Please join with us in welcoming our latest Salty Southeast Cruisers’ Net Sponsors. These quality marine firms are investing in the cruising community by supporting the SSECN. Please patronize them, and ALL our SSECN sponsors whenever possible. Click on any sponsor panel to visit this firm’s web site!
 |
 |
 |
 |
Click Here To Learn How YOU Can Become A Salty Southeast Cruisers’ Net Sponsor!
Glad to hear that the USCG has replaced #25 with a TRLB (Temporary Lighted Buoy), and undoubtedly the daybeacon will be replaced as soon as a buoy tender can be summoned. Until that time, the SSECN is declaring a Navigational Alert for these waters!
FLORIDA-INTRACOASTAL WATERWAY-ST LUCIE INLET TO FORT MYERS AND LAKE OKEECHOBEE-ST LUCIE RIVER SOUTH FORK: Hazard to Navigation
St Lucie River South Fork Light 25 (LLNR 51005) is destroyed. A temporary LB “WR25″ displaying Q FL G characteristics has been set 6 yards channelward of remains in position 27-11-40.345N 080-15-53.596W. Remains pose a hazard to navigation and mariners are advised to avoid this area. Chart 11428
Now, here’s a notice cherry picked from the latest Local Notice to Mariners (as of 1/25/12), which demands the attention of every cruiser bound for the popular mooring field at Fort Myers Beach (or one of the many marinas in this region). The provided position, below, for the partially sunken vessel plots out as being just east of the Fort Myers Beach entrance passage, between markers #7 and #8.
I suspect every effort will be made to remove this potential navigational obstruction as soon as possible, but, until that happy event, ALL mariners bound for Fort Myers Beach should be aware of this derelict, and navigate accordingly!
The Salty Southeast Cruisers’ Net is declaring a Navigational Alert for these waters!
FLORIDA-WEST COAST-FORT MYERS TO CHARLOTTE HARBOR AND WIGGINS PASS-SAN CARLOS BAY: Hazard to Navigation.
There is a 38ft white sports fisher partially submerged and aground approximately 200 yards north of Bodwitch Point, San Carlos Bay in position
26-27.994N 081-57.889W. Mariners are advised to use extreme caution while transiting the area. Chart 11427
The report below is cherry picked from the lastest Local Notice to Mariners as of 1/26/12. We have plotted the position of this abandoned vessel, and it seems to lie almost due east of Anclote River’s outermost channel marker, #1. I can’t imagine that this vessel will be allowed to say in this disadvantageous position for long, but in the intervening period, all navigators bound for Anclote River should watch out for this potential hazard!
The Salty Southeast Cruisers’ Net is declaring a temporary Navigational Alert for these waters.
FLORIDA-TAMPA BAY TO PORT RICHEY-ANCLOTE RIVER: Hazard to Navigation.
The Coast Guard received a report of an unmanned and unlit 19ft Aqua Sport white with light blue trim in the vicinity of Anclote River Entrance Light 1 (LLNR 26135) in GPS position 28-10.388N 082-49.682W. Mariners are to exercise extreme caution while transiting the area. Chart 11411
Big Foot Slough, the primary conduit from Pamlico Sound to Ocracoke, one of the North Carolina coastline’s most popular ports of call, was last dredged in June of 2011. Shoaling is slowly beginning to reappear.
NC – OCRACOKE INLET – BIG FOOT SLOUGH – SHOALING
Shoaling to a depth of 5.0 ft MLW has been reported in the vicinity of Big Foot Slough Channel Daybeacon 10B (LLNR 29070.1). Chart: 11555.
The dredging project described below refers to work in the Beaufort Inlet, NOT along the Waterway’s path through Beaufort/Morehead City region. The Salty Southeast Cruisers’ Net is declaring a Navigational Alert for the waters of Beaufort Inlet, where the dredging is taking place.
