The Alafia River entrance channel from Hillsborough Bay is heavily used by commercial vessels coming to and from a large fertilizer facility which lines the river’s northern banks. HOWEVER, cruising craft also make use of this passage to access several anchorages (see links below) and Inter Bay Moorings, a marina and repair yard facility on the upstream side of the river’s westernmost 28-foot fixed bridge.
From the description below, it looks like a major dredging operation is starting on the river’s approach cut as this is being typed. ALL Tampa Bay – Hillsborough Bay mariners bound for Alafia River, should proceed with the greatest caution.
The Salty Southeast Cruisers’ Net is declaring a Navigation Alert for these waters while dredging operating are in progress.

FLORIDA-WEST COAST-TAMPA BAY-HILLSBOROUGH BAY-ALAFIA RIVER: Dredging Operations.
Goodloe Marine, Inc. will commence dredging operations on or about April 15, 2012 on the Alafia River. Operations will begin at N 27 50 49.9/ W 82 26 26.3 and progress to the east to the turning basin at Mosaic docks N 27 51 25/ W82 23 22.8 between Alafia River Buoy 2 (LLNR 23250) and Alafia River Daybeacon 16 (LLNR 23320). There will be numerous buoys, anchors, pipelines, barges and other equipment located within the channel and outside the channel limits. All equipment will be lighted and the hydraulic Dredge “TENACIOUS” can monitor VHF-FM channels 16 and 13. Operations will continue until approximately August 1, 2012. Mariners are urged to use extreme caution in the area and pass the dredge and equipment at a slow speed and proceed with caution throughout the channel. Project point of contact is Mr. Ben Goodloe at 813-355-7494. Chart 11416

Click Here To View the Cruisers’ Net’s Western Florida Anchorage Directory Listing For the Alafia River Interior Anchorage

Click Here To View the Cruisers’ Net’s Western Florida Anchorage Directory Listing For the Alafia River Spoil Island Anchorage

Click Here To View the Cruisers’ Net’s Western Florida Anchorage Directory Listing For the Alafia River Bird Island Anchorage

Click Here To View the Cruisers’ Net’s Western Florida Marina Directory Listing For Inter Bay Moorings

Click Here To Open A Chart View Window, Zoomed To A “Navigation Alert” Position at the Alafia River Entrance Channel

This channel dredging will occur southeast of Gadsden Point, northwest of Apollo Beach and south of the Alafia River Channel.

FLORIDA-TAMPA BAY- HILLSBOROUGH BAY (CUTS A + C) AND ALAFIA RIVER: Dredging Operations.
Orion Marine Construction Inc will commence dredging operations in the Hillsborough Bay and the Alafia River on or about April 9 until approximately July 1, 2012.
Between Hillsborough Bay Lighted Buoys 10 to 31
Longitude: (Start) 27 48 13.7314 N, Latitude -82 27 52.5882 W
Longitude: (Middle) 27 48 42.4213 N, Latitude -82 26 53.5882 W
Longitude: (Stop) 27 53 53.0000 N, Latitude -82 26 21.3353 W
Alafia River
Longitude: (Start) 27 50 42.4068 N, Latitude -82 26 41.2325 W
Longitude: (End) 27 51 20.1865 N, Latitude -82 23 23.215 W
The project will involve the Hydraulic Cutter Suction Dredge “JERI-B”, Tenders: Gator and Jay-Jay. A mechanical clamshell Dredge “DRAVO”, Tenders: Miss Shirley and Erin P. The Dredge “JERI-B” will operate 24/7, cell phone 904-412-8496. Floating rubber and submerged polyethylene pipeline associated with dredging operations will be utilized. Pipeline and vessels will be visibly lighted and marked according to Coast Guard regulations. Floating and submerged pipeline will be utilized from the dredge to the authorized dredged material discharge area. The pipeline path will be outside of and perpendicular to the navigation channel. Buoys with “Danger Submerged Pipeline” will mark the submerged line as required by Coast Guard regulations. Mariners are urged to use extreme caution in the area, transit at their slowest safe speed to minimize wake, and proceed with caution after passing arrangements have been made. VHF – FM Channels Monitored: channels 12, 13, 16 and working channel 1. Project POC Mr. Jared Rackley, Project Manager cell (904) 868-9498.

