For anyone going down the ICW this November, here's a heads up posted by Waterway Guide You can follow this at www.waterwayguide.com

By Gary Reich Oct. 14, 2009

The U.S. Coast Guard last week issued a Marine Safety Information Bulletin (MSIB) regarding the replacement of the Ben Sawyer Memorial Swing Bridge span (Mile 462.2), which will have a significant impact on ICW travelers headed south.

From the MSIB:

"Due to the scheduled replacement of the swing span of the Ben Sawyer Bridge, the Atlantic Intracoastal Waterway (AICW) will be closed to marine traffic from Friday, November 13, 2009 at 12:00 A.M. to Monday, November 23, 2009 at 11:59 P.M.

A safety zone will be enforced around the Ben Sawyer Bridge during the entire 10 day closure. The safety zone will encompass the entire waterway from 180 yards northwest of the bridge, and 220 yards southwest of the bridge. No one may enter the safety zone without prior authorization from the Captain of the Port Charleston or his designated representative.

Mariners are encouraged to listen to the broadcast notice to mariners for updates on VHF Ch 16. CG Sector Charleston will broadcast the closure, as well as the implementation and rescission of the corresponding safety zone for the bridge. Updates to the schedule are dependent on weather and will be made to this MSIB, as necessary. For questions regarding the bridge construction call Julie Hussey with PCL at (843) 224-1096 or Kim Partenheimer with PB Americas at (843) 972-1775. For Coast Guard issues, please contact the Coast Guard's 24 hour Command Center Line at (843) 740-7050." ______________________________________________________________________