No completion date or scope is given for this dredging project, but be alert for dredges, barges and submerged pipelines in the inlet which intersects the Waterway between Melbourne and Vero Beach, FL. Navigation of Sebastian Inlet is restricted by a fixed bridge with a vertical clearance of 37ft.

FLORIDA-PALM SHORES TO WEST PALM BEACH-SEBASTIAN INLET CHANNEL: Dredge Operations
Orion Marine Construction will commence hydraulic dredge operations in Sebastian Inlet, Sebastian, Florida. Operations will occur in the vicinity of private Aids – Sebastian Inlet Channel Buoy 1A (LLNR 9730) and buoy 3A (LLNR 9740.1) on or around February 25, 2014 completion date is (TBD). The Dredge JERI-B will be on scene monitoring VHF-FM channel 16 and working channel 78 days of Operation (7-days per week/24-hours per day). Floating rubber and submerged polyethylene pipeline associated with dredging operations will be utilized. Pipeline and vessels will be visibly lighted and marked. Mariners are urged to use extreme caution in the area transit at their slowest safe speed to minimize wake, and proceed with caution after passing arrangements have been made. Further information contact Jared Rackley (904) 868-9498 or Mr. Prasong (904) 451-3216. Chart 11472 LNM: 06/14

Click Here To Open A Chart View Window, Zoomed To the Location of Sebastian Inlet

St. Augustine Waterfront – Click for Chartview

This restaurant review comes from our friends at St. Augustine Cruisers’ Net, https://www.facebook.com/groups/staugustinecruisersnet/

Took my family to Cellar 6 for dinner tonight. By far the worst dining experience I have ever had in the 12 years of eating out in St Augustine. Extremely disappointed, especially since we enjoyed the drinks when we went there for happy hour with the net [St. Augustine Cruisers net]. Needless to say will never go back.
Johnathan Hughes

Click Here To Open A Chart View Window, Zoomed To the Location of St. Augustine

Stuart Waterfront – Click for Chartview

Ice cream is often the most sought after commodity whenever going ashore, regardless the time of day. When in Stuart, enjoy the recommendations offered by Skipper Susan Landry, co-owner of Beach House Publications, publishers of “The Great Book of Anchorages,” (http://www.tgboa.com)

You won’t have to walk far from the Stuart waterfront to find ice cream. It boasts a Kilwin’s, G&G Gelato and Kelly’s Kones all within a three or four block radius! One’s too crowded, keep going to the next one! We just can’t walk past Kilwin’s without stopping.
Although not technically ice cream, it is a frozen treat and also my other fave dessert – the frozen key lime pie on a stick dipped in dark chocolate. Of course, this had to have originated in Key West. The Blond Giraffe and other key lime pie companies sell this sweet feast for the taste buds. You can find this in the Keys at a number if locations. I had the good fortune to find dipped cheesecake on a stick at a boat show on the Chesapeake last summer. I suggested to the guy he might want to branch out into key lime pie…
Susan Landry

Click Here To Open A Chart View Window, Zoomed To the Location of Stuart Waterfront

Fantastic Fudge Ice Cream Parlor

Ice cream is often the most sought after commodity whenever going ashore, regardless the time of day. When in Fernandina Beach, enjoy the recommendation offered by Skipper Susan Landry, co-owner of Beach House Publications, publishers of “The Great Book of Anchorages,” (http://www.tgboa.com)

Fernandina Harbor – Click for Chartview

Fortunately, you don’t have to go far into Florida to get your first fix. Fernandina Beach houses probably one of the most visited ice cream shops along the Waterway. About four blocks from the marina, this gem, Fantastic Fudge, makes and sells fudge and other candy. Their Birthday Cake ice cream is some of the best that I have ever had. Fantastic Fudge proudly sells Florida’s own Working Cow ice cream. You will likely find a line here, which is fine. One, you get more time to make up your mind and two, you know it must be good if this many people are waiting in line for it. I have to recommend the Raspberry Haze.
Susan Landry

