Northern Gulf 2005 News
Posted by admin | Posted on 30-01-2007
Destruction at Venice Marina
Received 1/5/06
Leaving New Orleans and cruising downstream on the mighty Mississippi River, the last facilities available to pleasurecraft are located in the small community of Venice (LA, not FL). Now we hear that at least one of these marinas took a big blow from Hurricane Katrina, and has not yet recovered, but, as you will read below, there's hope that things will be different by February, 2006!
Our marina was totally devastated by Hurricanes Katrina and Rita and are currently rebuilding. There are no amenities in the area at this time and not sure as to when they will be restored. You can continue to check with us for updates. Our hopes are to be able to reopen sometimes in Feb.
Regards,
Jenny Poche
Accounting Manager
Venice Marina
East Pass Dredging Delayed
Received 1/4/06
Apparently the dredging project, slated for improvement of East Pass Inlet, just west of Destin, reported earlier here on the Cruiser's Net, has now been delayed.
Claiborne,
Remember me?? Sent you pics of boats in Rocky & Boggy Bayou (Niceville FL.) after Ivan. FYI – the dredging for the Destin Pass has been cancelled temporarily due to the migration of the Sturgeon. We may be looking at late March for this to occur now. The dredge boat has bent sent to MS, then to Perdido Pass, before it will return to Destin.
Regards,
Donna Fox
More on the Post Katrina Mississippi Coastline
Received 12/22/05
Captain Charles Cullota is one of the best reporters on the Waterway, including his native Northern Gulf Coast. Below, he gives an excellent overview of the Louisiana and MS coastlines. Be sure to follow his links for some awesome photos!
I have said before that New Orleans gets all the publicity on it's damage. The pics on this site show what happened in Ms. and in areas surrounding N. O. Today I saw a pic of a residential subdivision in Cameron Parish ,La where every home was wiped out completely. ALL homes were built 10 ft off the grd on pilings, ONLY THE PILINGS WERE LEFT. Not even debris, astounding. EVERY home and building in Cameron Parish was destroyed or substantially damaged except for the Court House
Mississippi: We frequent this entire area. ( We will be passing thru in March.) Only a few of the marinas are shown but all were destroyed. The Broadwater Beach marina, constructed of concrete with all roofs of concrete destroyed, the CONCRETE ROOFS are gone. There is a pic of that. That marina has sustained every hurricane for the past 45+ yrs, and that includes Camille. Camille used to be the benchmark storm.
I have been advised that the Ocean Springs , Ms harbor is up and running. It is a regular stop for us. Highly recommended. It is not a hoity toity marina!!!
Take your time to go thru these very telling pics. Notice the great job being done by our National Guard troops. Good going guys!!!!http://www.gulfcoastnews.com/KatrinaPhotos1.htm
http://www.pbase.com/pdtaylor/mississippi http://www.pbase.com/pdtaylor/mississippi http://www.pbase.com/pdtaylor/hurricane_katrina http://www.pbase.com/pdtaylor/hurricane_katrina
Charles C. Jr. and Pat Culotta
Mobile Bay Navigational Tips, Dog River Marina, Ingram Bayou and Pirates Cove
Received 12/16/05
I echo Kip's comments below, pretty much in all respects. In CGNG, we discuss the shortcut on Lower Mobile Bay that he recommends. And, as already noted earlier in the Net, it doesn't get much better than Dog River Marina on Mobile Bay's Dog River.
Glad to hear that Pirate's Cove is still serving their famous burgers this winter, and, yes, it is possible for boats 40 feet or smaller to anchor on Roberts Bayou (which is also covered in CGNG).
Ingram Bayou is simply one of the best anchorages between North Carolina and New Orleans!
Good Evening all
I just successfully crossed Mobile Bay in Mobile Alabama, and wanted topost some information that might be useful.
