Northern Gulf ICW Report
Received 3/31/06

Here is an up to date report about what springtime 2006 cruisers can expect to find in the way of New Orleans and Biloxi, MS marina facilities. This data will be important to all who are wending their way east on the Northern Gulf ICW this spring!

We are now in Destin, FL, having taken the ICW from Galveston, TX.
Except for the scarcity of marinas in New Orleans and Biloxi, we have had very few route problems using the Gulf ICW
We found only one marina in the New Orleans area – Seabrook Marine – and they had no power as of several weeks ago. Also, the Harvey Canal is closed for several months and you have to use the Algiers – suggest you go through on a weekend to minimize the commercial traffic.
We found no marinas open in Biloxi at the time but ok accomodations and great folks at the Small Craft Harbor in Ocean Springs, MS – about 4-5 miles east of Biloxi. The Biloxi marina at Point Cadet looked close to being fixed but you will have to check with them.
Joe Chernow
MV Lady Sandra

Shoaling on Government Cut Inlet
Received 3/18/06

Charles Culotta, one of our best on-the-water reporters, sends along some important info in the note below about shoaling on Government Cut Inlet. This seaward track lies south of Apalachicola, and normally provides ready access to the briny blue. Thankfully, Charles' note also mentions that dreding seems to be currently in progress on these waters. In the meantime though, deeper draft vessels should only make use of this inlet with great caution.

We left Apalach.. for Tarpon Springs yesterday morn and the main [Government Cut Inlet] channel is shoaled significantly but, of course you can get thru. We bumped bottom several times as did a boat behind us. This with the dredge working the channel. Govt Cut is shoaled and even with local knowledge [it can be difficult] (who told us we could get thru.)
A sailboat was aground at the bridge on the way to Carabelle and he seemed to be shaped up to pass thru the bridge east to west. We cleared it with plenty of depth.
Charles C. Jr. and Pat Culotta
M/V CC RIDER

Good Dining in Carrabelle
Received 3/16/06

I must admit that I've always beat a path to Julia Mae's in Carrabelle, for some of the best seafood anywhere (even though the place looks like a dive from the exterior). Now, it's nice to learn that other excellent cuisine is available in this charming village.

Wanted to let everyone know we ate last night at a wonderful little restaurant in Carrabelle, Michael's Italian grill. Michael was there and we noticed him going
around to every table and greeting everyone. Food and service was great!
Becca and Jerry Caligiuri
aboard Sole Baciato3

East Pass (Destin) Dredging
Received 3/9/06

In my opinion, East Pass can't be dredged too often!

Dredging of the East Pass at Destin Florida is currently underway. The project has been underway for 2 weeks. I am unsure of a projected completion date. The pass is congested with lot's of equipment being used in the project. Boaters are asked to proceed with caution and with minimal wake around all dredging operations. Shoaling has made the entrance to Destin Harbor very narrow. I have not heard if the current dredging project will correct that problem. The last time that the Harbor entrance was dredged, the city had to hire a seperate contractor.
On a side note, on Sunday March 5 numerous boaters near Destin's East Pass were treated to a rare sight – For several hours a 25' humpback whale was observed just a mile from the pass. Several great photos were taken and used in the Destin Log and Northwest Florida Daily News.
Capt. Scott Miller

Channel from Panama City Inlet to Grand Lagoon Dredged
Received 3/1/06

Glad to hear that dredging has been recently completed on the channel that allow cruisers to access Grand Lagoon from Panama City Inlet. This cut as getting narrower and narrower each time I sounded its course.

The dredging of the channel from the Panama City Inlet to Grand Lagoon is now completed with a 400' wide channel 9' with overall depth of 9 feet so access is not impeded any longer because of shoaling, at least until the next hurricane.
Denny & Carol Gustafson
Temptress

Ocean Springs, MS to Gulf Shores, AL
Received 2/16/06

There's a lot of useful information for all cruisers plying the waters from Mississippi to the Florida Panhandle in Sandra and Joe's report below.

