This underwater power cable replacement project will take place north of Georgetown between Brookgreen Creek and AICW marker #67.

SOUTH CAROLINA-ATLANTIC INTRACOASTAL WATERWAY-SANDY ISLAND-WACCAMAW RIVER: Cable Replacement.
Santee Cooper Co. will be replacing the underwater power line cables feeding Sandy Island on or about February 13, 2012. The crossings are at Brookgreen Creek and the Waccamaw River near Little River-Winyah Bay Light 67 (LLNR 33950). The work should take approximately 3 days working off a barge with the crossings. Equipment will be moved to and from Sandy Island. The barge and work boats will monitor VHF channels 16 mariners are advised to call for passing arrangements as the waterway may be restricted. Mariners are advised to use extreme caution while transiting the area. Further information contact Area Operation Supervisor, Mr. Robert Singleton 843-651-1589 x3815. Chart 11534

Click Here To Open A Chart View Window, Zoomed To A “Navigation Alert” Position at Marker #67, Waccamaw River

This dredging project begins at AICW marker #60 where the St. Augustine Inlet intersects the Waterway between Vilano Beach Bridge and the Bridge of Lions.

FLORIDA-AMELIA ISLAND TO ST AUGUSTINE-ST AUGUSTINE INLET/BEACH: Beach Renourishment.
Marinex Construction Inc will commence dredging operations in the vicinity of the St Augustine Inlet on or about February 5, 2012. The work will extend from inshore Tolomato River LB 60 (LLNR 38910) to offshore St Augustine Inlet Buoy 2 (LLNR 9480). Submerged pipeline will extend from the inlet in a southerly direction and land at St Augustine Beach north of the St Augustine Pier. The dredge operations will continue on a 24 hours per day, 7 days per week basis until approximately June 15, 2012. The dredge “SAVANNAH” will monitor VHF radio channels 13 & 16. Further
information contact the Operations Manager, Mr. Thomas Payne 843-722-9083. Mariners are requested to exercise extreme caution while transiting the area. Charts 11485 and 11488

Click Here To Open A Chart View Window, Zoomed To A “Navigation Alert” Position at St. Augustine/AICW Intersection

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

Click Here To Open A Chart View Window, Zoomed To A “Navigation Alert” Position at Destroyed Marker #25

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

I passed through there at 0800 yesterday, and did not see the vessel, though it may have been removed. It was also not present at 1300 the day before.
Donovan

Click Here To Open A Chart View Window, Zoomed To A “Navigation Alert” Position at the Reported Position to the Partially Sunken Vessel Described Above

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 stay 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

Click Here To Open A Chart View Window, Zoomed To A “Navigation Alert” Position at the Reported Position of the Abandoned Vessel Described Above

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.

Shoaling on the east side of Big Foot Slough is pretty much a constant situation, particularly in the area of red markers 8, 10, and 12. It isn’t unusual to see shore birds wading only a few feet outside of the channel, and when I was last there the shoal area encroached 15-20 feet into the channel and was quite visible at low tide. I presume the sustained winds from Irene only made the situation worse.
As a “local” who goes out to Ocracoke several times a year, and has a sailboat with 5’6″ of draft, I hold to the center of the channel, or favor the green markers when entering or leaving Ocracoke by Big Foot Slough.
Rick Brass

Click Here To Open A Chart View Window, Zoomed To A “Navigation Alert” Position on Big Foot Slough Channel Near Marker #10B

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

The missing marker detailed below lies on the north side of a westward turn in the AICW’s run through South Amelia River, between marker #33 to the east and marker #37 to the west.

Daymark R34 just south of St Mile 725 is missing. Stay close to G33 to avoid the shoal. I found out the “hard” way, but BOAT/US will tow me off in about 1/2 hour.

Click Here To Open A Chart View Window, Zoomed To A “Navigation Alert” at the position of AICW Marker #34

Niles Channel certainly seems to be having its problems as of Janaury, 2012. This is the second item cherry picked from this week’s Local Notice to Mariners which concerns these waters.
Nile Channel runs north from the Hawk Channel between Moser Channel (Marathon) and Key West, some 2 nautical miles east of Hawk Channel’s marker #50A. We list at least three anchorages available to cruisers along Niles Channel (linked below).
We have plotted the reported position of the sunken vessel detailed below, and it seems to lie on the Ramrod Key (eastern) side of the Niles Channel, southeast of the “M GRS” notation on chart 11445! Confine your cruising to the channel’s mid-width or favor the westerly side of the passage slightly, to avoid this hazard!
The Salty Southeast Cruisers’ Net is declaring a Navigational Alert for these waters!