NC – BEAUFORT INLET – DREDGING
The Hopper Dredge MCFARLAND will be conducting dredging operations on the Morehead City Bar from 14 January until 10 February, 2012. The dredge will monitor VHF-FM Channels 13 and 16. Mariners are cautioned to stay clear of dredge, booster, floating (pontoon) and submerged pipelines, barges, derricks and operating wires associated with dredging and marine construction operations. Operators of vessels of all types should be aware that dredges and floating pipelines are held in place by cables, attached to anchors some distance away from the equipment. Buoys are attached to the anchors so that the anchors may be moved as the dredge advances and the location of the submerged pipelines aremarked by buoys on each side of the channel. Mariners are cautioned to strictly comply with the Inland Rules of the Road when approaching, passing and leaving the area of operations, and remain a safe distance away from the dredge, booster, buoys, cables, pipeline, barges, derricks, wires and related equipment. Owners and lessees of fishnets, crabpots and other structures that may be in the vicinity and that may hinder the free navigation of attending vessels and equipment must be remove these from the area where tugs, tenderboats and other attendant equipment will be navigating. Dredging projects are usually conducted twenty-four (24) hours a day seven (7) days a week, all fishnets, crabpots and structures in the general area must be removed prior to commencement of any work. A NO WAKE transit is requested of all vessels passing the dredge and if necessary to clarify a SAFE PASSAGE contact the dredge on the appropriate VHF-FM channels. Chart: 11543
Click Here To Open A Chart View Window, Zoomed To A “Navigation Alert” Position at Beaufort Inlet
Reports of shoaling in this trouble spot have been coming in for weeks, and it is good news to have a new cycle of dredging begun here. Let’s hope the new depths hold through the spring migration!
NC – NEW RIVER TO CAPE FEAR RIVER (AIWW) – LOCKWOODS FOLLY INLET CROSSING – DREDGING
The Dredge WILKO will be conducting dredging operations in the AIWW at the Lockwoods Folly Inlet Crossing from 19 January until 15 February, 2012. A floating and submerged pipeline will traverse from the Lockwoods Folly Inlet to Holden Beach and will be lighted and marked with buoys. The dredge and assisting vessels PROUD MARY and MISS CINDY will monitor VHF-fm Channels 13 and 16. Mariners are cautioned to stay clear of dredge, booster, floating (pontoon) and submerged pipelines, barges, derricks and operating wires associated with dredging and marine construction operations. Operators of vessels of all types should be aware that dredges and floating pipelines are held in place by cables, attached to anchors some distance away from the equipment. Buoys are attached to the anchors so that the anchors may be moved as the dredge advances and the location of the submerged pipelines are marked by buoys on each side of the channel. Mariners are cautioned to strictly comply with the Inland Rules of the Road when approaching, passing and leaving the area of operations, and remain a safe distance away from the dredge, booster, buoys, cables, pipeline, barges, derricks, wires and related equipment. Owners and lessees of fishnets, crabpots and other structures that may be in the vicinity and that may hinder the free navigation of attending vessels and equipment must be remove these from the area where tugs, tenderboats and other attendant equipment will be navigating. Dredging projects are usually conducted twenty-four (24) hours a day seven (7) days a week, all fishnets, crabpots and structures in the general area must be removed prior to commencement of any work. A NO WAKE transit is requested of all vessels passing the dredge and if necessary to clarify a SAFE PASSAGE contact the dredge on the appropriate
VHF-FM channels. Chart: 11534.
a href=”http://www.CruisersNet.net/2-intersection-of-aicw-and-lockwoods-folly-inlet”>
Click Here To View the Cruisers’ Net’s “AICW Problem Stretches” Listing For the AICW/Lockwoods Folly Inlet Intersection
Click Here To Open A Chart View Window, Zoomed To This AICW Problem Stretch
Captain Burnham’s message below is somewhat cryptic, but if I read it rightly, the city of St. Petersburg, Florida is attempting to limit anchorage in their corporate waters to 3-days in a particular spot, and 9 days total, within any 30 day period. As such, these are possibly the most Draconian proposals put forward by any of the five municipalities/counties which are part of the Florida Pilot Mooring Field Program. Fortunately, there is still a LOT of public comment to be registered, and the FWC (Florida Fish and Wildlife Commission) must agree to all restrictions before they can be passed and enforced. As St. Augustine learned last fall, the FWC is very reluctant to approve such short term anchorage limits.
Notice that Captain Burhnham points out that the real bugaboo in all of this is derelict vessels. Can I say it just one more time. This IS a real problem in Florida, BUT this problem can be solved by enforcement of EXISTING marina salvage laws and MSD regulations. Why try and limit anchorage for everyone, when the very real derelict problem is being caused by a tiny minority of boat owners?
I attended the meeting and received a draft copy of the proposed changes to the City Code.