This is our 3rd night at Ocean Springs Small Craft Harbor @ the nightly rate, including twin 30amp power and water, of $10.00! A delightful town and small marina with a super Harbormaster, Johnny, who has been exceedingly helpful. He even delivered a local phone book and newspaper to the boat. His assistant provided us with a local map and listing of services in the area. Docks a little rough but more than adequate for our 44 footer. The marina is very well lit which made Sandy, Angel pup and Misha cat feel better on their first night alone on the boat.
Ocean Springs is about 2 miles east of Biloxi and you enter by taking the West Biloxi Channel from the Miss Sound (enter between Markers 5&6), proceed east passing by Biloxi, and at the intersection of the East Biloxi Channel (Marker 25) , hook a turn to Port (North) and follow the Ocean Springs Channel (hugging the reds, as per Johnny, depth in the range of 4.5 to 5.5'.) Go past the shrimp boats to the marina on the port side around a bend. The . . . doesn't not cover this marina but Skipper Bob's guide does (in fact, his son, Cpt Bob, has moved to Ocean Springs).
The marina status in Biloxi did not look good at all. A big chain across the entrance to the Beau Rivage Casino Marina and the bottom portion of the Harbormaster Building is just gone although the slips themselves looked ok but no boats in them. Port Cadet had quite a few boats but it did not look like they have power cords connected and we could not get them to answer the phone.
Our transit from New Orleans and across Mississippi Sound was extremely pleasant with seas of less than 1 foot. The Sound does have some shallow spots so we carefully followed the chart plotter and stayed between the very widely spaced markers.
We leave early tomorrow planning to cross Mobile Bay to try out the newly built Homeport Marina in Gulf Shores, AL(www.homeportmarina.net) right next to LuLu's (Jimmy Buffet's sister – really) Restaurant. Their ad in the . . . says they have fuel and cable TV at a transient fee of $2.00 a foot.
Regards,
Sandy and Joe Chernow
MV Lady Sandra

New Orelans Cruising Notes
Received 2/12/06

Below you will read a most informative account of a recent passage through the locks and canals in and about New Orleans by fellow cruisers Sandy and Joe. Their story is important as it brings us all up to date about what can be currently expected on the post Katrina version of these waterways.

Hi,
Now at 2nd night at Seabrook Marine on Inner Harbor Navigational Canal in New Orleans just south of Lake Ponchartrian. Notwithstanding reports to the contrary that Orleans Marina is open to transients, we could never get anyone to answer their phone. The alternate number provided by the . . . connected to a fellow who could not advise any info and told me to call the number listed in the guide books, That number never answered. To our knowledge, there is no other marina now available in New Orleans other than Seabrook.
Virtually no delay at the New Orleans locks and bridges (we intentionally planned to go through on a weekend) until after the Industrial Lock. We locked through the Industrial Lock with another smaller pleasure craft with a League City hailing port who was rude enough to give us a major wake upon departing the lock. It was now pretty dark due to the delay in fueling. As we approached the railroad bridge we noted the other pleasure craft circling. He tried unsuccessfully to get the bridge to open. So did we. As elsewhere, some bridge tenders are real fussy that you get the correct local name of the bridge or they will just ignore you. As the Admiral's suggestion, we radioed back to the Industrial Lock and the the lock tender was kind enough to provide us with the correct name – the L&N Rail Road Bridge. NO WHERE does that name appear in the cruising guides or on our charts. With the right name called on Channel 13, the bridge opened immediately.
Then, in the dark, we experienced what we later read on Page 436 of . . . "Currents during flood or ebb tide through the Inner Harbor Navigational Canal can be ferocious, and are amplified when a strong north wind in Lake Ponchartrain is countering the flow." They were not kidding – roughest currents than this skipper can ever remember. Broke my own rule – never enter a strange harbor in the dark.
As it got even darker, we found Seabrook Marine – port side approaching the exit to the Lake. We saw no docks – just pilings and a very high dock. We went in bow to and tied to two pilings. This morning, we spun her around and went stern to since Angel pup was turning yellow. Got help from a couple guys off a sports fish in tieing lines and then tried to figure out how to get up to the dock to get off the boat. Viola – the guys on the dock found an oversized Double Bayou type plank and laid it from the dock to our aft deck. Shore power looked iffy – no post at our position, just wires, and the one nearest another boat was not connected. So we have been running the gen set since we arrived last night.
We will depart in the morning for Ocean Springs, Ms. Again, notwithstanding a report that Point Cadet in Biloxi is open to transients, could never get them to answer the phone – same with the Beau Rivage. Even though the . . . states "No transient facilities are located in Ocean Springs…" , Skipper Bob's guide, "Cruising the Gulf Coast" references that Ocean Springs Small Craft Harbor (228-217-6670) and Johnny the Harbor Master was quick to answer, confirm he had space for us and gave precise instructions for entering the channel.
Sandy and Joe Chernow
MV Lady Sandra

