PLEASE CAREFULLY READ OUR DISCLAIMER!
Please Note That Postings Below From Fellow Cruisers Are Listed in Chronological Order, Based on Publication Date
Captain Sara contacted me and asked if the Salty Southeast Cruisers’ Net would be interested in publishing a list of on-the-water, cruising craft accessible restaurants in SW Florida. I may have gotten a bad case of whip-lash from saying “YES!!!!” soooo quickly.
Anyway, check out Sara’s message below, and PLEASE send her info directly if you can.
Once their June cruise is complete, we will publish Sara’s dining directory here so it can be a lasting tool for the cruising community!!!
In advance of my bareboat charter out of St. Pete down to the Keys in June, I’m compiling a list of restaurants that offer tie-ups to boaters. I will be collecting lat/long, depth, dockage description, dining experience and any other relevant data for each restaurant. This information will then be made freely available to the boating community. If you have info to share that would make the resource more useful to all, please contact me via email at:
saraburns2000 AT yahoo DOT com
If all goes well, I believe I might have found another interesting and productive hobby! Thanks! 
Sara Burns
Facilitator, The Work of Byron Katie
Transforming Education in America
SALTY SOUTHEAST CRUISERS’ NET SPONSOR Riviera Dunes Marina is offering some really appetizing summer dockage and long term dockage special. TAKE A LOOK!
We are currently running the following specials:
I. 3 month lease for the annual rate of $10/ft
II. Month-to-month @ $12/ft. (vs $16)
III. Annual lease gets you the 13th month free
We now also have 4 dedicated slips for small boats (up to 26’) for $219/mo. or a 3 mo. lease that includes the fuel discount for tenants. All 3 month deals end after 3 months; no renewals. Special Hurricane Safe Harbor Storm Reservation Program
Doc
Click Here To Open A Chart View Window, Zoomed To the Location of Riviera Dunes Marina Resort
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
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
Within ten minutes of receiving the important message below from Captain Hyde, the Salty Southeast Cruisers’ Net was on the telephone with Wise Gas, Inc. to determine their area of service. That’s one of the advantages of being a “non-wicki,” professionally moderated web site. Anyway, what we discovered is a potential boon for cruisers in southeastern Florida. More on that in just a second.
So, why is a ready source of CNG such big news for the cruising community? Quite simply, CNG is a superior fuel for all on-board cooking and heating purposes, as compared to propane/LPG. As many of you already know, LPG/Propane is heavier than air and, should there be a leak, can accumulate in bilges or a low place in a boat, leading to a potentially explosive situation. Conversely, CNG is lighter than air, and tends to naturally disperse.
The problem is, as we so clearly learned while formulating the SSECN’s LPG Availability Directories, that CNG is hard to obtain. Quite simply, there are very few dealers to which cruisers have easy access where their CNG tanks can be refilled.
Back to Wise Gas, Inc. Our telephone call revealed that this company will pick up, refill and deliver back to your vessel, CNG tanks from the “tri-county area” of southeastern Florida, which is comprised of Palm Beach, Broward and Dade counties. Additionally, WITH ADVANCE ARRANGEMENTS, sometimes the same procedure can be undertaken along the west coast of Florida, particularly in the Tampa Bay region.
So, while it’s still not a perfect solution, nor one so broad ranging as we would like, at least now from North Palm Beach to Miami, cruisers can be sure of having a source to refill CNG tanks. It’s a start!
Claiborne –
On your recent visit to Punta Gorda, Florida I mentioned to you that if I was ever able to locate a source of CNG for those using the gas onboard their boats, I would let you know. I have finally found a source. Wise Gas, Inc., 1058 Bluewood Terrace, Weston, FL 33327 is source of CNG for vessels and vehicles in south Florida. Its website advises the following:
“At present time, Wise Gas, Inc. is offering CNG tank refills to marine boaters in the South Florida area only. We do anticipate expanding this service in terms of geography and service options in the future. Call Wise Gas, Inc. in advance at (954)-636-4291 to coordinate a CNG refill. A member of our team will meet you, pick up your current, approved cylinder in good condition and refill it for you and deliver it back to you.”
The cost of this service varies based on cylinder size and location. Call in advance to schedule your refilling needs.
