PLEASE CAREFULLY READ OUR DISCLAIMER!
Please Note That Postings Below From Fellow Cruisers Are Listed in Chronological Order, Based on Publication Date
Yellow Background Denotes Navigation Alert Postings
Click for Chartview
The entrance channel leading to Fort Pierce City Marina, a SALTY SOUTHEAST CRUISERS’ NET SPONSOR, runs to the west, just south of the Fort Pierce high-rise bridge, and well north of unlighted daybeacon #188.
Lets talk weather… scattered thunderstorms, scattered thunderstorms and more scattered thunderstorms. For the next 3 days that is what is in the forecast right after letting us know that the humidity is high and temperatures are in the mid 80′s. Lookout summer, here we come!! Rain chances decrease to 30% for the weekend and going into Memorial Day. Southeast winds the rest of this week and then they are suppose to switch to the north east. The seas will be 3 to 4 feet and a slight chop on the intracoastal. I am sounding more and more like a meteorologist.
As The Propeller Turns:
I am so tired of hearing about all the fish that our tenants are catching. Frank I am talking about you. I am going out with my fishing instructor tomorrow I don’t care if it rains or not (as long as there is no lightening I will survive). I hope you all have had an opportunity to check out our website www.fortpiercecitymarina.com and see the new pictures of the restoration project that I have put on the site. We are coming down to the final weeks and I hope you all are as excited as we here at the Marina are.
On Wednesday the 22nd (tomorrow) there is a meeting at Archie’s at 5pm to discuss the Waterway Cleanup for all those interested in helping.
This Weekend:
Farmers market from 8 to 12 and the arts and craft vendors will be here until 2pm.
Up Coming Events: Make Sure and Mark it on Your Calendar
6th Annual Treasure Coast Waterway Cleanup is scheduled for July 27th. This event covers Martin, St Lucie and Indian River Counties and approximately 1,000 volunteers. Last year they collected and recorded 7.6 tons of trash from approximately 125 miles of waterways. For more information on how you can be a volunteer or a sponsor, call April Price at 772-285-1646 or e-mail her at info@tcwaterwaycleanup.com
Diving Tournaments: Presented by Dive Odyssea
11th Annual Treasure Coast Shootout – Spear Fishing tournament – June 8th and weigh-in will be on June 9th. Categories will include: Grouper, Snapper, Hogfish/Flounder, Trigger/Sheepshead, Jack/Cobia – call Dive Odyssea at 772-460-1771. The rules and entry form are now up on the website www.tcshootout.com.
June 28th and 29th Lionfish Safari, to be held at the Fort Pierce city Marina. Details will be coming soon.
REMINDERS:
Our night dock attendant comes on duty at 10 pm. You can reach him at 772-979-4019 if you have any problems or concerns. If it is an emergency situation please call 911. If you see someone on the docks that doesn’t belong call 911.
***Our new web site is up and running. www.Fortpiercecitymarina.com will now have all the links that I have previously posted here on the newsletter. So instead of having to read all the way down on my newsletter you can go to our website and look for exactly the information you are looking for. Please let us know what you think of it.
Sunrise Theatre Performances: For ticket information call the Sunrise Theatre at 772-461-4884
For upcoming shows please visit www.Sunrisetheatre.com
Black Box Performances:
Comedy Corner: Every 2nd and 4th Saturday of the Month
Peter Hefty and Ramon Garcia may 25th at 8pm
Jazz & Blues Society
Jazz Jams – Sunrise Black Box Theatre
For more information on the Jazz and Blues Society visit their website at www.jazzsociety.org
On-going Events -Visit our website at www.fortpiercecitymarina.com
All information supplied is subject to information acquired from various sources. Marina personnel and the City of Fort Pierce are not responsible for any changes that are made after we have given the information.
Anne Maurer
Fort Pierce City Marina
Marker #132 - Click for Chartview
Damaged marker #132 flanks the western side of the Waterway just north of Vero Beach, FL.
FLORIDA-INTRACOASTAL WATERWAY-PALM SHORES TO WEST PALM BEACH-INDIAN RIVER SOUTH SECTION: Hazard to Navigation.
Indian River (South Section) DBN 132 (LLNR 44150) is reported leaning so that only the top portion of the dayboard is visible. Mariners are advised to exercise extreme caution while transiting the area. Chart 11472
Click Here To Open A Chart View Window, Zoomed To A “Navigation Alert” Position at Marker #132
Fort Pierce Inner Harbor - Click for Chartview
Fort Pierce Inlet pierces the Eastern Florida coastline between Dynamite Point and Hutchinson Island with an entrance range and an inner range which intersects the Waterway at statute mile 966. The destroyed marker, described below in this article cherry picked from the latest Local Notice to Mariners, lies in the northeast corner of the intersection of the Inlet channel and the Waterway.
