St. Marys River flows into the northern tip of Cumberland Sound and the path of the AICW, just north of Fernandina, FL, and serves as the coastal state line between Georgia and Florida. The town of St. Marys is an easy trip up the St. Marys River, departing the Waterway at flashing green marker #29, statute mile 713.

GEORGIA AND FLORIDA-ST MARYS RIVER: Temporary Aton Established.
Due to shoaling, St Marys River Temporary Buoy 6A has been established in position 30-42-51.900N 081-32-00.600W. Mariners are advised to exercise caution while transiting the area. Charts 11489 and 11503

Click Here To Open A Chart View Window, Zoomed To A “Navigation Alert” Position in St. Marys River

Click Here To Open A Chart View Window, Zoomed To St. Marys GA

Here’s a new one, at least for yours truly. A glance at chart 11489 reveals that #18, the marker front and center in Captain Hardy’s message below, marks a hard swing in the Amelia River/AICW channel, a short hop south of Fernandina Beach.
A conversation with the dockmaster at nearby Fernandina Harbor Marina as of 4/30/10 confirmed what I suspected, namely for the last three days there have been unusually low tides along the northeastern Florida coastline. I was told as least one foot below the usual levels. So, I’m sure these water levels contributed to the problems described below, but, nevertheless, there is also clearly an AICW shoaling problem near #18!

Subject: Shoaling near Fernandina Beach
Cruising News: We ran aground heading north today approaching R18 as you turn the corner on the Amelia River towards Fernandina Beach. It was low tide and our chart plotter showed 12 ft in the area where we and another boat were aground. A motorboat kindly ‘waked’ us and we got off. We draw 5ft. The other boat had to wait for the tide to rise. The deeper water was on the red side however we had to cut very close to the green can at the turn to stay afloat.
Harriet Hardy

We were in the parade of the sailboats yesterday slowly heading north on the Amelia River (4). It was approaching low tide and as we went under the bridge at m720. We were amazed at how low the water was in the Amelia Island Yacht Basin. I don’t think any boats could have gotten out. The lead boat ran aground, the other 3 passed to port, then at R18 another went aground, so we again passed to port but still we ran agound, once we were off we continued to favor the red side and had plenty of water…the other 3 sail & the powerboat continued on the green side. There was a very low spot in the middle of the channel. Pick either side but don’t go down the middle between R18 & R16.
We were in the parade of the sailboats yesterday slowly heading north on the Amelia River (4). It was approaching low tide and as we went under the bridge at m720. We were amazed at how low the water was in the Amelia Island Yacht Basin. I don’t think any boats could have gotten out. The lead boat ran aground, the other 3 passed to port, then at R18 another went aground, so we again passed to port but still we ran agound, once we were off we continued to favor the red side and had plenty of water…the other 3 sail & the powerboat continued on the green side. There was a very low spot in the middle of the channel. Pick either side but don’t go down the middle between R18 & R16.
karenbut@aol.com
Capt. RL& Karen

Just wanted to confirm the above observations regarding depth in the ICW just south of Fernandina Beach. We draw 5′ and touched bottom several times during our transit northbound when we were just south of Red #18 in the Amelia River. Our paper and electronic charts showed depths in the 12 foot range at MLW. We were transiting at low tide during this event. A “Towboat US” operator stopped by after he had just finished towing a sailboat that had run aground in this same spot. He advised us to stay as far east towards shore when going north from Green #3 towards Green #1 and Red #18 on the river to avoid the shoaling in this area. He then would line up as a range Green #1 and Red #18 and then would honor Green #1 to continue the turn north. After the turn he advised heading straight towards the paper mill and favoring the eastward side of the ICW at least as far as the Fernandina Harbor Marina. We were able to follow his directions without further mud bouncing. He shared that since Hurricane Fay – this area has been a problem at low tide. Our recommendation would be to transit this area at mid – to high tide depending on your draft.
Fair Winds, Beth Bauer aboard S/V Adagio

Click Here To Open A Chart View Window, Zoomed To A “Navigation Alert” Position on the AICW/Amelia River

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

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

Update:
A temporary buoy had been placed near the marker when I went through February 7.
Roger Long

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

This sunken object appears to lie between AICW markers #36 and #37 in the South Amelia River section of the Waterway, south of Fernandina Beach.

Local Notice to Mariners:
The Coast Guard has received a report of an unknown submerged metallic object at a reported depth of 3.5 ft in approximate location 30-34.148N 081-28.409W. All mariners are advised to transit the area with caution. [Ref: JAX BNM 331-10] Chart 11488

Click Here To Open A Chart View Window, Zoomed To A “Navigation Alert” Position on the AICW Near St. M. 726, Where the Hazard Described Above is Found<

The Amelia River south from Fernandina Beach to Nassau Sound has several shoals to be reckoned with. Add another to your list of Navigation Alerts!

