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
Sisters Creek Light 86 destroyed, temp onsite
St Marys Inlet is the US military’s channel into Kings Bay Atomic Sub Station and is extremely well maintained.
 Coast Guard removes fishing vessel from St. Mary’s inlet, GA
JACKSONVILLE-Fla.— The Coast Guard completed pollution mitigation and removal efforts for the fishing vessel Phuong Mai in St. Mary’s Inlet Georgia, Friday. The vessel posed a hazard to the marine environment and was an imminent threat to obstruct passage of the navigation channel. As the Federal On-Scene Coordinator, Coast Guard Sector Jacksonville federalized the response using the Oil Spill Liability Trust Fund. Over 500 gallons of oily water was pumped from the vessel, and contractors successfully removed the vessel and debris from the water. The Coast Guard rescued two adults after their fishing vessel ran aground on Thursday, August 20th on the north jetty in St Mary’s Inlet, Georgia. A Coast Guard Air Station Savannah MH-65 Dolphin helicopter crew arrived on scene and hoisted the two adults to safety with no reported injuries. The 40-foot fishing vessel encountered damage to their fiberglass hull and sank in approximately 20-feet of water. “The Coast Guard is responsible for safeguarding the American people, ensuring security in a complex maritime environment, and ensuring the economic prosperity of the region,” said Petty Officer First Class Justin Chartier, the Federal On-Scene Coordinator representative on the response “This was a unique response that included 6 out of 11 Coast Guard missions: Ports, Waterways, & Coastal Security, Search & Rescue, Living Marine Resources, Marine Safety, Defense Readiness, and Marine Environmental Protection. We are thankful to the multiple federal and state agencies that assisted on the response. With their help, we were able to quickly remove the vessel from the water, prevent the threat of pollution to the local area and eliminate a hazard to navigation in a port of national significance.” For more breaking news follow us on Twitter and Facebook. -USCG- |
AREA SPONSORING MARINA
Click Here To Open A Chart View Window, Zoomed To the Location of Fernandina Harbor Marina
Closed since Hurricane Matthew, Fernandina Harbor Marina, A CRUISERS NET SPONSOR, is now officially open for business and is receiving transients. The Marina docks and restaurant are right in the heart of the many wonderful things to do and see in this special port.
Fernandina Harbor Marina Re-Opens after Extensive Remediation following 2016’s Hurricane Matthew
24 February 2020, Fernandina Beach, Florida: Westrec Marinas and the City of Fernandina Beach, Florida announce the re-opening of Fernandina Harbor Marina located in the heart of Fernandina Beach on historic Amelia Island in northeastern Florida. In October 2016, Hurricane Matthew provided a direct blow to the island, her residents and the thriving marina.
Now accepting overnight reservations, rendezvous group outings, short stays and day-docking again, the marina celebrated finalizing much hurricane remediation on Friday, January 24, 2020.
“Damage yielded an opportunity for enhancements,” comments Dale L. Martin, City Manager, Fernandina Beach. “In partnership with Westrec and many local, state and government agencies, we have incorporated even better services and structures at the facility.”
Marina reconfiguration: side tie docks that run parallel to the current flow
Southern basin docks removed
Southern basin dredged to an 8’ depth
1500’ of side tie Crescent Floating Docks installed with new piles
Sections of old floating dock repurposed for a 400’ dinghy and day dock
Wave attenuator
804’ of Marinetek floating dock installed
New 80’ steel piles installed
1608’ of side tie installed
Infrastructure
New power distribution
New docks with new pedestal
30Amp, 50Amp, 100Amp and 440Amp available
Pump out available
Amenities
New docks
Boater’s lounge
Laundry
Easy access to “Island Hopper” transportation buses circling the City on the hour
Office hours 7:00am – 6:30pm
Walking distance to over 20 restaurants
Contact Joe Springer, Fernandina Beach Marina Manager, for more information and reservations. jspringer@fbfl.org. 904.310.3300. www.fhmarina.com.
Click Here To Open A Chart View Window, Zoomed To the Location of Fernandina Harbor Marina
Fernandina Harbor Marina, A CRUISERS NET SPONSOR, was damaged by hurricane Matthew and is slowly recovering – good news for cruisers. The Marina docks and restaurant are right in the heart of the many wonderful things to do and see in this special port. For latest dockage information, call 904-310-3300.