Click Here To Open A Chart View Window, Zoomed To the Location of Fernandina Harbor

The charming old Floridian community of Welaka guards the St. Johns’ eastern banks south of Palatka and north of Lake George, between markers #48 and #50. The cafe at the top of the hill mentioned by the Sturms is probably Cafe Bleu, highly recommended by other cruisers, http://cruisersnet.net/?p=110746

Stopped for the day at the free dock in Welaka at mile 95. This is a deluxe floating concrete dock with space for maybe a half dozen boats (no power or water) and there are a couple of restaurants within walking distance – one at the top of the hill adjacent to the dock. We tried both of them and were pleased. The best surprise is the athletic and playground complex / tennis courts at the top of the hill have hot showers and all of this is free. Just be sure to bring a roll of toilet paper with you. Sadly, the maritime museum has closed and is now just a storage building. In short, we liked Welaka.
Elaine & Russ Sturm
Twelve Stones

Click Here To Open A Chart View Window, Zoomed To the Location of Welaka, FL

Sixmile Creek – Click for Chartview

Six Mile Creek stretches out from the southeastern corner of Palmo Cove, itself a short hop southeast of the infamous Shands Bridge at Green Cove Springs. Be advised that you may have to cruise through some 4 1/2 foot soundings to reach the stream’s mouth, and again as you approach the Crab Shack’s docks. If you can navigate in these depths, the effort is well worthwhile!

The previous night, we stayed on the free dock at Outback Crab Shack on Six Mile Creek (Mile 47) and it is a bit shallow getting in there with 5 foot draft boats needing high tide.
Elaine and Russ Sturm
Twelve Stones

Click Here To Open A Chart View Window, Zoomed To the Location of Palmo Cove and Six Miles Creek

Click Here To Open A Chart View Window, In Satellite Photo (“Hybrid”) Mode, Zoomed To the Location of the Crab Shack on Six Mile Creek

We have previously published several strings of messages about the Florida Pilot Mooring Field program. Some hate it, some like it, and some are not sure exactly what to think, and just want additional information. Linked below you will discover a series of messages which recently appeared on the T&T (Trawlers and Trawlering) mailing list. As you will see, again, there is a wide range of opinions, but we found some of these notes extremely well thought-through, and definitely thought provoking.
Note that some of these contributors are referring to the FWC (Florida Fish and Wildlife Commission) report on Florida Mooring Fields, which was recently published, and about which we will have more to say editorially soon!
This series of messages is sooooo lengthy, instead of pasting them all below, we invite you to visit:

http://www.CruisersNet.net/even-more-discussion-about-florida-mooring-fields

We have published several earlier stories here on the SSECN about St. Augustine Inlet’s marker #1 being destroyed. Our latest article prior to this posting went up on 2/10/14, and was entitled, “St. Augustine Inlet Marker #1 Still Destroyed and NOT Replaced (near Statute Mile 776).” Well, thanks to Skipper Daniel Raynor, posting on the St. Augustine Cruisers’ Net (https://www.facebook.com/groups/staugustinecruisersnet/), that title now represents OLD news. While it has taken an usually long time to do so, this critical aid to navigation has been replaced by a “temporary light station” (read that as a temporary, lighted, floating marker). Thanks for the news and the photo Skipper Raynor!

Matanzas light number one. Has a new temporary light on station
Daniel Raynor

Click Here To Open A Chart View Window, Zoomed To the Location of St. Augustine Inlet

From our friends at the American Great Loop Cruisers’ Association Forum, (http://www.greatloop.org/), comes this excellent review of the Murphy Creek anchorages. This stream breaks off from the St. Johns, hard by Dunns Creek, several miles south of Palatka, and eventually loops around and rejoins the St. Johns south of marker #26. We have always suggested entering Murphy Creek by way of Dunns Creek, as the former stream’s westerly mouth channel is somewhat constricted. But, hey, looks like Captains Elaine and Russ were able to successfully navigate both entrances in their 37 foot trawler. Of course, note they have a shoal draft of only 3 feet!

