Navigating the New River in Fort Lauderdale
By: Captain Daryn Dalton
Navigating the New River in Fort Lauderdale, Florida can be tricky. Hit it on the right time with the right tide and you’re styling. Get it on a wrong day at the wrong time and you will lose years of your life and be left without any spare length on your fingernails. It is strongly recommended that you navigate the new river against the current, so inbound on the falling tide and vice versa. Keep in mind though that it makes you the ‘give way’ vessel for traffic with the current on the stern.
DISCLAIMER:
This information has been put together from reliable online and paper publications as well as my own personal experience of the New River, however, rely only on proper approved navigation charts and pilotage books to navigate the river. Nautic Nomad, the author or any other affiliates or employees will not be held responsible for any damages, injury or loss arising from the information in this article. Have a question that you couldn’t find the answer to here? Let us know what we can add to make this more helpful. Email us at info@nauticnomad.com.
Thanks to @yachtnerd for sharing this New River Time Lapse with us!
Navigating the New River Fort Lauderdale
The New River in Fort Lauderdale can be approached from the South or the East, but be sure to have your entry well planned, as the channel markers and weekend traffic can get a little overwhelming if you are new to the area. The channels are straightforward, but there is not a lot of room for error. Many vessels end up on this bank waiting for a high tide. This is also the time that you should be monitoring VHF CH 09 for outbound traffic – especially the JUNGLE QUEEN. The JUNGLE QUEEN is a large passenger ferry that stops for no one. As skilled as this Captain is when you see her please give her plenty of room as she rules the river. She makes regular security and bridge calls on VHF 09, so monitoring this channel will help avoid any surprise encounters and help you keep tabs on where she is.
Tarpon Bend /Channel marker 11 &12
It is strongly advised to make security calls for all restricted areas, narrow channels and sharp bends going up the river. Below is a list of all suggested security call areas, but Tarpon bend will be your first. This is also where you will start to have your first encounter with the tidal current of the New River. After passing Marker 11 keep to the center of the channel and make sure engines are ready to use some extra power. There is plenty of depth in the channels but keep slightly more South as you approach the bend at Marker 12 as the bank tends to run out into the channel as shown on the chart below with the “!”. This is not an incredibly tricky bend, but the key here is not to be caught off guard.
Recommended Security & Bridge Calls Inbound on the New River, Fort Lauderdale
Tarpon Bend to SE 3rd Ave
In this section, the river narrows and the tidal current will become even more evident. The navigable channel in this section is approximately 90ft wide so keep a close watch for outbound traffic. The calls here are The Church, The Girls School, and The Tunnel. As you go over the tunnel then give your call to SE 3rd Ave bridge in advance so you avoid having to wait on the bend for an opening. The corner coming around to 3rd Ave is called Danger Bend – you don’t need to call it as you have already called 3rd Ave but it’s useful to know the name for making passing arrangements with other vessels.
SE 3rd Avenue Bridge
Mile Marker: 1.4
Lat / Lon: N 26° 07.026′ / W 080° 08.419′
Contact: VHF 09 /954-974-4100
Vertical Clearance (Closed): 16.00′
Horizontal Clearance: 60.00′
Bridge schedule: Bridge opens on call; other than from 7:30 a.m. to 9 a.m. and 4:30 p.m. to 6 p.m., Monday through Friday, except Federal holidays, the draw need not open. If you have found yourself in a situation and need an urgent opening due to distress, give the bridge operator a call as they will usually accommodate an opening. They also open for tugs and commercial vessels during bridge closure hours.
Andrews Ave Bridge
Mile Marker: 2.3
Lat / Lon: N 26° 07.026′ / W 080° 08.419′
Contact: 09 / 954-974-4100
Vertical Clearance (Closed): 21’
Horizontal Clearance: 60’
Bridge schedule: Bridge opens on call; except that, from 7:30 a.m. to 9 a.m. and 4:30 p.m. to 6 p.m., Monday through Friday, except Federal holidays, the draw need not open.
New River Railroad bridge
Mile Marker: 2.5
Lat / Lon: N 26° 07.113′ / W 080° 08.724′
Contact: VHF 09 / 305-889-5572
Vertical Clearance (Closed): 4.00′
Horizontal Clearance: 60.00′
Bridge schedule: Usually open unless a train is approaching. When the draw is in the fully open position, green lights will be displayed to indicate that vessels may pass. When a train approaches, the lights go to flashing red and a horn starts four blasts, pauses, and then continues four blasts then the draw lowers and locks. After the train has cleared the bridge, the draw opens and the lights return to green. The bridge shall not be closed more than 60 minutes combined for any 120 minute time period beginning at 12:01 a.m. Caution : This bridges schedule may temporarily change due to maintenance and or repairs etc. Check the Waterway Explorer for possible nav alerts.
The bend off the Huizinga pavilion is not as tight as the others but still tends to have a little tidal current.
7th Avenue bridge or William H Marshall Memorial Bridge (SW 4th Street)
When you make the call, be sure to ask for the 7th Avenue bridge.