E-mail: info@wisegasinc.com
Phone: (954)-636-4291
I recently met with a Wise Gas representative who was in Punta Gorda making deliveries on the west coast and exchanged my empty tank for a full one. It was a smooth and convenient process. The cost was $40.
I would advise your readers to visit the Wise Gas website at http://www.wisegasinc.com for all the information. I hope this helps and thanks for a great presentation to the boaters of Punta Gorda.
Noel Hyde
s/v Kismet
Here’s a quick but important word about the anchorage regulations proposed by the city of St. Petersburg, in regards to this community’s participation in the Florida Pilot Mooring Field Program.
Re the anchoring restrictions: The comment period for the St Petersburg ordinance ended on March 18, but all should know that if adopted as proposed there will be no anchoring in the various basins except for a limited area in Bayboro Harbor, west of the entrance to the Harborage Marina.
Chuck Waygood Sr
Most cruisers visiting Tampa Bay set their course for St. Petersburg, time after time. Tampa, while it boasts some “city” docks around Harbour Island and the adjacent convention center, does not offer much in the way of power and water connections, nor shoreside amenities.
However, Captain Tom Ulanski, who, as he notes in the message below, was kind enough to attend my presentation to the Naples Yacht Club last week, has come up with what sounds like a great spot to coil your lines, near the heart of downtown Tampa!
Has anyone else spent some time at the Marriott Waterside Hotel and Marina’s docks. If so, please click the “Comment on This Posting/Marina/Anchorage/Bridge” link below, and share your information.
Claiborne
Thanks for extending your visit to Southwest Florida to fit-in a presentation at Naples Yacht Club.
A question from the audience came up regarding places to go in Tampa. You mentioned the municipal docks at the Convention center being without amenities
for overnight accommodations. However, just east of the convention center (literally across S. Harborside Blvd., but under a 19′or 20′ fixed-bridge) is the Marriott Waterside Hotel and Marina. Note the amenities … its gorgeous.
Description for Tampa Marriott Waterside Resort & Marina:
Located on Garrison Channel in downtown Tampa, the marina has 32 slips with floating docks and one outside slip that will accommodate vessels up to 100 feet. The Tampa Marriott Waterside is a bay front hotel in the heart of Downtown. This new hotel offers elegant amenities for work and play, from 50,000
square feet of meeting space and complete business services to a full-service spa and several delicious restaurants. Dockage includes access to all of the
hotel amenities. Monitors VHS Ch. 16.
Published charts and your printed guide state the bridge clearance as 10′. Not so. Its either 19′ or 20′. Please verify the clearance with the dockmaster who is accesible through the hotel’s main number.
Tom Ulanski
St. Petersburg was selected some time ago as one of five sites for the Florida Pilot Mooring Field Program. And, it was previously announced their mooring field would be located in the North Yacht Basin/Vinoy Basin, which borders on the northern side of the huge St. Petersburg Municipal Marina (A SALTY SOUTHEAST CRUISERS’ NET SPONSOR) and just south of the Renaissance Vinoy Resort Marina.
Construction has begun on this mooring field, and, consequently, the city of St. Petersburg has asked all the anchored vessel in the Vinoy Basin to leave. HOWEVER, as you will discover below, there is still a way to dinghy ashore. You just have to pay for it!
Courtesy docking is available in the Northwest corner of the South Basin for visitors who don’t need to stay overnight in the South Basin. You pay for docking by the hour.
David Burnham
Click Here To Open A Chart View Window, Zoomed To the Location of the North Yacht/Vinoy Basin
Captain Burnham’s message below is somewhat cryptic, but if I read it rightly, the city of St. Petersburg, Florida is attempting to limit anchorage in their corporate waters to 3-days in a particular spot, and 9 days total, within any 30 day period. As such, these are possibly the most Draconian proposals put forward by any of the five municipalities/counties which are part of the Florida Pilot Mooring Field Program. Fortunately, there is still a LOT of public comment to be registered, and the FWC (Florida Fish and Wildlife Commission) must agree to all restrictions before they can be passed and enforced. As St. Augustine learned last fall, the FWC is very reluctant to approve such short term anchorage limits.
