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Longtime CRUISERS NET SPONSOR and named “Best of Savannah” in 2022, TGP Isle of Hope Marina lies along the northwestern shores of the Waterway in the body of a hairpin turn northwest of ICW marker 46A.
Click Here To View the Cruisers Net Georgia Marina Directory Listing For Isle of Hope Marina
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Joan Collins, second from right, and members of her family, from left, Patrick Jefferson, Deborah Jefferson, Marshall Collins, and far right, Sharon Warner, are shown onboard the deck of the U.S. Coast Guard Cutter Richard Etheridge at the Baltimore Shipyard with Lt. Zackary Kearney, the vessel’s commander. Photo: Sharon Warner
Click here A special time to remember the 1896 E.S. Newman rescue by Joan Collins
CoastalReview.org
See: NAV ALERT: UPDATE: AICW MM 579.9 Closures Announced, Causton Bluff Bridge, Wilmington River, GA
Click here for Partial ICW Shut-Down for Savannah Bridge Demolition Could Have Been Much Worse
Peter Swanson
Cruisers Net publishes Loose Cannon articles with Captain Swanson’s permission in hopes mariners with salt water in their veins will subscribe.. $7 a month or $56 for the year and you may cancel at anytime.
Click Here To View the VA to NC Cruisers Net Marina Directory Listing For Causton Bluff Bridge
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Our thanks to Ted Arisaka for this Marine Safety Bulletin. See NAV ALERT: AICW MM 579.9
Click here for Intermittent Closure Notification for AICW
CONGRATULATIONS! to Isle of Hope Marina, A CRUISERS NET SPONSOR, for being named 2022 Best Marina in Savannah by Savannah Magazine.
Click Here To View the Cruisers Net Georgia Marina Directory Listing For Isle of Hope Marina
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SAVANNAH, Ga) After 25 years of continuous ownership, the Isle of Hope Marina has been sold to TPG Marinas, the full-service marina management affiliate of Rhode Island-based Procaccianti Companies.
Click here for The Isle of Hope Marina Announces Sale to TPG Marinas
Click Here To View the Cruisers Net Georgia Marina Directory Listing For Isle of Hope Marina
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Our thanks to William Harrell for this beautiful drone photo.
Isle of Hope Marina, A CRUISERS NET SPONSOR, is pleased to announce their new ownership, TGI Marinas.
Click here for more information: The Isle of Hope Marina Announces Sale to TPG Marinas
Click Here To View the Cruisers Net Georgia Marina Directory Listing For Isle of Hope Marina
Click Here To Open A Chart View Window, Zoomed To the Location of Isle of Hope Marina
I agree. Chris and his staff are among the very best. Professional and very pleasant.
We hope the dock and office personnel remain unchanged. They are among the best on the waterway.
Until NOAA corrects its chart issues, I cannot give you the distance offshore of this entrance buoy.
GEORGIA – ATLANTIC OCEAN – TYBEE ISLAND TO DOBOY SOUND: Changes to Aids to Navigation
Tybee Lighted Buoy T (LLNR 350 [31°57.8677N / 080°43.1591W, 31.964461 / -80.719318]/4530) has been discontinued and the buoy removed from the location. Tybee V-AIS T has been established as an AIS Virtual Aid with MMSI # 993672996 at assigned position 31-56-09.548N/ 080-35-03.436W (31°56.1592N / 080°35.0573W, 31.935986 / -80.584288) . Mariners are advised to exercise caution while transiting the area.
Elba Island Cut is a maintained channel on the Georgia side of Savannah River across from Fields Cut in South Carolina.
GEORGIA – SAVANNAH RIVER AND WASSAW SOUND – SAVANNAH RIVER/AICW: Dredging operations.
On or about October 5, 2021 Goodloe Marine will begin dredging operations in the Atlantic Intracoastal Waterway (AICW) at Elba Island Cut just south of the intersection of the AICW and the Savannah River in Georgia. The cutter dredge EXEL will be removing shoal material from the AICW and pumping the material thru a 20” submerged pipeline across the Savannah River to an upland spoil area on the north side of the Savannah River. Mariners are cautioned to pass dredge at an idle speed and be mindful of numerous buoys and floating pipelines in and near the navigation channel. The dredge can be contacted on channel 16 and 68 for passing instructions. Additional information can be obtained by contacting Ben Goodloe 813-355-7494. Dredging operations are expected to be complete by Nov 15, 2021. For further information, please contact the United States Coast Guard at (912) 247-0073. Chart 11512 LNM 39/21
Our thanks to Ted Arisaka of Save Georgia’s Anchorages for passing along this Facebook 5/28 post from Jayne Salvo Gorham. Turner Creek which intersects the Waterway south of Thunderbolt is a small low-traffic area with two small marinas allowing access to Wilmington Island and Savannah.