New Marina Now Open Between Pensacola and Mobile Bay
Received 2/6/06

It's always nice to hear about the opening of new marinas, particulary when they are as well appointed and transient friendly as Bob describes in his posting below. I can't wait to check out this facility for myself!

A new marina on the Alabama Canal [ICW route] between Mobile Bay and Pensacola has opened. The "Marina at the Wharf" (1-877-942-7325) is located between mm 158-159 directly on the Waterway. The facility has 210 slips and can accommodate transient vessels to 100 ft. Services include 30/50 amps, pump out, wifi and fuel. The marina is an aspect of the mega "The Wharf "development: retail, restaurants, condos,entertainment, etc., etc. Just as is the case with the nearby HomePort Marina this is going to be a very convenient albeit expensive stop for cruisers.
The Alabama Canal has been a muddy industrial route along this section of the ICW. That description is changing big time! Currently over six billion dollars ( yes, with a B!) in development is under contract along the canal.
Bob Riggs
Fairhope, AL

Lighthouse Key Marina Falls to Condo Blight
Received 1/20/06

This sort of tale is becoming all too common in Florida, and now, even in the Panhandle of the state!

Hello,
Lighthouse Key Marina located in Northwest Florida's Choctawahtchee Bay on the north end of Boggy Bayou has just made public that they are closing. The marina had about 100 dry storage units, 30 wet slips and fuel. The reason for closing was not made public other than to much work after all the storms. But local knowledge says that the marina has been sold for 15 million for you guessed it condos. Slip rent on the bay is going up and the cheapest one can get a slip is around $10.00 per foot. With $ 15.00 in Destin.
Matt Schwab

West of New Orleans
Received 1/21/06

These notes actually lie west of this Net's stated coverage area (North Carolina to New Orleans), but what the heck. We'll take Texas – Western Louisiana cruising news as well!

Galveston Bay heading east to New Orleans:
Sabine Port Authority Marina and nearby fuel dock – severe damage from Hurricanes – under repair – much debris in water and cannot accept any transients.
Pleasure Island Marina – home of Port Arthur Yacht Club – will welcome cruisers with yacht club affiliation but southern entrance to Sabine Lake closed due to bridge damage. North entrance via 1,000' cut is reported to have many shallow spots and is not recommended for visitors.
Best bet – anchor at Shell Island or Taylor Bayou.
Sandy and Joe Chernow
MV Lady Sandra
1995 Carver 440

Goodbye Deep Water Marina
Received 1/4/06

We have called Deep Water Marina in Apalachicola, Florida, and confirmed that the info presented by cruisers, Adden and Jimmy, in the note below is correct. Hate to see Deep Water marina become yet another condo/hotel project, but at least excellent Scipio Creek Marina is still nearby and in full operation.

Deep Water Marina will close at the end of this month (Jan-06) per West who is the current manager. They will build condo's on the site. Another local told me all of the units are already sold.
Scipio Creek Marina is open and will remain so. They do not have laundry operational. Damaged in the huricane (Don't say which one) Common theme we have found if a marina does not have something operational. The food at Capt. Joe's was great at Scipio Creek Marina.
Adden and Jerry
ADD-ICTION

Northern Gulf ICW Report
Received 3/31/06

Here is an up to date report about what springtime 2006 cruisers can expect to find in the way of New Orleans and Biloxi, MS marina facilities. This data will be important to all who are wending their way east on the Northern Gulf ICW this spring!

