Connecticut River Navigation

[tmal2]

I'm going to be helping a friend bring a boat from Portland CT to RI waters and I've got some questions about the swing bridge operations.

I've checked my charts and found 2 bridges that will come into play. The first is the East Haddam swing bridge. The second is the Amtrak bridge between old Lyme and Old Saybrook. The clearances listed were 22 ft and 19 ft respectively. The boat is a 370 Sea Ray Sedan and I have no idea what the height is to the top of the radar. I'm guessing it's gonna be 15-20 feet plus there are 2 8 ft antennas mounted on the top of the arch.

I've done a little research and found out that it is illegal to ask for a bridge opening if there are non structural items (antennas in this case) that can be dropped to ensure safe passage. Dropping the antennas is not easy on this boat due to the angle of the arch going out over the back deck. The seller told us to just have the bridges opened and don't worry about it.

Can anyone familiar with the area please give me some local input on this subject and can you tell me if either of those bridges operate on a set schedule or open on demand. I really have been able to find much information on the subject.

Thanks in advance

 

[daddyox]

The Amtrak bridge opens frequently, every 20, possibly 30 minutes max, on a set schedule. While you wait, the "countdown" is posted on the bridge.
I caught this below on another website.....hope its a bit of help. Good luck.
The first bridge on the journey downriver is the East Haddam Swing Bridge, next to the Goodspeed Opera House. The bridge opens every half hour on request, and you can hail the bridge tender on VHF 13. We reached the swing bridge at about 4:30 p.m. on our last voyage, this spring. The year before, we dropped anchor in the morning and heated a pot of coffee while we waited for the bridge to open

 

[searaycruisn]

You can fit under both bridges while they are closed. I have a 2001 380 Sundancer which I dock at the marina next to the Amtrack bridge in Old Saybrook. Always go under the bridge, even when it is down. Not an issue for your boat. The bridge near Haddam is even higher....no problem.

 

[tmal2]

You can fit under both bridges while they are closed. I have a 2001 380 Sundancer which I dock at the marina next to the Amtrack bridge in Old Saybrook. Always go under the bridge, even when it is down. Not an issue for your boat. The bridge near Haddam is even higher....no problem.

searaycruisn, the boat is a 370 sedan. Not an express. I think we're gonna be real close with arch coming off the bridge

 

[tmal2]

Thanks for the info daddyox