As written, it allows me to do things on a three day weekend that would really annoy most boaters and marina operators. It allows me to anchor within 200 feet of any marina or boat ramp and stay there for 3 days as long as I am not an obstruction or a “hazard to navigation”. It would seem to me that any anchored vessel is an obstruction to be avoided…
Within any 30 day period, I can anchor consecutively in the Central Yacht Basin, the South Yacht Basin, or Bayboro Harbor for 3 days each, allowing me a 9 day stay without mooring fees. There is no beginning time or ending time for my 72 hour stay at each location so if I drop anchor in the Basin after sundown and no one notices until the next morning, the first night is not counted in the 72 hours?
Last night’s public forum was a good meeting for the boating public to ask the city to clearify the intent of their proposal.
What St. Petersburg apparently wants is to prevent vessels from being abandoned by the few irresponsible owners who neglect vessel maintenance. As drafted, their proposal does not address this except to state that “hazardous” vessels are prohibited from anchoring in the waterways of St. Petersburg; which is not in agreement with Florida State Law in regards to navigation. “Hazardous” vessels means a vessel in danger of becoming a derelict for various subjective reasons listed.
If the proposal begins constructive dialog between the boating public who visit St. Pete and the city managers, then last night was a successful beginning.
David Burnham
After reading the above, we asked Captain Charmaine Smith Ladd, founder of BARR (Boater’s Anchoring Responsibility and Rights), to comment on the proposed St. Pete regulations. Her response appears below.
January 26th, 2012
by Charmaine Smith Ladd
csmithladd@marinersbarr.org
For your perusal and comments, the proposed ordinance draft for St. Petersburg:
http://marinersbarr.org/fpp/docs/st_petersburg/draftanchorrdinance-2012-01-26.pdf
Things to note: LIVEABOARDS will not be able to anchor anywhere within the City Limits of St. Petersburg, they MUST either take a mooring or a marina slip; NON-LIVEABOARDS (cruisers) effectively will be under a 72-hour limit for anchoring. The ordinance also reads: “No vessel shall anchor in the Port of St. Petersburg.” Very broad and very disturbing.
St. Petersburg – Scheduled Public Meetings:
February 16th at 3:00 pm – St. Petersburg City Council Meeting, 1st Reading
March 1st at 8:30 am – St. Petersburg City Council Meeting, Public Hearing
Location: Karen A. Steidinger Auditorium Fish & Wildlife Research Institute
100 Eighth Avenue SE, St. Petersburg, FL 33701
The postings so far had me very concerned until I carefully read the proposed ordinance. While it prohibits anchoring of liveaboard vessels anywhere in the city limits, the 72 hour rule only applies within 200 feet of marinas and boat ramps and in the three basins and the Port basin downtown. It does not apply for cruisers (non-liveaboard vessels) in other anchorages in St. Pete like Coffeepot, the two bayous, or Maximo Point (a favorite of ours). The 72 hour limit does not apply to the entire peninsula or city limits!
If it passes approval by the FWC with the 72 hour limit intact, we will simply NEVER visit or spend our money in downtown St. Pete again. We will vote with our anchor and go to more cruiser friendly places! In it’s effort to deal with abandoned and derelict boats the City of St. Petersburg is telling cruisers that they are not welcome except for a short stay. They don’t treat tourists that way who arrive by car or plane instead of by boat.
There is no “safe harbor” provision in the proposed ordinance so the police can kick you out into a storm if they want. My guess is that the FWC will require a “safe harbor” provision be added.
Larry Sherman
And now, more from Captain Burnham on this issue. Many, many thanks for his fine reporting of this critical cruising issue:
My first comments were truly cryptic as they closely follow the draft proposal from the St. Petersburg City Code which in itself I found it to be cryptic in its intent.
The stated intent of Article 6 in Chapter 7 is to encourage the use of the new mooring field in the North Basin. Presently, only one of the 13 new moorings is occupied. Six boats are anchored behind the seawall in the South Basin, and 5 sailboats are at anchor in the Bayboro Basin south of the Port of St Petersburg.
These 11 sailboats are all in good condition and within their rights under Florida State Laws of Navigation even though they appear to be within the “City Limits”. I have not found how far the St. Petersburg city limits extend into Tampa Bay, but they do go from the Clearwater/St. Petersburg Airport all the way around the Pinellas peninsula to Boca Ciega Bay with the exception of the City of Gulfport!
