Mystic River

I

Irishstorm

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exMember
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Feb 11, 2006
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20208
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35
Going to Mystic museum for a few nights but have never been thru the bridges. I know I have to call the bascule(highway ) bridge for an opening but if the railraod bridge is open, do I need to call the bridge tender before proceeding thru?
 
As I recall, the RR bridge is usually open, unless there is a train coming, and it has a giant countdown clock showing how much longer it will be open. Don't race the clock.
 
At Mystic, it is a good idea to call the RR bridge tender.Is the clock new? There was a set up like that on the CT River. The street bridge opens hourly at 40 past.
 
I did a lot of trips to Mystic a few years back like 07 and 08 and yes remember the timer and the bridge is always open except when train coming and loud bell sounds when is going to close.
 
I was just there this weekend. The RR bridge is open most of the time and does have the clock showing time to opening when closed. They'll respond to requests for info when you enter the river so you can pace yourself, but are restricted to opening only when the train schedule allows. The bascule bridge opens at 40 minutes past the hour between ~7am and ~7pm...there are no exceptions. There is ~100' foot of river/sea wall on the east side of the river just before the bridge where you can temporarily tie up while waiting for the next opening. The seaport was great fun...some slips better than others. I was next to the repair yard, which didn't offer the best view nor 50amp service (which I didn't need as the heat had not yet arrive. Note that the river is not marked entirely as no wake, but it is best to treat it as such. I was going 5.5k and throwing but a ripple and got a shout from an owner on a mooring working on his engine. I should have been more careful. Good luck.
 
Also, if you get the chance, spend some time in Little Narragansett Bay behind Napatree Beach in Watch Hill. Great place to spend the afternoon or anchor overnight. Beautiful sunset, nice beach and cute town. The water is skinny, so stick to the marked entrance and channel north of the bay.
 
Thanks for the replies. Still in Mystic. RR bridge does have the timer and while it seems to be open most of the time I caught it closed. Waited 1/2 hr for it to open causing us to get to the highway bridge just after it had opened and closed and had to wait for 45 min for it to open again at 40 min past the hour. Time to get thru both bridges almost 1 1/2 hrs.

Got a good slip and Mystic is a very nice stop. Very nice cruising waters around Fishers I.
 
Thanks for the updates, all, for some reason I don't remember the clock, but everything else jibes. I will second Fletcha's recommendation on the Napatree anchorage, fun spot. great beach and petty easy dinghy ride to Watch Hill. Somewhere in the archives here are detailed navigation instructions from me and others.
 
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