Boot Key Local Customs

There are 5 Boot Key Bridge tenders. You hail them on channel 9, or give one short and one long blast of the horn. They are on duty to open the bridge anytime anyone wants an opening from 6 am to 10 pm. From 10 pm to 6 am, they don't monitor the radio, although I think you can call and get an opening if it is an emergency.

There is a bed and a TV and a phone in the bridge tender's house. All the bridge tenders are most helpful and courteous although they will report it if people tie up to the bridge pilings or fenders because that's a no-no.

The channel to the Boot Key Bridge is a no wake zone. I took this photo because this commercial fisherman is not observing it.

Stay in the middle of the channel or if you have to go to one side, go to the green side. Do NOT go outside the channel though as it is quite shallow there.