Cruisers' Net | Cruisers Helping Cruisers

Aug 26, 2019by: Larry Dorminy No Comments
Wounded Nature-Working Veterans: “Doing Something about It!”
Wounded Nature-Working Veterans is a group of veterans, non-veterans and active duty military personnel run by Captain Rudy Socha, a former Marine turned conservationist. The non-profit volunteer organization is working to cleanup, preserve and protect our coastal environment, particularly from derelict vessels.
This past weekend, my wife and I had a chance to see their work in action. Armed with tools, power saws and chains, the group of volunteers were deconstructing several abandoned power vessels to remove toxic chemicals, fuel, electronics, etc. before shipping the remaining fiberglass and wood sections to a landfill. The work was nasty, dirty and loud, but the sense of accomplishment was clearly seen on the volunteers’ faces. This is a group that puts action where their words are!
These powerboats, while intact, had been towed to a local marina whose personnel donated their time and lift costs to place the vessels in this deconstruct area.
The work is hazardous and dirty, but the veteran volunteers had the equipment and know-how to complete the job.
After being cut into sections, all tankage, electronics and anything hazardous to the environment is removed and the remaining fiberglass, steel and wood is ready for the landfill.
Although the abandoned vessel may look good on its exterior, wood framing and wood superstructure rot over time when moisture is allowed to penetrate the fiberglass.

For more on this dedicated group and to volunteer your time, go to:
Click here for Wounded Nature Working Veterans
Facebook: wounded nature – working veterans
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Aug 25, 2019by: Larry Dorminy No Comments
Bahamas Chatter: Salt Cay Airport (TCI) Closed
Bahamas Chatter is produced by Explorer Chartbooks, A CRUISERS NET PARTNER, which has long been the standard navigational supplement for enjoyable, informative, and safe cruising through the beautiful Bahamian waters and island visits.
Bahamas Chatter: Salt Cay Airport (TCI) Closed
Salt Cay Airport (TCI) Closed
Posted: 24 Aug 2019 07:18 AM PDT
Providenciales, Turks and Caicos Islands. Aug 2, 2019. InterCaribbean Airways wishes to advise travelers to and from Salt Cay of the closure of the airport for approx. 90 days effective from August 19th and ending on 17 November 2019.
During this period the Turks & Caicos Airport Authority is undertaking runway repairs and renovation requiring the closure of aircraft traffic. Based on the repairs timeline it is expected the work is to be concluded re-open of November 18, 2019.
There is a ferry service that is available for travel between Grand Turk and Salt Cay to enable sea access to the island.
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Aug 24, 2019by: Larry Dorminy No Comments

FWC: Lionfish: From Harvest to Table

How can something so ugly taste so good? Have you tried lionfish?

FWC Lionfish: From Harvest to Table

08/22/2019

Check out this new video by Voca Films for FWC’s Lionfish Control Team! This video highlights the process by which divers bring lionfish from sea to table. There are full length and 60 second versions of this video available on FWC’s YouTube and Vimeo channels through the links below:

Youtube.com/FWCSaltwaterFishing

Full: https://youtu.be/vfqIT69UHI0
Short: https://youtu.be/2z5akkHqiro

Download on Vimeo

Please feel free to share this video and help spread the word about lionfish!

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Aug 24, 2019by: Larry Dorminy 1 Comment
LNM: Coast Guard’s Top 5 Recommended Communication Devices
Good advice from the folks who know best!
Multimedia Release
U.S. Coast Guard 5th District Mid-Atlantic
Contact: 5th District Public Affairs
Office: (757) 398-6272
After Hours: (757) 434-7712
5th District online newsroom
Coast Guard’s top 5 recommended communication devices to take with you underway
Editor’s Note: Click on images to download high resolution version.
Going out on the water can be dangerous, especially if you don’t have the right equipment. If you do find yourself in trouble, being able to communicate that you need help can be a lifesaver—literally!
Here are the top five items the Coast Guard recommends you take with you on your boat so you can call for help if you need it.
1. VHF-FM marine radio: It’s the most versatile piece of comms equipment you can have! If you find yourself in distress, calling for help on the radio not only alerts the Coast Guard, but it also alerts all other vessels in your surrounding area who may be able to assist you. If you find yourself in distress, calling for help on the radio not only alerts the Coast Guard, but it also alerts all other vessels in your surrounding area who may be able to assist you. In addition to being able to call for help, it also allows you to receive important weather information, safety updates, and call bridges to request openings.
2. Emergency Position Indicating Radio Beacon: They let us know where you are via satellite!Emergency Position Indicating Radio Beacons can also tell the Coast Guard who the beacon is registered to and how to contact you! Register your beacon and verify your information here.
3. Air horn, whistle, or other approved sound-producing device: Sound producing devices work for day and night emergencies. The good thing about sound distress signals is that they’re good during any time of the day. Just like on a car or bicycle, boaters should always carry a sound signal to get the attention of other people on the area. For more information, click here.
4. Visual distress signals: To pyro or not to pyro? Nine of the sixteen internationally recognized distress signals are visual distress signals. Three are three pyrotechnic distress signals, and the other six are non-pyrotechnics. While visual distress signals can be extremely helpful when operating in a well-populated area, they should not be relied on as your only method of communicating distress. If you need to use a pyrotechnic distress signal, be sure to point the pyrotechnics in a safe direction, away from yourself and other people.
5. Cell phone: Not a primary, but a good back-up. While not reliable enough to be used on its own as an on-water communication device, it’s a good back-up in case your radio isn’t functional, you don’t have a radio, or you don’t know how to use one. The Coast Guard recommends mariners download the official Coast Guard Boating Safety App. One of the many features of the app allows mariners to place an emergency call to the U.S. Coast Guard or 911, and provides you with your current location to provide to emergency personnel over the phone.
-USCG-
   The CG List Server is a FedRAMP certified SaaS capability provided by CG6.
   For more information on CGLS
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Glenn Tuttle - August 25, 2019 - 8:05 am