FLORIDA-FORT PIERCE HARBOR-FORT PIERCE INLET INNER HARBOR: Hazard to Navigation.
Fort Pierce Inlet Inner Harbor Light 16 (LLNR 9970) is destroyed. A TRLB “WR16” displaying Q R characteristics has been set in position 27-27-42.235N 080-19-06.285W channel ward of the destroyed structure. Mariners are advised to use caution while transiting the area. Chart 11475
St. Lucie Shoaling - Click for Chartview
This shoaling is in a section known as Hell Gate just west of Sewall Point at the mouth of the St. Lucie River and near the easternmost section of the Okeechobee Waterway. The coordinates given in the Notice put the temporary buoy 17A in the middle of Sewall Point, but we have to assume it is near the charted green marker #17. Since the shoaling (charted) is encroaching from the west, favoring the green side of the channel is your best bet.
FLORIDA-INTRACOASTAL WATERWAY-ST. LUCIE INLET TO FT. MYERS AND LAKE OKEECHOBEE: Shoaling.
The Coast Guard has established St Lucie River Temp Buoy 17A in position 27-11-02.516N/080-11 49.228W. The Buoy marks a shoal that is encroaching the St Lucie River from the west. Mariners are urged to use caution while transiting the area.
Chart 11428
Claiborne,
That shoal has been encroaching VERY slowly for many years. It is high time NOAA revised the double dashed channel line; they should have ten years ago!
W.E. “Ted” Guy, Jr.
Click Here To Open A Chart View Window, Zoomed To A “Navigation Alert” Position in St. Lucie River
The shoaling reported below, in this article cherry picked from the latest Local Notice to Mariners, lies along the easternmost section of the Okeechobee Waterway/St. Lucie River channel, immediately west of this passage’s intersection with the AICW. Locally, these waters are known as “the crossroads” and shoaling is common here.
Note the reported 5.5 foot soundings, apparently directly in the channel, between St. Lucie River/Okeechobee Wateway markers #2 and #4.
Do NOT confuse these #2 and #4 markers with the AICW markers just a touch farther south that bear the same numbering configuration. The #2 and #4 between which the shoaling is to be found, lie west and south of AICW marker #240!
Boats with draft greater than 5 feet may very well want to time their passage of these waters for mid to high tide.
If any local Stuart area cruisers have personal experience with this shoaling, we request that you send us further information! You can e-mail us directly at CruisersNet@triad.twcbc.com, or use the “Comment” function below, or follow the “Click Here to Submit Cruising News” link/button found on the upper, right of this all (except Chart View) SSECN pages.
FLORIDA-OKEECHOBEE WATERWAY- ST LUCIE INLET TO FORT MYERS AND LAKE OKEECHOBEE-ST LUCIE RIVER: Shoaling.
Shoaling has been observed between St Lucie River Lighted Buoy 2 (LLNR 50635) and St Lucie River Buoy 4 (LLNR 50645). The minimum depth observed is 5.5 feet at MLW on the red side of the channel. Mariners are requested to transit the area with caution. Chart 11428
Damaged Daybeacon - Click for Chartview
This damaged aid to navigation lies off the AICW, on the west side of a narrow channel between Jim Island and Cook Point, north of the Fort Pierce Inlet Inner Range.
FLORIDA-FORT PIERCE HARBOR-BANTY SAUNDERS RECREATIONAL AREA: Hazard to Navigation.
Private aid Banty Saunders Recreational Area DBN 11 (LLNR 9890) is knocked down with wreckage remaining and poses a hazard to navigation. Mariners are advised to exercise extreme caution while transiting the area. Chart 11475
Click Here To Open A Chart View Window, Zoomed To A “Navigation Alert” Position at Jim Island
Sunset Bay Marina - Click for Chartview
The markers Captain Woodside references below lie in the North Fork of the St. Lucie River, west of the Okeechobee Waterway’s marked track, and also west of Sunset Bay Marina. Consequently, this shoaling should not be a concern for those cruising the OKWW or making their way to Sunset Bay Marina. However, if your plans call for a cruise into the North Fort of the St. Lucie River, then PAY ATTENTION!
Cruising News:
Recently transited St. Lucie River to Sunset Bay Marina in Stuart. Both entering and exiting at mid-tide found shoaling in center of channel between Red 2 and Green 1 just off the ICW. Touched both times with less than 6 feet of water.
Sam Woodside
Click Here To Open A Chart View Window, Zoomed To the Location of Sunset Bay Marina
The Fort Pierce iteration of Harbortown Marina sits at the entrance to Taylor Creek, north of the Fort Pierce City Marina.
