Boaters and water enthusiasts heading to South Gulf Cove will need to adjust their schedules next week. The local lock, a critical part of the waterway infrastructure, is set for a thorough cleaning and this means some changes in its operation. From 7 a.m. to 5 p.m., starting Monday, May 19 through Friday, May 23, the South Gulf Cove Lock will undergo its scheduled maintenance, as reported by Charlotte County Government.
During this period, the lock will open on a limited basis. Specifically, it'll be accessible for passage only once every hour, on the hour, until 5 p.m. This means if you're planning to traverse the lock outside of these times, you might be in for a longer wait than usual. They've also made accommodations for a lock tender to be on site until 7 p.m., so the manual operation of the lock can be facilitated after the cleaning crew has called it a day.
For those who find themselves at the lock after these hours, don't worry. Manual operation is still an option, so you're not left high and dry. However, be prepared to put some muscle into it as the convenience of a tender won't be available post 7 p.m. Keep in mind that this is a temporary schedule change that is a necessary step for the upkeep and smooth functioning of the waterways that so many rely on for their work and recreation.