Mile Marker: 2.7
Lat / Lon: N 26° 07.045′ / W 080° 08.921′
Contact: VHF 09 /305-889-5572
Vertical Clearance (Closed): 19′
Horizontal Clearance: 59′
Bridge schedule: The opening of the Marshall aka Seventh Avenue bridge, mile 2.7 at Fort Lauderdale shall open on signal; except that, from 7:30 a.m. to 9 a.m. and 4:30 p.m. to 6 p.m., Monday through Friday, except Federal holidays, the draw need not open. Public vessels of the United States, tugs with tows, and vessels in distress shall be passed at any time.
River Fork and Little Florida
This is one of the areas that you want to keep a sharp ear out for security calls around “River Fork” and “Little Florida” as well as make your own inbound security call. The river fork can sneak up on you and looks very much like a dead end. This corner taking the South bend is pretty tight and oncoming traffic will be impossible to detect via sight. After the River Fork you will be looking straight into the Little Florida blind bend. If you look through the trees of Little Florida dead ahead you will be able to pick out most approaching traffic. There is room to pass in the bend but there is also the tidal currents that will tend to carry you so it is advised you don’t make any close passes in the bend.
Little Florida | Ducksville | Davie BLVD Bridge
After Little Florida but beore you are off into the narrows of the Wiggles, you will want to call out Ducksville. This area isn’t complicated to navigate, but it is not an area to pass. The current does accelerate but it is a easily manageable. As you approach Davie Blvd there is a bit of a waiting area by the park on the Western side. Davie Blvd has a great bridge tender who works that area of the river like an airport control tower. The bridge is on a bit of a bend so pick your route through before executing.
Davie BLVD Bridge
Lat / Lon: N 26° 06.434′ / W 080° 09.540′
Bridge Type: Bascule
Vertical Clearance (Closed): 21.00′
Horizontal Clearance: 60.00′
Schedule: The draw shall open on signal; except that, from 7:30 a.m. to 9 a.m. and 4:30 p.m. to 6 p.m., Monday through Friday, except Federal holidays, the draw need not open. Public vessels of the United States, tugs with tows, and vessels in distress shall be passed at any time.
VHF Channel: 09
Davie BLVD Bridge to CSX Railroad bridge and Lauderdale Marine Center
After Davie you have 0.5 miles of straight narrow channel before a 90 degree turn to Starboard. The channel does leave enough room to pass before or after the 90 degree bend just before Lauderdale Marine Center (LMC). LMC is one of Florida’s biggest yachting centers and full service yard so you can expect traffic. If this is your stop then great. If not you can make your security for I95 and call to CSX railroad bridge. The CSX bridge is mostly open but closes for trains and it can be a long wait. You can even make your call earlier after Davie if you are confident in your ETA at the CSX bridge. Do not attempt to wait for a bridge opening under the I-95 but rather in front of the LMC boat sheds.
I-95 Bridge
Lat / Lon: N 26° 05.813′ / W 080° 10.144′
Bridge Type: Fixed
Vertical Clearance: 55.00′
Horizontal Clearance: 68.00′
CSX Railroad Bridge
Mile Marker: 0.9
Lat / Lon: N 26° 05.781′ / W 080° 10.161′
Bridge Type: Bascule
Vertical Clearance (Closed): 2.00′
Horizontal Clearance: 60.00′
Schedule: The draw shall remain open but close for repairs and train traffic. Call as far in advance as practical as bridge may be closed for long periods as trains transit.
VHF Channel: 09
CSX to Roscioli Yacht Center.
Rolly Marine Services to Bradford Marine
After the Gentle curve South you will run into a 90 degree turn to Starboard. This is an area that caught me by surprise. Even though the turn looks relatively wide the current still tends to carry the vessel. The deep water is in the center and after you make the turn you will have Rolly Marine Services of your port beam.
See zoom below
Bradford Marine Center
If Bradford Marine is not your stop then as you approach the widening of the waterway, after you pass the little marina and prominent headland close on your Starboard side, start to make the turn to Starboard bringing Bradford to just forward of the beam and head for center of the channel taking you West. This channel has a 62ft power line overhead. Avoid the urge to keep close to the docks on your port side as they give a false send of depth. Again keep your eyes on the depth, as the open water on the North of the channel does not offer depth either. As you go under the power cable it may get a little tight if there is a vessel docked on your starboard side. Have a roving fender at hand, depending on your beam. A small basin will open up on you Starboard side and this will make for a good turning basin if you are hoping to back into Roscioli or simply need to let another vessel pass. However, the basin does get shallower towards the sea wall so use the center of the basin and you should have at least 8 – 9ft of water.
Recommended security calls and bridge calls (inbound in order)
Entering the New River at channel marker “5”
Tarpon Bend
The Church
The Girl’s School
The Tunnel
SE 3rd Ave Bridge
Andrews Ave Bridge
New River railroad bridge (if closed or if vessel will need room to maneuver)
7th Avenue Bridge (William H. Marshall)
South River Fork
Little Florida
Ducksville
The Wiggles
Dave Blvd Bridge
CSX Railroad bridge
I95 underpass.
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