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UPDATE: St. Lucie River FEC Railroad Drawbridge Closures Scheduled for April and May
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Beginning on April 19, night time closures to vessel traffic will take place from 8 p.m. to 6 a.m., followed by a 21-day full closure starting at 6 a.m. on Monday, May 1.
Once repairs are completed and the bridge reopens to vessel traffic on May 22, there will be an additional seven day period of night closures from 8 p.m. to 6 a.m.
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| Photo Credit: ED KILLER/TCPALM.COM |
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The Marine Industries Association of the Treasure Coast has been following this rehabilitation project closely and is maintaining regular communication with Florida East Coast Railway, Brightline and the United States Coast Guard.
“While MIATC is extremely concerned about the potential loss of revenue for marine-related businesses and the significant inconvenience to the commercial and recreational boating community, we are also hopeful the planned maintenance, upgrades, and new installations will ensure the near 100-year-old bridge will operate reliably and more efficiently,” said Dan Romence, chairman of the MIATC Bridges and Waterways Committee.
“We are further advised this temporary planned closure will help to avoid any operational failures that would result in an emergency closure, which would have a much larger impact on the marine community.”
MIATC will continue to communicate with FEC, Brightline and USCG, as well as federal, state and local officials to monitor preparations for the project and provide updates and any related information impacting our members.
Additionally, MIATC will continue to advocate on behalf of our members and the marine community to ensure regulation for the operation of the railroad drawbridge will acknowledge the right of way for maritime traffic while being fair and equal for both marine and rail passage, ensuring a safe boating environment, and not result in the drawbridge becoming an unreasonable obstruction to navigation.
Members are urged to contact Justin Beard, Executive Director of the MIATC, with any questions or concerns regarding the temporary bridge closure at jbeard@miatc.org or 772-539-2654. |
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MIATC Names New Executive Director
As one of the largest voices in the region advocating for the rights and interests of the boating public and marine profession, the Marine Industries Association of the Treasure Coast has decided its efforts require a full-time executive director. The association is proud to announce that Justin Beard will be taking the helm during this “dynamic time.”
“There’s a lot of opportunity and challenge across the marine industry and our entire region so we’re elevating our game to meet the needs of our growing membership,” says Tom Whittington, president of the MIATC board of directors.
“Justin Beard is precisely the caliber of professional we need to help us better demonstrate our value, raise our level of service and anticipate and respond to the priorities of the industry and the boating community as a whole.”
Beard brings diverse industry experience and deep local knowledge to the organization. The time is right, says Beard, to expand the organization’s prominence and effectiveness in the realms of advocacy and policy, strategic partnerships and inspiring and shaping the next generation of industry professionals.
“MIATC is the perfect position right now,” says Beard. “We can continue building on our unique role as a powerful ally for marine-related businesses, demonstrate our value to the general public—which is widely unified in its love, enjoyment and sense of protection for our waterways—and prepare for the opportunities that are coming our way with the overwhelming amount of interest going on right now about the Treasure Coast.”
Beard has a strong grasp of the issues impacting some of the largest marine companies in the world. He spent more than three years at Derecktor Shipyards introducing the City of Fort Pierce and the surrounding communities to the global yachting industry as manager of marketing and sales development.
His previous extended experience with the United Way sharpened his skills organizing and executing large-scale information, influence and fund-raising campaigns. He also once worked as a reporter for TCPalm.com, even authoring a column on his beloved pastime of surfing.
A not-for-profit trade association with members based in Martin, St. Lucie, and Indian River counties, MIATC represents commercial and residential marinas, boatyards, boat manufacturers, boat dealers and a variety of marine-related businesses as well as the interests of recreation boaters.
A consistent voice for clean water policies, MIATC also advocates for timely and consistent management of local inlets to ensure safe ocean access, boating safety, anchoring and mooring rights, derelict vessels and water quality. |
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Lunch N Learn:
MIATC Member Insurance Benefits
WHAT
MIATC members now have access to an extensive suite of group insurance benefits for employees (Medical, Dental, Vision and more). Discover how your business can potentially save money and offer better benefits to your employees during this informational lunch and learn session sponsored by T. Samuels Spencer Insurance and Financial Services.
Click here to RSVP
WHEN
11:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m.
Thursday, March 9, 2023
Add to Calendar
WHERE
Stuart/Martin County Chamber Of Commerce
1650 S Kanner Highway
Stuart, FL 34994
Driving Directions
CONTACT
Justin Beard
Executive Director, MIATC
772-539-2654
jbeard@miatc.org |
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Join the MIATC and Florida Inland Navigation District for the 16th Annual Treasure Coast Waterway Cleanup!
This year's event takes place from Saturday, July 15 to Sunday, July 23.
Click here to volunteer
Each year, nearly 1,200 volunteers participate in this event by cleaning up the waterways of Martin, St. Lucie and Indian River Counties.
Click here to become a sponsor
In 2022, the volunteers collected 3.45 tons of trash from approximately 125 miles of waterways.
Since 2008, this event has activated more than 13,441 volunteers who have helped remove nearly 100 tons of trash!
Click here for more information |
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MIATC Board of Directors
President: Tom Whittington, Manatee Pocket Yacht Sales
Vice President: Rob Mac Keen, Derecktor Ft. Pierce
Secretary: Bruce Grout, Sovereign Yacht Sales
Treasurer: Sean Ebersold, Ebersold Boatworks
Past President: Chris Dempsey, Pirate's Cove Resort & Marina
Senior Director: John Yudin, Guy Yudin & Foster LLP
Senior Director: Janet Zimmerman, Florida Inland Navigation District
MIATC Board Members
Jill Marasa, Ashley Capital
Thomas O'Brien, Chapman Marine Supply
Butch Olsen, Port Salerno Commercial Fishing Dock Authority
Dan Romence, Indiantown Marine Center
John Sprague, JH Sprague Consulting LLC |
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Do you have information you would like to share with the MIATC Member Network?
Send us an email to be included in a future edition of the Boatlines newsletter. |
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