We have a 37′ trawler 3′ draft, 16′ beam. Murphy Creek is one of our favorite anchorages. We have traveled the entire Creek entering both the north & south and exiting both as well. The North entrance is shallower at times but stick to the chart.
I have some amazing pictures from our times on anchor. Its a quiet peaceful anchor spot.
We spent several months last year traveling the entire St. Johns after purchasing our boat. Its a great river.
Elaine & Russ Sturm
Twelve Stones

We were there in November 2013. It is fine as an anchorage with no depth problems as long as you stay in the marked channel. We cruised the entire length of it and never saw less than 7 feet at any time. We did not stop here, but had it planned as an alternate if the weather turned bad. You will see wildlife here, but nothing like what you will see further south.
If you are interested in our trip down the St. Johns, our blog is at http://www.wacithree.blogspot.com. The wildlife gets better and better the further south you go and reaches its peak in the Blue Springs area near DeLand and Hontoon Island State Park. Be sure your dinghy is ready to explore areas your boat will not be able to navigate and you will see a part of Florida that few cruisers have a chance to see. The St. Johns has been the highlight of our Loop so far. Check our blog for details.
Dave & Nan Ellen Fuller
Click Here To View the Eastern Florida Cruisers’ Net Anchorage Directory Listing For Murphy Creek Eastern Anchorage

Click Here To View the Eastern Florida Cruisers’ Net Marina Directory Listing For the Murphy Creek – Murphy Island Anchorage

Click Here To Open A Chart View Window, Zoomed To the Location of Murphy Creek

Main Street Bridge – Click for Chartview

Having just posted a change in the charted closed vertical clearance from 40ft to 38ft (http://cruisersnet.net/?p=135339), this Local Notice to Mariners further temporarily reduces the clearance to 28ft! With all the bridge related clearance and opening issues in Jacksonville, only canoes and kayaks are currently viable on the St. Johns!

For more information on these repairs, see http://cruisersnet.net/?p=134950

FLORIDA – ST JOHNS RIVER – MAIN STREET BRIDGE – JACKSONVILLE: Bridge Repairs.
The Coast Guard has approved a temporary change to the operating schedule of the Main Street Bridge across the St Johns River, Jacksonville, Florida, due to bridge repairs. From January 24 through December 30, 2014, the Main Street Bridge will open with a two hour advance notice between the 6:00 a.m. and 6:59 p.m. to the bridge tender either via VHF-FM channel 9 or by calling 904-891-2191. Between the hours of 7:00 p.m. and 5:59 a.m. a four hour advance notice to the bridge tender will be required to receive an opening.
During the painting operation the contractor will be placing scaffolding under the bridge which will reduce the vertical clearance of the bridge up to 10 feet. [No dates have been published for the completion of the painting.] Chart: 11491 LNM: 05/14

Click Here To View the Cruisers’ Net’s Eastern Florida Bridge Directory Listing For Main Street Bridge

Click Here To Open A Chart View Window, Zoomed To the Location of Main Street Bridge

Bakers Haulover/AICW Intersection – Click for Chartview

This section of the Eastern Florida Waterway has long been designated as an AICW Problem Stretch due to persistent shoaling. Since only passage at mid-to-high tide has been our recommendation, the dredging of this intersection is very welcome news!

FLORIDA-AICW-BAKERS HAULOVER INLET: Maintenance Dredge Operations
Southwind Construction Corp. will commence dredging in the vicinity of Bakers Haulover Inlet beginning on or about February 18, 2014. The Dredge JENNIE LEA II and workboats Ann Kay & Viper will be on scene monitoring VHF-FM channels 13 & 16. Operations will continue 24 hours per day, 7 days per week with completion anticipated March 31, 2014. . Submerged pipeline will be in designated areas then turn southerly toward the Bal-Harbor Beach placement site. Further information contact the Project Manager, Devon Carlock at (812) 867-7220. Mariners are advised to
transit at the slowest safe speed to minimize wake, and proceed with caution after passing arrangements have been made. See enclosure section [below] for pipeline route. Chart 11467 LNM: 05/14