I think I may have seen something about this on your site but I can’t find it now. Anyway, here is some recent information.
I dug some trenches at low tide with my 4′ – 3″ draft between G 43 and G 45 running down the South Amelia River to Nassau Sound (Mile 729). Here is my track. I was keeping close to the greens because of a warning by friends.

While down south, I updated my Garmin Blue Charts. On the return, I ran the same track at high tide to see if I could spot the shoal spots and was startled when I looked at my GPS to see this:

I was pretty much running the magenta line as I did before. Note that, if this hydrography is correct, the deepest water is now outside the Red 44. I’d want to check that out though before suggesting anyone go that side. It’s pretty clear though where I dug trenches. It was a low low tide. I did hit at more than one spot so there have been changes since this survey.

Click Here To Open A Chart View Window, Zoomed To A “Navigation Alert” Position between Markers #44 and #45.

This shoaling has occurred along the AICW’s run through Sawpit Creek just south of where the Waterway crosses Nassau Sound.

Cruising News:
Shoaling reported on east side of channel behind Talbot Island at ICW marker 49 around mile 731, south of Nassau Sound. Sailboat aground in channel as we passed – stay close to western shore of Talbot and give greens a wide berth to avoid shoals.
Bill Healy

Click Here To Open A Chart View Window, Zoomed To A “Navigation Alert” Position in the AICW/Sawpit Creek at Marker #49

The Sister Creek portion of the Waterway begins just north of the St. Johns River at mile 470 and continues northward to Gunnison Cut at marker #65. The shoaly portion of the Waterway identified in Captain Graham’s report below, lies just south of the AICW’s intersection with Fort George River.
If anyone else has had a similar or dissimilar experience while cruising through these waters, please click the “Comment on This Posting/Marina/Anchorage/Bridge” link below, and share your information. Out of an abundance of caution, we are establishing a Navigational Alert for this portion of the AICW!

On 1 Apr 2012 at 1105 hours near MM 735 about 75 ft south of ‘G’ 73 hit bottom while cruising in mid-channel in a 5 ft draft boat at the beginning of incoming tide. Favor the Red side.
M/V Emerald Lady

We transited Sisters Creek northbound May 11 on our way to Fernandina Beach. The Waterway Guide noted potential shoaling between Red “74″ and Green “73″ about MM 735.5. As we approached Red “74″ we slowed down to 5 knots (Far Niente is an Island Packet 45 and draws 5′) and began to monitor depth. At the time we were between Red “74″ and Green “73″ the tide was about 1/2 way up and rising. The depth started to rise from about 10-11′ to 7-8′ as we moved north. Then a couple hundred yards from Green “73″ the depth fell again and we saw as much as 13-14′. I relaxed and increased the speed.
Suddenly about 100-150′ south of Green “73″ and about 50′ west of the east side of the channel, our bow swung rapidly about 20-30 degrees to the west. We slowed noticeably and of course the depth sounder indicated 0′ feet (beneath the keel). We went from 13′ of water to 5′ during mid-tide. The boat plowed through the soft bottom and then the depth dropped rapidly back to 10-12′
I don’t know if favoring the Red side would have solved the problem, but the shoaling noted in the guide is real.
At the dock in Fernandina Beach we had a discussion with the Captain of a trawler that draws 4′. He saw similar depths in the area and tried the “red” side but observed little improvement.
Jeff Graham aboard
s/v Far Niente IP45 #33
Lying Fernandina Harbor Marina

Click Here To Open A Chart View Window, Zoomed To A “Navigation Alert” Position On the AICW South of Fort George River

The Mayport Naval Base features a large, charted harbor, along the southern shores of St. Johns River’s eastern mouth out to the briny blue. Stay well AWAY from these waters!

The US Army Corps of Engineers issued a final rule expanding the existing restricted area at Naval Station Mayport, as well as establishing two new restricted areas at that facility. In addition, it established a new danger zone in waters adjacent to and within the facility. The rule comes into effect on May 17. 75 Fed. Reg. 19885 (April 16, 2010). http://edocket.access.gpo.gov/2010/pdf/

Click Here To Open A Chart View Window, Zoomed To A “Navigation Alert” Position on St. Johns River Near the Mayport Naval Base