1. It is not necessary to follow the Mobile Ship's channel all the way to the Gulf of Mexico in order to pick up the Intercoastal Waterway. It is perfectly possible to cut the corner to save some time. Head south along the Mobile Ship's Channel (from the Dog River Intersection) to channel marker number Red 54. As soon as you pass the marker, set a course of approximately 142 degrees magnetic toward the Red #124 marker on the Intercoastal (distance approximately 13 miles). The waypoint of this marker is 30 deg 17.2 N and 87 deg 50.2 W (please double check the accuracy here). As you get closer to the southern shore, you'll see a watertank that's almost in line with the correct course.
I left Dog River at 7:00 AM Central Time, and low tide (-.3) was close to that hour. Depths ranged from 11 to 12 feet near marker 54 to 8 feet as you get close to marker124.There is a piling sticking six inches out of the water about 120 feet to the east of 30 deg 18.955 N and 87 deg 33.273 W. If you pass this waypoint on your port side, you'll avoid this piling. I'm guessing that at hightide, it will be sitting just below the surface of the water.
Rich at Dog River claims that you can head for the 124 marker just past the 59 marker on the Mobile Ship's Channel, but I didn't test this for myself. I chose to depart at 54 because a large Carver motor yacht took the 54 course just two hours ahead of me.
2. Pirate's Cove, the restaurant that serves the killer cheeseburgers is open for business. The marina associated with the restaurant might not be. I can't comment on the quality of the burgers because they're closed on Mondays, but they are serving during the winter. Depths in the harbor just outside of their establishment are between 9 and 12 feet, and these depths hold starting right at the Intercoastal channel. It is possible to anchor here, especially since a couple of crusty cruising boats have taken up residence here. Locals claim that the passage into Roberts Bayou (right past the restaurant) can accommodate most boats (they OKed my five foot six inchdraft), and that anchoring was possible inside.
Roberts however looked less inviting than Ingram, so I chose to return to the latter. I motored back two miles, and easily found the proper spot (look for the beached boat). The anchorage here is wide, deep (9 – 12 feet), and offersgreat protection and holding as long as nothing is blowing from the south.
3. I can't say enough about Rich at Dog River Marina in Mobile, Alabama. Demopolis Marina sent a part to Dog River for me to pick upwhen I arrived. For some reason, no one at Dog River could find the packagesince the office staff had vacated the premises for the weekend. Rich went looking for the part three different times, and finally located it on Sunday night. He delivered the box right to the boat, and apologized that he hadn't seen it sooner. He had to walk all the way from the fuel dock to the shipping department on the other end of the marina. Finally, knowing that I was singlehanding a forty foot boat, he awakened at 7:00 AM on his day off, and came down to the dock to help me departsafely. It's too bad that all marinas aren't so accommodating.
Safe journeying.
Kip, Dogs, Cat.
Fort Walton Beach City Marina
Received 12/15/05 excerpted from the AGCLS Mailing List
I never knew that Fort Walton Beach had a city dock. This is definitely one to check out during my next update cycle.
We are working our way East on the ICW and are currently docked at the City Dock in Ft. Walton Beach. This is a free dockwith no power however it does have free pumpout. As you are heading East the dock will be on your port side about 1/2 mile before the bridge. In order to stay at this dock over night you need to call the City Managerat 850-833-9500 and ask for Joyce Shanahan. Water depth on the outside isabout 6 feet at low tide.
Jim & Lisa Favors ³Kismet²
Good Times at Dog River Marina
Received 12/13/05
I'm not surprised with the wonderful repair experience at Dog River Marina, reported below by John and Ann. I've always had the sure and strong impression that it doesn't get much better than this marina and yard!
While at Dog River [Marina], we had the boat hauled out and discovered two blades were bent on one prop and one was slightly bent on the other. In addition, our shafts were out of tollerance – one by 3/10,000ths and theother by 15. It was Thursday of last week and the machine shops saidMonday would be the earliest for repairs to be completed. To make a long story short, we were shocked when the props and shafts were back at Dog River by noon on Friday, installed and the boat back in the water by 3:00pm. I attribute most of this to the intervention of Sonny, the owner and the dedication of their maintenance staff. We left Saturdaymorning with NO vibrations and a warm feeling for Dog River. We couldn't have been happier – and their fee was very reasonable.