Click Here To Open A Chart View Window, Zoomed To the Location of Start of Dredging

Marker #3A, from which the shoaling reported below (cherry picked from the Local Notice to Mariners) extends into the Charlotte Harbor/Peace River channel, lies just north of the Punta Gorda waterfront, and a short hop northwest of the marked entry passage to Fishermens Village Marina. While most of us can cruise through 7-foot soundings without any problem, a look at chart 11426, does suggest these shallows are encroaching from the north and northeast, southwest of Live Oak Point. Someday, the 5 and 6-foot soundings adjacent to this point of land could shelve into the main channel, but, fortunately, that day is not yet here.
Nevertheless, in an abundance of caution, the Salty Southeast Cruisers’ Net is declaring a Navigational Alert for these waters.

FLORIDA-CHARLOTTE HARBOR TO TAMPA BAY-CHARLOTTE HARBOR: Shoaling.
Shoaling has been reported to depths of 7ft extending from the vicinity of Charlotte Harbor Channel Buoy 3A (LLNR 19915) channel ward to the center of the channel. Mariners are advised to use extreme caution when transiting this area. Charts 11425 11426 11427

Click Here To Open A Chart View Window, Zoomed To A “Navigation Alert” Position at Marker 3A on the Charlotte Harbor/Peace River Channel

Keewaydin Island is just south of Naples and Gordans Pass is a narrow channel connecting the Gulf to channels into Naples Bay. Shoaling has been recently reported in Gordan Pass prompting a Navigation Alert for the channel.

FLORIDA-WEST COAST-GORDONS PASS-KEEWAYDIN ISLAND: Construction Operations.
Florida Marine Construction will commence operations on or about February 13, 2012 on the north end of Keewaydin Island south of Gordon Pass to construct erosion control structures in the near shore area of the Gulf of Mexico. The hours of operations are 8:00am – 5:00pm Monday through Saturday ending approximately June 13, 2012. Florida Marine will construct two (2) detached breakwaters. Vessels/work boats used: One (1)-25′x15′ Push Boat “Case”, Two (2)-24′x60′barges. The barges point of contact: Mr. Rodney Troost, vessels contact information: Florida Marine
Construction 239-283-1728. Chart 11430

Click Here To Open A Chart View Window, Zoomed To the Location of Gordans Pass

The article below has been cherry picked from the Local Notice to Mariners. The reported, capsized vessel seems to lie in the heart of the main Tampa Bay channel, north and northeast of the charted channel cutting southeast to Port Manatee, and hard by the position of markers #4C and #3C. If the reported position of this derelict is correct, all mariners should indeed exercise EXTREME caution while running this portion of the Tampa Bay Channel!
The Cruisers’ Net is declaring a “Navigation Alert” for this hazzard!

FLORIDA-WEST COAST-TAMPA BAY: Hazard to navigation.
There is a 14ft light blue Trek Sail Catamaran with orange sails capsized in Tampa Bay in position 27-41.19N 082-34.34W marked with a black life jacket tied to the anchor. Mariners are advised to exercise extreme caution while transiting the area (Ref: STP BNM 1225-11). Chart 11416

Click Here To Open A Chart View Window, Zoomed To A “Navigation Alert” Position at the Reported Position of the Above Described Capsized Vessel

This grounded sailing vessel is in Tampa Bay south of marker #6 in Gadsen Point Cut.

FLORIDA-WEST COAST-TAMPA BAY-LITTLE MANATEE RIVER: Hazard to Navigation.
The Coast Guard has received a report of a 30ft sailing vessel aground approximately 1 NM north of the Little Manatee River Entrance in position 27-44.339N 082-29.263W. All mariners are advised to transit the area with caution. [Ref: STP BNM 1359-10] Chart 11416

Click Here To Open A Chart View Window, Zoomed To the Location of Grounded Sailing Vessel

This missing sign appears to be in a narrow channel just west of the town of Crystal River, FL. Crystal River itself is one of the Big Bend Region’s southerly stream, just north of the Homosassa River, and south of the Withlacoochee River