We have been at Harbortown since early December and have loved it. The staff is always friendly, helpful and accomodating. The facilities are nice, clean and are being constantly maintained. The new bathrooms and laundry facilities are very nice. The work area at the pavillion has been very helpful.
The monthly potlucks encourage socializing and gatherings on the dock are common. Harbortown is a great community.
Jeff and Brenda
Click Here To View the Eastern Florida Cruisers’ Net Marina Directory Listing For Harbortown Marina
Click Here To Open A Chart View Window, Zoomed To the Location of Harbortown Marina
We are very pleased to pass along a report just received this morning, from SALTY SOUTHEAST CRUISERS’ NET SPONSOR, Fort Pierce City Marina, that all dredging on their entrance channel has now been completed, and all dredging equipment removed. Cruisers can now confidently expect a good 7 1/2 feet of depth at Mean Low Water.
The best just keep getting better!!!!
Click Here To Open A Chart View Window, Zoomed To the Location of Fort Pierce City Marina
Mariner's Cay Marina - Click for Chartview
Mariner’s Cay Marina is located on the western shores of Manatee Pocket, near its northerly entrance. The recently dredged entrance to the pocket itself lies just west of the AICW/Okeechobee Waterway/St. Lucie River/St. Lucie Inlet intersection, known locally as “the crossroads.”
In addition to Mariner’s Cay (see below), there are a host of of other marinas and repair facilities along the shores of Manatee Pocket. Captain DeFoor gives some GOOD ideas below about shoreside dining attractions, within walking distance of all the pocket marinas.
Unfortunately, Finz Restaurant has closed. We miss their great pear salad with the home made vanilla bean dressing. There is a new restaurant there now (can’t remember the name). Also about a block away is the [King] Neptune (772-287-9630) which has great food but small (a local hangout for sure). Try their grouper Rubin. Across the street from there on the Pocket inlet is Manatee Island [Bar and Grill (772-872-7176). Have had good food there also. Down the street (A1A) to the left is the Whistle Stop (772-220-1020). Very good food. I personally suggest the Philly CheeseSteak.
Fred DeFoor
Click Here To Open A Chart View Window, Zoomed To the Location of Mariner’s Cay Marina
Indian River Marker - Click for Chartview
This missing lighted marker, #169, flanks the Waterway’s eastern side along the AICW’s run along Indian River, north of Fort Pierce.
FLORIDA-INTRACOASTAL WATERWAY-PALM SHORES TO WEST PALM BEACH-INDIAN RIVER SOUTH SECTION: Hazard to Navigation.
Indian River South Section DBN 169 (LLNR 44825) is destroyed. A TRLB “WR169″ displaying Fl Q G characteristics is 5.51 yards channelward of the remains of the old structure. The remains of the old structure is 4Ft below the waterline. Mariners are advised to transit the area with extreme caution. Chart 11472
Click Here To Open A Chart View Window, Zoomed To A “Navigation Alert” Position in Indian River
Manatee Pocket - Click for Chartview
In January of this year, we received a map showing two small areas in Manatee Pocket that have been designated as official anchorages as part of the controversial Stuart/Martin County anchorage regulations which allows anchoring only in those two areas. See map and link below. Manatee Pocket is off the St. Lucie River between the AICW intersection and downtown Stuart, FL.
Cruising News:
There is no longer signage indicating a 72 hour anchoring limit in Manatee Pocket in St Lucie Florida (Stuart). There are numerous vessels at anchor in the two anchorages in the pocket that give evidence of having been here for many months. Just thought this might be of interest to cruisers coming through. Also, the two dinghy docks have a 2 and 3 hour limit not 1 as I have seen published.
Peter TenHaagen
Click Here To Read an Earlier Posting on Manatee Pocket Anchoring
Click Here To View the Eastern Florida Cruisers’ Net Marina Directory Listing For Manatee Pocket
Click Here To Open A Chart View Window, Zoomed To the Location of Manatee Pocket
Sunset Bay Marina - Click for Chartview
Almost all other comments we have received about this facility have been positive, and we regret the difficulties experienced by Capt. Neff. Sunset Bay Marina lies directly on the path of the Okeechobee Waterway, and only a few miles off the AICW, via the St. Lucie River.
We will never stay at this marina, EVER! I booked a month in advance because we have a 50 ft. cat with 27 ft. beam and we need advance reservations due to our size. I was told that we would be in slip D-2 and it had a slip with no power in front of it which they don’t rent so there would be PLENTY of room. I called the night before to make sure our reservations were in order, which they were NOT. The dockmaster said he did not know why but they had us in a slip much too small. He said he would remedy this and we could still have our spot. After dealing with all the wakes in the River and the small opening for the bridge by the marina we called and said we were heading in and they said they would meet us. After going down between the docks with only a few feet on each side we saw there was a boat in our spot and they tried to get us to go even further down where there was very little room and we could barely turn around it was so tight. After they said we were right that there was no way we would fit in there. We moved on and got a spacious spot at Loggerhead marina with competent caring staff. So, if you are going to stay there don’t bother making reservations since they don’t honor them. They acted like they did not even care that they caused us so much trouble. Also there is a busy bridge with loud car noise right next to the marina so you might not get any sleep. Such a disappointment!