The Cruisers’ Net has just been contacted by Captain David Kurdley (http://www.oldmillcove.com) about a potentially dangerous situation which might arise for captains and vessels cruising downstream (east) on the St. Johns River between Jacksonville and the AICW/Mayport. This is a bit of a complicated matter, and it will probably make more sense if you can follow along while referencing chart 11491.
First, find where the St. Johns intersects with Trout River, and then look across on the opposite shore, east of St. Johns River marker #63. You will spy a very long, unmarked “channel” which eventually leads east and southeast from Reddie Point to Mill Cove.
Captain David informed us that some downstream bound captains, either by mistake or by way of trying to take a shortcut, are leaving the main St. Johns channel hard by charted Reddie Point, and following this errant, Mill Cove Channel. Vessels that take this route INEVITABLY RUN AGROUND AS THEY COME ABEAM OF PAULINE ISLAND, IF NOT SOONER, AND, THE LOCAL TOW BOAT SERVICES ARE UNDERSTANDABLY VERY RELUCTANT TO TAKE THEIR VESSELS INTO THESE TREACHEROUS WATERS TO PULL OFF GROUNDED CRAFT!
There is a good reason that boats run aground in the Reddie Point – Mill Cove “channel.” The purpose of dredging this channel WAS NOT TO MAKE IT NAVIGABLE. Rather it was dredged in order to slow or halt silting in Mill Cove by increasing tidal current. That objective has been accomplished, but that does nothing for navigational purposes.
The bottom line is that ALL CRUISING VESSELS need to avoid the Reddie Point – Mill Cove “channel” like the proverbial plague, and simply stay in the main St. Johns River channel. To accomplish this objective, be SURE to pass west of marker #63 and northwest of marker #61!!!
Click the link below to open a Chart View page centered on these problem waters.
And, if you are one of the unlucky ones who’ve had trouble in the Reddie Point – Mill Cove channel, please let us hear about your experience by clicking the “Comment on This Posting/Marina/Anchorage/Bridge” link below.

Click Here To Open A Chart View Window, Zoomed To A “Navigation Alert” Position on the St. Johns River West of Reddie Point

Marker # 18 and the AICW stretch described below lie along the Tolomato River between charted Booth Landing and Spanish Landing at mile 764.
Sounds like the key to avoiding the below described shallows, is to not approach marker #18 closely.

We just ran aground at low tide about 15′ east of Red 18, around MM 766 and we draw only 3 feet! Boats behind us said deep water was 50′ east of the mark. Fortunately, we got off quickly with with no apparent damage.
Barbara and Barry Kipnis

Click Here To Open A Chart View Window, Zoomed To A “Navigation Alert” Position at Marker # 18

This much needed dredging project will begin at AICW marker #60 where the St. Augustine Inlet intersects the Waterway between Vilano Beach Bridge and the Bridge of Lions. As the project goes forward, the dredge will word its way seaward

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

You may recall that the Cruisers’ Net featured a whole series of postings a few weeks ago, speculating on whether the newly rebuilt Bridge of Lions in St. Augustine, now has 22 feet of Mean High Water vertical clearance, instead of the 25 foot clearance listed on NOAA chart #11485. Check out the earlier messages at: http://www.CruisersNet.net/bridge-of-lions-vertical-clearance-in-question-statute-mile-778).
Well, as part of our research process, we contacted Ms. Laurie Sanderson, Public Information Officer for the Bridge of Lions Rehabilitation Project. Yesterday (sorry for the delay), we received the reply you will read below. If I might be so bold as to interpret this bureaucratic-ese, I think this means that the bridge is now really only 22 feet off the water at mean high tide. We adjusted this span’s vertical clearance to 22 feet in our “Eastern Florida Bridge Directory” (http://www.CruisersNet.net/bridge-of-lions) after the first set of messages, and now we intend to leave this stat in place!

Thank you for your patience regarding this issue. The contractor on the Bridge of Lions Rehabilitation Project finished taking measurements today. The tide gauge at the Bridge of Lions measures correctly. The measurement is at low iron. You can expect approximately three extra feet of clearance at the center of the bridge.
In regard to the clearance at mean high water posted on your website and on other websites frequented by mariners, the Florida Department of Transportation is concerned about making changes to the commonly accepted mean high water measurement, because it may be the U.S. Coast Guard’s jurisdiction. However, we do maintain that the tide gauge at the Bridge of Lions is accurate and measures at low iron.
I know this is not all of the information you were hoping for, but this is the best information we can provide at this time. Thank you again for your patience and your assistance on this issue.
Sincerely,
Laurie Sanderson
Public Information Officer

Click Here To Open A Chart View Window, Zoomed To A “Navigation Alert” Position at the Bridge of Lions

This report of shoaling concerns a spot in the center of the Waterway channel 3/4 of a mile south of the Bridge of Lions. If you have found similar depths in this area, please let us hear from you.