Well, today we ran afoul of Georgia’s new anchoring law. We went to anchor in Turner Creek near Thunderbolt and anchored in one of the spots recommended in the cruising guides near the town and marinas. We anchored well clear of any of the marinas but apparently one of the marina operators immediately made a call to the Georgia DNR to complain and an officer came out in her car and raised us on her bull horn. We talked to her on the telephone and she told us we were definitely not allowed to Anchor within 1000 feet of any dock of any kind which pretty much eliminates all of the creek. There was one spot way up the creek under the bridge where we could be a thousand feet away from anything and it turns out it was a relatively nice place after all.
Although the officer was very professional and polite, it is quite clear that Georgia is very hostile towards Cruisers who dare to Anchor in sight of their dock
We were planning to go ashore and spend some money in the town, but not anymore.
Jayne Salvo Gorham
One idea, would be to establish anchoring reciprocity agreements from state to state, like with so many other things. That way, if you lived in a state that prohibited anchoring, you could expect the same treatment, when you went somewhere else. Because, you know a lot of the people in Georgia who support these anchoring regulations, probably like anchoring in other states. They just don't want you to do it in their state.
If the poster's push pin locator is correctly placed, she was indeed in violation of the regulations. We just had our boat hauled at that marina / yard…Sail Harbor…with excellent results I might add…and her locator pin is right off the end of the Sail Harbor's docks. And the Creek is very narrow. The Aqua Map icon should be removed from that location. There is another anchoring icon a bit further up the creek toward the bridge where there is bigger water. Sorry she got flagged, but she should have been more courteous to Sail Harbor's facilities.
Hi Kent:
The marker shown on this cruisersnet post is not where they were anchored. I contacted the OP and she messaged me her GPS coordinates both before and after she was asked to move by the GA DNR. It appears they were in compliance with the 300ft setback required in "Marina Zones". My colleague, James Newsome, in our grassroots group "Save Georgia's Anchorages" contacted GA DNR and posted this positive outcome over on our facebook page.
[James H. Newsome] "As a follow up on this incident, I forwarded 2 charts to DNR along with a brief summary opinion of why we thought the DNR officer and marina owner were wrong.
"Assuming the boater's accounting of the incident is correct, and it certainly appears credible, we believe she was inaccurately advised by the DNR officer to abandon her anchored position. Additionally, the officer stated that the boater could not anchor within 1000' of any dock. This is not correct. The marina zone allows boaters to dock closer than 1000' but not within 300' of a marina."
Pictures of the chart by Ted Arisaka will be included in replies to this comment.
I discussed this situation with the Deputy Commissioner for GA DNR yesterday and he agrees with our assessment of the incident. He also commented that the officer has been contacted and the Commissoiner's AO, which established the setbacks, has been reviewed with her in an effort to prevent a future occurrence. He also said that the marina owner was contacted and informed that the boater was legally anchored and should not have been made to move.
Deputy Commission Rabon and I agreed that while a mistake was made it was encouraging that all parties involved were cordial and acted in a responsible manner. I acknowledged that our boating organizations are working to educate cruisers and advise them of the current situation with the anchoring laws in GA.
As a further update, we are hopeful that GA's HB833, legislation to replace HB201, will pass the Senate in the final phase of the General Assembly which will reconvene mid-June. DNR and our coalition of boating groups strongly support this legislation."
AICW Statute Mile 858.5 is not in Georgia:
Georgia’s New Anchoring Regulations Claim a Victim in Turner Creek, GA AICW Statute Mile 858.5
Editor: Jim is correct, it should read 585.5. My bad!
We took the opportunity in April 2020 to just skip the entire state of GA when coming south by going outside to Jacksonville from the last passable inlet in SC.
What is unfortunate is that the DNR Officer apparently only cited the 1000ft setback from structures requirement and seemingly not aware of the 300ft-1000ft "marina zones" that allow anchoring and take precedence. Our group Save Georgia's Anchorages intends to provide some feedback to the DNR on this matter. Thanks Cruisers'Net for broadcasting this story.
Our thanks to Bill King for confirming the success of last year’s dredging of this Problem Stretch, which, for the time being at least, seems not such a Problem Stretch.