9/23/19 According to Joe Springer, the marina is making great progress and he is pleased with all the improvements. Here are a few pictures:
August 6, 2019 – Electrical Updates
August 14, 2019 – 80′ Gangway Arrives
August 6, 2019 – Updates
Click Here To Open A Chart View Window, Zoomed To the Location of Fernandina Harbor Marina
Hope to be one of the first visitors to arrive for the GRAND re-opening. the absence of this marina has been felt by many of us that plan weekend trips to Fernandina. So many great places to eat and see here not to mention some of the friendliest marina staff anywhere.
Experienced cruisers and frequent Cruisers Net contributors Jim and Peg Healy share their ships log and navigation watches as M/V Sanctuary travels north on the FL/GA Waterway. Thank you Jim and Peg!
Sanctuary and crew stayed last night (5/27) at Amelia Island Yacht Harbor. We departed northbound this morning (5/28/2019) at 06h00 with the tide at Kingsley Creek at +5.1′. We used Bob Shearer’s west side route through the shallows south of Fernandina Beach. That route is fine. We saw no less than 17 ft, so 12 ft at MLW. TowBoatUS is telling people to ignore G”1B” and stay to the east side of the canal, but we had no problems and can’t see why that advice is necessary. Both routes through that shallows appear to be quite viable.
Jim and Peg Healy aboard Sanctuary
Monk 36 Hull #132
See also NAV ALERT
See also Tom Hale Comments on Confusing Area South of Fernandina
Click Here To Open A Chart View Window, Zoomed To the Location of Amelia Island Yacht Basin
We went through this morning (5-29-19) 2 hrs before low tide 5′ draft, stayed to the west using the markers saw no less than 7′
Our thanks to Tom Hale for his insight on this troublesome area south of Fernandina. See NAV ALERT of April 14th.
For some reason the section between STM 717 and STM 719 is confusing to some. It needn’t be.
Northbound after exiting Kinglsey creek you are in the Amelia River. Stay to the east side past R2. The charts show the deepest water on the lower east side. I have used the upper west side at the G2 bend of the river for about 5 years, as the water is deeper along the western shore The eastern channel has at least 8 feet of water at MLLW. The western channel has 12+ at MLLW . This is one place you do not want to follow the NOAA magenta line. It takes you right across the shoal in the middle of the river. At the northern end of either channel you will turn sharply to the east. At this point there are two green ATONs G1 and G1A. As of t4/15/2019, up to date NOAA chart show both G1 and G1A, a steel pole driven firmly into the river bottom with green day boards. As you turn the corner you must follow the south bank of the river. Stay away from R18,16 and 14 as they are marking a shoal. Both the sonar charts and USACE surveys show this south side of the river as the preferred route. Stay along the shore until you are past the paper mill. Then head towards Fernandina Beach Marina.
Southbound is equally simple. Pass Fernandina Beach Marina and then hug the east and south shores past the paper mill. Head west past G1 and G1A to the western side of the river and turn south along the western shore. The attached Sonar Charts give a clear picture of the route. The USACE survey only covers the section north of G1.
Tom Hale
Reports of shoaling south of Fernandina Beach have been coming in for several years prompting numerous comments. This shoaling and shifting channel lies c. two miles south of Fernandina Beach harbor just north of the Waterway’s turn into Kingsley Creek. Our thanks to Geologist Bill Aley for this permanent buoy update.
Following up on some conversations we were having this past April, we are happy to announce that the U.S. Coast Guard (USCG) has finally placed permanent navigation aids to mark the new channel alignment in the problematic navigation area of the Intracoastal Waterway just south of Fernandina, FL.
Attached is the notice from the USCG and a rough map showing existing and new permanent navigation aids in the area.
Unfortunately, they did not mark the shoal that is north-west of green marker #3. This shoal is still a potential hazard to any boaters who may navigate directly from marker 3 toward 1B, especially at lower tides.
Happy Thanksgiving.
Bill Aley, P.G. | Professional Geologist
Taylor Engineering, Inc.