FLORIDA-BAHIA HONDA TO SUGARLOAF KEY-NILES CHANNEL: Hazard to Navigation
The Coast Guard received a report of a 30ft partially submerged sailing vessel in Niles Channel in the vicinity of Ramrod Key and Summerland Key in position 24-39.114N 081-25.686W. Mariners are advised to stay alert and transit the area with caution. Chart 11445

Click Here To Open A Chart View Window, Zoomed To A “Navigation Alert” Position On Niles Channel At the Above Reported Position of the Sunken Vessel

 
Click Here To View the Cruisers’ Net’s Florida Keys Anchorage Directory Listing For the Niles Channel Northern Anchorage

Click Here To View the Cruisers’ Net’s Florida Keys Anchorage Directory Listing For the Niles Channel Southern Anchorage

Click Here To View the Cruisers’ Net’s Florida Keys Anchorage Directory Listing For the Niles Channel–Pye Key Anchorage

Niles Channel runs north from the Hawk Channel between Moser Channel (Marathon) and Key West, some 2 nautical miles east of Hawk Channel’s marker #50A. We list at least three anchorages available to cruisers along Niles Channel (linked below).
The northernmost anchor down spot will be discovered just south of the 40 foot fixed bridge spanning the gap between Summerland and Ramrod Keys. And, the sunken debris, marked by the new aid to navigation detailed in the notice below, cherry picked from the Local Notice to Mariners, lies s short hop south of this northern anchorage.
ALL mariners northbound on Niles Channel, whether to anchor or to continue navigation north of the bridge, need to be aware of the sunken debris marked by the “temporary buoy,” and take all measures necessary to keep clear!
The Salty Southeast Cruisers’ Net is declaring a Navigational Alert for these waters!

FLORIDA- FLORIDA KEYS-BAHIA HONDA TO SUGARLOAF KEY–NILES CHANNEL: Temporary Buoy
A temporary buoy has been placed at Niles Channel Bridge in approximate position 24-39-36.0N 081-26-06.0W marking fallen debris from the old Niles Channel Bridge fishing pier deteriorating. Mariners are advised to remain clear of this structure. Chart 11445

Click Here To Open A Chart View Window, Zoomed To A “Navigation Alert” Position On Niles Channel Near the Postion of the New Marker Described Above

 
Click Here To View the Cruisers’ Net’s Florida Keys Anchorage Directory Listing For the Niles Channel Northern Anchorage

Click Here To View the Cruisers’ Net’s Florida Keys Anchorage Directory Listing For the Niles Channel Southern Anchorage

Click Here To View the Cruisers’ Net’s Florida Keys Anchorage Directory Listing For the Niles Channel–Pye Key Anchorage

The approximate lat/lon coordinates given put the hazard ashore, but we can assume that the site is south of Fox Cut and in the narrow channel between marker #3 and marker #4.

FLORIDA-ATLANTIC INTRACOASTAL WATERWAY-MATANZAS INLET TO MOSQUITO LAGOON: Hazard to Navigation
The Coast Guard received a report of a submerged object approximately 6ft beneath the water in position 29-31.9N 081-09.3W between Fox Cut Light 3 (LLNR 39680) and Fox Cut Daybeacon 4 (LLNR 39683) in vicinity of Beverly Beach. Mariners are advised to stay alert and transit the area with extreme caution. Chart 11485

Click Here To Open A Chart View Window, Zoomed To A “Navigation Alert” Position at Fox Cut

Bimini Bay and Galati’s Yacht Basin are the very last stop for northbound vessels before venturing out into the wide waters of Tampa Bay. The marked entry channel into this sidewater has always been subject to shoaling, and I’m sure the dredging project described below is designed to relieve this problem. From 1/25/12 to the slated completion date of 2/29/12, cruisers should enter and exit Bimini Basin with extra caution.
The Salty Southeast Cruisers’ Net is declaring a temporary Navigational Alert for these waters!

