Below, you will discover our COMPLETE listing of Eastern Florida cruising news/postings from fellow cruisers, arranged in chronological order, based on publication date. IF YOU WOULD LIKE TO NARROW YOUR SELECTION of EF cruising news to those messages which pertain to a specific geographic sub-region, locate the RED, vertically stacked menu, on the right side of this, and all Cruisers’ Net pages. Click on “Eastern Florida.” A drop down menu will appear, with a blue background, Now, click on “EF Regional Cruising News.” A sub-drop-down menu will now appear, listing 12 Eastern Florida geographic sub-regions. Select your waters of interest, and after clicking on your choice, a list of messages will appear, confined to the sub-region you have picked!
The Coast Guard just made a U-turn, lit up the blue lights and called you on the radio. Here is exactly what happens next.
Capt. Chris Caldwell walks through a Coast Guard boarding step by step, from the first hail to the receipt in your hand.
In this episode of the Southern Boating podcast, training captain and Southern Boating & Yachting contributor Capt. Chris Caldwell breaks down what to expect when the U.S. Coast Guard asks to board your boat.
He covers how the boarding crew approaches, the questions they ask about passengers and firearms, why they open the engine room and lazarette first, and the paperwork and placards they expect to see, including the Navigation Rules handbook for boats 12 meters (39.4 feet) and longer.
He also explains the most common violation he sees (expired flares), why life jackets must carry U.S. Coast Guard approval, what to say and what not to say, and how a simple pre-departure checklist keeps a boarding short and friendly.
00:00 Intro 00:22 Where the Coast Guard can board you 00:55 The wave, the U-turn and the blue lights 01:53 Head count and firearms questions 02:48 Engine room, lazarette and the safety inspection 03:26 The Navigation Rules handbook (39.4 feet and up) 04:06 Pollution placards and the waste plan 04:46 Your documentation number 05:35 The boarding report and the “gold sheet” 06:18 Why they pick your boat 07:18 Big events and holiday weekends 08:10 Is there anything they cannot do? 08:23 The federal requirements booklet 08:54 Life jackets: USCG approval matters 09:43 Dewatering devices 10:20 The most common violation: expired flares 11:06 What to say and what not to say 11:30 A friendly boarding in Charleston Harbor 12:13 Your pre-departure checklist 12:52 Capt. Chris’s background 13:33 “Owning the boat” 13:55 Ask Captain Chris on YouTube
This email was sent to curtis.hoff@CruisersNet.net using Granicus Communications Cloud on behalf of: U.S. Coast Guard · U.S. Department of Homeland Security · Washington, DC 20528 · 800-439-1420
*** THIS DIV IS AUTOMATICALLY HIDDEN WHEN DISPLAYED – INFO FOR DEBUGGING PURPOSES *** ***MANUALLY DO: FIX TITLE, EXPIRE DATE, CATEGORIES, ENABLE SOCIAL POST *** 0: llnr: 0 District: 07 lat/lon: 38.517803333333,-79.06959 Desc: Situational Update – Hazardous Weather Outlook for the Western Atlantic – Thu Oct 22, 2026 06:30
Situational Update – Hazardous Weather Outlook for the Western Atlantic
The latest briefing for the western Atlantic is attached, updated for powerful low pressure off of the east coast.
Sustained winds to storm-force will occur along and near the track of the low. Sustained winds to hurricane-force are now expected to develop Thursday night beginning near about 40N66W, with areas of hurricane-force sustained winds continuing into early Friday near the track of the low as the low moves farther east of the area.
The next scheduled briefing will be an update on Thursday, OCT 22, by noon EDT.
If there are any questions email ncep.opc.idss@noaa.gov
This email was sent to curtis.hoff@CruisersNet.net using Granicus Communications Cloud on behalf of: U.S. Coast Guard · U.S. Department of Homeland Security · Washington, DC 20528 · 800-439-1420
*** THIS DIV IS AUTOMATICALLY HIDDEN WHEN DISPLAYED – INFO FOR DEBUGGING PURPOSES *** ***MANUALLY DO: FIX TITLE, EXPIRE DATE, CATEGORIES, ENABLE SOCIAL POST *** 0: llnr: 0 District: 07 lat/lon: 38.517803333333,-79.06959 Desc: Situational Update – Hazardous Weather Outlook for the Western Atlantic – Wed Oct 21, 2026 11:45
1. ST LUCIE INLET BUOY 6 (LLNR 10130) MISSING. 2. REPORTING SOURCE: (772) 215-9382. 3. NOTIFIED PRIMARY SERVICING UNIT: N/A. 4. AMPLIFYING INFO: AID REPORTED BEACHED IVO ST. LUCIE INLET. CANCEL AT//031637Z NOV 26//
BT
This email was sent to curtis.hoff@CruisersNet.net using Granicus Communications Cloud on behalf of: U.S. Coast Guard · U.S. Department of Homeland Security · Washington, DC 20528 · 800-439-1420
*** THIS DIV IS AUTOMATICALLY HIDDEN WHEN DISPLAYED – INFO FOR DEBUGGING PURPOSES *** ***MANUALLY DO: FIX TITLE, EXPIRE DATE, CATEGORIES, ENABLE SOCIAL POST *** 0: llnr: 10130 District: 07 lat/lon: 27.167537,-80.155269 Desc: St Lucie Inlet Buoy 6
Situational Update – Hazardous Weather Outlook for the Western Atlantic
The latest briefing for the western Atlantic is attached.This update covers the re-development of storm-force winds associated with the area of low pressure E of North Carolina. Winds will increase to 50 kt with gusts to 65+ kt heading into Wed in the NW and W quadrants of the low with seas building to 25+ ft. There is a 40% chance this system may acquire subtropical or tropical characteristics in the next few days.