10199 Southside Blvd., Suite 310, Jacksonville, FL 32256
Main: 904-731-7040 | Direct: 904-256-1313 | Cell: 904-545-1137
www.taylorengineering.com
Destin | Jacksonville | Sarasota | Tampa
R 061925Z NOV 18
FM USCGC HAMMER
TO COMCOGARD SECTOR JACKSONVILLE FL
INFO COGARD ANT JACKSONVILLE BEACH FL
CCGDSEVEN MIAMI FL
COGARD STA MAYPORT FL
BT
UNCLAS
PASS TO OFFICE CODES:
INFO CCGDSEVEN MIAMI FL//DPW//
SUBJ: ATON CHANGE/IATONIS UPDATE//
1. FERNANDINA BEACH BUOY 1A CONVERTED TO FERNANDINA BEACH DBN 1A POST
DREDGING PROJECT.
2. RECOVERED BUOY. ESTABLISHED (01) 50FT SPW IN 12FT. INSTALLED (02)
03 SG-SY.
3. POSN INFO: 30-39-46.403N 081-29-05.218W (30°39.7734N / 081°29.0870W, 30.662890 / -81.484783)
4. REQ MPP BECOME AP.
4. REQ BNM
BT
————————————————————————————————————————–
R 061914Z NOV 18
FM USCGC HAMMER
TO COMCOGARD SECTOR JACKSONVILLE FL
INFO COGARD ANT JACKSONVILLE BEACH FL
CCGDSEVEN MIAMI FL
COGARD STA MAYPORT FL
BT
UNCLAS
PASS TO OFFICE CODES:
INFO CCGDSEVEN MIAMI FL//DPW//
SUBJ: ATON CHANGE/IATONIS UPDATE//
1. FERNANDINA BEACH BUOY 1B CONVERTED TO FERNANDINA BEACH DBN 1B POST
DREDGING PROJECT.
2. RECOVERED BUOY. ESTABLISHED (01) 50FT SPW IN 20FT. INSTALLED (02)
03 SG-SY.
3. POSN INFO: 30-39-36.578N 081-29-09.609W (30°39.6097N / 081°29.1601W, 30.660161 / -81.486002)
4. REQ MPP BECOME AP.
4. REQ BNM
———————————————————————————————————————————-
R 061920Z NOV 18
FM USCGC HAMMER
TO COMCOGARD SECTOR JACKSONVILLE FL
INFO COGARD ANT JACKSONVILLE BEACH FL
CCGDSEVEN MIAMI FL
COGARD STA MAYPORT FL
BT
UNCLAS
PASS TO OFFICE CODES:
INFO CCGDSEVEN MIAMI FL//DPW//
SUBJ: ATON CHANGE/IATONIS UPDATE//
1. AMELIA RIVER BUOY 18A CONVERTED TO FERNANDINA BEACH DBN 18A POST
DREDGING PROJECT.
2. RECOVERED BUOY. ESTABLISHED (01) 50FT SPW IN 13FT. INSTALLED (02)
04 TR-TY.
3. POSN INFO: 30-39-52.597N 081-29-07.909(30°39.8766N / 081°29.1318W, 30.664610 / -81.485530)
4. REQ MPP BECOME AP.
4. REQ BNM
—————————————————————————————————————————————-
R 061907Z NOV 18
FM USCGC HAMMER
TO COMCOGARD SECTOR JACKSONVILLE FL
INFO COGARD ANT JACKSONVILLE BEACH FL
CCGDSEVEN MIAMI FL
COGARD STA MAYPORT FL
BT
UNCLAS
PASS TO OFFICE CODES:
INFO CCGDSEVEN MIAMI FL//DPW//
SUBJ: ATON DISCREPANCY CORRECTION
A. COGARD ANT JACKSONVILLE BEACH
1. FERNANDINA BEACH DBN 2 (LLNR 37987 [30°38.9113N / 081°29.0580W, 30.648522 / -81.484300])
2. CAUSE: ALLISON. RECOVERED TRUB. REBUILT AID IN
18FT OF WATER USING (01) 50FT SPW. INSTALLED (02) 04 TR-TY.
3. POSN INFO: REBUILT ON AP.
4. REQ CANX BNM
BT
Click Here To Open A Chart View Window, Zoomed To the Location of Temporary Buoy 18A
Robert Sherer
Happy cruising everyone. Hopefully this area is now more clearly marked for your cruising pleasure. Please keep aware of the still dangerous shoal on the west bank, south of marker 1B and NW of marker 3. Plenty of deepwater exists on the outside of the bends in this area.