I dragged my 4’ – 3” draft hard through the mud in Saint Augustine at the spot indicated here which is shown on the chart as 14 feet MLW. This was an hour and a half and 10 inches before MLW. I was heading northbound from the channel over to where a few boats my size and larger were anchored south of the mooring field.
You can see where I made a couple of other attempts to get into the mooring field and up to the anchorage but was running out of depth fast enough not to want to try it.
I anchored briefly to write this and wait for slack water to go into the marina dock for fuel at the point where the track ends. There is 9.5 feet of water here where the chart says I should be aground so the charts are not to be relied upon in this area.
When you get settled from your cruise, I would appreciate any private update you can give me on the Velosia County situation.
Roger S/V Strider

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

This hazard to navigation appears to border the eastern flank, just north of the Hwy 312 fixed bridge, and opposite the intersection of the AICW and San Sebastian River.

LOCAL NOTICE TO MARINERS
The Coast Guard received a report of a pipe partially exposed above the waterline in approximate position 29-52-07N 081-18-17W. All mariners
are advised to transit the area with caution. Chart 11485

Click Here To Open A Chart View Window, Zoomed To A “Navigation Alert” Position at the Exposed Pipe

State Road 312 Bridge-crosses the AICW at Statute Mile 780, south of the Waterway’s intersection with the San Sebastian River. This fixed span normally has a 65-foot vertical clearance.

FLORIDA – ATLANTIC INTRACOASTAL WATERWAY – ST SIMONS SOUND TO TOLOMATO RIVER – AMELIA RIVER BRIDGE
Gemstone Contracting has advised this office that they will start painting the East Bound SR 312 Bridge across the Atlantic Intracoastal Waterway mile 780.0, Lake City, St Johns County, Florida on March 26, 2012. This work will reduce the vertical clearance of one half of the bridge by four feet. This work is expected to be completed by July 11, 2012. Mariners are advised to exercise caution when transiting the area. Chart 11489

Click Here To View the Cruisers’ Net’s Eastern Florida Bridge Directory Listing For SR 312 Bridge

Click Here To Open A Chart View Window, Zoomed To A “Navigation Alert” Position at the SR 312 Bridge

The sunken vessel reported below in this article cherry picked from the “Local Notice to Mariners,” flanks the Waterway adjacent to Holly Hill, just south of Ormond Beach.

FLORIDA-ATLANTIC INTRACOASTAL WATERWAY-MATANZAS INLET-MOSQUITO LAGOON-HALIFAX RIVER: Hazard to Navigation
There is a partially submerged white 29ft S/V named Antares in approximate position 29-14.598N 081-01.765 in the vicinity of Halifax River Daybeacon 29 (LLNR 39995). Mariners are advised to use caution while transiting the area. Chart 11485

Click Here To Open A Chart View Window, Zoomed To A “Navigation Alert” Position at the Sunken Vessel Near Holly HIll, Florida, Reported Above

This report is from a reliable source and care should be taken at high tide. The Broadway Bridge (Main Street Bridge) crosses the ICW at Statute Mile 830.5, south-southeast of unlighted daybeacons #33 and #34.

This Bridge is 62′! on a high tide we would not clear this bridge.(63.5 + Antennas) The Markers on the bridge clearly showed 63′ with the tide down 1 foot. Please consider the tide range when passing under the Broadway Bridge. The chart is INCORRECT as it shows 65′.
Almost Heaven

Our mast height is also 63.5′ + antennas, we passed under this bridge @ 8pm Sunday May 13th, 2012. The Bridge clearance guage showed 62′ but as we had previously cleared this bridge in the fall we gave it a very slow go weaving between the nav light. As far as we could tell not even our antenna touched (unlinke many other bridges on the AICW) which means there is at least 66+’ in the middle of the span.
Andrew

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

We have e-mailed Captain Hinton and asked him to please do take a “survey” and give us more details on this shoaling.
The marker in question (#44), lies south of the westward running channels to Halifax Harbor and Aqua Marina Daytona. All cruisers should proceed past #44, particularly near the time of low water, with the greatest caution.
If ANYONE has more info about the AICW shoaling reported below, PLEASE follow the “Click Here to Submit Cruising News” link at the top, right of this page, and share your information!
In an abundance of caution, we are establishing a Salty Southeast Crusiers’ Net Navigational Alert for these waters, at least until we can acquire additional information!

I noticed shoaling near marker 44 at Daytona beach. I’ll try to do a survey before I leave, but the chart shows deep water while I found it less than 6′ in places — I draw 5′. Was afraid of running aground.
Take care…
Don
—-
Don Hinton
NV5L/MM
S/V Aurora

Click Here To Open A Chart View Window, Zoomed To A “Navigation Alert” Position at AICW Marker #44 in Daytona Beach, FL

The shoaling reported by Captain O’Richard below seems to lie approximately 1 nautical mile north of the Waterway’s northern intersection with Ponce de Leon Inlet.

New hazard just south of marker 68a ICW just north of Ponce Inlet Florida. Shoaling depth less than 5 ft at 2 hours after low tide.
Captain O! Richard

Click Here To Open A Chart View Window, Zoomed To A “Navigation Alert” Position at Marker #68A