Telemar Marina guards the Banana River’s easterly banks, just north of the Eau Gallie fixed bridge and Dragon Point.

I would recommend this marina to folks looking for a calm and totally protected place to stay just inside dragon point. you can even get in at night .. ask me how I know. Publix is near along with a Lowes and the beach. The dolphins are very active in this harbor. Depths are good up to the marina and around 6′ at the fuel dock.
Alan Kemp

Click Here To View the Cruisers’ Net’s Eastern Florida Marina Directory Listing For Telemar Marina

Click Here To Open A Chart View Window, Zoomed To the Location of Telemar Marina

Temporary marker #14 is in the inlet east of the Waterway.

LOCAL NOTICE TO MARINERS: Week 05/12
Set TEMP Buoy 14 in position 27-09-92.639N 080-10-07.118W due to shoaling observed on the 11472 0512
north side of channel east of DBN 16 (LLNR 10165).

Click Here To Open A Chart View Window, Zoomed To A “Navigation Alert” Position at St. Lucie Inlet

St. Lucie Inlet, where much shoaling and shifting of channel have occurred, intersects the AICW near Stuart, Florida at Statute Mile 987. We have had a Navigation Alert posted here since August of 2011. See photos below..
Also note this placement of a temporary buoy in the inlet:
Set TEMP Buoy 14 in position 27-09-92.639N 080-10-07.118W due to shoaling observed on the 11472 0512
north side of channel east of DBN 16 (LLNR 10165).

FLORIDA-ATLANTIC INTRACOASTAL WATERWAY-PALM SHORES TO WEST PALM BEACH-ST LUCIE INLET: Dredging Operations.
Norfolk Dredging Company will commence dredging operations in the St Lucie Inlet on or about February 19, 2012. The dredge “CHARLESTON” will be working in the Federal Navigation Channel of the St Lucie Inlet and the Impoundment Basin in the north side if the channel. A pipeline will be placed from the dredging area to the vessel PULLEN which will be stationed near the south bank of the St Lucie Inlet. From the vessel PULLEN, the pipeline runs to St Lucie Inlet State park near South point. The project will continue until approximately April 10, 2010. The dredge operator will standby in VHF-FM channels 13 and 16. Vessel traffic should call 30 minutes prior to expected time of passage. Mariners are 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, crab pots and other structures that may be in the vicinity and that may hinder the free navigation of attending vessels and equipment must remove theses from the area where tugs, tender boats and other attendant equipment will be navigating. The operations will be conducted 24 hours per day, 7 days a week. All fishnets, crab pots and structures in the general area must be removed prior to commencement of the work. For further information contact Norfolk Dredging Company at 757-547-9391. Charts 11428, 11472

Yay! It’s about time and it is very welcomed. Went out a few weeks ago with friends and had a rough time trying to come back in the narrow channel with all the boats trying to come in at the same time. Talk about major traffic jam!
The Leafs

Click Here To Open A Chart View Window, Zoomed To A “Navigation Alert” Position at St. Lucie Inlet

Click Here To View An Earlier Posting on St. Lucie Inlet

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

Another Florida spring festival to enjoy!

Cruising News:
The 3rd Annual Martin County Nautical Flea Market & Seafood Festival will be held April 27-29, 2012 at the Martin County Fairgrounds 2616 SE Dixie Hwy, Stuart FL 34996-4007

In today’s economy, the Martin County Nautical Flea Market & Seafood Festival will provide an outlet for the marine industry and private individuals to sell overstocked, new and used marine equipment at a fraction of the original retail cost. Many boaters, fishermen and divers will find valuable items for their maritime lifestyle at bargain prices and the best value for their dollar.

The Martin County Nautical Flea Market & Seafood Festival will be the answer for buyers and sellers alike. Vendors will offer a wide variety of items including fishing rods, reels, lures and lines, antique collectibles and maps, teak furniture, tournament gear, nautical art, crafts and jewelry, marine artifacts, boating apparel, taxidermy and fish reproductions, diving equipment, marine accessories and parts and floating docks. Several boat dealers will also be displaying and selling new and used boats in our boat corral.

Over 100 boat repossessions, short sales, dealer trades, and private liquidations will be up for sale. The auction boat preview is all day Saturday April 28 and the sale starts at 11:00 am Sunday April 29, 2012. As many as 10,000 boat enthusiasts have attended past editions of the three day event. To preregister to sell or buy a boat go to http://www.FieldsAuction.net or call (561) 844-0440

Visit the 2012 Martin County Nautical Flea Market website for more information, special hotel rates and specific driving directions: http://www.flnauticalfleamarket.com. Vendor applications are still being accepted. For information and discount tickets, visit the website or contact Under the Sun Promotions, Inc. at 954-205-7813, FAX: 561-395-5389
Larry Burdgick

More food for thought on the subject of boardings. This all goes back to the story of a very unsettling boarding which took place during November of 2010 in Volusia County, Florida (see http://cruisersnet.net/?p=45038). This incident caused an uproar here on the Cruisers’ Net, and elsewhere. Captain Greer’s note below is in response to this incident.