Experienced cruisers, Jim and Peg Healy, continue to generously share their observations and advice as they make their way south for the winter. Here’s another good distance day and a good depths day. Also another report of a Problem Stretch that isn’t a problem this year! Thank you Jim and Peg! .
Came through Fernandina Beach at low tide. The nasty curve south of the paper mill into the South Amelia River is clearly marked with floating laterals. It’s the same path that was good last spring, and it carries 8′ this fall. Just follow the markers.
Came through the Matanzas Inlet [intersection with ICW], next day, also at low tide. There are lateral markers there, and they are correct. A couple have been moved somewhat towards the shoreline from the spring. I followed the visual center between the markers and the shoreline. The route is exciting because visually, you are very close to the shoreline. Follow the curve of the shoreline; do not cut from marker to marker. Saw no less then 7.5′ on that route. South of the inlet, where the Matanzas River straightens out, the markers are farther apart and the water is just a bit more shallow. Saw 7′ at MLLW in that short area.
Jim
Peg and Jim Healy aboard Sanctuary, currently at Charlotte Harbor, Punta Gorda, FL
Monk 36 Hull #132
MMSI #367042570
AGLCA #3767
MTOA #3436
Click Here To Open A Chart View Window, Zoomed To This AICW Problem Stretch
Reports of shoaling south of Fernandina Beach have been coming in for several years prompting numerous comments. This shoaling and shifting channel lies c. two miles south of Fernandina Beach harbor just north of the Waterway’s turn into Kingsley Creek. Our thanks to Geologist Bill Aley for sending this buoy update. Note that these temporary buoys are not charted in our charts.
Here is the latest update from the local U.S. Coast Guard district: Three temporary navigation aids were placed last Friday, however, the old Navigation Aids will not be removed until sometime next month based on availability of their construction platform. Info for the newly placed navigation aids is as follows:
1. TEMPORARILY ESTABLISHED AMELIA RIVER BUOY 18A
A. SET 5NFR IN POSITION 30-39-52.591N / 081-29-07.904W (30°39.8765N / 081°29.1317W, 30.664609 / -81.485529) IN 14 FEET OF
WATER USING 45 FEET OF 1/2 INCH CHAIN AND 135LB DORMOR.
2. TEMPORARILY ESTABLISHED FERNANDINA BEACH BUOY 1A
A. SET 5CFR IN POSITION 30-39-46.402N / 081-29-05.211W (30°39.7733N / 081°29.0869W, 30.662889 / -81.484781) IN 15 FEET OF
WATER USING 45 FEET OF 1/2 INCH CHAIN AND 135LB DORMOR.
3. TEMPORARILY ESTABLISHED FERNANDINA BEACH BUOY 1B
A. SET 5CFR IN POSITION 30-39-36.579N / 081-29-09.632W (30°39.6097N / 081°29.1605W, 30.660161 / -81.486009) IN 15 FEET OF
WATER USING 45 FEET OF 1/2 INCH CHAIN AND 135LB DORMOR.
Bill Aley, P.G.
Professional Geologist
10151 Deerwood Park Blvd.
Bldg. 300, Suite 300
Jacksonville, FL 32256
Phone (904) 731-7040
Direct (904) 256 -1313
www.taylorengineering.com
And the Local Notice:
FLORIDA – AICW – ST SIMONS SOUND – TOLOMATO RIVER – AMELIA RIVER & FERNANDINA BEACH: Temporary Aids Established
The following aids had have been temporarily established after completion of dredging operations resulting in a channel shift to the west.
-Amelia River Buoy 18A in position 30-39-52.591N / 081-29-07.904W
(30°39.8765N / 081°29.1317W, 30.664609 / -81.485529)
-Fernandina Beach Buoy 1A in position 30-39-46.402N / 081-29-05.211W
(30°39.7733N / 081°29.0869W, 30.662889 / -81.484781)
-Fernandina Beach Buoy 1B in position 30-39-36.579N / 081-29-09.632W
(30°39.6097N / 081°29.1605W, 30.660161 / -81.486009)
Chart 11489 LNM 06/18
Click Here To Open A Chart View Window, Zoomed To the Location of Temporary Buoy 18A
Our thanks to Vicki Lathom for this brief, but informative, report. Fernandina Harbor Marina, A CRUISERS’ NET SPONSOR, was damaged by Matthew, but is now offering limited service as Vicki Lathom notes below. The Marina docks and restaurant are right in the heart of the many wonderful things to do and see in this special port. For latest dockage information, call 904-310-3300.