Notice that Captain Burhnham points out that the real bugaboo in all of this is derelict vessels. Can I say it just one more time. This IS a real problem in Florida, BUT this problem can be solved by enforcement of EXISTING marina salvage laws and MSD regulations. Why try and limit anchorage for everyone, when the very real derelict problem is being caused by a tiny minority of boat owners?
I attended the meeting and received a draft copy of the proposed changes to the City Code.
As written, it allows me to do things on a three day weekend that would really annoy most boaters and marina operators. It allows me to anchor within 200 feet of any marina or boat ramp and stay there for 3 days as long as I am not an obstruction or a “hazard to navigation”. It would seem to me that any anchored vessel is an obstruction to be avoided…
Within any 30 day period, I can anchor consecutively in the Central Yacht Basin, the South Yacht Basin, or Bayboro Harbor for 3 days each, allowing me a 9 day stay without mooring fees. There is no beginning time or ending time for my 72 hour stay at each location so if I drop anchor in the Basin after sundown and no one notices until the next morning, the first night is not counted in the 72 hours?
Last night’s public forum was a good meeting for the boating public to ask the city to clearify the intent of their proposal.
What St. Petersburg apparently wants is to prevent vessels from being abandoned by the few irresponsible owners who neglect vessel maintenance. As drafted, their proposal does not address this except to state that “hazardous” vessels are prohibited from anchoring in the waterways of St. Petersburg; which is not in agreement with Florida State Law in regards to navigation. “Hazardous” vessels means a vessel in danger of becoming a derelict for various subjective reasons listed.
If the proposal begins constructive dialog between the boating public who visit St. Pete and the city managers, then last night was a successful beginning.
David Burnham
After reading the above, we asked Captain Charmaine Smith Ladd, founder of BARR (Boater’s Anchoring Responsibility and Rights), to comment on the proposed St. Pete regulations. Her response appears below.
January 26th, 2012
by Charmaine Smith Ladd
csmithladd@marinersbarr.org
For your perusal and comments, the proposed ordinance draft for St. Petersburg:
http://marinersbarr.org/fpp/docs/st_petersburg/draftanchorrdinance-2012-01-26.pdf
Things to note: LIVEABOARDS will not be able to anchor anywhere within the City Limits of St. Petersburg, they MUST either take a mooring or a marina slip; NON-LIVEABOARDS (cruisers) effectively will be under a 72-hour limit for anchoring. The ordinance also reads: “No vessel shall anchor in the Port of St. Petersburg.” Very broad and very disturbing.
St. Petersburg – Scheduled Public Meetings:
February 16th at 3:00 pm – St. Petersburg City Council Meeting, 1st Reading
March 1st at 8:30 am – St. Petersburg City Council Meeting, Public Hearing
Location: Karen A. Steidinger Auditorium Fish & Wildlife Research Institute
100 Eighth Avenue SE, St. Petersburg, FL 33701
The postings so far had me very concerned until I carefully read the proposed ordinance. While it prohibits anchoring of liveaboard vessels anywhere in the city limits, the 72 hour rule only applies within 200 feet of marinas and boat ramps and in the three basins and the Port basin downtown. It does not apply for cruisers (non-liveaboard vessels) in other anchorages in St. Pete like Coffeepot, the two bayous, or Maximo Point (a favorite of ours). The 72 hour limit does not apply to the entire peninsula or city limits!
If it passes approval by the FWC with the 72 hour limit intact, we will simply NEVER visit or spend our money in downtown St. Pete again. We will vote with our anchor and go to more cruiser friendly places! In it’s effort to deal with abandoned and derelict boats the City of St. Petersburg is telling cruisers that they are not welcome except for a short stay. They don’t treat tourists that way who arrive by car or plane instead of by boat.
There is no “safe harbor” provision in the proposed ordinance so the police can kick you out into a storm if they want. My guess is that the FWC will require a “safe harbor” provision be added.
Larry Sherman
And now, more from Captain Burnham on this issue. Many, many thanks for his fine reporting of this critical cruising issue:
My first comments were truly cryptic as they closely follow the draft proposal from the St. Petersburg City Code which in itself I found it to be cryptic in its intent.
