There are traffic jams, and then there’s a superyacht traffic jam.
Each year, thousands of boats and yachts from around the world are in the water at the Fort Lauderdale International Boat Show (FLIBS). In fact, it’s the world’s largest in-water boat show, stretching for miles across seven locations. As you can imagine, that calls for incredibly coordinated load-ins and load-outs of dock space after dock space. Consider, too, that for FLIBS 2024, nearly 200 superyachts alone were in attendance. Due to yard periods, charter schedules, and owners’ plans, there’s an eagerness, and need, to leave as soon as the show organizers give the green light.
The New River in Fort Lauderdale, the show’s backyard, can only handle so many yachts at a time. Since several low bridges span the waterway, timing is everything. As you’re about to see in this video, seconds can make all the difference between making and missing an opening. Swirling currents add further complications, as does the narrow nature of the river. A superyacht traffic jam is therefore something the captains of the yachts and the drawbridge operators have to anticipate.
The good news is, with the show being a significant draw for decades, the drawbridge operators know the drill. Similarly, the captains pack a lot of patience. The few minutes captured here are just a tiny bit of what goes on for quite some time with so many vessels departing at once.
By the way, the parade of boats and yachts arriving for the show each year is just as impressive of a choreography. If you want to catch it next year, FLIBS is set for October 29 to November 2.
FLIBS flibs.com
Dylan Glockler
Thanks for sharing my video in this article – I just published another, where the next wave, of even larger yachts queues up to run the gauntlet back to LMC: https://youtu.be/u07s1fGi26A