We are now in Destin, FL, having taken the ICW from Galveston, TX.
Except for the scarcity of marinas in New Orleans and Biloxi, we have had very few route problems using the Gulf ICW
We found only one marina in the New Orleans area – Seabrook Marine – and they had no power as of several weeks ago. Also, the Harvey Canal is closed for several months and you have to use the Algiers – suggest you go through on a weekend to minimize the commercial traffic.
We found no marinas open in Biloxi at the time but ok accomodations and great folks at the Small Craft Harbor in Ocean Springs, MS – about 4-5 miles east of Biloxi. The Biloxi marina at Point Cadet looked close to being fixed but you will have to check with them.
Joe Chernow
MV Lady Sandra

Shoaling on Government Cut Inlet
Received 3/18/06

Charles Culotta, one of our best on-the-water reporters, sends along some important info in the note below about shoaling on Government Cut Inlet. This seaward track lies south of Apalachicola, and normally provides ready access to the briny blue. Thankfully, Charles' note also mentions that dreding seems to be currently in progress on these waters. In the meantime though, deeper draft vessels should only make use of this inlet with great caution.

We left Apalach.. for Tarpon Springs yesterday morn and the main [Government Cut Inlet] channel is shoaled significantly but, of course you can get thru. We bumped bottom several times as did a boat behind us. This with the dredge working the channel. Govt Cut is shoaled and even with local knowledge [it can be difficult] (who told us we could get thru.)
A sailboat was aground at the bridge on the way to Carabelle and he seemed to be shaped up to pass thru the bridge east to west. We cleared it with plenty of depth.
Charles C. Jr. and Pat Culotta
M/V CC RIDER

Good Dining in Carrabelle
Received 3/16/06

I must admit that I've always beat a path to Julia Mae's in Carrabelle, for some of the best seafood anywhere (even though the place looks like a dive from the exterior). Now, it's nice to learn that other excellent cuisine is available in this charming village.

Wanted to let everyone know we ate last night at a wonderful little restaurant in Carrabelle, Michael's Italian grill. Michael was there and we noticed him going
around to every table and greeting everyone. Food and service was great!
Becca and Jerry Caligiuri
aboard Sole Baciato3

East Pass (Destin) Dredging
Received 3/9/06

In my opinion, East Pass can't be dredged too often!

Dredging of the East Pass at Destin Florida is currently underway. The project has been underway for 2 weeks. I am unsure of a projected completion date. The pass is congested with lot's of equipment being used in the project. Boaters are asked to proceed with caution and with minimal wake around all dredging operations. Shoaling has made the entrance to Destin Harbor very narrow. I have not heard if the current dredging project will correct that problem. The last time that the Harbor entrance was dredged, the city had to hire a seperate contractor.
On a side note, on Sunday March 5 numerous boaters near Destin's East Pass were treated to a rare sight – For several hours a 25' humpback whale was observed just a mile from the pass. Several great photos were taken and used in the Destin Log and Northwest Florida Daily News.
Capt. Scott Miller

Channel from Panama City Inlet to Grand Lagoon Dredged
Received 3/1/06

Glad to hear that dredging has been recently completed on the channel that allow cruisers to access Grand Lagoon from Panama City Inlet. This cut as getting narrower and narrower each time I sounded its course.

The dredging of the channel from the Panama City Inlet to Grand Lagoon is now completed with a 400' wide channel 9' with overall depth of 9 feet so access is not impeded any longer because of shoaling, at least until the next hurricane.
Denny & Carol Gustafson
Temptress

Ocean Springs, MS to Gulf Shores, AL
Received 2/16/06

There's a lot of useful information for all cruisers plying the waters from Mississippi to the Florida Panhandle in Sandra and Joe's report below.