The stated intent of Article 6 in Chapter 7 is to encourage the use of the new mooring field in the North Basin. Presently, only one of the 13 new moorings is occupied. Six boats are anchored behind the seawall in the South Basin, and 5 sailboats are at anchor in the Bayboro Basin south of the Port of St Petersburg.
These 11 sailboats are all in good condition and within their rights under Florida State Laws of Navigation even though they appear to be within the “City Limits”. I have not found how far the St. Petersburg city limits extend into Tampa Bay, but they do go from the Clearwater/St. Petersburg Airport all the way around the Pinellas peninsula to Boca Ciega Bay with the exception of the City of Gulfport!
If all 11 sailboats moved to the mooring field, their daily rate would be 14 dollars if under 41 feet in length and 17 dollars if 41 feet to 60 feet. This is significantly less than the average 80 dollar daily rate for a 40 foot vessel at the Transient Dock. If any of these cruisers rent a vehicle while on a mooring and wish to park it at the marina overnight, the daily fee is $2.80.
During the peak winter season, 2 months is the maximum length of stay on the moorings but you can return after 15 days if there is a mooring still available.
The proposed 72 hour time limit for anchoring in any Basin in the city limits will only serve to push the cruisers over to Gulfport which does not yet have an established mooring field in Boca Ciega Bay or other more curtious anchorages in the Tampa Bay area.
The FWC officers are more concerned with abandoned boats, not the well kept cruiser, and preventing boats from becoming derelicts with the associated hazards.
The term “live aboard” is used differently in the boating community and causes confusion. Until the boaters accept the term “live aboard” to mean a vessel that is NOT used for navigation (think boat house instead of houseboat) and has no means of propulsion, cruisers staying on their boats will be unsure of the proposed rule’s intent.
The Port of St. Petersburg, south of the city airport, where all the U.S. Coast Guard and commercial ships are berthed is not a suitable anchorage for smaller cruising boats.
David Burnham
While I am not familiar with the local geography of the S. Pete waters I am a cruiser-resident of nearby Plant City, Hillsborough County, Florida, and have occupied and cruised continuously aboard my vessel for 8-1/2 years. Our vessel is currently in a mooring field in San Blas Islands of Panama.
Like the City of St. Pete, we “full-time” cruisers are also unhappy with derelict vessels. They are a hazard to navigation, safety and the environment. In inclement weather conditions they can, and have, drifted loose from their “anchored” position and damaged other vessels. If not maintained in a reasonably clean and preserved condition, they negatively impact our enjoyment of the waters in which we choose to anchor.
I believe there should be a distinction between 1) derelict vessels, 2) vessels that are “stored” on the water, i.e., not capable of safe navigation, and 3) vessels that are anchored/moored and capable of safe navigation. And I would argue that an unoccupied vessel is not capable of safe navigation.
Boat ownership is a responsibility that includes being a safe and considerate “neighbor” to nearby vessels and property, and to their owners and occupants.
There is no reason to penalize a responsible owner-occupant of a cruising vessel who chooses to anchor safely for extended periods in an urban waterway.
On the other hand, I also believe that nearby vessels and property should have protection from “derelict” and/or “stored” vessels when they present hazards to their neighbors. The longer a non-navigable, or unoccupied vessel remains at anchor, the greater hazard it represents. Storms create a great danger that such vessels will come loose and damage other vessels or property. Ill-kept, non-maintained vessels are a public hazard and nuisance. I realize that “nuisance” is hard to define, but city codes have addressed this with respect to real estate, so there is precedent in regulating such matters in a community-acceptable manner.
I think the City of St. Petersburg should consider the above discussion in its regulation and re-write the proposed ordinance to allow for responsible, long-term anchoring for occupied vessels.
Carl Gaines
I have spent many enjoyable hours anchored in St. Pete’s Vinoy Basin, the North Harbour, when I first started cruising south. While there, I met cruisers from as far north as Nova Scotia and as far south as the eastern Caribbean. Not a derelict vessel in sight. Never a problem.
Now, because the city would not enforce laws available to it to deal with a half dozen near-derelict vessels in the Basin, I’m forbidden to ever again anchor there, because they’ve put moorings in?
Let me be blunt, because I’m fed up with this crap from the state of FL.
I’ve just spent three very pleasant weeks in Brunswick Ga., 35 miles north of Florida. It was nice to feel welcomed.