Click Here To View the Cruisers’ Net’s “AICW Problem Stretches” Listing For Bakers Haulover

Click Here To Open A Chart View Window, Zoomed To This AICW Problem Stretch

Fishermans Channel – Click for Chartview

Fishermans Channel parallels the south side of Dodge Island in Miami Harbor and is often used when arriving or departing offshore to avoid large ship traffic in the Main Channel. Fishermans Channel intersects the Waterway at statute mile 1090.

FLORIDA–MIAMI HARBOR–MIAMI MAIN CHANNEL–FISHERMANS CHANNEL: Temporarily Disestablish and Replace Aids.
In preparation for the dredging of Government Cut, Fishermans Channel, and the Lummus Island Turning Basin, the following aids will be temporarily disestablished and replaced with temporary lighted buoys until further notice:
Miami Main Channel Light 15 (LLNR 10550)
Miami Main Channel Light 19 (LLNR 10740)
Fishermans Channel Light 5 (LLNR 10655)
Fishermans Channel Light 7 (LLNR 10660)
Fishermans Channel Light 9 (LLNR 10665)
Lummus Island Turning Basin Light A (LLNR 10675) temporarily renumbered to 9A
Lummus Island Turning Basin Light E (LLNR 10680.7) temporarily renumbered to 9E
Fishermans Channel Light 11 (LLNR 10685)
The above changes will begin on 04 February 2014 and all aids are anticipated to be temporarily converted to floating aids no later than 14 February 2014. For Coast Guard related issues, please contact Sector Miami Waterways Management Divison at: (305) 535-8724 or 8720. Chart 11468 LNM: 05/14

Click Here To Open A Chart View Window, Zoomed To the Location of Fishermans Channel

Main Street Bridge – Click for Chartview

Despite being charted at 40ft MHW vertical clearance, and prompted by IBTS’s query below, two of the Main Street bridge tenders have verified that the distance from the span to the water at Mean High Water is 38ft. Correct your charts! Also, please note the restrictions currently in place that require advanced notice for an opening, http://cruisersnet.net/?p=134950

Is MHW 38feet ??
IBTS

Click Here To View the Cruisers’ Net’s Eastern Florida Bridge Directory Listing For Main Street Bridge

Click Here To Open A Chart View Window, Zoomed To the Location of Main Street Bridge

Main Street Bridge – Click for Chartview

The Main Street Bridge in downtown Jacksonville with a closed vertical clearance of 38ft will require advanced notice from vessels requiring an opening on certain dates as posted each Friday for the following week. These required notices will impact our tall masted cruisers wanting to visit downtown Jacksonville or tour the St. Johns river. Contact information for the Main Street bridge tenders is provided below.

Good morning,
Superior Construction is performing repairs on the Main St. Bridge through early 2015. These repairs involve the replacement of the sidewalk and installation of a guardrail system to protect the steel bridge members and motorists. At times throughout the project, we will require a 2 hour advanced notice between the hours of 6am and 7pm and a 4 hour advanced notice between the hours of 7pm and 6am to open the bridge. This is to ensure the lift span is in balance and safe prior to an opening as work is being performed. It is Superior Construction Company’s desire to notify mariners, by emailing the proposed closures every Friday for the following week. Please note these dates may change due to unforeseen circumstances such as weather or equipment failure. Unless specifically identified in the schedule, mariners should anticipate the described opening restrictions are in effect. Additionally, to support mariners with the latest information we have provided a cell phone to the bridge tenders at the Main Street Bridge who can be contacted at any time, 904-891-2191.
Next week the following dates will require a 2 hour advanced notice:
2/4/14
2/5/14
2/6/14
Thanks,
Rob Clark, P.E.
Superior Construction Company

Click Here To View the Cruisers’ Net’s Eastern Florida Bridge Directory Listing For Main Street Bridge

Click Here To Open A Chart View Window, Zoomed To the Location of Main Street Bridge

St. Augustine City Marina – Click for Chartview

Two Spanish replica tall ships, the 16th century replica of the Nao Victoria and the 17th century replica of El Galeon, visited St. Augustine City Marina in January. The Nao Victoria departed on February 1, but El Galeon will remain in port for a month or more of the winter season. St. Augustine is an extraordinarily and historically appropriate city for these Spanish ships to visit.

