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

Kings Bay Submarine Base lies on the west side of Cumberland Sound and just north of the GA/FL state line. Dredging affecting waterway traffic will be in Range D and Range E between Marker #37 and #44A.

GEORGIA-FLORIDA-CUMBERLAND SOUND-FERNANDINA HARBOR TO KINGS BAY: Dredge Operations.
Cottrell Contracting Corporation of Chesapeake, Virginia will commence dredging operations at Kings Bay Submarine Base, on or about November 28, 2011 through approximately March 1, 2012 from Cumberland Sound Lighted Buoy 37 (LLNR 6915/37765) to Kings Bay Light 62 (LLNR 7040). Mariners are advised to remain a safe distance away from the dredge, pipelines, barge, booster, buoys, cables, derricks operating wires and other related equipment. The dredge and pontoon lines are held in place by cables attached to anchors from the dredge and pontoons. Buoys are attached to the anchors so they may move as the dredge moves. Submerged lines should be avoided. Mariners are to exercise extreme caution when approaching, passing, and leaving the dredge plant. The dredge “RICHMOND” will monitor VHF channels 13 and 16. Dredge operations will be conducted (24) hours a day, (7) days a week, all fishnets, crab pots and structures in the general area must be removed prior to commencement of any work, a slow NO WAKE speed is advised of transiting vessels. All vessels are requested to contact the dredge prior to passing. For additional information contact Mr. Benjamin Cottrell (757) 547-9611. Chart 11503

Click Here To Open A Chart View Window, Zoomed To the Location of Marker # 37

The St. Marys River flows into the northern tip of Cumberland Sound just north of Fernandina, FL. This reported shoaling should be of concern for anyone making a sidetrip from the Waterway to St. Marys, GA.

GEORGIA-FLORIDA-ST SIMONS SOUND TO TOLOMATO RIVER-ST MARYS RIVER: Shoaling. Week 45/11
Mariners are advised that shoaling extends 15 yards channelward between St Marys River DBN 6 (LLNR 6805) and St Marys River DBN 8 (LLNR 6810) with minimum depth reported at 2ft MLW. Chart 11489

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

The Waterway intersects the Altamaha River at mile 656 and runs in the Altamaha until entering Buttermilk Sound at mile 660. ALL cruisers traversing this section of the AICW need to be on maximum alert for the obstruction reported below! The Cruisers’ Net is declaring a Navigational Alert for these waters and a report has been filed with the USCG!

Cruising News:
On August 2, 2011 while traveling North there was a large piece of concrete with rebar partially exposed about mid tide on the Altamaha River between daymarks 204 and 206.
Susan aboard s/v September Song

Is this new or has it been there? Is it in the channel; if so red/center/green side? Or, out-of-channel? If so, which side? Has the Coast Guard been notified? This is good info, but what’s also needed is a better description of the location in case we’re there when the tide is in. (Not that that every happens to me, tho!)
Thanks, Jim Healey

It looked like it may have been a concrete pier, it was near the middle of the channel but closer to the red. No the coast guard was not notified.
Susan aboard s/v September

Thanks very much for following up, and for the CG notification. That must be fairly new, but it sounds like a really bad hazard for the unaware! We’ve been through there many times over the years, and I’ve never seen anything in that area before. But, the area is shoal, shallow, and does not lend itself to error; looks like, favor green” is the new rule.
Actually, if the weather is right, we’ve taken to overnighting at the great Duplin River anchorage, then we go out at Doboy Sound and back in at SSI, or the St. Mary’s or St. John’s, to miss that whole Little Mud/Altamaha stretch. Too bad; we really love the salt marshes and the rural character of the area, but GA just does such a lousy job of keeping the waterway navigable! Maybe a hazard like this will get cleared before the fall migration.
Thanks, again.
Peg and Jim Healy aboard Sanctuary
Currently at Rock Creek, Pasadena, MD
Monk 36 Hull #132

As noted by Captains Jim and Peg above, SSECN Eastern Seaboard Editor, Captain Larry Dorminy, notified the USCG about the obstruction in Altamaha Sound/AICW. They replied:

Greetings,
Thank you for contacting the Navigation Center.
Your report concerning a hazard to navigation in the Altamaha River is currently being investigated by a USCG Aids to Navigation team. Please refer to the District 7 Local Notice to Mariners for any information regarding their findings. If deemed necessary, a Broadcast Notice to Mariners will also be issued. We thank you for your report.
We hope this addresses your inquiry. In our continuing efforts to provide high quality services to our customers, please let us know if you found the provided answer helpful.
Sincerely,
USCG Navigation Center
Navigation Information Service
NAVCEN MS 7310
7323 Telegraph Road
Alexandria, VA 20598 – 7310
Tel: 703-313-5900
www.navcen.uscg.gov

LOCAL NOTICE TO MARINERS: Week 33/11
The Coast Guard received a report of a large piece of concrete with rebar partially exposed about mid tide on the Altamaha River between Altamaha Sound Daybeacons 204 and 206. Mariners are advised to avoid this area. Chart 11508

Just passed thru this area today with our 7ft draft Catalina 42. Tide was at about about +6ft. Ran directly down the center and did not hit anything or see anything. Found about 7ft MLW.
It would have been good if September Song had indicated where they saw this obstruction. In the channel? To the side of the channel? Where was it?
We have worred about this for many miles down the ICW but having faith with the heavy volumn of boats going thru hear we would have heard something by now.
Dennis Lawrence
S/V Thate Wata
Catalina 42 Mk 2 Hull # 758

Click Here To Open A Chart View Window, Zoomed To A “Navigation Alert” Position On the AICW As It Passes Through the Altamaha River

Do not know if this will affect any of you, but just in case…

LOCAL NOTICE TO MARINERS: Week 22/11
The U.S. Air Force will be conducting tests and training operations on nationally controlled frequencies between Hunter Army Airfield and Savannah International Airport during the period of June 6-10, 2011. Reduced reception may occur that could interfere with the range of 2900-3100MHz on some USCG radar systems.
Mariners are urged to exercise caution and transit at their slowest safe speed if affected by any radar range reduction. If this reduction is noted, please contact the Coast Guard Sector Charleston on VHF radio channels 13 or 16 or by phone at (843)740-7050 immediately