Located in Jacksonville Beach at Intracoastal (ICW) Mile Marker 747.5, the McCormick Bascule Bridge joins Jacksonville Beach to the mainland at Isle of Palms. The bridge has a 37-foot closed vertical clearance with 90 feet of horizontal clearance in the center span. The bridge operates on a restricted opening schedule. During the months of April, May, October and November, Monday through Friday, from 7 to 9 a.m. and from 4:40 to 6:30 p.m. the bridge opens on the hour and half-hour. There are also no openings during April, May, October and November, on Saturday, Sunday and Federal Holidays, from 12 to 6 p.m., except on the hour half-hour.

During the busy “migration” season in spring and fall, traffic can get quite bunched up at the McCormick Bridge and entering traffic from the shore side marina facilities can be hectic. Strong currents pull through this area, so it is wise to keep a good distance from the bridge and other boaters, if possible.

Depending on schedule, the bridge can be opened by horn signal (one long, one short) or by hailing the bridge tender on VHF Channel 09. (All bridges in the state of Florida must be hailed on VHF Channel 09.)

Local Notices to Mariners are now exclusively available online from the U.S. Coast Guard.