For more on this story, go to an article by Peter Giunta in The St. Augustine Record: http://staugustine.com/news/local-news/2013-12-10/st-augustine-historic-ships-will-stop-here#.Uqr5-OKOc7I

El Galeon by Peter Willott peter.willott@staugustine.com

Click Here To View the Eastern Florida Cruisers’ Net Marina Directory Listing For St. Augustine City Marina

Click Here To Open A Chart View Window, Zoomed To the Location of St. Augustine City Marina

Biscayne Point Anchorage - Click for Chartview

Biscayne Point Anchorage lies off the Miami Beach Channel, on the charted finger of deep water north of Biscayne Point and east/southeast of flashing daybeacon #2.

Nice open anchorage. Stay true to the charts as the southern half is truly much deeper! We were the only boat anchored there. No actual dinghy dock that we could find but we dinghyed down the canals and tied up to a wall and walked into town
Erica

Click Here To View the Eastern Florida Cruisers’ Net Marina Directory Listing For Biscayne Point Anchorage

Click Here To Open A Chart View Window, Zoomed To the Location of Biscayne Point Anchorage

Please note the time change and new Facebook address !

Cruising News:
Announcing the St Augustine Cruisers Net
Start Date: Saturday, Oct 20, 2012 at 8:00am everyday on VHF Channel 72.
Find us on https://www.facebook.com/groups/staugustinecruisersnet/
The net will cover things such as:
Welcoming new boats to the harbor/saying goodbye to departing vessels
Announcements, events, and local happenings
Questions and requests for assistance and problem solving
Buy, sell, trade, and giveaway gear
Weather and tides.
So when you’re in the port of St Augustine, turn your VHF channel to 72 at 8:00 am each morning.
Linda R. Allen

Note the change in time. It’s now (as of January 2014) 0900 daily. Not 0800.

St. Marys Entrance Channel - Click for Chartveiw

This dredging project is in the St. Marys Entrance Channel into Fernandina Harbor and should not affect Waterway traffic. If you are navigating the Inlet, take note of the relocated lighted daybeacons listed below.

GEORGIA AND FLORIDA-CUMBERLAND SOUND-FERNANDINA HARBOR TO KINGS BAY: U.S. Naval Station Kings Bay, Maintenance Dredging, Entrance Channel, 46-foot Project.
Great Lakes Dredge & Dock Company will be conducting dredging operations February 15 through March 30, 2014 in Kings Bay Entrance Channel.The project consist of excavating material from the entrance channel and disposing at both Fernandina Ocean Disposal site and pumping materialashore to north Fernandina Beach. Dredges Terrapin Island and Liberty Island along with Survey Vessel East River will be on scene monitoring
Marine VHF Channels 13 & 16. Operations will be 24 hours per day, 7 days a week.Material will be excavated from Kings Bay Entrance Channel at STA 170+00 to 200+00 and STA 242+00 to 325+00. Material removed from STA
170+00 to 200+00, between St Marys Entrance LB 16 (LLNR 6600) and LB 14 (LLNR 6590) will be placed at North Beach Disposal Area, throughfloating hoses, and submerged pipeline. Material removed from STA 242+00 to 325+00, between St Marys Entrance LB 8 (LLNR 6560) and LB 12(LLNR 6580) will be transported and bottom dumped at the Fernandina Ocean Disposal Area. Project POC: Bryan Dast, Project Manager 630-699-9995. Mariners are advised to transit the area with extreme caution.
The following aids have been repositioned to facilitate dredging:
St Marys Entrance LB 10 (6570) relocated to 30-42-44.448N/081-21-33.552W
St Marys Entrance LB 11 (6575) relocated to 30-42-37.947N/081-21-33.278W
St Marys Entrance LB 12 (6580) relocated to 30-42-42.923N/081-22-23.203W
St Marys Entrance LB 13 (6585) relocated to 30-42-35.969N/081-22-23.155W
Chart 11503 LNM: 03/14