This is our 3rd night at Ocean Springs Small Craft Harbor @ the nightly rate, including twin 30amp power and water, of $10.00! A delightful town and small marina with a super Harbormaster, Johnny, who has been exceedingly helpful. He even delivered a local phone book and newspaper to the boat. His assistant provided us with a local map and listing of services in the area. Docks a little rough but more than adequate for our 44 footer. The marina is very well lit which made Sandy, Angel pup and Misha cat feel better on their first night alone on the boat.
Ocean Springs is about 2 miles east of Biloxi and you enter by taking the West Biloxi Channel from the Miss Sound (enter between Markers 5&6), proceed east passing by Biloxi, and at the intersection of the East Biloxi Channel (Marker 25) , hook a turn to Port (North) and follow the Ocean Springs Channel (hugging the reds, as per Johnny, depth in the range of 4.5 to 5.5'.) Go past the shrimp boats to the marina on the port side around a bend. The . . . doesn't not cover this marina but Skipper Bob's guide does (in fact, his son, Cpt Bob, has moved to Ocean Springs).
The marina status in Biloxi did not look good at all. A big chain across the entrance to the Beau Rivage Casino Marina and the bottom portion of the Harbormaster Building is just gone although the slips themselves looked ok but no boats in them. Port Cadet had quite a few boats but it did not look like they have power cords connected and we could not get them to answer the phone.
Our transit from New Orleans and across Mississippi Sound was extremely pleasant with seas of less than 1 foot. The Sound does have some shallow spots so we carefully followed the chart plotter and stayed between the very widely spaced markers.
We leave early tomorrow planning to cross Mobile Bay to try out the newly built Homeport Marina in Gulf Shores, AL(www.homeportmarina.net) right next to LuLu's (Jimmy Buffet's sister – really) Restaurant. Their ad in the . . . says they have fuel and cable TV at a transient fee of $2.00 a foot.
Regards,
Sandy and Joe Chernow
MV Lady Sandra

New Orelans Cruising Notes
Received 2/12/06

Below you will read a most informative account of a recent passage through the locks and canals in and about New Orleans by fellow cruisers Sandy and Joe. Their story is important as it brings us all up to date about what can be currently expected on the post Katrina version of these waterways.

Hi,
Now at 2nd night at Seabrook Marine on Inner Harbor Navigational Canal in New Orleans just south of Lake Ponchartrian. Notwithstanding reports to the contrary that Orleans Marina is open to transients, we could never get anyone to answer their phone. The alternate number provided by the . . . connected to a fellow who could not advise any info and told me to call the number listed in the guide books, That number never answered. To our knowledge, there is no other marina now available in New Orleans other than Seabrook.
Virtually no delay at the New Orleans locks and bridges (we intentionally planned to go through on a weekend) until after the Industrial Lock. We locked through the Industrial Lock with another smaller pleasure craft with a League City hailing port who was rude enough to give us a major wake upon departing the lock. It was now pretty dark due to the delay in fueling. As we approached the railroad bridge we noted the other pleasure craft circling. He tried unsuccessfully to get the bridge to open. So did we. As elsewhere, some bridge tenders are real fussy that you get the correct local name of the bridge or they will just ignore you. As the Admiral's suggestion, we radioed back to the Industrial Lock and the the lock tender was kind enough to provide us with the correct name – the L&N Rail Road Bridge. NO WHERE does that name appear in the cruising guides or on our charts. With the right name called on Channel 13, the bridge opened immediately.
Then, in the dark, we experienced what we later read on Page 436 of . . . "Currents during flood or ebb tide through the Inner Harbor Navigational Canal can be ferocious, and are amplified when a strong north wind in Lake Ponchartrain is countering the flow." They were not kidding – roughest currents than this skipper can ever remember. Broke my own rule – never enter a strange harbor in the dark.
As it got even darker, we found Seabrook Marine – port side approaching the exit to the Lake. We saw no docks – just pilings and a very high dock. We went in bow to and tied to two pilings. This morning, we spun her around and went stern to since Angel pup was turning yellow. Got help from a couple guys off a sports fish in tieing lines and then tried to figure out how to get up to the dock to get off the boat. Viola – the guys on the dock found an oversized Double Bayou type plank and laid it from the dock to our aft deck. Shore power looked iffy – no post at our position, just wires, and the one nearest another boat was not connected. So we have been running the gen set since we arrived last night.
We will depart in the morning for Ocean Springs, Ms. Again, notwithstanding a report that Point Cadet in Biloxi is open to transients, could never get them to answer the phone – same with the Beau Rivage. Even though the . . . states "No transient facilities are located in Ocean Springs…" , Skipper Bob's guide, "Cruising the Gulf Coast" references that Ocean Springs Small Craft Harbor (228-217-6670) and Johnny the Harbor Master was quick to answer, confirm he had space for us and gave precise instructions for entering the channel.
Sandy and Joe Chernow
MV Lady Sandra

