Sailboat Collision Temporarily Closes Longboat Pass Bridge, No Injuries Reported
A sailboat became trapped beneath the Longboat Pass Bridge on the Gulf side on April 17 after striking the structure and encountering strong tidal currents, temporarily disrupting traffic between Longboat Key and Bradenton Beach.
The vessel, identified as the Hula Girl, struck the bridge Friday morning, prompting a response from multiple agencies, including U.S. Coast Guard Station Cortez. The boat became pinned under the bridge as swift currents moving through the narrow pass made it difficult to dislodge.
Emergency crews were dispatched to the scene at approximately 9:24 a.m. The southbound lane of the bridge was closed for about an hour while traffic was rerouted to the northbound lane. Both lanes were reopened by late morning, and normal traffic flow resumed shortly after.
Two individuals were aboard the sailboat at the time of the collision. No injuries were reported.
The town of Longboat Key issued a traffic alert shortly after the incident, noting that police and fire crews were actively managing the scene and alternating traffic through one lane while awaiting assistance from the U.S. Coast Guard. By approximately 10:40 a.m., officials confirmed both lanes had reopened, though marine units remained on site working to remove the vessel.
The U.S. Coast Guard has primary jurisdiction over the incident and is coordinating with local marine patrol units to safely extract the sailboat from the area. Local fire and police agencies provided support and traffic control during the response.
An inspection conducted by the Florida Department of Transportation later in the day confirmed that the bridge did not sustain structural damage.
Environmental conditions may have played a role in the incident. A recent new moon can increase tidal range, resulting in stronger-than-normal currents, particularly in narrow waterways like Longboat Pass. Wind conditions can further intensify these currents, creating hazardous navigation challenges.
As of Saturday morning, no additional information had been released regarding the cause of the collision. Crews continue to work to remove the vessel and clear the area.
Photo by Danny Stasny