Few of us venture through inlets at night, but should circumstances require such, keep a sharp eye on your chartplotter and do not be confused by the missing North Jetty light.

LOCAL NOTICE TO MARINERS: Week 42/11
All mariners are advised to exercise extreme caution while in the vicinity of and transiting Ponce De Leon Inlet at night due to the North Jetty Light (LLNR 9520) being unlit as a result of being destroyed. [Ref JAX BNM 249-11] Chart 11485, 11486

Click Here To Open A Chart View Window, Zoomed To A “Navigation Alert” Position at Ponce de Leon Inlet

Perhaps the most important news in Captain Guy’s message below is the demise of the entrance channel into popular Lighthouse Boatyard. I know from my own visits over the years, that the dredged cut was never too deep, at least in my experience. Sounds like the current entrance is bay of a sparsely marked, local channel. Clearly, cruisers bound for repair work at Lighthouse Boatyard should call well before their arrive for advice on how best to access the yard from the main inlet channel.
Also note that the “South Channel” described below eventually runs (what else) south to an intersection with the AICW, a short hop north of New Smyrna Beach. The Waterway has been shoaling at this intersection. For more on these shallows, go to:
http://www.CruisersNet.net/aicw-shoaling-near-ponce-inlet-south-channel-near-statute-mile-843

Subject: Ponce Inlet from seaward
Cruising News: Entering Ponce Inlet from seaward you may go South to ICW or North to ICW via Halifax river. North has fuel and two boat yards (Lighthouse [Boatyard] and Sea Love).
The entrance to Lighthouse [Boatyard] WAS via a [2006] dredged channel and private marks installed (c 2006). This channel is now completely shoaled and the marks have all been removed. There is a crudely marked channel to the west of the cove. There is enough water to transit but it is tough and unmarked… local knowledge only.
Going South in the Ponce [South Channel], there are a few uncharted marks (#7 & #7a and #8a)… Low water is at #10 (daymark) so give it lots of room (50+)
Ponce Inlet from seaward problems…
Ponce Inlet Marker #10 has very low water less than 5 at mid tide, within 50-60 feet, especially on the south. Be sure to staty mid or favor green #9.
If proceeding to Halifax river, best bet is long way around to ICW #18 [by way of the "South Channel"].
Captain Guy

Click Here To Open A Chart View Window, Zoomed To A “Navigation Alert” Position at the Lighthouse Boatyard Entrance Passage

Despite dredging in August of this year, shoaling is occurring again in Ponce de Leon Inlet which intersects the AICW between Daytona Beach and New Smyrna Beach.

FLORIDA-TOLOMATO RIVER TO PALM SHORES-PONCE DE LEON INLET: Shoaling.
The Coast Guard has observed shoaling in Ponce de Leon Inlet. The shoal encroaches 10 yards into the main channel with a depth of 3ft at lowtide near Ponce de Leon Inlet Lighted Buoy 7 (LLNR 9540). Ponce de Leon Inlet Buoy 7A (LLNR 9543) and Ponce de Leon Inlet TEMP Buoy 7B the lowest depth is 4.5ft the channel has been shifted east to mark best water. The entrance to Ponce de Leon Inlet is subject to frequent changes in depth and direction because of shifting shoals. Mariners are advised to seek local knowledge prior to entering this inlet and to exercise extreme caution during transit. Chart 11484 and 11485

Click Here To Open A Chart View Window, Zoomed To A “Navigation Alert” Position at Ponce de Leon Inlet

Click Here For An Earlier Article on Ponce de Leon Inlet

Click Here To View An Aerial Photo of Ponce de Leon Inlet

This report of shoaling concerns the extension of an existing shoal on the east side of the Waterway c. 2 miles south of the New Smyrna Beach fixed bridge.

On the other side of the bell curve, I was heading into anchor at a likely looking spot I found on the chart just before New Smyrna Beach. This bird is standing on that spot (“x” on the chartlet):

I noticed something slightly different about the wave pattern ahead. You can almost see it in the photo. I did a quick “U” turn and then had the idea of just continuing around in about three 360 degree turns. This set up a bunch of waves and, when they went over the shoal, I could clearly see that there was very little water there.
I anchored a little closer to the channel than I planned and saw the birds walking along the shoal a few minutes later. It now extends from the day marker all the way to the point. Lat / Long provided in the lower right corner for anyone passing this way.
Roger Long S/V Strider

Click Here To Open A Chart View Window, Zoomed To A “Navigation Alert” Position at New Smyrna Beach

The intersection of the AICW, St Lucie River/Okeechobee Waterway, and St. Lucie Inlet, just east of Stuart, Florida, is known locally as “the crossroads.” Shoaling is ALWAYS a problem here, but from Skipper Tom’s report below, it looks as if the the sands are really filling in fast just inside the mouth of the St. Lucie River. Of course, this stream also acts as the easterly genesis for the Okeechobee Waterway, and a ready route to the marina facilities in nearby Manatee Pocket and Stuart.
Having studied Skipper Tom’s remarks and chart 11472, it appears that, at least for the moment, the worst of the shoaling is not affecting the AICW channel, but that could change FAST! And, it is most certainly affecting the Okeechobee Waterway and passage to Manatee Pocket and Stuart!
Please let us hear from you if you have navigated through the southeastern mouth of the St.Lucie lately. Just click the “Comment on This Posting/Marina/Anchorage/Bridge” link below, and share your information with the cruising community.
We are designating a “Navigation Alert” on southeastern St. Lucie River as a result of this posting!

The St. Lucie River has badly shoaled at the entrance, it is now 6′ MLW, only 4 months ago it was 8′ and it was 10′ about 8 months ago. I was in the center of the channel between R2-R4, at this rate you’ll be able to get out and walk by next fall.
Skipper Tom

I went through there today 6/8 at 9am so you can determine the tide. i had depth of 5.7ft and 5.8ft and was aware of the shoaling issue here but thought it was fixed. I guess with the combination of current and loose sand in the area its hard to keep that area deep enough. Just take it slow like a pro.
Cheers, Brad Lukens

Click Here To Open A Chart View Window, Zoomed To A “Navigation Alert” Position at the Southeastern Mouth of the St. Lucie River/Okeechobee Waterway

AICW marker #21 is located in a narrow stretch of the Waterway 2.5 nautical miles south of Jupiter Inlet.

Cruising News:
Day Marker 21 on Lake Worth Creek about mile 1008 was observed laying down in the water April 29, 2012. Please be careful in this area.
Ken Christian

Click Here To Open A Chart View Window, Zoomed To A “Navigation Alert” Position on the Lake Worth Creek Section of the AICW

The waterway stretch cited below through Juno Beach is straight and narrow with no markers. The dredges mentioned are most likely active during the week, so observe caution when passing. High tide was at 8:53 the morning of the 17th.

8 a.m. today (4/17/11) Juno Beach on ICW north of MM1010, approx. 1/4 mile south of Donald Ross bridge — near the top of the tide. We bumped softly (5 ft. draft). Large construction area to the east of “bump.” Dredges nearby but not active when we were passing through (Sunday).
Skipper Patrece Colburn

Click Here To View the Cruisers’ Net’s Eastern Florida Bridge Directory Listing For Donald Ross Bridge

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