BTW…on the north-bound transit, came through Hell Gate (GA) last week at dead low tide. I know it was dredged but I did not expect to see 9’-plus all the way through following the USACE survey route.
Bill King
Stuart, Florida
Click Here To View the Cruisers’ Net’s AICW Problem Stretches Listing For Hell Gate
Click Here To Open A Chart View Window, Zoomed To This AICW Problem Stretch
Went thru the Gate on 1/9/21 at low tide. Lowest observed depth was 7.6 ft.
Registration is now open for the Atlantic Intracoastal Waterway Association’s (AIWA) 20th Anniversary Annual Meeting in Savannah, Georgia. For more detail , see Registration.
Click here for Registration Open for the Atlantic Intracoastal Waterway Association’s Annual Meeting
International Dredging Review
Experienced cruisers, Jim and Peg Healy, continue to generously share their observations and advice as they make their way south for the winter. Thank you Jim and Peg! For timely remarks on Cumberland Island Anchorage, see Anchoring off Cumberland Island.
On Tuesday, 0/20/2018, Sanctuary and crew transited from Walburg Creek anchorage to an anchorage on the Cumberland River, south of St. Andrews Sound, off the ICW at Cumberland Island. Observations follow:
We arrived at the Little Mud River at 11h00. The tide station at Wolf Island was reporting 5.1’+ rising. North to south:
R184 12.9′
13.4′ low water between markers
G184/R188 19.6′
10.2′ low water between markers
G189 20.7′
R190 15.1′
11.0′ low water between markers
R192 13.9′
11.0′ low water between markers
G195 11.8′
10.9′ low water between markers
R194 11.1′
G195 12.2′
The control depth was (10.2 – 5.1) = 5.1 and MLLW. Follow the visual center of the river on the straight section and SLIGHTLY favor the outside radius of the curves. We were too close to G195, but that wasn’t the low water anyway.
In Altamaha Sound, you must clear R208 by at least 300′; stay to the far green side for the best water.
In Altamaha Sound, clear G211 by 200′. There is a range there that will take you too close to G211, so do not follow the range; favor red for the best water.
We arrived at Jekyll Creek and 17h08. The tide station at Jekyll Island Marina was showing 4.9’+ falling. North to south:
G5/R6 11.5′
G7/R8 22.4′
R10 15.2′
G11 12.5′
9.9′ low water between markers
G13 10.0′
9.6′ low water between markers
R16 9.7′
G17 5.7′
G19 8.6′
6.1′ low water between markers
R20 8.0′
7.8′ low water between markers
R20A 8.9′
BRIDGE 10.2′
We were at 1/2 tide for this transit. The control depth was in the vicinity of G17 (5.7 – 4.9) = 0.8′. Wow. Could we have been is a less than ideal place? Sure. But this creek is quite narrow, so it wouldn’t have made a lot of difference. There’s very skinny in that area.
Jekyll Creek and Hell Gate are the two places we’ve seen so far that will require help from the tide for most boats to get through.
Jim
Peg and Jim Healy aboard Sanctuary, currently at Charlotte Harbor, Punta Gorda, FL
Monk 36 Hull #132
MMSI #367042570
AGLCA #3767
MTOA #3436
Walburg Creek shapes the east side of Walburg Island and the Waterway lies on the west side. Good depths and great beach combing. My young daughters always declared the beach spooky because of the skeletal trees and dense forest to the east! While the creek has both a northern and southern entrance from the AICW, we prefer the northern passage, though there is still an unmarked shoal northwest of Middle Ground in St. Catherine’s Sound which must be bypassed. Experienced cruisers, Jim and Peg Healy, continue to generously share their observations and advice as they make their way south for the winter. Thank you Jim and Peg!
On Monday, 10/29/2018, Sanctuary and crew travelled from Port Royal, SC to Walburg Creek, GA. Following, some observations:
We arrived at Ramshorn’s Cut at 10h15 with the tide station at Daufuskie Island (Daufuskie Landing) showing 5.8+ rising. We saw 11.0 ft, so (11.0 – 5.8) = 5.2′ at MLLW. The channel between G39 and R40 has narrowed further. We took the visual center.
We arrived at the un-named connector between the New River and the Wright River at 10h38 with the tide station at Daufuskie Island (Hargray Pier) showing 6.2+ rising. We saw 12.2 ft, so (12.2 – 6.2) = 6.0′ at MLLW. Follow the visual center. Honor, but stay away from, the lateral markers on pilings.