12 mooring balls. Five slips available. Restaurant open. No fuel
Vicki Lathom
Click Here To Open A Chart View Window, Zoomed To the Location of Fernandina Harbor Marina
We just anchored at Fernandina Beach for 3 nights and had a wonderful visit. New is a Island Hopper Shuttle which picks you up at City Hall and can take you to beach, Walmart, Publix and Winn Dixie for $1.00. A great improvement for crusiers! The hours are limited to 10am to about 4 PM. Another great find was a new bicycle rental place for $15 a day with delivery to the marina. Call Steve at 904-742-4740.
Fuel is available a few miles south at Amelia Island Marina, also check with them or Tiger Point for overnight slip with power
The Waterway crosses the St Johns River west of Mayport, FL at Mile 740. Our continued thanks to Peg and Jim Healy for sharing their observations and advice. The Healys are dating themselves and showing their sense of humor with the reference to Will Robinson.
Sanctuary and Crew spent the night last night on the docks at Jim King Park, Sister’s Creek, north side of the St. John’s. We departed Southbound this morning, 11/2/2017, at 07h15, at first light.
ALERT, Will Robinson! ALERT!
The ICW on the south side of the St. John’s is Pablo Creek.We had been warned that the markers at the entrance of Pablo Creek had been relocated, so fortunately, I was on the lookout. Indeed, they have been significantly moved to the west of the old route; maybe 500 feet. Moved west to the point that many versions of charts of the area are undoubtedly wrong! My Garmin chart plotter had me transiting several shoal islands. Be alert with Garmin BCM on hand held iDevices. Following is a screen shot of what is there now. THE BLACK LINE IS THE CURRENT ROUTE. The red track lines are previous transits, showing the OLD ROUTE. In the low light of an early dawn, this could be quite a surprise for the unsuspecting…
Peg and Jim Healy aboard Sanctuary, currently at Rock Creek, Pasadena, MD
http://gilwellbear.wordpress.com
Monk 36 Hull #132
MMSI #367042570
AGLCA #3767
MTOA #3436
Click Here To Open A Chart View Window, Zoomed To the Location of AICW/St. Johns Intersection
Experienced cruisers, Jim and Peg Healy, have been generously sharing their observations and advice as they make their way south for the winter. The photos below attest to the healy’s advice to pay attention! Thank you Jim and Peg!
PAY ATTENTION TO THE WATERWAY. Here are two interesting pictures.
First, DSCN8150 shows a sunken boat IN THE CHANNEL AT FERNANDINA BEACH.
Second, DSCN8155 shows what can happen when you mistake a Range Marker for a Red lateral on a falling tide.
It was an interesting day.
Peg and Jim Healy aboard Sanctuary, currently at Rock Creek, Pasadena, MD
http://gilwellbear.wordpress.com
Monk 36 Hull #132
MMSI #367042570
AGLCA #3767
MTOA #3436
The Waterway’s channel through the bend in the Amelia River described by Jim and Peg Healy has long been a source of shoaling and channel shifting. The good news is that, as this post is being written, dredging should be underway to realign this pesky channel, see this week’s Local Notice.
Sanctuary and crew departed Brunswick, GA, southbound, at 08h40 on 11/1/2017. The weather was clear, winds light and variable, seas flat, low humidity. A great welcome to Florida in November!
Fernandina Beach, FL at the South Amelia River – We transited that area at 13h30, just a few minutes off low tide. The tide station at Fernandina Beach, Amelia River, Florida reported +0.4 ft. On the route we followed, we saw one sandpile at 7.8 ft, with the majority of the area at 8.5 ft. The control depth on the route we followed is 7.8-0.4=7.4 ft at MLLW. Not bad. Screen shot attached. Our route is in black. Our actual track is the blue highlighted line. The route recommended by Bb Sherer (Bob423) is shown in lime. Screen shot “Fernandina” shows that area, attached.
