Cedar Key is one of a limited number of ports of call along Western Florida’s waterwayless Big Bend region (the Western Florida coastline between Anclote Key and Dog Island). Honestly, this has never been one of my favorite places, with difficult channels, little in the way of really good anchorages, and a downtown business district which exhibits some garish, modern development. Others disagree, however, and many cruisers stop here time and again while crossing the sometimes daunting Big Bend passage.
Cedar Key is served by two channels, as noted by Captain Gano below. The Main Ship Channel (known to some locals as the “Seahorse Key Channel”), has an “S” turn along its easterly reaches which has to be seen to be believed.
The other entrance and egress passage, which is the primary focus of Captain Rich’s message below, is known as the Northwest Channel. The shallow spot noted by Captain Gano has been there for years and years, and it’s not getting any deeper. That’s particularly important as it LOOKS on the charts as if the Northwest Channel might be the better entry route for southbound vessels. But, as you will read below, that’s probably not the case!
We are declaring a navigational alert for the waters!

In 2009, I ran hard aground (4-foot draft) going out the NW channel at Cedar Key right between markers “21″ and “22″. There was a sailboat sitting a couple hundred yard farther out in the channel aimed at us, probably where he’d got stuck. Tide was low. We waited to float free and than went back out the way we had come in the day before – the Main Ship Channel.
A smarter cruiser than we anchored off Sea Horse Key in open water and avoided the long trek up the Main Ship Channel to the anchorage right off the town. It was calm that night; so he made a good decision and was away early the next morning while we waited to float free.
Having been to Cedar Key by car before, I knew there was no call to go ashore.
Rich Gano
Calypso

I respectfully disagree with the above poster’s implication that there is little to see or do on Cedar Key. I visited it for 5-6 days this past summer…and..there is a ton of history here…an old lighthouse that gets regular park tours (Seahorse key light) which is off to port on a bluff-like island (Seahorse Key) at the main approach channel. there are old Victorian houses, a many-fingered estuary that practically bisects the island and dries out at low tide leaving all sorts of old boats and docks exposed in a surreal fashion…and it has a few good restaurants and a wonderful small library that is very accessible to get online or find hiustory books about the area, Cedar Key , IMHO, is very much worth the initial tedious Main ship channel and it’s s-turns…if your draft is 5-foot or less and you come in and out on the high tides…there’s lot’s to see and on the weekends there is a guy with a Piper cub at the nearby airport giving $25 airplane rides…what a thrill..try finding that anywhere else….it’s one other jewel in Florida’s Nature Coast and there’s lot’s more of it adjacent..whether south to Crystal River/Weekiwatchee..or a little North and around a bend out the NW cedar key channel to to Suwanee river Wildlife refuge…watch your depth finders folks…and enjoy!
Morgan R.

Click Here To Open A Chart View Window, Zoomed To A “Navigation Alert” Position at Cedar Key

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

One of the real advantage to our new ARGUS service, is that we receive advance warning of new shallow water reports directly from Survice Engineering. Be SURE to follow the “Chart View” link below to get a bird’s eye view of where this shallow spot is to be found. After following the link, turn on the new Argus layer by clicking in the “Argus (MLLW)” checkbox.
As you will see, the shallow soundings in question seem to lie just north of the intersection between the Clearwater Pass inlet channel and the marked, northward running cut which leads to Clearwater Yacht Club and Clearwater Municipal Marina, between markers #2 and #4.
We would WELCOME reports from local Clearwater area cruisers who have seen similar or dissimilar soundings along this stretch!!! Please click the “Comment on This Posting/Marina/Anchorage/Bridge” link below, and share your information.
We are establishing a Salty Southeast Cruisers’ Net Navigational Alert between markers #2 and #4!

Capt. Bill of Reality Check Sailing provides this report on the approach to Clearwater Marina. Capt. Bill noted water depths as low as 5 1/2 feet, confirming previous indications now available through Cruisers Net.
John Hersey
ARGUS Development Team
SURVICE Engineering

http://argus.survice.com

We ran aground between G6 and G7, less than 5 feet on that side of the channel. Favor R4 side in that area.
Stealing Home

Click Here To Open A Chart View Window, Zoomed To A “Navigation Alert” Position on the Channel from Clearwater Pass to Clearwater Municipal Marina

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

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

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

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!