Being the Net Manager of International Boat Watch Network (Boatwatchnet.org), as well as the Net Manager of the Seven Seas Cruising association's HF Radio Service KPK, I am amazed the Garmin In-Reach nor the SPOT, both using satellite tracking technology, is not mentioned where a cell phone is. I respectfully think the USCG should re-visit their recommendations on the Top 5 Communications Devices.
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Aug 24, 2019by: Larry Dorminy No Comments 34.2549,-77.9489999
Now Sea Recovery Certified, Boat Shows, Kadey Krogen Hull Paint, Bennett Brothers Yachts and Cape Fear Marina, Wilmington, NC, Cape Fear River

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Bennett Brothers Yachts/Cape Fear Marina, A CRUISERS NET SPONSOR, is located on the eastern banks of the northeast Cape Fear River, just north of the Isabel Holmes – Highway 133 bascule bridge, and only a few steps from the downtown Wilmington waterfront.
Click here for Now Sea Recovery Certified, Boat Shows, Kadey Krogen Hull Paint
Click Here To View the North Carolina Cruiser’ Net’s Marina Directory Listing For Bennett Brothers Yachts/Cape Fear Marina
Click Here To Open A Chart View Window, Zoomed To the Location of Bennett Brothers Yachts/Cape Fear Marina
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Aug 23, 2019by: Larry Dorminy No Comments
Bahamas Chatter: Walker’s Cay
Bahamas Chatter is produced by Explorer Chartbooks, A CRUISERS NET PARTNER, which has long been the standard navigational supplement for enjoyable, informative, and safe cruising through the beautiful Bahamian waters and island visits.
Bahamas Chatter: Walker’s Cay
Walker’s Cay
Posted: 22 Aug 2019 04:32 AM PDT
Good Morning,
My Name is Les and I work for the new owner of Walker’s Cay in The Bahamas. After 15 years of being unloved Walker’s is coming back. I was wondering if you could please add the Walkers Cay National Park to your next reprint of charts?
Walker’s Cay National Park
https://www.bahamas.com/vendor/walkers-cay-national-park
Thank you
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Aug 22, 2019by: Larry Dorminy No Comments
Bahamas Chatter: Bimini Power plant update
Explorer Chartbooks, A CRUISERS NET PARTNER, has long been the standard navigational supplement for enjoyable, informative, and safe cruising through the beautiful Bahamian waters and island visits.
Bimini Power plant update
Posted: 21 Aug 2019 03:33 AM PDT
We were back in Bimini over July 4th , there were no power interruptions at Big Game like last time on Memorial Day.
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Aug 21, 2019by: Larry Dorminy No Comments
Coming to the Bahamas? Join Royal Marsh Harbor Yacht Club, Abaco, Northern Bahamas
If you are headed for the Bahamas, don’t miss this invitation to link with the Royal Marsh Harbour Yacht Club, A CRUISERS NET SPONSOR!
Are you planning to cruise to the Bahamas this winter? If you answer yes, come spend the winter season in the Abacos with the Royal March Harbour Yacht Club. It’s an easy 60 mile crossing to Little Bahama Bank and then hundreds of miles of cruising amid protected islands and harbors with lots to explore.
Some of the benefits of joining Royal Marsh Harbour Yacht Club:
Affordable initiation fee and annual dues
Discounts at marinas throughout the Bahamas
Discounts at restaurants and stores, particularly in the Marsh Harbor area
Friendly boating community with fun activities
The best deal in the Bahamas!
To become a member – CLICK HERE!
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Aug 21, 2019by: Larry Dorminy No Comments 36.3873,-76.27049999
Fallen Tree and Obstruction, Statute Miles 37.6 and 40.8, Pasquatank River, AICW Alternate Route

