Update on Groundings South of Fernandina Beach, AICW Statute Mile 719.5
3/4/2017
Problem area 300 meters north of old temporary red #2 in Amelia River south of Fernandina Beach has been addressed. Passed by this area on 3/3/17 and noted that the USCG has installed a new marker [Red 2] at the sandbar I grounded on 9/4/16. [See LNM below for [position] USCG requested comments in December replacing temporary red marker#2 with a permanent marker. I used the opportunity to comment and am pleased to see the USCG response. Semper Paratus.
Joe Plunkett
I copied the following from the the District 7 Local Notice to Mariners, Week 10-17:
FLORIDA – AICW – ST SIMONS SOUND – TOLOMATO RIVER – FERNANDINA BEACH- ST. JOHNS RIVER – FERNANDINA BEACH
The following changes have been approved to the Aids to Navigation System in St Johns River, Fernandina Beach:
Fernandina Beach TRUB 2 will be permanently discontinued
Fernandina Beach Daybeacon 2 (LLNR 37988) will be established in position 30-38-54.689N/081-29-03.486W (30°38.9115N / 081°29.0581W, 30.648525 / -81.484302)
When I passed through the Amelia River south of Fernandina last week I noticed a new red temporary marker had been placed at or near the location where I grounded last September. I did not take note of the number on the temporary channel marker. Back in September there were three channel markers identifying the channel: a green #1 at the northeast end, a green #3 and a temporary red #2 at the south/southwest end of this section of the Amelia River. There are now four channel markers: The original green #1 at the northeast end of the channel, a new red temporary marker near the location of my grounding, the original green #3 and a new permanent red marker replacing the old temporary marker at the south/southwest end of this section. I did not note the numbers on the new markers. I do not find these new markers on my charts. I use Navionics on my chart plotter and updated the Navionics chip the evening before departing Fernandina heading south. I expect the changes have been or will shortly be published in the Notices to Mariners.
Joe Plunkett
9/4/2016
Encountered less than 3? at near high tide 300 meters north of Temporary Red #2. Time was Approximately 1330 Hours on 9/4/16. Pulled out port shaft attempting to get off. About ninety minutes later while awaiting tow, observed outboard run aground near same spot. With outboard trimmed up, operator was blowing substantial amounts of sand.
You must favor the green side when approaching Green #3 from the north or departing Green #3 from the south. Came through this area northbound in late June and did not have any trouble.
Joe Plunkett aboard Happy Hagar
Click Here To Open A Chart View Window, Zoomed To A “Navigation Alert” Position at Light #3
Comments from Cruisers (3)
Can you indicate where the red 2 temporary mark and the new permanent mark is located? Is it near green 1 or green 3? Thanks.
bob
Problem area 300 meters north of old temporary red #2 in Amelia River south of Fernandina Beach has been addressed. Passed by this area on 3/3/17 and noted that the USCG has installed a new marker at the sandbar I grounded on 9/4/16. USCG requested comments in December replacing temporary red marker#3 with a permanent marker. I used the opportunity to comment and am pleased to see the USCG response. Semper Paratus.
This should not be a problem area if people just pay attention to their charts – there is lots of water on the eastern side of this area – from G1 to G5. I went through at low tide about five weeks ago, and I draft 5 feet. That’s the third time in the past year I’ve passed through here btw.
Basic arithmetic tells you that with a tidal range here of 7 feet, this boater was clearly out of the channel to find only three feet.