If all 11 sailboats moved to the mooring field, their daily rate would be 14 dollars if under 41 feet in length and 17 dollars if 41 feet to 60 feet. This is significantly less than the average 80 dollar daily rate for a 40 foot vessel at the Transient Dock. If any of these cruisers rent a vehicle while on a mooring and wish to park it at the marina overnight, the daily fee is $2.80.
During the peak winter season, 2 months is the maximum length of stay on the moorings but you can return after 15 days if there is a mooring still available.
The proposed 72 hour time limit for anchoring in any Basin in the city limits will only serve to push the cruisers over to Gulfport which does not yet have an established mooring field in Boca Ciega Bay or other more curtious anchorages in the Tampa Bay area.
The FWC officers are more concerned with abandoned boats, not the well kept cruiser, and preventing boats from becoming derelicts with the associated hazards.
The term “live aboard” is used differently in the boating community and causes confusion. Until the boaters accept the term “live aboard” to mean a vessel that is NOT used for navigation (think boat house instead of houseboat) and has no means of propulsion, cruisers staying on their boats will be unsure of the proposed rule’s intent.
The Port of St. Petersburg, south of the city airport, where all the U.S. Coast Guard and commercial ships are berthed is not a suitable anchorage for smaller cruising boats.
David Burnham
Well, of course, these good people are a SALTY SOUTHEAST CRUISERS’ NET SPONSOR!
This is a great product! Just spray or wipe on let it sit for 30 minutes and rinse the rust away. It sure beats polishing. JUst rinse very well with fresh water.
Our Lord’s Blessing
Ed & Bonnie
S/V Almost Heaven
Captain Joe Springer, dockmaster at Fernandina Harbor Marina, has shared photos with us of a dredging project which has just begun in his dockage basin. Projected completion date is set for sometime during March of this year (2012).
Dredging will concentrate on the south end of marina. Docks 8 and 9 have had all boats relocated
Just an interesting shot that shows the south end of the marina with one of the two excavators onsite
One of two excavators with a background of the Shrimp Boats - Something Old - Something New
What a GREAT posting about our newest SALTY SOUTHEAST CRUISERS’ NET SPONSOR! And, oh yes, I was just here a few weeks ago myself, and I agree completely with Captains Pilon and Salette!
MARINELAND MARINA
I arrived at Marineland Marina a month ago for what I thought would be few days. Why? What happened to my migration south? Maybe I should not tell you this ; I worry you all make this change…
I tell you this as it comes to my mind, no particular order, nor by importance:
- It is clean, perfectly clean.
- It is new, brand new marina
- Prices are VERY affordable. In fact, on a monthly basis, it is MUCH cheaper than moorings you will find in St-Augustine, even for bigger boats.
- Free (yes as in 0.00$) laundry
- Staff is great. They all go further than expected to make sure you like Marineland Marina. I know first hand.
- Marineland Marina is across the A1A road to a beach, large, miles long, and super quiet. I go there everyday for a walk and most of the days I am alone / or we are 3 or 4. In fact on this few miles beach stretch the most people I saw were 6!!! This is rare in Florida, rare in USA, just rare everywhere.
- A1A route is super quiet here. Except Marineland and few houses for rent, there is not much around
- Bike path on this A1A stretch (5 miles north, 5 miles south) is very wide and secure and quiet!
- Many parks and reserves at walking distance
Other info:
- The Publix is about 4 miles away
- Many restaurants deliver to Marineland Marina
- You can visit Marineland, the other side of the street
- They organise kayak tours, right here at the marina
- Nice restaurant / bars at bicycle distance
- Be sure to mention to Chris the draft of your boat. Most slips are more than 6 feet but some (3 or 4 slips) have less than 5 feet mlw.
- They have nice floating docks for transients.
- Pet friendly marina
How come it is not more known? I think because Marineland Marina has been abandoned for 10 years until they completely rebuilt it 6 month ago / most of cruising guides you have on board are out-dated…
Marc Pilon and Andrée Salette
Sv Ma Muse, still at Marineland Marina for few more weeks
Just wanted to echo everything Marc and andree said, marineland marina is a great facility, we too dropped in for a day or 2 and are now staying a month. The beach is beautiful and this stretch of the ICW is unspoiled and borders a huge nature reserve with many creeks to explore by dinghy and plenty of wildlife to see.
Can’t recommend it enough.
Helen and Dickie
S.v.harmony
Click Here To Open A Chart View Window, Zoomed To the Location of Marineland Marina
"Jacksonville Blues"
by: Jean Quigley
