Chesapeake Cruise and need some information

[NiceAft]

Does anyone know how to make contact to have a bridge opening in Maryland. I am planing our 2023 Chesapeake cruise, and would like to pass under the Kent Narrows Bridge (closed vertical height 18’).

I have e-mailed the Maryland Transportation Authority for information, but it doesn’t hurt to check this site also.

[Be Free]

Start with the Coast Pilot Volume 3. https://nauticalcharts.noaa.gov/publica ... B3_WEB.pdf

"From November 1 through April 30, the draw shall open on signal from 6 a.m. to 6 p.m. but need not be opened from 6 p.m. to 6 a.m.

From May 1 through October 31, the draw shall open on signal on the hour and half-hour from 6 a.m. to 9 p.m., but need not be opened from 9 p.m. to 6 a.m.

The draw shall open on signal for public vessels of the United States, state and local government vessels used for public safety purposes, and vessels in distress.

Operational information will be available 24 hours a day by calling 800–543–2515."

Just before you leave check the Local Notice to Mariners to verify that there are no changes.

[Be Free]

Forgot this part: "The bridgetender monitors VHF-FM channel 16 and works on channels 13 and 68; call sign KXE-254."

[NiceAft]

Our cruise is tentatively set to start June 8th. On June 11th, when we travel from Rock Hall to Saint Michael’s, using the Kent Narrows Bridge instead of the Chesapeake Bay Bridge, can save an hour in travel.

Good information.

Start with the Coast Pilot Volume 3. https://nauticalcharts.noaa.gov/publica ... B3_WEB.pdf

From May 1 through October 31, the draw shall open on signal on the hour and half-hour from 6 a.m. to 9 p.m., but need not be opened from 9 p.m. to 6 a.m.


Forgot this part: "The bridgetender monitors VHF-FM channel 16 and works on channels 13 and 68; call sign KXE-254."

Operational information will be available 24 hours a day by calling 800–543–2515."


Just before you leave check the Local Notice to Mariners to verify that there are no changes.

[NiceAft]

Bill,

If you found the Kent Narrows Bridge mentioned, what page is it on? I’m getting frustrated trying to locate that information.

[Be Free]

page 68

[NiceAft]

Thanks.

[Ammiraglio]

If you need to wait, you can stop for crabs just before the bridge, on your port side -- you can see the bridge from there (I don't know if it's OK to name names in the forum, but it's a very well known crab place).

[NiceAft]

Be Free & Ammiraglio,

Thanks for your input, but after further researching, most especially this, about the Kent Bridge:

Difficult drawbridge
Vote (3)
24-JUL-2021
GoldmanSm
Opens on a schedule. May be many boats waiting. The current under the bridge can be fast and when going with the current it may be difficult to maintain steerage. Small power boats leaving the local dock bars can also be a hazard to sailboats

I decided to take the long route to Saint Michael’s from Rock Hall. It adds an hour onto the schedule, but it has less potential aggravation.

[AmandaRuth]

The stretch of water from the Chesapeake Bay up the Potomac River is locally called the "DC Commute". Let me know if you come up this way!

[Be Free]

I would call an extra hour on my boat a "feature", not a "bug". I hope you have an enjoyable trip regardless of the route.

[NiceAft]

We did a different version of this cruise in 2020.

Instead of towing NiceAft to Havre de Grace, we started on the Delaware from about eight miles above Philly and traveled about fifty miles south to Delaware City. This was an incredibly boring ride. From there we went to Havre de Grace via the C & D Canal. We skipped Rock Hall and went to Baltimore, Annapolis, Saint Michael’s, and then in reverse. We stayed a couple of days in St. Michael’s and Annapolis.

This time we have decided to avoid the Delaware altogether, and start from Havre de Grace. We also are rearranging the route; Havre de Grace, Rock Hall (2 days), St. Michael’s (2 days), Chesapeake Beach, Annapolis, Baltimore (2 days), Havre de Grace (2days).