FLORIDA-ANCLOTE KEYS TO CRYSTAL RIVER: Hazard to Navigation.
The Coast Guard received a report of a manatee sign is broken off and a portion of the piling is sticking up out of the water approximate position 28-54.409N 082-37.600W. Mariners are advised to exercise caution while transiting the area. Chart 11409

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

We have plotted the reported position of the “sunken chain” detailed in the cherry picked “Local Notice to Mariners” below, and it lies some 1.6 nautical miles west, of the westernmost of the barge canal markings which eventually split into two marked passages farther to the east. All these complicated channels are found between the Crystal and Withlacoochee Rivers.
Cruisers plying the Big Bend region between the Crystal and Withlacoochee Rivers should avoid this hazard, and be on the lookout for the “danger sign” described below, which marks this obstruction.
The Salty Southeast Crusiers’ Net is establishing a Navigational Alert for these waters.

FLORIDA-WEST COAST-CRYSTAL RIVER TO HORSESHOE POINT: Hazard to Navigation.
The Coast Guard received a report of an anchor 450ft of chain dropped 20NM west of Crystal River Barge Canal in approximate position 28-55.5N – 082-59.9W. A 24” buoy and a danger sign are marking the hazard. Mariners are requested to exercise caution while transiting the area [Ref STP BNM 1148-11] Chart 11408

Click Here To Open A Chart View Window, Zoomed To A “Navigation Alert” Position at The Reported Position of the Sunken Chain Described Above

Sounds like it might be a good idea to enter and exit the Alafia River channel at no-wake speed until this project is complete.

FLORIDA-WEST COAST-TAMPA BAY-ALAFIA RIVER-SUNKEN ISLAND BANK BIRD SANCTUARY’S WESTERN ISLAND: Installation of Wave Attenuation Devices
Audubon of Florida will be installing concrete Wave Attenuation Devices on the shoreline of Alafia Bank Bird Sanctuary’s western island, south of the Alafia River Entrance Channel. This installation will commence on Monday September 26, 2011 and is expected to occur daily from 7 A.M. to 5 P.M. until approximately October 2, 2011. On scene equipment will consist of two barges and a small tugboat. Mariners are to exercise extreme caution when transiting the area so as not to disrupt the construction process and contact the work crews on VHF Channel 68 or at (813) 727-5476 for further details. Chart 11416

Hernando Beach is a small community with a little used (by visitors anyway) channel, which lies north of Western Florida’s Anclote Key, and south of Homosassa River. I sounded these channels some years ago, and found them so shoally, that I have never recommended them to visiting cruisers. So, the dredging reported below in the Local Notice to Mariners, could hardly be bestowed on waters that need such a project more.

FLORIDA-WEST COAST-ANCLOTE KEYS TO CRYSTAL RIVER-HERNANDO BEACH-HERNANDO BEACH CHANNEL: Dredging Operations (UPDATE September 6, 2012).
B.C. Peabody Construction Services dredging operations ongoing through January 1, 2012 in the Hernando Beach Channel, Hernando Beach, Florida. The mechanical Dredges “800” (orange 800 Hitachi excavator) and “400” (yellow 400 Komatsu excavator) will conduct operations 24 hours a day, 7 days a week and will monitor channel VHF 68. Hydraulic Dredge and all associated pipeline has been removed from the channel. Associated workboats are material barges, push boats skiffs and a secondary barge with smaller yellow excavator “200”. Barges will continue to be spudded down in the channel and material barges will be constantly moving material. All watercraft will be lighted and clearly marked. Hernando County Parks & Recreation is working closely with B.C. Peabody. For further information please contact the Project Manager, Mr. Wayne Konga, 941-545-6188. Chart 11409

The waters west of Hernanco Beach are extremely shallow and Hernanco Beach Channel leads westward to depths of less than 3 feet. The daybeacons mentioned below do not show on Chart 11409. Dredging is in progress in this area until September 2, 2011

FLORIDA-WEST COAST-ANCLOTE KEYS TO CRYSTAL RIVER-HERNANCO BEACH CHANNEL: Hazard to Navigation.
The Coast Guard received a report of a sunken 25ft S/V with 2 masts showing above the waterline in approximate position 28-29.9N 082-40.1W in the channel between Hernando Beach Channel DBN 64 (LLNR 27770) and Hernando Beach Channel DBN 66 (LLNR 27780). [Ref: STP BNM 877-11] Chart 11409

Click Here To Open A Chart View Window, Zoomed To the Location of Hernanco Beach Channel

LOCAL NOTICE TO MARINERS: Week 43/11 This alert refers to an area of shallow water west of the Gulf Waterway near statute mile 90.