Click Here To Open A Chart View Window, Zoomed To A “Navigation Alert” Position Near the Semi-Sunken Vessel Reported Above

We have charted the reported sunken craft featured in the Local Notice to Mariners extract below. The derelict seems to lie hard by the southern flank of the official ICW channel, south of Point Pinellas, and between markers #6 and #7. Many north or southbound captains, who do not wish to enter Tampa Bay, bypass this portion of the Western Florida ICW, by following the so-called Sunshine Skyway Channel. In fact, many think this latter route is actually a leg of the ICW.
However, tons of cruisers on Tampa Bay make use of the ICW channel to exit Tampa Bay, cruise under the Misner Bridge and then cut north towards Clearwater on the Western Florida ICW. ALL cruisers plying this route will want to make note of the sunken vessel described below.
And, if you have more information about this derelict, or have seen it, PLEASE click the “Comment on This Posting/Marina/Anchorage/Bridge” link below, and share your information!

FLORIDA-WEST COAST-PINELLAS POINT: Hazard to Navigation
The Coast Guard has received a report of a sunken sailing vessel in 8ft of water with approximately 3ft of the bow sticking out of the water in the vicinity of Pinellas Point in approximate position 27-41.692N 082-38.291W. All mariners are requested to use extreme caution while transiting the area

Click Here To Open A Chart View Window, Zoomed To A “Navigation Alert” Position at the Reported Site of the Sunken Vessel, South of Point Pinellas

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

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

LOCAL NOTICE TO MARINERS: Week 43/11 This alert refers to a patch of shallow water west of the Western Florida ICW 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 Maria Channel

We sincerely thank captain and crew of the vessel “Fairwinds” for supplying the Western Florida ICW shoaling report below. A study of chart 11425 does indeed suggest shoaling along the Waterway’s western flank, south of the Tom Adams Bridge (follow “Chart View” link below), but we are not able to confirm the “head directly toward the moored boats/mangrove” advice at this time.
If ANYONE has more info about this shoaling, PLEASE click the “Contribute Here to Submit Cruising News” link on the upper right of this page, and share your information!
The Salty Southeast Cruisers’ Net is declaring a “Navigational Alert” for these waters!

Beware shoaling south of T. Adams Bridge along the west edge of the ICW. To avoid this shoal that has formed further north than shown on the charts, turn toward the moored boats immediately after clearing the bridge (if southbound) and head directly toward the moored boats/mangrove. Note the additional shoaling north of the mooring field.
Fairwinds

Click Here To Open A Chart View Window, Zoomed To A “Navigation Alert” Position on the Western Florida ICW, south of the Tom Adams Bridge

The Salty Southeast Cruisers’ Net has already established a Navigational Alert for this errant inlet, which lies south of Venice, Florida, due to an absence of navigational aids, and a remarking project in progress. Now, we hear that there is a real danger of one’s keel finding an underwater pile of “junk.” All cruisers making use of Stump Pass need to proceed at MAXIMUM ALERT, or better yet, make use of deep rand reliable Venice pass to the north!
We are establishing a second Navigational Alert for these waters!

There is a large tangle of gear on the bottom in the anchorage just S of the stump pass entrance on the inside. It consists of a large (approx) 700 lb. mushroom anchor and a helical ground anchor tangled with a section of large chain and 1″ wire rope. This, apparently left by the recent dredging operation lies 55-75 yards SE of the first dock one will pass upon heading into this anchorage and passage to the Knight Island anchorage and docks, in 7-10 feet of water. I became tangled in this on Saturday, 27 August and had to leave my anchor. The obstruction was observed by my diver when we retrieved the anchor. This was reported to the Coast Guard, but I don’t know if they have any responsibility in this area.
Rick Cass

Click Here To Open A Chart View Window, Zoomed To A “Navigation Alert” Position at Stump Pass

The Western Florida ICW channel through Lemon Bay has always been notorious for shoaling along its edges. However, the shoaling discovered the hard way, described below, by Captain RB, calls for extra attention by ALL captains cruising this section of the Western florida ICW.
We are establishing an SSECN Navigation Alert for this section of the Western Florida Waterway. Please follow the link below to open a Chart View page zoomed to this Alert!