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Fallen trees and debris are almost a daily occurrence in the waters of the Dismal Swamp Canal and in the Pasquatank River south of South Mills Lock at the southern end of the canal. The US Army Corp of Engineers is normally quick to clear any obstruction actually blocking navigation, but you should approach these two spots with caution in case the obstructions have not been cleared. Our thanks to Blades Robinson for this notice.
Great Dismal Swamp Canal [Pasquatank River] / MM 37.6 / Tree partially obstructing waterway
A pine tree has fallen and is obstructing 50% of the canal at MM 37.6 N 36*23.236 W 076*16.221
Great Dismal Swamp Canal [Pasquatank River] / MM 40.8 / Obstruction
There is a partially submerged piling or tree in the waterway near the Dismal Swamp MM 40.8. Mariners use caution.
Blades Robinson
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Aug 20, 2019by: Larry Dorminy 1 Comment
Albemarle Loop Snowbird Layover Special, Albemarle Sound, NC
Albemarle Loop
Whether you are traveling north or south, the rivers and communities that frame the Albemarle Sound are inviting you to explore their shores and experience their warm southern hospitality. A community of marine businesses and historical locations, several of whom are CRUISERS NET SPONSORS, located on and around the Albemarle Sound of North Carolina, have organized to serve boaters through the Albemarle Loop. For more, see FOCUS ON Albemarle Loop.
Snowbird Alert!
By Claude Milot
By some estimates, as many as 7,000 boaters sail the ICW between points north and Florida every year. When the weather turns cold in the fall, some can’t wait to leave New York or New England and head south.
The problem is, because of the hurricane season, insurance companies won’t cover boaters past Hatteras until November 1st. Rather than linger in cold waters, many boaters who have already begun their trek south will seek temporary anchorage in the Carolinas. And this has created an opportunity for Albemarle Sound marinas to provide a practical solution for these boaters, as the Albemarle Sound happens ideally to be the half-way point between, say, New York and Miami, a perfect place to linger in October while awaiting November 1st.
Three marinas on the Sound are participating in Snowbird Layover, a program specially designed to benefit ICW boaters: Columbia Municipal Marina, Edenton Harbor, and Albemarle Plantation Marina.
ICW boaters will be able to tie up in Columbia—slippage free—for two weeks prior to November 1st. Main Street has shops and restaurants, and Pocosin Arts, a gallery and teaching studio that has been offering programs and workshops since 1995. Nearby are the headquarters and wildlife exhibits of Pocosin Lakes Wildlife Refuge, as well as the start of the ¾ mile Scuppernong River Interpretive Trail.
Edenton Harbor offers one week of free slippage to ICW boaters who can use that time to experience this living monument to the colonial era. North Carolina’s first capital is noted for its authentic architecture from the 18th and 19th centuries. Visitors can take walking tours or guided trolley tours of the historic district or take a leisurely walk along tree-lined streets to soak up the beauty and charm of “the prettiest town in the south.”
From October 15th to December 1st Albemarle Plantation Marina will offer two weeks of free slippage to ICW boaters pausing on their migration south. Albemarle Plantation is a resort with a wide variety of amenities available to visiting boaters. It has two restaurants, the Clubhouse Restaurant for fine dining, and the more casual Dockside, famous for its wood-fired pizza oven. It also has the challenging championship Dan Maples golf course, with discounted greens fees for boaters. Also available to guests are walking trails, tennis courts, a fully equipped exercise room, and the best bocce courts in North Carolina.
The welcome sign is out at Columbia, Edenton, and Albemarle Plantation for ICW migrants needing a great place to hang out before November 1st. Come on down!
SNOWBIRD LAYOVER SPECIALS
ALBEMARLE PLANTATION VIDEO
EDENTON HARBOR VIDEO
COLUMBIA DOCKS VIDEO
Additional Information at:
ALBEMARLE LOOP
Click Here To View the Cruisers’ Net North Carolina Marina Directory Listing For Albemarle Plantation Marina
Click Here To Open A Chart View Window, Zoomed To the Location of Albemarle Plantation Marina
Click Here To View the North Carolina Cruisers’ Net Marina Directory Listing For Edenton Harbor (City Docks)
Click Here To Open A Chart View Window Zoomed To the Location of Edenton Harbor (City Docks)
Click Here To View the North Carolina Cruisers’ Net Marina Directory Listing For the Columbia City Docks
Click Here To Open A Chart View Window, Zoomed To the Location of the Columbia City Docks
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Comments from Cruisers (1)

Alan V. Cecil - September 6, 2019 - 7:07 pm

Dateline: Randallstown, MD
The Albermarle Loop has been on our agenda since last year.
After a year delay getting a new HVAC system we moved SIGMACHI to Olverson's Marina on the Yeocomico River (off of the southern Potomac River…Virginia side) where we headquartered for the Summer.
Concurrent with the prospect of Hurricane Dorian and the need for some fo some repairs including for bottom painting and the team of Krentz Marine Railway finding and fixing a starboard enginr oil leak thatour prior yard's crew maintained didn't exist!
SO…come sometime in October we hope to start to amble South towards Florida and savor the Albermarle Loop, visit friends along the Neuse River, and New Bern and…yeah…an adventure of a lifetime with my Co-Captain Jeanne!
Alan V. Cecil
M/V SIGMACHI
40ft. Pacemaker Flush Deck Fly Bridge
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