If you live, boat, or plan to sell near Stuart’s Roosevelt Bridge, you know the Florida East Coast (FEC) railroad drawbridge can shape your day on the water. Predictable openings help you plan a sail to the inlet, schedule a service run, or time a showing for a waterfront buyer. In this guide, you’ll learn how the Coast Guard rule makes openings predictable, where to find official schedules and real-time updates, and which details to include in a listing so buyers feel confident. Let’s dive in.
What the Coast Guard rule does
The Coast Guard sets drawbridge operating schedules under federal law to balance marine navigation, roadway and rail needs, and public safety. The authority comes from the Drawbridge Operation Regulations in Title 33 of the Code of Federal Regulations.
At the local level in Stuart, the rule for the FEC railroad drawbridge near the Roosevelt Bridge establishes a published schedule for openings. That schedule makes transits more predictable for boaters and sets clear expectations for nearby residents and businesses.
Federal authority and purpose
- The governing framework appears in the Drawbridge Operation Regulations at 33 CFR Part 117.
- The Coast Guard publishes specific operating rules for individual bridges in the Federal Register. These rules lay out opening times or conditions and explain safety and emergency exceptions.
- Temporary changes still occur for repairs or unusual events. Those are posted in the Local Notice to Mariners.
Why Stuart cares
A predictable schedule helps you plan around the FEC railroad drawbridge when moving sailboats and taller powerboats on the St. Lucie River. For sellers, clarity about marine access can be a selling point. For buyers, published openings reduce uncertainty while you evaluate whether a property fits your vessel and lifestyle.
Where to find official schedules
Use these official resources to confirm the operating schedule and get updates:
- Federal Register final rule: Review the Coast Guard’s published rule for the Stuart FEC railroad drawbridge on the Federal Register. It contains the official schedule and regulatory text.
- Local Notice to Mariners (LNM): Check the weekly U.S. Coast Guard updates for temporary changes and safety notices on the Local Notice to Mariners page.
- Regulatory framework: For background on how drawbridges are regulated, see 33 CFR Part 117.
- NOAA charts: Confirm vertical clearances, channel alignment, and aids to navigation using NOAA ChartViewer.
- Bridge owner info: Look for owner-published notices or contacts from the Florida East Coast Railway at the FEC Railway website.
Quick boater checklist
- Check the published schedule first in the Federal Register.
- Review the current LNM for any temporary changes.
- Monitor VHF and traffic apps for immediate conditions before you get underway.
How predictability affects value
Scheduled openings can make waterfront living easier to navigate. When you can plan passages with confidence, your dock becomes more usable, especially for sailboats and masthead rigs.
Waterfront usability
- Predictable windows help you plan around tides, appointments, and weather. This benefits seasonal cruising and charter timing.
- A schedule reduces the chance of surprise delays, though it does not eliminate them. Maintenance, train traffic, or emergencies can still affect openings.
- Remember that schedules do not change physical limits. You still need to verify your air draft and draft along your route.
Noise and traffic tradeoffs
- Some buyers value the certainty of scheduled openings.
- Others may see nearby rail activity or occasional road traffic impacts as a drawback. Being transparent in your listing helps buyers self-select and avoid surprises.
Listing checklist for sellers near the bridge
Give buyers the facts they need to evaluate marine access. Keep language neutral and verifiable.
Include these items in your MLS remarks and disclosures:
- Official schedule link: “Bridge openings follow the Coast Guard’s published schedule for the FEC Railroad drawbridge; see the official schedule in the Federal Register and weekly updates in the Coast Guard’s Local Notice to Mariners.” Link to the Federal Register and the Local Notice to Mariners.
- Dock specs: Length in feet, usable beam, piling layout, float type (if any), power and water connections.
- Depth: Depth at the berth or ramp at mean low water and who is responsible for dredging or maintenance.
- Clearance: Vertical clearance at closed position for nearby bridges and whether the bridge is a drawbridge with a published schedule.
- Opening pattern: “Opens on published schedule; see official schedule.” Avoid estimating wait times.
- Vessel fit: Common vessel types using the channel if known and verifiable. Encourage buyers to confirm their vessel’s draft and air draft.
- Proximity: Distance to the nearest public ramp, municipal marina, fuel dock, repair yard, and towing services.
- Rules and agreements: Any recorded easements, docking agreements, or HOA rules that affect berthing or lifts.
- Emergency planning: Notes on hurricane preparation related to vessels, lift capacities, and evacuation routes.
Suggested factual phrasing you can adapt:
- “Bridge openings follow the Coast Guard’s published schedule for the FEC Railroad drawbridge; official schedule and notices available via the Federal Register and the Coast Guard’s Local Notice to Mariners.”
- “Dock: 80 ft length, depth at mean low water 6 ft, piling spacing 12 ft. Public ramp 0.8 miles; municipal marina 1.5 miles.”
- “Buyer to confirm vessel clearance and draft; bridge owner and Coast Guard maintain the published opening schedule.”
Boater how-to: planning and day-of
Use this simple process to reduce surprises:
- Before you go: Confirm the schedule in the Federal Register and check the week’s LNM for deviations.
- On the water: Monitor a marine VHF radio. Channels 13 and 16 are commonly used for hailing and operational communications. Follow any local guidance posted by the bridge.
- Arrival timing: Stage at the channel in advance of scheduled openings. Keep safe distance and station-keeping while you wait.
- Real-time awareness: AIS-based apps and charting tools can show traffic patterns and potential slowdowns. Use them to anticipate queues.
- If the bridge is not responding: Review the LNM for temporary procedures and contact the bridge owner or the local Coast Guard sector as posted in official notices. Safety and emergencies can justify deviations.
Common scenarios and safety exceptions
Even with a schedule, operators may delay or adjust openings for safety, active train movements, maintenance, or law enforcement needs. Emergency transits remain permitted under the regulations. Stay patient and maintain a safe position in the channel until the operator confirms status.
The bottom line for Stuart
Predictable openings are good news for boaters and waterfront owners near the Roosevelt Bridge. They help you plan confidently and market your property with clarity. When you present verifiable access details and link to official schedules, you build buyer trust and reduce surprises during inspections and walkthroughs.
If you are considering selling or want to understand how bridge rules influence pricing and buyer demand, let’s talk about your goals and timing. Request your personalized home valuation today from Unknown Company.
FAQs
Where to find official bridge times in Stuart
Whether emergency openings still occur under a schedule
- Yes. Emergency and safety exceptions remain in effect even when a published schedule exists.
If a published schedule eliminates delays at the FEC bridge
- No. Schedules improve predictability but do not eliminate delays due to maintenance, train movements, or emergencies. Check the LNM and monitor VHF for updates.
What sellers should disclose about bridge openings in Stuart
- Include a link to the official schedule, dock dimensions, depth at mean low water, nearby marina services, and any HOA or recorded docking agreements. Encourage buyers to verify draft and air draft.