We ran on the inside to Cape Haze Marina and for the first time in over 30 years of boating I had to get commercial help (Tow Boat US) to get pulled off a sand bar. The spot is between 11 and 13 in Lemon Bay very near Stump Pass. A shoal is encroaching in the channel on the red [East] side. So definitely slow down and favor the green [western] side. I draw 5 feet and ran aground about 2 hours before high tide but there had been that Northern wind that was blowing that day and the 2 days prior. The tow boat driver (very nice) said that the day before he towed a 55, 46, & 39 footer from that same spot. So I don’t think I made a major error. Fortunately I knew I was in trouble and had slowed down and was out of gear so no apparent damage. The tow was $972 (13/ft plus 160/hr). Did not wish to spend the money but I am glad they were there as I was not getting of by myself and it took him a solid hour of pulling to get us to about 150 feet to the channel. Any way let your readers know so they can be prepared for this problem area.
RB

Came through this section on 1/31/11 at 13:30 with 0.8 ft tide. Stayed center channel and saw no less than 9 ft.
John Vierra

Click Here To Open A Chart View Window, Zoomed To A “Navigation Alert” Position on the Lemon Bay section of the Western Florida ICW

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

Jug Creek cuts into the western shores of extreme northern Pine Island, north of Useppa Island. This stream provides access to shallow Four Winds Marina, and successful entry from the deeper waters of Charlotte Harbor is a trick proposition, courtesy of correctly charted Jug Creek Shoal. Marker #11, described as “missing” below, is the northernmost aid to navigation on the Jug Creek entry channel, and finding this cut without this marker will be a tricky proposition indeed. Let’s all hope it’s replaced soon. In the meantime, dust off that new Garmin GPS chartplotter, and use this electronic marvel to find the entrance to Jug Creek, without finding the bottom!
We are establishing a Salty Southeast Cruisers’ Net Navigational Alert at the position of marker #11.

Charlotte Harbor, FL. The green day board at the entrance to Jug Creek, #11 from Charlotte Harbor is missing, as of Friday, March 30, 2012. This makes finding the entrance thru the shoals difficult.
Treadsdock

Click Here To Open A Chart View Window, Zoomed To A “Navigation Alert” Position at Marker #11 on Charlotte Harbor (Western Florida Coastline)

Redfish Pass is an inlet that cuts out towards the gulf between Captiva and North Captiva Islands and is noted for its varying channel and depths.

There is some heavy shoaling developing directly east of the pass, which resulted in the channel from the South Seas Marina being re-routed. Be sure once entering through the pass into Pine Island Sound, to head south parallel to the east side of South Seas Resort ( which will be on your starboard side), to the new channel.
North Captiva

Click Here To View An Earlier Posting that Describes the South Seas Entrance Channel from the AICW to the dockage basin

Click Here To Open A Chart View Window, Zoomed To A “Navigation Alert” Position at Redfish Pass and the Channel from This Pass to South Seas Resort Marina

According to the message below, which is extracted from the Local Notice to Mariners, a sunken sailcraft with attached dinghy lies hard by the northern flank of the Caloosahatchee River – Okeechobee Waterway Channel, near marker #90, and just east of Cattle Dock Point and the entrance to Tarpon Point Marina. ALL MARINERS NAVIGATING THIS WESTERNMOST PORTION OF THE CALOOSAHATCHEE RIVER NEED TO TAKE NOTE OF THIS HAZARD TO NAVIGATION!

FLORIDA-OKEECHOBEE WATERWAY-FORT MYERS TO CHARLOTTE HARBOR AND WIGGINS PASS: Hazard to Navigation.
The Coast Guard has received a report of a partially submerged 10ft Dark Grey Dinghy attached to a 35ft sailing vessel in the vicinity of Cape
Coral approximately 100 yards north of the channel in position 26-31.8N 081-59.383W. All mariners are advised to exercise extreme caution whiletransiting the area. Chart 11426

Well, clearly sometimes we can’t trust reporting on the Local Notice to Mariners. See below!

I can see that location from my home on the Caloosahatchee. as of 1030, Sunday 20 Feb. the reported vessel is not there.
Peter Lalen

Click Here To Open A Chart View Window, Zoomed To A “Navigation Alert” Position on the Caloosahatchee River Near Cattle Dock Point

Wow, here’s some input that EVERY single cruiser who plans on visiting Naples in the foreseeable future needs to note! The “underwater rock” in question lies off the western flank of the marked Gordon River/Naples Waterfront channel, north of the Naples City Pier and near marker #38.

A dockmate just returned with a bent prop from Naples in his Tiara drawing 4 feet. Heading south on the Gordon River in vicinity of Red 38. Tide below MLW. He was hugging Green side of channel when “wham” he hit the rock. His advise stay in center or favor red side of channel. Location of rock reported as N26 08.063 W81 47.442, just above Naples City Dock.
Kevin Hopper

Click Here To Open A Chart View Window, Zoomed To A “Navigation Alert” Position West of the Gordon River/Naples Waterfront Channel