John and Ann
Excellent Pensacola to Mobile Bay Marina Info
Received 12/08/05
Here is some really useful marina info ranging from the waters just east of Mobile Bay to Pensacola. I'm particularly glad to hear that the old Mahogany Landing property on Pensacola's Bayou Chico is at last being put to good use. I've always thought this site had potential.
Bear Point Marina at ICW mile 165 is fully operational,e.g, fuel, pump out, restaurant,etc are all back post-Ivan damage. Their telephone is 251-981-2327.
Also the new Palm Harbor Marina in Pensacola's Bayou Chico is now open. Although this first- rate facility is a bit off the ICW, this is a well protected marina, and it is an excellent stop for maintenance and provisioning. Telephone is 850-455-4552.
Palm Harbor Marina together with Island Cove Marina (both in Bayou Chico) are owned by John Naybor. Palm Harbor is located on the site of the old Mahonagy Landing Marina; the latter lost to Ivan. The new facility has floating docks and all of the other state of the art gear found at quality marinas.
As you enter Bayou Chico from Pensacola Bay the Pensacola Yacht Club will be on your right. Palm Harbor is the second marina on your left-abouut 150 yards past PYC. Palm Harbor is before you go under the Barrancas Ave. Bridge.
One other bit of news; the 206 slip marina at Bayou Grande, NAS Pensacola is still not finished, but completion is expected in a couple of weeks. When this marina reopens at lot of vacancies will appear in other marinas as military types return to beautiful new NAS facility. We're with six to eight other boats hanging at PYC waiting for NAS to reopen.
Good Things at Grand Mariner Marina
Received 11/19/05
We have always like Grand Mariner Marina and its restaurant. This notable facility guards the southern shores of Mobile Bay's Dog River, almost directly across the water from Dog River Marina. Now, we hear below that others share this happy opinion!
The Morning Star" sits at the Grand Mariner Marina on Dog River freezing to death preparing to head for Penniscola. We have spent a productive 5 days here. A wonderful family runs this place including the restaurant. The food is OUTSTTANDING! If you stay at Dog River Marina you should launch the dingy and come over for dinner as did Tracy & Jan on "WanderingStar". We had a great time with other Loopers staying here. Diesel is $2.59and going down. Dockage is $.85 per foot.
Rhys Evans
Anchoring on Joe's Bayou
Received 11/20/05 Extracted from the AGLCA Mailing List
We always love anchoring on Joe's Bayou. This body of water sits on the southern shores of Choctawhatchee Bay, just west of Destin and East Pass. Now, we hear from fellow cruisers Mar and Flo-Ann that safe entrance into these waters is now a bit more complicated.
Hi,
If anchoring in Joe's Bayou near Destin, Florida, [off] the ICW, take extra care in this narrow canal. The red buoy # 2 is missing ( N 30 24.98and W 086 29.57). We bumped going in and coming out this morning we went aground. It is a nice anchorage after you are back into the Bayou.
Happy Thanks giving to all!!!!!!!!!
Mark and Flo-Ann Bender
On Genteel
Apalachicola City Marina
Received 11/21/05 – extracted from the AGLCA Mailing List
Glad to hear that the Apalachicola City Marina is still taking transient visitors. We usually spend time in this charming community securely tied to the piers of Scipio Creek Marina, but, clearly, the city marina is an alternative
Sandpiper arrived on Tuesday [at Apalachicola] for two nights; well, it's now Sunday and the weather is continuing to go "south." We are in the municipal marina in one of two spaces that is available for transients at this time. We are very snug on the wall and have not been bothered by wind or waves. We draw 3.5' and even with north winds and a spring tide we have not been sitting on the bottom. The outer slips that can be troublesome in bad weather or wake are gone (due to Dennis.)
