New Pass leads directly to the Sarasota waterfront and the entrance portion between the Entrance Light and Light 7 is constantly shifting. And note that the Coast Guard no longer recommends using New Pass due to significant dangerous shoaling. Longboat Pass, where shoaling has been reported for years, separates Longbeach and Bradenton Beach south of Tampa Bay near GICW Statute Mile 85. This dredging is much needed and very welcome.

And thanks to SSECN Team Member Winston Fowler for this 8/21 photo from New Pass

FLORIDA ‘“ CHARLOTTE HARBOR TO TAMPA BAY – SARASOTA ‘“ NEW PASS AND LONGBOAT PASS: Dredge Operations.
Norfolk Dredging will commence dredge operations on or about 01 August, 2016 with Dredge PULLEN.
Construction Schedule (approximate) Subject to Change:
01 August – Mobilization to New Pass/South End
08 August – Dredging commences at New Pass ‘“ Fill placement from south to north ‘“L’Ambiance to Regent Place
29 August – Completion of New Pass
05 September ‘“ Mobilization to Longboat Pass/North End
11 September ‘“ Turtle Nest Clearance
12 September ‘“ Dredging commences at Longboat Pass ‘“ Fill placement from north to south
10 October – Completion of Longboat Pass

The dredge material will be pumped through a submerged pipeline that extends from the borrow area to the fill area. The pipeline location is approximate, but will be appropriately marked to show line and direction, as required by the USCG. Ancillary equipment will be anchored near and within each Pass. See enclosure section of maps and drawings. The Dredge Operators will standby on VHF-FM channels 13 and 16. Marine traffic is advised to call 30 minutes prior to expected time of passage. All mariners are requested to stay clear of the dredge, booster, floating (including pontoon) and submerged pipelines, barges, derricks and operating wires about the dredge. Operators of vessels of all types should be aware that the dredge 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 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, pipelines, 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 remove these from the area where tugs, tenderboats and other attendant equipment will be navigating. Since the project will be conducted twenty’“four (24) hours per day seven (7) days a week, all fishnets, crabpots and structures in the general area must be removed prior to the commencement of the work. For further information contact: Norfolk Dredging at (757) 547-9391.

Click Here To Open A Chart View Window, Zoomed To the Location of New Pass

Click Here To Open A Chart View Window, Zoomed To the Location of Longboat Pass