Peg and Jim Healy aboard Sanctuary, currently at Rock Creek, Pasadena, MD
http://gilwellbear.wordpress.com
Monk 36 Hull #132
MMSI #367042570
AGLCA #3767
MTOA #3436
Click Here To Open A Chart View Window, Zoomed To the Location of Amelia River
CURFEWS IMPOSED ACROSS NORTHEAST FLORIDA
Jacksonville, FL – Curfews have been imposed in many parts of Northeast Florida because of Hurricane Irma.
The curfew for Jacksonville’s beaches started Saturday night at 10PM and continued through 6AM Sunday. That will continue until further notice. Alcohol sales have also been prohibited until further notice.
If you haven’t cruised this segment of the Waterway, this report from Coastal Living will definitely whet your appetite to steer that way.
Dream Trip: Boat from Fernandina Beach, Florida, to St. Simons Island, Georgia
This reported shoaling from experienced cruiser, John Wampler, is northwest of Nassau Sound. Thanks you John!
Shoaling in South Amelia River at position N30* 33.1 W081* 28.0 south of Marker 42 mag bearing 172* at 0.4 miles. +1.2 feet above Fernandina tide datum. Charted depth is 11 feet. Published course goes right over shoal. Bumped while floating over shoal. Draft 3.4 feet. Reported to USCG ANT JAX.
John Wampler
Click Here To Open A Chart View Window, Zoomed To the Location of Shoaling
Every now and then a fellow cruiser goes out the way to correct a situation that poses a hazard to other boaters. Joe Plunkett is just such a Cruiser Helping Other Cruisers. Joe’s efforts chronicled below have caused the USCG to relocate markers in a shoaling zone that has existed for years. Hats off to Joe Plunkett! This is Seamanship at its best.
Gentlemen:
This is the e-mail I sent to the USCG back in December in response to the request for public comments. It is gratifying to see that a problem of long standing is now being addressed.
Joe Plunkett
From: Joseph T Plunkett CPA
Sent: Wednesday, December 28, 2016 10:57 PM
To: D07-SMB-DPWPublicComments@uscg.mil
Subject: CG 7th District LNM 07482016
To whom it my concern:
I wish to comment In regard to the proposed elimination of Fernandina TRUB 2 and establishment of Fernandina Beach Daybeacon 2 (LLNR 37988) in position 30-38-54.689N/081-29-03.486W (30°38.9115N / 081°29.0581W, 30.648525 / -81.484302) .
On September 4, 2016 at approximately 13:30 hours I ran aground in the Amelia River while piloting Happy Hagar, my 40’ Burns Craft Sun Deck Motor Yacht. The point of grounding was in the vicinity of 30-39-104N/081-29-089W (30°40.7333N / 081°30.4834W, 30.678889 / -81.508056) . Time was approximately 1.5 hours after high tide. The shoal in this area is unmarked. The USCG Station at Jacksonville, Florida should have a record of my contact on that day. The grounding resulted in the loss of our portside prop shaft and prop, bending of a prop strut and a bent port side rudder post. I was successful removing the boat from the shoal and stemming the flooding from the loss of the shaft. I anchored my vessel and waited approximately two hours for a tow from Towboat US from Brunswick. Total damage including yard repairs and towing may exceed $20,000. The missing shaft and prop are on the bottom of the Amelia River somewhere in the vicinity of the grounding.
While awaiting the tow I observed an outboard powered boat run aground in the same area. The outboard powered vessel was able to free itself from the unmarked shoal by trimming up their motor while throwing up a rooster-tail of sand. I have no information as to what damage, if any, that vessel may have incurred.
The Towboat US operator informed me that the problem shoal has been present for at least nine years. I have attached a photo of my chart plotter showing Happy Hagar’s track up to the point of grounding, at anchor after the grounding and while under tow heading toward Fernandina Beach Marina. The chart plotter image is shown as course-up with the top of the picture being SSW. The end of my track extending furthest south would be the point of grounding. The chart indicates a depth of 12-15 feet at that point. I have also attached a photo of a sailing vessel that grounded in the same area taken by Towboat US, date unknown.