Martha
Sandpiper Schucker
Report from Carrabelle and Apalachicola
Received 11/13/05 and extracted from the AGLCA Mailing List
It's good to hear that all seems well in Apalachicola and Carrabelle, two of our favorite stops along the Northern Gulf coastline.
'Entree' is in Carabelle. We had hoped to make the crossing to TarponSprings, but the weather is still rough and they don't think it will becalm enough until about Wednesday. That is too late for us so our boa twill stay here at C-Captain for the next two months. They seem to be very nice people and we feel confident our boat will be in good hands.
We spent four days in Apalachicola and enjoyed biking around, buyingVERY fresh fish straight from the boat and eating very fresh oysters every afternoon at The Wheelhouse, where they are only $3.99 per dozen($1.99 on Wednesdays). Very local! No laundries at the marinas, but there is a very nice laundromat in town. Dockage was $1.25 at Scipio, but the cheapest fuel was at Miller Marina – $2.54. Fill there and 'top up' in Carabelle.
Edgar & Audrey Jaggi
Good Info Mobile to New Orleans
Received 11/18/05 – extracted from AGCLA Mailing List
Below you will read a first hand account from fellow cruisers, Yvette and Claude Lussier about their auto trip from Dog River Marina, on Mobile Bay's Dog River, to New Orleans.
We are at the Dog River Marina in Mobile and rented a car from Hertz,the only one that will permit you to leave the car at the marina and we took along with the Olson's (Running Free) a side trip by car to NewOrleans. On the way there, we made a detour to Pass Christian right after Biloxi and what we saw is complete devastation of entire streets. There is absolutely nothing left and whatever stood up after the hurricane can't be used and will have to come down . The power is still not restored to many people.
We then went on to New Orleans and we concentrated our visit in the Garden District and although you could see some damages but not as extensive. TheFrench Quarter is only partly operational with many boutiques andrestaurants are closed. The refrigerators by the hundreds are waiting to be disposed of and the debris along the streets is enormous. Some hotels like the Ritz are closed, and many office buildings are completely vacant.
We had an excellent dinner at the Boubon House Seafod on Bourbon St and the comment we heard from the staff were very interesting. It is going to be a long rebuilding process and all we could do is wish them luck. The visit is worth [it] but I would recommend only a day visit. It is 140 miles fromMobile.
Yvette and Claude Lussier
Good News About Palafox
Received 11/06/05
Glad to hear the Palafox Marina in Pensacola has reopened. It was trashed by Hurricane Ivan last year, but it has apparently been completely rebulit, and is ready for business.
We also echo Chuck and Linda's comments concerning Dog River Marina. You just don't find better people than these!
Today we left Dog River Marina after a two day rest. I can't say enoughabout the folks at Dog River. They went out of their way to make uscomfortable. We used their courtesy car to do our shopping and washed clothes in their laundry. Yes, they have a laundry up and running. These people are committed to being there for the loopers.
We are now in Palafox Pier Marina in downtown Pensacola. This marina was destroyed too and has been completely rebuilt. We are currently tied up to brand new floating docks. We will be here through tomorrow before moving onto Destin where we have a dock with friends. Keep those reports coming!
This marina has been completely rebuilt since the destruction by Ivan last year. All new floating docks. The marina is nearing completion, but they are welcoming transients. They have both water and electric at the slips. Bathrooms are open and operational.As of this week there is still no fuel available. They expect to befullyoperational by Christmas. The nice thing about this marina is that i tis right in downtown Pensacola. Dockage was $1.50 per foot.
Chuck & Linda Snavely
Waste pump-out in Pensacola
Received 11/11/05
Thanks again to Captain Bob Austin for some timely info about waste pump-out on the waters near Pensacola.
One thing which Chuck Snavely and I found in our drive around Pensacola, is that pump out is available at Pensacola Marine Shipyard complex, in BayouChico. The dock master at Palafox pier had told Chuck that no pump out was available for over 50 miles distance–not so–but the shipyard is in competion with Bahia Mar, which is also owned by the company which has the master lease on Palafox Pier.