We arrive at Field’s Cut at 11h06 with the tide station at Field’s Cut showing 7.6+ rising. Southbound, take the visual center between G47 and R48, and line up on Field’s Cut. HONOR R48A, which appears off-station to the East. We saw 11.2 ft passing about 25 ft off R48A, so (11.2 – 7.6) = 3.6′ at MLLW. This was a surprise! We followed the visual center of Field’s Cut, favoring the outside radius of the turns. That 3.6′ area was the control depth of the cut. Cross-currents are significant at the Savannah River. Be alert for river traffic and cross currents.
There was a large, working crane barge at the Causton Bluff bridge. It appears “they” are replacing that bridge with a high rise. Another surprise.
We arrived at Hell Gate (MM600) at 14h18, with the Egg Islands Tide Station reporting +7.0 falling. Depths we saw:
G87 13.5′
G89 10.4′
9.8 low water between markers
R90 10.9
G91 10.4
So (9.8 – 7.0) = 2.8′ MLLW. Also note, as you enter this cut from the Vernon River, there is a STRONG cross current that will try to sweep you sideways. Boats will need some power and some aggressive steering to stay on the best route. We crabbed into the lee of the current at about a 20° angle. There is a prominent visual distraction just to the west of the marked channel. There is a piling left over from some previous danger mark standing prominently, while the red and green floaters that mark the channel are low to the water and hard to see. Do not confuse that piling as a valid channel marker. Follow and honor the cans and nuns in the water
Net: the overall condition of the A-ICW continues to deteriorate. Most cruising boats will need some tide help to get through this section. Plan accordingly.
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 the Location of Port Royal Landing Marina
Click Here To Open A Chart View Window, Zoomed To the Location of the Walburg Creek Anchorage
Passed thru Fields Cut on Nov 9, 2018, and found a minimum of 8 feet MLW at north end of Fields Cut. But there are two possible "gotchas". R48A appears to be off station, but it is not. For best water pass half way between R48A and the eastern shore. Also, be aware that once you turn to enter Fields Cut, (if southbound) you will be subject to strong cross currents.
Our thanks to author/cruiser, Bob Sherer, for this report on the notorious Hell Gate Problem Stretch where the Waterway follows the narrow, man-made canal between the Vernon and Ogeechee Rivers. As posted on Bob423.
Robert Sherer to ICW Cruising Guide by Bob423
October 27 at 10:21 PM ·
Hell Gate report (10/27/2018) There is no deep path. You need tide. Strong west wind lowered the water level some, perhaps 0.3 ft or more. The 3.5 ft MLW spot was very brief, just a flash on the depth sounder. The 4.2 to 5.6 MLW areas were persistent.
Click Here To View the Cruisers’ Net’s AICW Problem Stretches Listing For Hell Gate
Click Here To Open A Chart View Window, Zoomed To This AICW Problem Stretch
Our thanks to Lori Rackliffe for this report on the notorious Hell Gate Problem Stretch where the Waterway follows the narrow, man-made canal between the Vernon and Ogeechee Rivers. As posted on Bob423.
Hell Gate- MM601. Georgia
We transited at 9:30 Tuesday Oct 23,2018. With 6.7’ of tide assist. High at 7:43,8.2’ above datum.
Using Navionics Sonar Chart we stayed centered, no hugging or favoring.
The least depth recorded was 10.9’ just before G91. Directly off G91 we saw 12.6’. Off R90-13.2’
Lori Rackliffe
Click Here To Open A Chart View Window, Zoomed To This AICW Problem Stretch
The Waterway follows the narrow, man-made canal known as Hell Gate between the Vernon and Ogeechee Rivers. These waters have been an AICW Problem Stretch for years. See /165309 for a June ’17 report. Due to constantly shifting channel, Cruisers’ Net continues to recommend mid to high tide for this passage. Our thanks for this report from experienced cruiser, Jim Healy.
Sanctuary and crew transited Hell Gate (A-ICW, Georgia, MM 600) 10/28/2017, southbound, at 11h00, +3.4 ft on the tide (Ayetides app, Egg Islands Station). Passing G”89″ at a distance of about 30 feet, we saw 5.5 feet of water.
Passing R”90″ at a distance of about 15 feet, we saw about 5 feet of water. Not good. The control depth of Hell Gate at MLLW is 5.0 – 3.4 = 1.6 feet. We may have been slightly too close to R”90,” but in any case, no more than about 2 feet of water at low tide, less for celestial lows.
Jim
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 View the Cruisers’ Net’s “AICW Problem Stretches” Listing For Hell Gate
Click Here To Open A Chart View Window, Zoomed To This AICW Problem Stretch
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