Click Here To Open A Chart View Window, Zoomed To the Location of Sunset Bay Marina
Faber Cove - Click for Chartview
Faber Cove Anchorage is accessed off a marked channel, making off from the eastern flanks of the Waterway, just a short hop south of the Fort Pierce high-rise bridge. It’s a bit of a trek to get to the cove, but once there, the shelter is quite good.
We anchored just south of marker 9 in the entrance to Faber Cove. It was so peaceful and not too crowded. There were about 5 other boats. We were in 15 ft. of water with good holding. We were a bit concerned about the wastewater treatment plant to the northwest of us but the wind was out of the east so no smells.
Pam Neff
We anchor here on return from the Bahamas. There can be a strong side-set leaving and returning to the ICW. Depths are less than charted in the NE corner of the intersection. Use a low level anchor light as condo lighting really obscures a masthead light.
Chris
Click Here To Open A Chart View Window, Zoomed To the Location of Faber Cove Anchorages
Mariner's Cay Marina - Click for Chartview
Mariner’s Cay Marina is located on the western shores of Manatee Pocket, near its northerly entrance.
West Marine store at the Pocket has closed and moved out to Rt. 1…. People at Mariners are very friendly and helpful.
Rich
Click Here To Open A Chart View Window, Zoomed To the Location of Mariner’s Cay Marina
As part of the controversial Stuart/Martin County anchorage regulations, associated with this community/county’s participation in the Florida Pilot Mooring Field Program, anchorage is now prohibited in popular Manatee Pocket (off the St. Lucie River between the AICW intersection and downtown Stuart, FL), except in two small areas.
We sincerely thank Captain Jessica Meinardi, as well as Captains Fred and Elaine DeFoor for sending us the map below which shows where the two patches in the Pocket where anchoring is still possible.
Claiborne, this is the anchoring areas (or non-anchoring areas) in Stuart, Fl and Manatee Pocket. Thanks for asking and including this in your site. We have always enjoyed reading your Guides and articles.
Fred and Elaine DeFoor
Click Here To Open A Chart View Window, Zoomed To the Location of Manatee Pocket
Click for Chartview
Good Place! $1.50/per foot. Restaurant as said previously was fabulous! Came in excellent inlet after night of pounding to beat cold front and gale force winds. Stayed extra night and then heading to the keys for the winter. Publix is within walking distance for me (I’m a walker anyway). WARNING: they are doing barge work and we were first boat in apparently. It did not go smooth. They have a temporary channel right after fixed bridge (going south). Had to talk to barge and then marina. The directions were not perfect over the radio BUT they sent a small boat to lead the way. When they get the new breakwater finished, it will be nearly perfect.
Bill Charleston
Click Here To Open A Chart View Window, Zoomed To the Location of Fort Pierce City Marina
Vero Beach Municipal Marina, A SALTY SOUTHEAST CRUISERS’ NET SPONSOR!, lies on the eastern shores of Bethel Creek, moving northeast and north from the Vero Beach/Merrill Barber, high-rise bridge, south of flashing daybeacon #139.
This is a great town to stop at for all the reasons others have written about. We are concerned that the town is risking their great reputation by not maintaining the marina. We took a slip here for a week over the Thanksgiving holiday to go off via car to visit our son and his wife. Upon our return we found that the 3′ wide concrete pier between our boat and the adjacent boat had collapsed in the middle into the water taking the spring lines for both boats with it. [See photo below] Luckily we were still able to access the boat by climbing over the bow and we had no damage. The staff helped us move to another slip after sawing off protruding wood that had faced the concrete pier. Luckily no one was on the pier when it collapsed. Had we returned in the dark it was surprising that the staff had not placed cones or marker tape to prevent walking down the now gone pier or called us to tell us about the event since they had our cell number.
If one looks about it is clear this has happened before and the replacement is newer wooden piers. However some of the old concrete ones remain. Why must peoples’ boats and lives be placed at risk waiting for them to collapse as well?
Similarly, the power here on this dock and others is not working at a number of pedestals. Just another sign that the town has chosen to neglect the marina, one of their wonderful assets.
Harry and Pat
S/V Two for the Roads
"Blue Run Springs Park Manatees – St. Johns River"
by: Glen and Jill Moore
