu]

I can confirm as of five weeks ago it was fine to go through this area on the ICW and the Okeechobee Wayerway.

Stay in the channels. They are clear.