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

Sunny Isles Causeway Bridge - Click for Chartview

With a closed vertical clearance of 30ft, Sunny Isles Causeway Bridge crosses the AICW at Statute Mile 1078, south of marker #57.

PUT A SYSTEM IN PLACE!  Too often do I see them open that bridge for boats who are not even close to needing the clearance. Non stop, whole day, every day of life this bridge is open. Considering the amount of construction and money being spent one would think that a wealthy city such as ours can come up with a reasonable system as to when the bridge will open. Get it together.
Jonathan Bernard

Click Here To View the Eastern Florida Cruisers’ Net Bridge Directory Listing For Sunny Isles Causeway Bridge

Click Here To Open A Chart View Window, Zoomed To the Location of Sunny Isles Causeway Bridge

We sincerely thank Captain Glen Moore for sharing the note below. It is just one more example of how the state of Florida and its sun-kissed waters are coming to be looked upon by the cruising community.
Not all of this criticism is valid. I’m in NE Florida right now on a combination speaking/research trip, and I have personally observed some of the friendliest and best appointed marinas to be found anywhere. There are also many cruising friends, including new friends, to be met here in the Sunshine State, and visiting Florida is always rewarding for me.
However, with all that being said, when you bunch together the anchoring/mooring field controversy, the recent, “heavy handed” treatment in Marathon and elsewhere on the part of FWC officers, and certain Florida tax/registration laws that apply to vessels, it results in letters like the one below!

Claiborne,
I do appreciate all you have done to make our cruising more enjoyable, less stressful, and safer. Your guides were a great education to me many years ago when I first bought a boat on the St. Johns River. The Cruisers Net is an invaluable resource when we are cruising in the south.
After completing the Loop, we decided to continue north. Spent 3 months in Maine. A much too short of a time to enjoy those waters, but about 2 weeks longer than their summer. Decided to leave the boat north and cruise in Canada next summer. So, we haven’t been in “your” waters in a long time and have not been able to contribute to the Net.
We have found the people and communities in Maine and Canada very welcoming. We may decide to continue our cruising in the north and never return the boat to our home state of Florida, a state that is becoming increasingly less welcoming to cruisers.

And contrasting experiences from the Chesapeake:

We were anchored in a very small creek off the Rappahannock River. It was a well protected, albeit very shallow anchorage. We were visiting friends who lived in a community bordering one side of the creek. Dinghied farther up the creek to the community dock at their recreation center and walked to our friends home. After our visit, we got back in our dinghy, leaving the dock which had a “No Docking” sign, and headed to our boat. A man was standing on his dock on the other side of the creek, a dock close to where we were anchored. He waved us over to his dock, vigorously. Well, being from Florida, we were expecting a lecture on taking the dinghy to a dock with a sign prohibiting others than residents from docking there and, mostly, to hear a lecture on anchoring behind his house. As we got close to his dock, he said to us: “We don’t get many cruising boats back this far in the creek. Do you need a ride to the grocery store or anywhere else?”
Glen Moore
DeFever 40 Last Dance

I have had the exact same experience anchored up a creek in the Chesapeake, more than once. In fact, I would venture to say that the entire bay is one of the friendliest cruising grounds there is, with many towns throwing out the welcome mat with accessible dinghy docks, public marinas near the center of town, friendly harbormasters, and room to anchor. Annapolis, which is one of the busiest boating ports anywhere, allows free dinghy landing at the end of most public streets that end on the harbor, and offers showers and laundry at the harbor masters office for a modest fee.
John Kettlewell