Bob Austin
Shoaling on Destin Pass
Received 11/2/05
Destin Pass, also known as East Pass, is the inlet just west of the resort comunity of Destin. Depths have never been reliable for very long in this seaward cut. I've always thought that the sand is filling back in by the time the dredge disappears over the horizon.
Now, we hear that the recent hurricane season has done yet another number on this wayward pass.
Claiborne:
Got your e-mail and tried out the web page. First item under Northern gulf was about Destin pass [really "East Pass" - CSY]. Unfortunately it's out of date. The pass was dredged in March ish but some combination of Dennis, Katrina and Rita has refilled. Article in the local daily paper discusses problems again. While not "blocked" there are shallow areas as low as 7'. Dont have more details.
George F. Goodal
1986 Catalina
30 TRBS"Frantic"
Mobile Bay Marinas Operational
Received 11/01/05
Anyone who has even contemplated taking the "Great Loop" cruise knows the names of Ron and Eva Stob. This delightful couple are the founders of the American Great Loop Cruiser's Assocation, an organization intrinsic to ALL Great Loop cruisers.
In the note below, Ron and Eva confirm the information that we earlier sent out in a Salty Southeast supplement, that most of the marinas on Mobile Bay are now fully, or almost fully, operational.
To dispell any rumors: Both Dog River Marina on the western side of Mobile Bay and Eastern Shore Marina on the eastern side are operational and eager to see the Loopers this fall. They had representatives at the AGLCA Fall Rendezvous in October and assured us that they are/will be ready for the cruisers when they come south, barring any future hurricanes, of course. Both were battered by Hurricane Katrina but are recovering. The channels are clear. Ron & Eva Stob,
Directors America's Great Loop Cruisers' Association
Don't Go West of Mobile Bay
Received 10/22/05
In an earlier Salty Southeast supplement, we warned cruisers to think long and hard before cruising west of Mobile Bay to Mississippi and New Orleans. Now, that sentiment seems to be confirmed below.
Dear Claiborne,
This may not be new news, but just to remind west coast Floridian cruisers heading to New Orleans or points west; the Mississippi gulf coast has NO facilities available and our small craft harbor in Pass Christian is totally wiped out.
What may not be well appreciated is that the coastal infrastructure is as totally destroyed as is the waterfront. In our town of Pass Christian, population ~6000, possibly a dozen buildings were left standing and only a couple of those are livable. The Pass Chritian Yacht club was totally destroyed (cf, Long Beach, Gulfport). We plan to rebuild but it will be a long time before we can be good hosts to our visitors.
Thanks for your updates,
Warren B. Mue
Pensacoal Marina Info
Received 10/15/05
Here is some great info from our super Northern Gulf correspondent, on marina conditions near Pensacola, and on the Waterway between Pensacola and Mobile Bay.
Homeport Marina (next to LuLu's at Gulf shores is new:251-968 4528 or 1-877-590-7678) (The other marinas in Orange beach are either off the ICW, not repaired or gone.
There are good anchoring places–InghamsBayou, or Fort Mc Crae (just before Pensacola Pass)In Perdido Key: HOLIDAY HARBOR MARINA: 850/492-0555.Marina Management Corp: (850) 432-0642 operates Bahia Mar, Seville harbor andPalafox Pier Marinas. (Bahia Mar seems to be full, Palafox Pier is not quitecompleted–but may be by the time you get here?[It is open now - CSY] Seveille Harbor has been taking transcients in downtown Pensacola: (850)432-9620 Not totally repaired, but still has fuel and limited power.Call ahead to be sure that mooring is available.During Ivan Rod and Reel Marina, Pirates Cove Marina, Southwind Marina andGrand Lagoon Yacht clubs were destroyed and are not being rebuilt. Pirates Cove Restaurant is open and anchorage is available in front or in the cove in back of the restaurant. Bear Point has damage not repaired, but fuel available. Pensacola Yacht Club does have its piers rebuilt if you qualify for reciprocity.
Bob Austin
