The St. Lucie River railroad bridge ahead (credit: captainchrisyachtservices.com)

Fla. Boaters Have Just 4 Days Left to Comment on St. Lucie, Loxahatchee River Railroad Bridge Closings

WHAT: To help ensure officials understand how bridge closings affect recreational boating, Rep. Brian Mast (R-Fla.) has requested the US Coast Guard conduct a navigation feasibility survey for the St. Lucie River and Loxahatchee River railroad drawbridges located in Martin and Palm Beach counties respectively on Florida’s Treasure Coast. A high-speed rail system under construction, Brightline (formerly All Aboard Florida), would cause the frequency of closings on these two drawbridge spans to increase, which would greatly restrict passage for recreational vessels.

WHY: Rep. Mast is committed to ensuring that boating is not disrupted and safety remains a top priority for Florida’s 900,000-plus registered boat owners as well as transient vessels. With more than 100,000 dues-paying members in the state, Boat Owners Association of The United States (BoatUS) supports the congressman’s efforts to ensure recreational boaters’ voices are heard in this important debate.

HOW: Go to https://goo.gl/ojQnjx to take the US Coast Guard survey.

WHEN: The deadline for comments is midnight, Thursday, February 1, 2018.