FLORIDA-WEST COAST-ANNA MARIA ISLAND: Dredging Operations.
Florida Dredge & Dock LLC, will commence dredging operations on or about January 25, 2012. Hydraulic dredging and beach nourishment operations will be performed at Bimini Bay/Key Royal Entrance Channel at north end of Anna Maria Island on the Intracoastal side. The dredge “GATOR POINT” and work boats Path Finder & Naple will work 24 hours per day 7 days per week until approximately February 29, 2012. There will be floating rubber and submerged polyethylene pipeline associated with the drege operation. Pipeline and vessels will be visibly lighted and marked. pipeline will traverse northerly from Bimini Bay and key Royale Entrance Channel to designated beach fill location. Pipeline will remain in route from the dredging area to disposal site. Mariners are urged to use extreme caution in the area and to transit at their slowest safe speed to minimize wake, and proceed with caution after passing arrangements have been made. VHF-FM channels monitored: Channels 13, 16 and working channel 71. The dredge “GATOR POINT” cell phone 727-480-5074. Further information contact the project Manager, Mr. Prasong Buranakitipinyo, 904-451-3216 or the Project Superintendent, Mr. Chester Fletcher, 727-460-9039. Chart 11425

Click Here To Open A Chart View Window, Zoomed To A “Navigation Alert” Position at the Entrance to Bimini Bay

Construction to build a new, fixed 65′ bridge across the AICW near the site of the Skidaway Narrows Bascule Bridge on Hwy. 204 began in 2010 and has not affected navigation to this point. The completion date of the new bridge is sometime in 2012 and may require additional brief closures such as the one describede below, as the project is completed.

GEORGIA – ATLANTIC INTRACOASTAL WATERWAY – BEAUFORT RIVER TO ST SIMONS SOUND – SKIDAWAY NARROWS BRIDGE: Bridge Replacement Week 01/12
United Contractors, LLC has advised the Coast Guard that they will be closing the Atlantic Intracoastal Waterway at the Skidaway Narrows (Diamond Causeway) Bridge during daytime hours from February 14 through February 20, 2012. This work consists of setting the beams for the new bridge across the waterway. The actual times of the waterway closure will be published in a future Local Notice to Mariners. The contractor will be removing the old bascule bridge approximately in August 2012. This work will request the waterway to be closed to navigation during the removal. The dates and times will be published in a future Local Notice to Mariners. Chart 11507

I checked with the USCG Marine Safety Office here in Savannah Jessie Wallis 912-652-4353 ext 223 and he referred me to the Local Notice to Mariners Jan 2012 and the MSSB December 12 2011. As you can see from the LN to M actual times will be forthcoming in future LN to M.
Mr. Wallis also stated that They had no intentions of closing the bridge totally for the six day period February 14 thru 20, 2012. Mr. Wallis said to follow the instruction in the December 12, 2011 MSSB. Call on channel 9 to the push boat Python to coordinate your safe passage during the period of safety closure.
Kevin R. Quinn

Click Here To View the Cruisers’ Net’s Georgia Bridge Directory Listing For Skidaway Narrows Bridge

Click Here To Open A Chart View Window, Zoomed To A “Navigation Alert” Position at Skidaway Narrows Bridge

The dredging operation described below will be active in the Cape Fear Inlet below Southport, just south of where the AICW turns west out of Cape Fear River, and will affect only traffic in the inlet, not traffic in the Waterway.

NC – CAPE FEAR RIVER ENTRANCE – BALDHEAD ISLAND – DREDGING Week 2/12
The Dredge MARION will be conducting dredging operations in the Cape Fear River Entrance at Baldhead from 16 January until 31 March, 2012. The dredge wil 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: 11537.