FLORIDA-GULF INTRACOASTAL WATERWAY-ANNA MARIECHANNEL: Hazard to Navigation
The Coast Guard has received a report of a unmarked piling in approximate position 27-30-39.066N, 082-42-35.070W. All mariners are advised to transit this area with extreme caution. Chart 11425

Click Here To Open A Chart View Window, Zoomed To A “Navigation Alert” Position at Anna Marie Channel

The partially submerged “Slow Speed” sign reported in the Local Notice to Mariners extract below, lies right on the path of the Western Florida ICW, north of the Treasure Island Causeway Bridge, and just south of marker #15. ALL mariners transiting this section of the Western Florida Waterway should be on the alert for this potential hazard. We are establishing a Cruisers’ Net Navigation Alert for these waters!

FLORIDA-GULF INTRACOASTAL WATERWAY-TAMPA BAY TO PORT RICHEY-BOCA CIEGA BAY-TREASURE ISLAND: Hazard to Navigation
There is a partially submerged “Slow Speed” sign showing 1FT above the water near Treasure Island Daybeacon 15 (LLNR 61100) in approximate position 27-46.335N 082-45.220W. All mariners are advised to use caution when transiting the area. Chart 11411

Click Here To Open A Chart View Window, Zoomed To A “Navigation Alert” Position North of the Treasure Island Causeway Bridge

We have plotted the position of the grounded sailcraft reported in the Local Notice to Mariners extract below, and it lies fairly close to the Caloosahatchee River’s western shoreline, north of Paradise Yacht Club. Considering its position, this derelict will probably affect most cruising craft, absent a rather gross navigational error. Nevertheless, all navigators operating on the waters of the Caloosahatchee River near Paradise Yacht Club, should take extra caution.

FLORIDA-WEST COAST-FORT MYERS-CALOOSAHATCHEE RIVER: Hazard to Navigation
There is an aground 27FT white sailing vessel anchored and lit in the Caloosahatchee River in approximate position 26-37.8N 081-54.7W. All
mariners are advised to use caution when transiting the area. Chart 11427

Click Here To Open A Chart View Window, Zoomed To the General Location of the Grounded Vessel Reported Above

Well, this work couldn’t come too soon, as there have been some aids in these waters for years that didn’t mark any channel at all. Even the main Suwannee River Channel can only be relied upon to carry 4 1/2 feet at MLW.
Once over the entrance bar, however, the Suwannee is one of the Big Bend region’s most delightful streams, with beautiful scenery and multiple anchorage possibilities. So, if new markers can really help captains make better use of this delightful river, so much the better for the cruising community.

FLORIDA-WEST COAST-SUWANNEE RIVER AND SALT CREEK: Repair & Replacement of Aids and Information Signs
Florida Fish & Wildlife Conservation Commission has contracted for the repair and replacement of the Aids to Navigation (ATON) and Information Signs at Salt Creek, West Pass/Alligator Pass and McGriff Channel (Wadley Pass) at the entrance to the Suwannee River and Salt Creek. This includes the replacement of the channel entrance marine aids to navigation lanterns at GPS: N 29° 14.58222 ‘ W 083° 11.78629′ (entrance to Alligator Pass Channel) and McGriff Channel (Wadley Pass) N 29° 18.57992 ‘ W 083° 12.01615′. The project started on May 18, 2011 and is expected to be completed by mid June 2011.
Any questions, please contact FWC Captain Richard Moore or Dawn Griffin at (850) 488-5600.
Chart 11408

Click Here To Open A Chart View Window, Zoomed To the Location of A Portion of the Suwannee River Entrance Channel

Cedar Key, for those of you who have never transited Florida’s waterwayless Big Bend region, is a port of call between the Suwannee and Withlacoochee Rivers. There is an astounding “S” turn in this passage as one begins the approach to the village of Cedar Key, that has brought many mariners to grief.
We have charted the reported position of the sunken vessel noted below, and it seems to lie well outside the Cedar Key Main Ship Channel, which many locals refer to as the “Seahorse Key Channel.” Thus, this derelict will hopefully be of little concern to cruising mariners.

