Alligator River (US 64) Bridge

Comment by: Vickie Young, The Escapé, on May 6, 2025
Vessel Type: Power
LOA: 40'
Draft: 3.5'

Great bridge tender! Be sure to have your vessel number ready. He also lets you know if there is shoaling. If heading North stay between the navigation area aids, a boat went outside to the port and grounded.

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Comment by: Michael Hubbard on Dec 10, 2024
Vessel Type: Power
LOA: 53'
Draft: 5.0'

The bridge is also closed with fog. If visibility is under 500 feet, they will not open. Not to state the obvious, but sometimes it needs to be stated. If it is foggy, slow down on the approach. There may be several boats waiting.

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Comment by: Gwen Smith, GwayneSailing, on Nov 25, 2024
Vessel Type: Sail
LOA: 45'
Draft: 4.5'

Alligator swing bridge is up and running, as of today.

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Comment by: Robert Sherer, on Sep 30, 2024
Vessel Type: Sail
LOA: 42'
Draft: 5.0'

Bridge closed to marine passage as of 5:20 pm, 9/30/2024 due to dump truck running through gates. Repair time unknown.

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Comment by: Anamarija urh, TiAmo, on May 24, 2024
Vessel Type: Sail
LOA: 44'
Draft: 4.5'

Very helpful bridge operator. He asked for USCG number and name of the boat. As it was holiday weekend he waited till couple of boats were together to close the road and open the bridge. We only needed to wait 10min or so.

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Comment by: Brian Marshall on May 8, 2024
Vessel Type: Power
LOA: 47'
Draft: 5.7'

With the steady stream of boats traveling north the bridge may not be opened on "your" demand as the boat with full sails up expected would happen, they were asked to wait for ten minutes so that a group of boats could use the same opening during rush hour. The bridge operator did a great job managing both types traffic. Still asking for the Coast Guard documentation number.

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Comment by: David Mann, Now or Never, on Jun 15, 2023
Vessel Type: Power
LOA: 44'
Draft: 4.7'

Very cooperative bridge tender who respects both the boaters and the vehicular traffic. When I called from a couple miles out he told me to just keep on coming and he would get it open. He timed it perfectly where it opened as I approached and quickly closed it as I passed. You can help him out by listening to your vhf while approaching and by having your documentation number ready to share.

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Comment by: Linda Schanzenbach on May 10, 2023
Vessel Type: Power
LOA: 48'
Draft: 4.0'

Be sure to have your boat document certification number or hull number handy by radio to the bridge tender

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Comment by: Ray Sirois, Shellerina, on Oct 25, 2022
Vessel Type: Power
LOA: 39'
Draft: 4.0'

Bridge tender is The Best. GIVE THIS GUY A RAISE! Good job.

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Comment by: Captain Bulldog on Feb 20, 2022
Vessel Type: Power
LOA: 40'
Draft: 5.0'

Very cooperative bridge operator but just don't cramp this swing bridge too close so that it can swing open. If heading North you will be pleased to know that through November 2021 the troubled Middle Ground shoaling remains well marked and is for the time being no longer a threat to navigation.

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Comment by: Heath Phillips, Philyria , on Nov 13, 2021
Vessel Type: Sail
LOA: 35'
Draft: 6.0'

Bridge tenders here are awesome.

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Comment by: Capt Dave, Knot Fast, on Apr 20, 2021
Vessel Type: Power
LOA: 37'
Draft: 3.0'

Nice guy. Perfect service.

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Comment by: Marian Sandidge on Oct 23, 2019
Vessel Type: Sail
LOA: 35'
Draft: 4.5'

Just passed through the Alligator River Bridge yesterday. The bridge tender is probably the most polite and patient tender we've encountered. Our boat isn't the fastest, but he waited until we could get up to the bridge for the opening. Great job Alligator River Bridge tender!!

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Comment by: Robert Kovach on Oct 5, 2019
Vessel Type: Power
LOA: 50'
Draft: 5.0'

10-5-19 Just got off phone with CG SECTOR N.C. phone 910-362-4015 Bridge has mechanical issues that will not be repaired until next week. Sector N.C. IS broadcasting notice hourly on VHF 16/22A hourly

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Comment by: George Bryan on May 14, 2018
Vessel Type: Sail
LOA: 27'
Draft: 3.0'

15:00 May 14, 2018. Long delay of over one hour. No precise timing by tender. Says to hold on a bit! Should be advertising openings

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Comment by: Captain Tom on Apr 7, 2018
Vessel Type: Power
LOA: 33'
Draft: 3.5'

This site's 34 knot limit conflicts with the operator stating 30 knot closure criteria!

• WG Editor Comment:
  

  Waterway Guide is not aware of the 30 knot restriction and cannot find any documentation to support it. We have found several listings stating the limit is 35 knots. We will contact the NCDOT to clarify.

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Comment by: John Stolz on Jan 18, 2018
Vessel Type: Sail
LOA: 36'
Draft: 5.5'

Maintenance is scheduled on this bridge currently. It appears that Mon-Sat., January 17th-March 14th, the bridge will ONLY open at noon, IF 2 hours notice are given. Check this carefully.

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