The shoaling described below in this article, cherry picked from the Local Notice to Mariners, is taking place in the primary Fort Myers Beach entry channel, providing access to the very popular Fort Myers Beach Mooring Field, and the various marina facilities in the area. And, as you will see, MLW soundings of 3.5 feet hard by the south-side entrance point, are really bad news for the cruising community.
FORTUNATELY, since we first posted this notice on the SSECN, Captain Glen Vetter, Commodore of the WONDERFUL Caloosahatchee Marching & Chowder Society, has chimed in with some VERY SPECIFIC advice about the below described shoaling, and HOW TO AVOID THESE SHALLOWS! Don’t dare miss Captain Vetter’s contribtuion!
We are still designating these troubled waters as an SSECN Navigation Alert!

FLORIDA-WEST COAST-FORT MYERS TO CHARLOTTE HARBOR AND WIGGINS PASS-MATANZAS PASS CHANNEL: Shoaling
Shoaling has been reported into the center of the channel between Matanzas Pass Channel Light 5 (LLNR 18107) and Matanzas Pass Daybeacn 6 (LLNR 18110). Depth reported to be 3.5ft at MLW. Mariners are advised to use extreme caution while transiting the area. Chart 11427

And here is very good advice from Captain Glen Vetter, Commodore of the WONDERFUL Caloosahatchee Marching & Chowder Society:
We pass through the outer Matanzas Pass Channel on the way to our home slip. On July 5 at approximately 1300 we came in through the pass at what was a +3-foot tide. There is plenty of water (+10 feet), but you must use extreme caution. At this time of day, if one attempted to proceed directly from day-mark R4 to R6, almost half the distance would be over nearly dry sand.
To safely enter Matanzas Pass Channel ‘“ as one passes between R4 and G5, bear nearly due North and make a circular turn, around the newly formed sandbar, until you are headed East between G7 and R8.
Glen Vetter ‘“ Commodore, Caloosahatchee Marching & Chowder Society

More information can be found at http://www.beach-bulletin.com/page/content.detail/id/520918.html
Mary Dixon

wow..3.5’¦you’re right Claiborne..this is really bad news for sailors anyways..and probaly alot of PB’ers as well’¦thanks for monitoring..you guys are awesome and I for one appreciate the heck what you do’¦keep up the good Work.
Cap’n Morgan

Captain Morgan – THANKS right back at you for your very kind remarks!!!

I heard last night from a boater who went in the pass on Monday. He said if you hug the green side, water depth was 10 feet.
Bill Dixon

Click Here To Open A Chart View Window, Zoomed To A “Navigation Alert” Position at Matanzas Pass Channel Light #5