When I leave here tomorrow, the goal is to remain offshore as much and as long as I can, until I can get to the Bahamas, and to hell with Florida.
All of it, every bit of it. I don’t need their attitude towards me, my boat and my needs, because Florida officials cannot deal with their drunks and druggies living on derelict boats in a manner responsible to those who would visit, spend money and respect their state.
Since I singlehand, I’ll have to come inshore to rest. But I intend to buy enough fuel and food here in Brunswick, GA so that I don’t spend a cent in their damned state.
Wally Moran
Well, I don’t visit cities where boaters are not welcome, nor do my MANY boating friends – AND WE DON”T SPEND OUR CONSIDERABLE MONEY THERE! WAKE UP MERCHANTS!!!!!
August Trometer
The money spent by anchored cruisers is quite small in the grand scheme of things. And from the ordinance writers perspective, if you won’t even spend money on a mooring ball, let alone dockage, how much money will you spend ashore? Comparing cruisers to motorists doesn’t work, you can’t camp out in the rest stops or along the side of the road. You’ll need a better angle.
Livaboards are not the issue in St. Petes either. The Harborage marina openly welcomes livaboards, they have the city permits to allow it and have many amenities geared specifically to livaboards.
I think it is the derelict boats that is the heart of the matter. Can Cruisers Net or other organizations come up with a plan & assistance with facilitating the removal of the derelicts.
The other issue is “bum boats”. Those boats that are not ‘derelicts’ but do not look good at all. They are eyesores that do no good for the cause. Many (but not all) would love to see a beautiful boat at anchor in the harbor, but seeing an eyesore exacerbates this sort of issue. Hard to say what could be done. Personal responsibility can’t be legislated but it is contributing to the problem. The solution…kick em all out.
Ted
Editor’s Response – Ted, if you will look at my earlier editorial, “Whence Come the Anchorage Regulations” at http://cruisersnet.net/?p=4958, you will see that we have come up with a scheme to get rid of derelicts, and it requires no new laws, nor does it harass the cruising community. Of course, many others have noted these same solutions. It’s not just the SSECN!
As a resident of St Petersburg and its environs (now Treasure Island) since 1986, and before that at Stetson Law School in the late 50′s, I have always thought of our city as a boater friendly town, certainly a very prominent sailing city with a world renown yacht club. I applaud the decision to install moorings in the Vinoy Basin where the holding has always been poor, but to link that to a limit on anchoring, whether deemed a reasonable period or not, is unreasonable – clearly the elephant getting its nose in the door as a precursor for more regulations. Address the problem of derelict boats, but keep St Pete boater friendly.
Charles (Chuck) Waygood
A 72-hour limit in a 30-day period is ridiculously short. It would mean that someone couldn’t visit two weekends in a row, unless they anchored in one of the other locations. It would mean someone couldn’t anchor there during the entire boat show. A prohibition of “liveaboards” anchoring at all is simple prejudice, and I suspect would instantly be ruled against in a court of law. Even though the Florida definition of “liveaboard” is narrow that doesn’t mean they suddenly become second-class citizens. This ordinance severely impacts legitimate transient cruisers, will do little to deal with the truly hazardous boats, and painst St. Petersburg as an unfriendly place that does not want boaters to visit.
John Kettlewell
The Renaissance Vinoy Resort Marina has the advantage of being located on the protected Vinoy Basin. This facility also underwent a complete rehabilitation project just a few years ago. Of course, just next door lies SALTY SOUTHEAST CRUISERS’ NET SPONSOR, the St. Petersburg Municipal Marina, one of the finest city owned and managed marinas it has ever been my pleasure to review. Boy, talk about an embarrassment of riches in St. Petersburg when it comes to quality marinas!
Stayed at this marina for new year 2012. Arrived December 30 and left January 2.
What a nice marina! Service was fantastic. Wes and Stefan were extremely helpful and courteous. We felt welcome and they did everything possible to make us feel at home. The showers in the health club were great.
Will be returning to this facility later on during 2012.
M. Farinas
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
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
Captain Collins has provided important and helpful navigational advice below for entering the Little Bayou Anchorage, south of St. Petersburg. This posting is in response to an earlier Cruisers’ Net article about anchorage no longer being allowed in St. Petersburg’s Vinoy Basin. As part of that posting, we listed other anchoring alternative in the area, of which Little Bayou is one.