Click Here To Open A Chart View Window, Zoomed To A “Navigation Alert” Position at Baldhead Island

Cedar Key is one of a limited number of ports of call along Western Florida’s waterwayless Big Bend region (the Western Florida coastline between Anclote Key and Dog Island). Honestly, this has never been one of my favorite places, with difficult channels, little in the way of really good anchorages, and a downtown business district which exhibits some garish, modern development. Others disagree, however, and many cruisers stop here time and again while crossing the sometimes daunting Big Bend passage.
Cedar Key is served by two channels, as noted by Captain Gano below. The Main Ship Channel (known to some locals as the “Seahorse Key Channel”), has an “S” turn along its easterly reaches which has to be seen to be believed.
The other entrance and egress passage, which is the primary focus of Captain Rich’s message below, is known as the Northwest Channel. The shallow spot noted by Captain Gano has been there for years and years, and it’s not getting any deeper. That’s particularly important as it LOOKS on the charts as if the Northwest Channel might be the better entry route for southbound vessels. But, as you will read below, that’s probably not the case!
We are declaring a navigational alert for the waters!

In 2009, I ran hard aground (4-foot draft) going out the NW channel at Cedar Key right between markers “21″ and “22″. There was a sailboat sitting a couple hundred yard farther out in the channel aimed at us, probably where he’d got stuck. Tide was low. We waited to float free and than went back out the way we had come in the day before – the Main Ship Channel.
A smarter cruiser than we anchored off Sea Horse Key in open water and avoided the long trek up the Main Ship Channel to the anchorage right off the town. It was calm that night; so he made a good decision and was away early the next morning while we waited to float free.
Having been to Cedar Key by car before, I knew there was no call to go ashore.
Rich Gano
Calypso

I respectfully disagree with the above poster’s implication that there is little to see or do on Cedar Key. I visited it for 5-6 days this past summer…and..there is a ton of history here…an old lighthouse that gets regular park tours (Seahorse key light) which is off to port on a bluff-like island (Seahorse Key) at the main approach channel. there are old Victorian houses, a many-fingered estuary that practically bisects the island and dries out at low tide leaving all sorts of old boats and docks exposed in a surreal fashion…and it has a few good restaurants and a wonderful small library that is very accessible to get online or find hiustory books about the area, Cedar Key , IMHO, is very much worth the initial tedious Main ship channel and it’s s-turns…if your draft is 5-foot or less and you come in and out on the high tides…there’s lot’s to see and on the weekends there is a guy with a Piper cub at the nearby airport giving $25 airplane rides…what a thrill..try finding that anywhere else….it’s one other jewel in Florida’s Nature Coast and there’s lot’s more of it adjacent..whether south to Crystal River/Weekiwatchee..or a little North and around a bend out the NW cedar key channel to to Suwanee river Wildlife refuge…watch your depth finders folks…and enjoy!
Morgan R.

Click Here To Open A Chart View Window, Zoomed To A “Navigation Alert” Position at Cedar Key

A check of chart 11427 reveals that marker #45A denotes the western flank of the Western Florida ICW, and is normally located east of North Captiva Island. Thankfully, according to the note below which is extracted from the Local Notice to Mariners, a temporary lighted buoy. Even so, ALL mariners should exercise maximum caution while navigating the Pine Island Sound portion of the Waterway.
The Salty Southeast Cruisers’ Net is declaring a navigational alert at the site of #45A!

FLORIDA- INTRACOASTAL WATERWAY-ESTERO BAY TO LEMON BAY-PINE ISLAND SOUND: Hazard to Navigation.
Pine Island Sound Light 45A (LLNR 55900) is destroyed and sitting approximately 2ft above the waterline. The aid has been temporarily replaced with a TRLB displaying Q Fl G characteristics and set 15 yards channel ward in position 26-35-35.682N 082-11-42.640W. Mariners are advised to use extreme caution while transiting the area.
Chart 11426 and 11428

Click Here To Open A Chart View Window, Zoomed To A “Navigation Alert” Position at Marker #45A on the Pine Island Sound Section of the Western Florida ICW

The destroyed marker, which is the subject of the message below extracted from the Local Notice to Mariners, normally sits in the heart of St. Lucie River’s run through the city of Stuart, Florida, a short hop east of the high-rise Roosevelt Bridge. Far more ominous is the “partially submerged” notation below. Mariners should exercise maximum caution when navigating the St. Lucie River portion of the Okeechobee Waterway.
We are declaring a Navigational Alert for these waters!