While I agree that boarding cruising sail boats the way these law enforcement personal have done is unsettling at the least. we must remember that it is Florida, the drug running capital of the world and this is why it happens. The smugglers are skilled and trying to look like ordinary recreational vessels. Therefore, while sailing in these waters the best thing to do is always be prepared to cooperate with the authorities that are trying to make the area safe and keep illegal drugs out of our country. just food for thought. If we were boarding a boat that might be a front for drugs. knowing that these people will shoot first if possible. would we give them any warning? or would we want to secure all personal on the boat as quickly as possible? I know I know. It feels like a violation of our basic rights. but it’s their job.
Mickey Geer

And, appropriately, LOTS of other points of view from the cruising community:

If the drugs were legal, the drugs could be regulated then taxed to pay the regulators to tyrannize the drug dealers. Instead the boaters are legal and taxed to pay the regulators who tyrannize the boaters in the War On Drugs. In the immortal words of Earl Pitts…”WAKE UP AMERICA”
David Burnham

It doesn’t only ‘feel’ like a violation it IS a violation. Yet another apologist for jack booted thugs. I’m very happy I don’t live there.
Bosunj

It is not their job to violate anyone’s rights. I do not know the particulars of this situation but I am just saying that it is not their job to violate anyone’s rights. Their job is to enforce the law within the limits of the constitution. In the USA we draw lines and fences. They cannot cross the basic rights fences. It is for very good reason that we do this. I am curious, is a search warrant required to enter somone’s boat without their permission?
Edward Trzebiatowski

Click Here To View the 2010 Report That Prompted Mickey’s Comments

It’s a fascinating cruise of some 140 nautical miles from the St. Johns River’s inlet at Mayport, to the city of Sanford on Lake Monroe. And here, cruisers will discover Monroe Harbour Marina, a long-time, cruiser friendly spot!
Below, we have copied a discussion reprinted from the American Great Loop Cruisers’ Association forum, concerning this facility. This is valuable reading for any captain bound for Monroe Harbour!

We’re planning to stay Monroe Harbor Marina which has a great rate for BoatUS members and should keep us in deep enough water in Sanford.
Jeanie & Wes on
M.V. Miss Ruby

Be very careful going into Monroe Harbor. There is very skinny water even in good times. We drew 4 feet and churned a good bit of mud entering last April.
Paul Brannon
SEASEA

When I sent my previous message about Lake Monroe and the approach to Monroe Harbor Marina I did not have my chart book in front of me. I was out on Lake Monroe yesterday and realized the directions I gave in my previous post were not as clear as they should be. Let me clear it up:
After you pass under the railroad bridge and enter Lake Monroe, you will encounter a well-marked channel that leads to a turning basin about two miles out at G7. At that basin you want to take the channel that heads SW straight to the marina. This channel is well maintained. About three quarters of the way down the channel at R7 you will see another channel that heads to the right toward the shore. DO NOT take that channel. It is not maintained and is quite shallow in spots. Continue heading straight toward the marina.
Monroe Harbor has two basins, east and west. The entrances to both can get skinny in spots so be careful and watch your depth sounder carefully going in. If you are directed to the east basin, be sure to favor the red side of the entrance where the buildings are. The side with the wall is shallow.
Bill & Kathleen Root

Click Here To View the Cruisers’ Net’s Eastern Florida Marina Directory Listing For Monroe Harbour Marina

Click Here To Open A Chart View Window, Zoomed To the Location of Monroe Harbour Marina

Moving south from Jacksonville on the St. Johns River, (yes, believe it or else, that’s “upstream”), one of the best anchorages along the run along the entire run from Jax to Palatka, comes up along the western banks south of Orange Park. Of course, your vessel must be able to get under a 37-foot bridge to access the waters beyond, known as Doctors Lake. Mill Cove is one of several possible anchor down spots here, but do watch out for the correctly charted pilings if you stray too near the rear of the cove.