Having visited Little Bayou myself many times, Captain Mike’s warnings below are correct, and need to be taken seriously.
There is an obstruction in the middle of this bayou. It’s about 2 1/2 feet off the bottom, so at an average tide it is about 2 1/2 feet below the surface. It is a hard, man made object, roughly the shape of a fin, possibly an old keel without the keel bolts.
Also, there are several shoals in the bayou. The estimate of 5 to 6 foot average depth is accurate for the rest of the bayou. The deeper water tends to be around the rim, which is why the channel is around the rim.
Mike Collins
Many, many thanks to “Local Sailor” for providing the very specific navigational advice below to facilitate a safe entrance into the Big Bayou Anchorage. This posting is in response to an earlier Cruisers’ Net article about anchorage no longer being allowed in St. Petersburg’s Vinoy Basin. As part of that posting, we listed other anchoring alternative in the area, of which Big Bayou is one. Now, with “Local Sailor’s” advice, we can feel a bit more confident about this anchor down spot.
By the by, I checked my notes which resulted from our last research trip to these waters, and “Local Sailor” is right on the proverbial money!
This is a tricky one, if you’re not very familiar with it.
1. If you are sailing in from the Bay you would need to approach from the North and make the turn to Starboard.
2. There is a 90+ degree turn to port at the back side of the bayou.
3. The anchorage area is pretty full of derelict boats also so….watch your scope.
Local Sailor
Click Here To Open A Chart View Window, Zoomed To the Location of the Big Bayou Anchorage
St. Petersburg was selected some time ago as one of five sites for the Florida Pilot Mooring Field Program. And, it was previously announced their mooring field would be located in the North Yacht Basin/Vinoy Basin, which borders on the northern side of the huge St. Petersburg Municipal Marina (A SALTY SOUTHEAST CRUISERS’ NET SPONSOR) and just south of the Renaissance Vinoy Resort Marina.
It appears that construction is about to begin on this mooring field, and, consequently, the city of St. Petersburg is asking all the anchored vessel in the Vinoy Basin to leave.
Cruising News:
JUST GOT OFF THE PHONE WITH THE ST PETERSBURG HARBOR MASTER’S OFFICE. NO ANCHORING ALLOWED IN THE VENOY BASIN DUE TO “CONSTRUCTION”. AREA IS CLOSED TIL AFTER JAN 2012. MOORINGS ARE BEING PUT IN. QUESTION I WOULD LIKE TO ANCHOR NEARBY. ANY SUGGESTIONS???
THIS BASIN IS NOW CLOSED TO ANCHORING TIL JAN 2012 . REASON GIVEN BY MUN MARINA IS “CONSTRUCTION” NEW MOORINGS.
WHERE ELSE CAN WE GO?? ANY IDEAS?? I AM HEADING THERE ON DEC 1?? THE “VENOY BASIN IS GREAT . WE LOST ANOTHER ANCHORAGE.
CAPT. BILL O’MALLEY
SEMI OFFICIAL PRICE IS $25/DAY. LIKE EVERYTHING THIS IS SUBJECT TO CHANGE BUT WAS WRITTEN UP FOR THE “PLAN”
Bill
Of course, one alternative is to dock at the St. Pete Muncipal Marina. This is one of the largest, and best managed city facilities it has ever been my privilege to review, and, as mentioned above, they are a SALTY SOUTHEAST CRUISERS’ NET SPONSOR.
There are some other anchorages available on central Tampa Bay’s western shores. I have listed links to those havens below. HOWEVER, none are anything like being as convenient and as close to good shoreside support as the Vinoy Basin.