I ask that you consider relocating Daybeacon 2 to the vicinity of 30-39-104N/081-29-089W (30°40.7333N / 081°30.4834W, 30.678889 / -81.508056), the point at which I grounded, subject to conducting your own survey. The existing Fernandina TRUB 2 could be replaced by a semi-permanent Daybeacon 4 in position 30-38-54.689N/081-29-03.486W (30°38.9115N / 081°29.0581W, 30.648525 / -81.484302) .
Thank you for your thoughtful consideration of my comments.
Joseph T. Plunkett
M/V Happy Hagar, Official Number 660256
Reports of shoaling south of Fernandina Beach have been coming in for several years and prompted a USCG Hazard Warning in May of 2014 (/?p=140702).This shoaling lies c. two miles south of Fernandina Beach harbor just north of the Waterway’s turn into Kingsley Creek. Our thanks to Joe Plunkett for sending this 9/2016 report.
Now Joe sends us a welcome new report on changes in the Nav Aids around the shoaling.
3/4/2017
Problem area 300 meters north of old temporary red #2 in Amelia River south of Fernandina Beach has been addressed. Passed by this area on 3/3/17 and noted that the USCG has installed a new marker [Red 2] at the sandbar I grounded on 9/4/16. [See LNM below for [position] USCG requested comments in December replacing temporary red marker#2 with a permanent marker. I used the opportunity to comment and am pleased to see the USCG response. Semper Paratus.
Joe Plunkett
And Joe adds in response to Bob’s question:
I copied the following from the the District 7 Local Notice to Mariners, Week 10-17:
FLORIDA – AICW – ST SIMONS SOUND – TOLOMATO RIVER – FERNANDINA BEACH- ST. JOHNS RIVER – FERNANDINA BEACH
The following changes have been approved to the Aids to Navigation System in St Johns River, Fernandina Beach:
Fernandina Beach TRUB 2 will be permanently discontinued
Fernandina Beach Daybeacon 2 (LLNR 37988) will be established in position 30-38-54.689N/081-29-03.486W (30°38.9115N / 081°29.0581W, 30.648525 / -81.484302)
And this:
When I passed through the Amelia River south of Fernandina last week I noticed a new red temporary marker had been placed at or near the location where I grounded last September. I did not take note of the number on the temporary channel marker. Back in September there were three channel markers identifying the channel: a green #1 at the northeast end, a green #3 and a temporary red #2 at the south/southwest end of this section of the Amelia River. There are now four channel markers: The original green #1 at the northeast end of the channel, a new red temporary marker near the location of my grounding, the original green #3 and a new permanent red marker replacing the old temporary marker at the south/southwest end of this section. I did not note the numbers on the new markers. I do not find these new markers on my charts. I use Navionics on my chart plotter and updated the Navionics chip the evening before departing Fernandina heading south. I expect the changes have been or will shortly be published in the Notices to Mariners.
Joe Plunkett
9/4/2016
Encountered less than 3? at near high tide 300 meters north of Temporary Red #2. Time was Approximately 1330 Hours on 9/4/16. Pulled out port shaft attempting to get off. About ninety minutes later while awaiting tow, observed outboard run aground near same spot. With outboard trimmed up, operator was blowing substantial amounts of sand.
You must favor the green side when approaching Green #3 from the north or departing Green #3 from the south. Came through this area northbound in late June and did not have any trouble.
Joe Plunkett aboard Happy Hagar
Click Here To Open A Chart View Window, Zoomed To A “Navigation Alert” Position at Light #3
Can you indicate where the red 2 temporary mark and the new permanent mark is located? Is it near green 1 or green 3? Thanks.
bob
Problem area 300 meters north of old temporary red #2 in Amelia River south of Fernandina Beach has been addressed. Passed by this area on 3/3/17 and noted that the USCG has installed a new marker at the sandbar I grounded on 9/4/16. USCG requested comments in December replacing temporary red marker#3 with a permanent marker. I used the opportunity to comment and am pleased to see the USCG response. Semper Paratus.
This should not be a problem area if people just pay attention to their charts – there is lots of water on the eastern side of this area – from G1 to G5. I went through at low tide about five weeks ago, and I draft 5 feet. That’s the third time in the past year I’ve passed through here btw.
Basic arithmetic tells you that with a tidal range here of 7 feet, this boater was clearly out of the channel to find only three feet.
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