FLORIDA-ST LUCIE INLET TO FORT MEYERS AND LAKE OKEECHOBEE-OKEECHOBEE WATERWAY-ST LUCIE RIVER: Hazard to Navigation.
St Lucie River Daybeacon 22A (LLNR 50780) is destroyed and partially submerged. Mariners are advised to avoid the area. Chart 11428

January 6 we were moving west into Sunset Bay Marina (with the sun in our eyes), wondering where the daybeacon had gone to. This channel is narrow for a deeper draft sailboat, so stick to the GPS line or chart coordinates passing west or east of this area. The submerged alert is very helpful…extra caution to be taken when we leave.
Jane Bugg

Click Here To Open A Chart View Window, Zoomed To A “Navigation Alert” Position at the Position of Marker #22A on the St. Lucie River/Okeechobee Waterway

Interesting that a “temporary” unlighted buoy is off station. These sort so aids to navigation usually replace a charted, more permanent marker on a “temporary” basis. Hmmmm.
A quick study of chart 11430 reveals that marker #11 is really part of the northernmost reaches of the channel which runs behind Marco Island, and it should be positioned east-northeast of Coconut Island.
If anyone hears that #11 has been restored, PLEASE e-mail us at CruisersNet@triad.twcbc.com, follow the “Click Here to Submit Cruising News” link found on the upper right of all Net pages, or follow the “Click Here to Comment on This Posting/Marina/Anchorage/Bridge” link below.
We are declaring an SSECN Navigational Alert for these waters.

FLORIDA-LOSTMANS RIVER TO WIGGINS PASS-CAPRI PASS: Capri Pass Daybeacon 11
The TRUB marking Capri Pass DBN 11 (LLNR 16990) is off-station. Mariners are to exercise caution while transiting the area. Chart 11430

Claiborne
Last week, December 30, my wife and I entered the Capri Pass into Marco Island and found next to the red marker #2, a green can bouy with #11 markings. The green can bouy was about 10 meters to the left of the #2 red marker while the #1 green marker was probably at least 70-90 meters to the left of the red marker #2.
When we left on January 1, the green can bouy had moved down near the #4 red marker. I hailed the Coast Guard on VHF channel 22A and was referred to a land line which I think was the Marco Island Fire Department–not really sure. I reported the situation but, having left the area, I have no idea if anything was done about this.
This marking can be very confusing to any vessel entering or leaving Capri Pass–especially if one is not familiar with the markings.
Bob Peterson,
Isles Yacht Club Fleet Captain

Click Here To Open A Chart View Window, Zoomed To A “Navigation Alert” Position at the Position of Marker #11 at Capri Pass

The FEC (Florida East Coast Railway) Railroad Bridge crosses the St. Johns River in the heart of downtown Jacksonville, hard by the Acosta highway bridge,and downstream of the Fuller Warren – Interstate 95 Bridge. This span has a bare closed vertical clearance of 5-feet, and its partial closure, as described below, WILL seriously inconvenience virtually all cruising craft on the St. Johns River!
The Local Notice to Mariners originally indicated a RR bridge maintenance closure of four days a week until 11/30. Now the closure MAY VERY WELL BE EXTENDED TO THE END OF MARCH, 2012 affecting all marinas (upstream of this bridge) and hundreds of boaters on the St. Johns River.
Downing Nightingale of SALTY SOUTHEAST CRUISERS’ NET SPONSOR, Lamb’s Yacht Center, is attempting to get something done to alleviate the situation. Check out his letter below.

From: Downing Nightingale
Subject: FEC Bridge Closing, Jacksonville, St. Johns River
Cruising News:
ALERT: The Florida East Coast Railroad currently plans to close the St. Johns River for extended periods this month and for 2 1/2 month early next year. See the USCG notices below and the complaint letter to USCG 7th District. All interested parties are encouraged to respond to USCG 7th District.

FLORIDA – ST JOHNS RIVER – FEC RAILROAD BRIDGE: Bridge Closure.
The FEC Railroad Bridge across the St Johns River mile 24.9, Jacksonville, Florida will be closed to navigation from 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. daily Sunday, Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday from November 1 through November 30, 2011. There will be an opening for mariners to pass between 12 noon and 1:30 p.m. daily. MSIB 35-11 Jacksonville can be found at http://homeport.uscg.mil Jacksonville. Ref: LNM 38 through 44-11, MSIB 35-11 –JAX Chart: 11491