New Marina Now Open Between Pensacola and Mobile Bay
Received 2/6/06

It's always nice to hear about the opening of new marinas, particulary when they are as well appointed and transient friendly as Bob describes in his posting below. I can't wait to check out this facility for myself!

A new marina on the Alabama Canal [ICW route] between Mobile Bay and Pensacola has opened. The "Marina at the Wharf" (1-877-942-7325) is located between mm 158-159 directly on the Waterway. The facility has 210 slips and can accommodate transient vessels to 100 ft. Services include 30/50 amps, pump out, wifi and fuel. The marina is an aspect of the mega "The Wharf "development: retail, restaurants, condos,entertainment, etc., etc. Just as is the case with the nearby HomePort Marina this is going to be a very convenient albeit expensive stop for cruisers.
The Alabama Canal has been a muddy industrial route along this section of the ICW. That description is changing big time! Currently over six billion dollars ( yes, with a B!) in development is under contract along the canal.
Bob Riggs
Fairhope, AL

Lighthouse Key Marina Falls to Condo Blight
Received 1/20/06

This sort of tale is becoming all too common in Florida, and now, even in the Panhandle of the state!

Hello,
Lighthouse Key Marina located in Northwest Florida's Choctawahtchee Bay on the north end of Boggy Bayou has just made public that they are closing. The marina had about 100 dry storage units, 30 wet slips and fuel. The reason for closing was not made public other than to much work after all the storms. But local knowledge says that the marina has been sold for 15 million for you guessed it condos. Slip rent on the bay is going up and the cheapest one can get a slip is around $10.00 per foot. With $ 15.00 in Destin.
Matt Schwab

West of New Orleans
Received 1/21/06

These notes actually lie west of this Net's stated coverage area (North Carolina to New Orleans), but what the heck. We'll take Texas – Western Louisiana cruising news as well!

Galveston Bay heading east to New Orleans:
Sabine Port Authority Marina and nearby fuel dock – severe damage from Hurricanes – under repair – much debris in water and cannot accept any transients.
Pleasure Island Marina – home of Port Arthur Yacht Club – will welcome cruisers with yacht club affiliation but southern entrance to Sabine Lake closed due to bridge damage. North entrance via 1,000' cut is reported to have many shallow spots and is not recommended for visitors.
Best bet – anchor at Shell Island or Taylor Bayou.
Sandy and Joe Chernow
MV Lady Sandra
1995 Carver 440

Goodbye Deep Water Marina
Received 1/4/06

We have called Deep Water Marina in Apalachicola, Florida, and confirmed that the info presented by cruisers, Adden and Jimmy, in the note below is correct. Hate to see Deep Water marina become yet another condo/hotel project, but at least excellent Scipio Creek Marina is still nearby and in full operation.

Deep Water Marina will close at the end of this month (Jan-06) per West who is the current manager. They will build condo's on the site. Another local told me all of the units are already sold.
Scipio Creek Marina is open and will remain so. They do not have laundry operational. Damaged in the huricane (Don't say which one) Common theme we have found if a marina does not have something operational. The food at Capt. Joe's was great at Scipio Creek Marina.
Adden and Jerry
ADD-ICTION