FLORIDA-WEST COAST-CRYSTAL RIVER TO HORSEHOE POINT- CEDAR KEYS MAIN CHANNEL: Hazard to Navigation
The Coast Guard received a report of a 27FT BLUE derelict sport vessel submerged 1320 yards NW of Cedar Keys Main Channel Light 7 (LLNR 29765) with 15FT of its mast above the waterline in approximate position 29-05.45N 083-04.51W. All mariners are advised to exercise caution while transiting the area. Chart 11408

Click Here To Open A Chart View Window, Zoomed To the Location of the Cedar Key Main Ship Channel Near the Site of the Derelict Noted Above

The marked entry channel to Klosterman Bayou cuts northeast off the Western Florida ICW’s run through St. Joseph Sound (north of Dunedin and south of Anclote Key) between markers #32 and #34. Many years ago, this cut led to a restaurant, but only condos lie at the northeastern terminus of this shallow passage now, and cruising captains (wisely) seldom enter this “channel.” Thus the notice below will be of concern to very few captains, but, in an abundance of caution, we present it anyway.

FLORIDA-WEST COAST-ST PETERSBURG-KLOSTERMAN BAYOU: Hazard to navigation
The Coast Guard has received a report of a submerged 12FT Maroon John Boat in the vicinity of Klosterman Bayou in approximate 28-06.9N 082-47.6W. All mariners are requested to exercise caution while transiting the area. Chart 11411

Click Here To Open A Chart View Window, Zoomed To the Location of the Intersection of the Western Florida ICW and the Klosterman Bayou Channel

The span which is the subject of the extract from the Local Notice to Mariners below, crosses the Caloosahatchee River/Okeechobee Waterway a short hop east of Fort Myers, and is also known as the Fort Myers Shores/Olga/Highway 31 Bridge.

FLORIDA – OKEECHOBEE WATERWAY – CALOOSAHATCHEE RIVER – WILSON PIGGOT BRIDGE: Bridge Repairs.
The Wilson Piggott Bridge is on single-leaf operations until further notice. A double-leaf opening will be available with a twelve hour notice to the bridge tender. Chart: 11428 CG file: 3036

Click Here To Open A Chart View Window, Zoomed To A “Navigation Alert” Position at the Wilson Piggott/Fort Myers Shores/Highway 31 Bascule Bridge

The terse statement below, taken from the Local Notice to Mariners, seems to specify the addition of a new aid to navigation on the marked Manatee River entrance channel, leading from Tampa Bay. We have plotted the reported position of this new marker, and it seems to lie just north of charted, lighted marker #4.
Clearly new marker #3 has been placed to warn of shoaling along the northern flank of the Manatee River approach cut. We are establishing an SSECN Navigational Alert here until the NOAA charts begin showing this aid to navigation.

FL West Coast Tampa Bay
Shoaling has been reported – Manatee River DBN 3 (LLNR 21870) has been established in position 27-32-10.760N 082-40-08.436W to mark shoaling. Chart 11425 week 1911

And, below is an important clarification on the info above from Captain Richard Johnson. Captain Johnson operates a nearby charter operation and marina facility, and is very familiar with Tampa Bay and Manatee River waters! We can take his statement as the last word on this new configuration of aids to navigation.

I went in the Manatee River about three weeks ago for the first time since they removed the range system. Based on the water color, it didn’t really look like it had shoaled in that much, but what they have done is put “3″ on the northwest end of the bar on the northeast side of the entrance, which should keep boats that wander off to the northeast from running into the bar. It’s far enough between the marks that the unwary could get off the line and get into shallow water.
Captain Richard Johnson

Click Here To Open A Chart View Window, Zoomed To A “Navigation Alert” Position at the Reported Position of New Marker #3 on the Manatee River Approach Channel