Lefkas Bridge opening times

[Fenders]

I am preping for my next trip which is a cruise from Corfu to Kalamaki (Athens) through the Corinth in September.

One option I am considering is to pass through the Lefkas canal. However, having read many posts here on ybw.com I am having second thoughts.
I understand that the floating bridge has returned and is operating normally.
I have yet to see details of the opening times. Are they the same as before the bridge was repaired?
I am also concerned that in the northern entrance there has been reported "hidden dangers" in the form of concrete blocks. The boat I will be sailing will draw approx 2m.
Am I right to be overly concerned?

I welcome any feedback from anyone who may have cruised through this area.

Fenders

 

[SHUG]

I expect the times will be the same and I am not aware of any new dangers at the north end. You might be better posting in the Liveaboard part of the Forum as some members cruise there regularly.

 

[SimonD]

No mention of times, but useful local info in this thread: http://www.ybw.com/forums/showthread.php?t=318063

 

[jordanbasset]

When we passed through a month ago it was opening on the hour, we went through at 7am no problems. They were also dredging the channel and for the first time I had nearly a metre under me, we draw 2 metres.

 

[Baddox]

It opened for ten minutes on the hour when we went through a couple of weeks ago. A large yacht had run aground on the sand at the north entrance but we managed to squeeze past finding at least 3m of water most of the way. The shallow areas around the fort were marked with buoys and easy to avoid.

 

[nigelmercier]

It used to be every hour, on the hour, Greek time. In other words, when they get round to it.

 

[Fenders]

Thanks everybody for your replies.
It's as I thought it might be.

Most helpful

Fenders

 

[Chris_Robb]

It opened for ten minutes on the hour when we went through a couple of weeks ago. A large yacht had run aground on the sand at the north entrance but we managed to squeeze past finding at least 3m of water most of the way. The shallow areas around the fort were marked with buoys and easy to avoid.

NO NO NO. The buoys are beyond the dangers, so do not go any where near them. Keep close to the sand spit on the western side,, obviously leaving enough depth.

If you arrive early, its worth slowly motoring around the area near the buoys. Have someone on the bows and you will see huge blocks of stone down there.

Take care.

 

[jimbaerselman]

NO NO NO. The buoys are beyond the dangers, so do not go any where near them. Keep close to the sand spit on the western side,, obviously leaving enough depth.

Chris,

Are you saying that the string of new buoys laid after last summer's crunches still drift too far south when the northerlies blow?

 

[Chris_Robb]

Chris,

Are you saying that the string of new buoys laid after last summer's crunches still drift too far south when the northerlies blow?

Jim, we were there in may. We had 20 mins to wait, so looked at the eastern side of the channel. Wind was NW and the buoys were well beyond the mazive stone Blocks. If the wind was from the east, then I presume the Buoys would drift over th rocks.

Someone else said there was a huge block by its self further out, but I did not find it.

 

[Chris_Robb]

Jim, we were there in may. We had 20 mins to wait, so looked at the eastern side of the channel. Wind was NW and the buoys were well beyond the mazive stone Blocks. If the wind was from the east, then I presume the Buoys would drift over th rocks.

Someone else said there was a huge block by its self further out, but I did not find it.

I believe it was Chas Swallow who referred to the block in the middle - called the Fridge - perhaps a figment of his enlightened imagination.

Perhaps his maker would care to comment - May his keyboard RIP