FLORIDA – ST JOHNS RIVER – FEC RAILROAD BRIDGE: Bridge Closure.
The bridge owner of the FEC Railroad Bridge across the St Johns River mile 24.9, Jacksonville, Florida has requested permission to close this bridge to navigation from 7:00 a.m. to 11:30 a.m. and from 12:30 p.m. to 5:00 p.m. daily Friday through Tuesday starting January 13, 2012 until March 24, 2012. The Coast Guard recognizes that this will place a burden on vessels transiting through this area during these dates and times. After review of this request with the bridge owner it has been determined that this work cannot be safely completed during nighttime operations nor would it be beneficial to reduce the amount of time allocated for this requested closure since it would have the potential of extending this project an additional 4 to 6 months.
November 11, 2011
Rear Admiral William D. Baumgartner
Commander
USCG Seventh District
Brickell Plaza Federal Building
909 SE 1st Avenue
Miami, FL 33131-3050

Re: USCG Notice to Mariners, District 7, Week 45/11=
Dear Admiral Baumgartner:
As we are beginning to endure a one month closure of the FEC RR Bridge in Jacksonville, the FEC is proposing and it appears that USCG, without any marine interest input, has approved an additional FEC plan to close the St. Johns River RR Bridge for over 2 ½ MONTHS. The closure is from Friday through Tuesday. (More time specifics are in the notice.) The bridge has a listed, closed vertical clearance of 5’! This closes the river to all but the smallest of outboard boats, PWCs and canoes!
Along the Jacksonville Marina Mile on the Ortega River alone, there are over 1,000 boats, with roughly 90% affected by the closing restriction.
This closing affects ALL boats on the St. Johns River south of downtown Jacksonville (for over 150 miles). It denies access of all of those boats from going to the Jacksonville Landing and Metropolitan Park on weekends when nearly all recreational boating takes place. In addition, it severely restricts access of all boats downstream and east of the city to reach fueling and repair facilities on the south side of the bridge. Monday through Friday would be bad enough but, why include weekend days when most recreational boating occurs?
When the FEC did a similar shut down from January to March this year, marinas south of the bridge experienced a considerable loss of business due to the boating public being unable to transit the bridge.
It is apparent that FEC has no knowledge and/or has no concern for the detrimental economical impact or the loss of boat owners pleasure use on sunny Florida winter weekends.
According to the latest FFWCC statics (2009) there are 66,212 registered boats in the Northeast Region. Subtract powerboats under 16’, PWCs & canoe/kayaks, that would not likely be affected, that leaves a potential of 34,533 impacted by the closure, not counting those further south on the St. Johns.
This closure comes AGAIN with only a request by FEC to USCG with no consideration or input from the recreational boating public.
Yet to be determined would be the impact on commercial traffic and the restrictions placed on marine safety (USCG, JSO, JFRD, FFWCC etc).
The antiquated design and construction of this 100+ year old bridge, coupled with the very slow transit of long freight trains continues to be a burden on the navigation on this major water thoroughfare. We all understand that the oldest bridge across the St. Johns River requires continual maintenance but the proposed schedule will unreasonably obstruct navigation on the St. Johns River.
Very truly,
Downing Nightingale, Jr., CEO
Lamb’s Yacht Center

Here’s a link to the Jacksonville.com article describing the timing of repair work to the East Coast drawbridge in downtown Jacksonville. Work begins Jan 15 and will run through the end of March.

Work is scheduled Sunday through Thursday from 7:00 am to 5:00 pm. Work will stop 11:30 am – 12:30 pm. The article doesn’t state it, but I assume that means the bridge will be open during non-work hours (or at least will operate “normally” — down for trains, up for boats).
http://jacksonville.com/news/metro/2011-12-29/story/railroad-bridge-repairs-will-inconvenience-boaters-st-johns-river-0
Steve Williams

I keep my boat on the St. John’s River, upstream (south actually, as the St. John’s flows north normally) of the FEC RR bridge cited in your article. I only
have to transit this area once when I leave for my annual cruise, and of course once coming back, but being forewarned I will know what times to avoid trying to get through. By the way, I obtained the phone number for the bridge operator so I can call and verify the status for myself – don’t tell anyone where you got it but it’s 904-398-7434.
Name Withheld by Request

Click Here To Open A Chart View Window, Zoomed To A “Navigation Alert” Position at the Jacksonville, FL FEC Bridge