We are in Mill Cove on Doctors Lake tonight. Lovely spot.
Jeanie & Wes on
M.V. Miss Ruby

Click Here To View the Cruisers’ Net’s Eastern Florida Anchorage Directory Listing For the Mill Cove Anchorage

Click Here To Open A Chart View Window, Zoomed To the Location of the Mill Cove Anchorage

Last June there was a HUGE row here on the Cruisers’ Net, begun by reprinting a letter fellow nautical writer, Captain Wally Moran, sent to the Miami Beach Chief Mayor (check out – http://cruisersnet.net/?p=59515). It seems that one property owner in this area objects so strongly to boats being anchored behind his house, that he shines bright spotlights out over the water, and plays loud music. Captain Wally even experienced a local law enforcement office stopping by his boat, and, after acknowledging that he had no right to do so under Florida state law, Wally was asked asked to move his vessel elsewhere.
Since then, the battle between cruisers and the property owner in question on Sunset Lake has continued! Captain Kettlewell’s comment below refers to the original posting on this subject.

Dennis, by all accounts the abuse has been solely on the part of one property owner, to the point that his shenanigans have been reported toe police numerous times by his land neighbors. He is the one who blasts loud music, shines spotlights, throws wakes, etc. The cruisers just anchor there and get this treatment. Cruisers are fighting back by reporting his illegal actions, like creating excessive noise that disturbs everyone. It is clear that this fellow thinks he owns the water behind his house. He does not. It is a public waterway for all to share.
John Kettlewell

And, the latest from Captain Wally Moran, as of 1/27/12

I’ve received an additional email from m/v Refuge since the above. There are now an additional five small boats anchored out behind Karlton’s property. The local police and, I understand, the FWC, have been around.
I’ve contacted the mayor’s office several times now and requested that the situation be dealt with, since Karlton is not only breaking the law, he is denying to others their rights. The city has not responded directly to me (yet), but I’ll wait a bit yet to see what they might do. They just might not want to speak with me – I seem to antagonize them, if you can imagine that!
Interestingly enough, Karlton is also proving that boaters DO have the right to anchor in Sunset Lake by his actions with his little boats. The irony is palpable, as Claiborne might say.
Karlton has had 8 visits from municipal code enforcement officers in the past 18 months or so, and two tickets. A $250 ticket remains unpaid as of today according to MB records.
My suggestion? Anchor behind Karlton’s place, and when he plays his rap music, call the city. Make sure you give them a valid celphone number, because Karlton is bright enough to turn down the music before they arrive, hence only two tickets out of 8 calls.
The fines run up to $5000 for subsequent offenses. Perhaps after this idiot has paid a few thousand dollars in fines, he might smarten up.
Or maybe not. I know how I’ll bet.
btw, look for the red sailboat anchored there in a couple of weeks. I’m heading into Florida now and plan on stopping by to wave hello to Karlton and spend a couple of days at least – it’s a nice anchorage. Would hate to miss it, and I’ve got some great noise cancelling earphones I want to try out.
Wally Moran

This is the second laudatory message we’ve received during early 2012 about a good experience at the Dinner Key Mooring Field. Clearly, other cruisers have releated a different sort of reaction in the past, but these recent messages lead us to conclude that things may very well be looking up at this facility.
Dinner Key Mooring field is managed by the adjacent and sprawling, Dinner Key Marina. Both facilities are located in southern Miami, hard by the vibrant Coconut Grove community.

We spent a good 4 days in the Dinner key mooring field in early January when a cold front passed with strong N NW winds and really enjoyed our stay . True the dinghy dock was abit crowded but we always found room and the ferry was available till 5 pm also . The ferry had fenders all around it so I cannot imagine how it could cause any damage to anyone. The shower and restroom facilities were spotless at the time we used them and I liked the fact that they were all in one unit for complete privacy . We were lucky to have a mooring which was not too far from the dock so managed to stay drywhen going ashore in our tender . The Fresh Market had everything we needed and we enjoyed going to the movies and dining out in the Coconut grove restaurants . All in all a good stay . The staff were also very friendly and helpful giving information about the locality . If the winds had been from the E SE then it might have been a different story and we would have chosen somewhere else for better protection.
Kat

Click Here To View the Cruisers’ Net’s Eastern Florida Anchorage Directory Listing For the Dinner Key Mooring Field

Click Here To Open A Chart View Window, Zoomed To the Location of the Dinner Key Mooring Field

Peck Lake anchorage will be discovered east of the AICW Channel, east-southeast of flashing daybeacon #19. There has always been a shallow water bar between the Wateway, and deeper depths in the anchorage itself. Captain MacInnis was smart to enter this haven at high tide, and presumably, he left under the same conditions.
The comment about the adjacent beach being pet unfriendly is news to us. Pet owners take note!

We went in at near high tide just south of green 19. The previous comments were correct in how to get in. There is a lot of shallow water in there – towboat US pulled out two while we were there, so go slow, and watch the tides. We travel with our dog, and I just want to point out that the ocean beach is off limits to pets, but I was able to take him to shore on the lake side.
Ian MacInnis

Click Here To View For An Earlier Posting With Advice for Entering Peck Lake.>