Little Bayou Southerly Anchorage:
http://cruisersnet.net/?p=4836
Little Bayou Northern Anchorage:
http://cruisersnet.net/?p=4835
Big Bayou Anchorage:
http://cruisersnet.net/?p=4834
Coffeepot Bayou Outer Anchorage:
http://cruisersnet.net/?p=4832
Coffeepot Bayou Inner Anchorage:
http://cruisersnet.net/?p=4831
Smacks Bayou Outer Anchorage:
http://cruisersnet.net/?p=4830
Smacks Bayou Mid Anchorage:
http://cruisersnet.net/?p=4829
Smack Bayou Inner Anchorage:
http://cruisersnet.net/?p=4828
Smacks Bayou South Side Anchorage:
http://cruisersnet.net/?p=4827
Well, I can answer one of Captain Bill’s questions below. To my knowledge, the ONLY ONE of the above described anchorages with dinghy dock access is the Big Bayou Anchorage. At the back of Big Bayou is a public launching ramp, where you can tie your dinghy off temporarily. And, as a plus, several GOOD restaurants are to be found within walking distance. In particular is Munch’s Restaurant (727-896-5972), one block south. Both breakfast and lunch (open 7:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m.) are terrific.
Now for the bad news. I would not even begin to try and navigate a 7-foot draft vessel into Big Bayou! Captains piloting vessels drawing 5 feet or less, however, may find these waters a a good, or at least acceptable, alternative.
THE COFFEEPOT AND SMACKS BAYOU ANCHORAGES ARE POSSIBILITIES W/ GOOD DEPTH IF U CAN GET TO THEM. THE CHARTS DO NOT SHOW A CHANNEL THAT CAN PROVIDE ACCESS FOR MY 7′ DRAFT. HAS ANYONE BEEN ABLE, WHERE AND WHERE CAN U GO ASHORE? IS THIS A CASE OF DELIBERATELY NOT PROVIDING ACTUAL DEPTH .
Bill
The FWC Pilot Program is supposed to improve water access – I fail to see how limiting anchoring is ‘improving’ access. This is another of the Florida anchorages we are losing due to this program.
Wally Moran
MAYBE DEMANS LANDING. SOUTH YACHT BASIN COULD BE USED TEMPORARILY. GOOD DEPTH, HOWEVER THE ST. PETE SAILING CLUB GOES IN AND OUT OF THERE REGULARLY, PARTICULARLY THE KIDS. MIGHT BE ABLE TO ANCHOR CLOSE TO THE BREAKWALL.
Sam Warr
Thanks Sam the South Basin has the depth but is the airport closeness a probem? i’ll try it. Thanks
Bill
We have anchored in the Vinoy Basin on and off since 1986 when we first came to Florida. We used to dinghy ashore to visit the museums, shops, and grab a bite to eat about 20 or 30 times a year. Frequently, our stays were just for the day allowing us to spend our money in town. Regretfully, we will now have to find a different favorite place to go.
Eileen Colon
There is a small anchorage just south of the mun marina at the Harborage Marina in downtown St. Pete at the location on this link: http://www.harboragemarina.com/location.php.
No mooring balls; use your own ground tackle and dinghy to the marina or to a sand bar at the USFSP campus and walk to town. We live aboard at the marina. Good protection and depth and easy access to Tampa Bay and the ICW.
Bart
M/V DEWLAP
DeFever 49 CMY
What will the rules and rates be upon completion?
Bruce W. Watters
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
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
I certainly wish the USCG could have been a bit more specific about the location of the semi-sunken vessel described below. It looks like to us that the derelict sits somewhere north of the Pineallas Bayway “E” bridge, and not too far from the Western Florida ICW. All vessels northbound on the ICW, north of Tampa Bay, please take note!
FLORIDA-WEST COAST-PINELLAS BAYWAY: Hazard to Navigation.
The Coast Guard has received a report of a sunken 40 FT recreational vessel with an aluminum bimini top exposed 3-4 FT above the waterline S of Isla Del Sol near the Pinellas Bayway Bridge Echo. All mariners are advised to transit the area with caution!
This semi sunken vessel is located close to Isla del Sol and well out of the Intracoastal running along structure E. It basically sits in the basin that have some other derelict vessels and can only be entered with local knowledge, as there is a very shallow sandbank surrounding the area. On the map, this area with the sunken vessel does not even show depth.
Patrick
This alert should be moved to the east as this semi sunken vessel is near the beach next to the Pinellas Bayway and no concern to cruisers except as a curiosity.
David Burnham
"Sunset After The Storms"
by: Susan Leaf
Click Here To Open A Chart View Window, Zoomed To A “Navigation Alert” Position at the Alafia River Entrance Channel