If there are any questions email ncep.opc.idss@noaa.gov
The next scheduled briefing will be Wednesday, OCT 21, by noon EDT or 1600 UTC.
This email was sent to curtis.hoff@CruisersNet.net using Granicus Communications Cloud on behalf of: U.S. Coast Guard · U.S. Department of Homeland Security · Washington, DC 20528 · 800-439-1420
*** THIS DIV IS AUTOMATICALLY HIDDEN WHEN DISPLAYED – INFO FOR DEBUGGING PURPOSES *** ***MANUALLY DO: FIX TITLE, EXPIRE DATE, CATEGORIES, ENABLE SOCIAL POST *** 0: llnr: 0 District: 07 lat/lon: 38.517803333333,-79.06959 Desc: Situational Update – Hazardous Weather Outlook for the Western Atlantic – Tue Oct 20, 2026 11:45
SAFETY/HILLSBORO INLET ENTRANCE DBN 5 (LLNR 10303)/ATON/SEC MIA BNM 0101-26
1. HILLSBORO INLET ENTRANCE DBN (LLNR 10303 IS EXTINGUISHED. 2. RPTD BY: ANT FT LAUDERDALE. 3. NOTIFIED PRIMARY SERVICING UNIT: ANT FORT LAUDERDALE. 4. AMPLIFYING INFORMATION: PILE WRECKAGE MARKED BY BUOY JUST ABOVE THE WATER LINE. LIGHT HAS FALLEN OFF. CANCEL AT//021850Z NOV 26//
BT
This email was sent to curtis.hoff@CruisersNet.net using Granicus Communications Cloud on behalf of: U.S. Coast Guard · U.S. Department of Homeland Security · Washington, DC 20528 · 800-439-1420
*** THIS DIV IS AUTOMATICALLY HIDDEN WHEN DISPLAYED – INFO FOR DEBUGGING PURPOSES *** ***MANUALLY DO: FIX TITLE, EXPIRE DATE, CATEGORIES, ENABLE SOCIAL POST *** 0: llnr: 10303 District: 07 lat/lon: 26.256469,-80.080665 Desc: Hillsboro Inlet Entrance Daybeacon 5
Situational Update – Hazardous Weather Outlook for the Western Atlantic
The latest briefing for the western Atlantic is attached, updated for strengthening, meandering low pressure off of the east coast, with areas of storm-force winds. For this long-duration event, mariners should monitor later forecasts, including from the National Hurricane Center, and execute avoidance now as needed.
The next scheduled briefing will be an update Tuesday, October 20, by noon EDT.
If there are any questions email ncep.opc.idss@noaa.gov
This email was sent to curtis.hoff@CruisersNet.net using Granicus Communications Cloud on behalf of: U.S. Coast Guard · U.S. Department of Homeland Security · Washington, DC 20528 · 800-439-1420
*** THIS DIV IS AUTOMATICALLY HIDDEN WHEN DISPLAYED – INFO FOR DEBUGGING PURPOSES *** ***MANUALLY DO: FIX TITLE, EXPIRE DATE, CATEGORIES, ENABLE SOCIAL POST *** 0: llnr: 0 District: 07 lat/lon: 38.517803333333,-79.06959 Desc: Situational Update – Hazardous Weather Outlook for the Western Atlantic – Mon Oct 19, 2026 15:00
Situational Update – Hazardous Weather Outlook for the Western Atlantic
The latest briefing for the western Atlantic is attached, updated for strong, meandering low pressure off of the east coast, with areas of storm-force winds. For this long-duration event, mariners should monitor later forecasts, including from the National Hurricane Center, and execute avoidance now as needed.
The next scheduled briefing will be an update Monday, October 19, by noon EDT.
If there are any questions email ncep.opc.idss@noaa.gov
This email was sent to curtis.hoff@CruisersNet.net using Granicus Communications Cloud on behalf of: U.S. Coast Guard · U.S. Department of Homeland Security · Washington, DC 20528 · 800-439-1420
*** THIS DIV IS AUTOMATICALLY HIDDEN WHEN DISPLAYED – INFO FOR DEBUGGING PURPOSES *** ***MANUALLY DO: FIX TITLE, EXPIRE DATE, CATEGORIES, ENABLE SOCIAL POST *** 0: llnr: 0 District: 07 lat/lon: 38.517803333333,-79.06959 Desc: Situational Update – Hazardous Weather Outlook for the Western Atlantic – Sun Oct 18, 2026 09:00
Situational Update – Hazardous Weather Outlook for the Western Atlantic
The latest briefing for the western Atlantic is attached. This update covers the developing East Coast storm system, which is expected to reach storm-force with winds up to 50 kt, gusting to 60 kt and seas building to 25-27 ft. Impactful conditions will continue through much of the week as the low becomes trapped by strong high pressure over the Canadian Maritimes.
If there are any questions email ncep.opc.idss@noaa.gov
The next scheduled briefing will be Sunday, OCT 18, by noon EDT or 1600 UTC.
This email was sent to curtis.hoff@CruisersNet.net using Granicus Communications Cloud on behalf of: U.S. Coast Guard · U.S. Department of Homeland Security · Washington, DC 20528 · 800-439-1420
*** THIS DIV IS AUTOMATICALLY HIDDEN WHEN DISPLAYED – INFO FOR DEBUGGING PURPOSES *** ***MANUALLY DO: FIX TITLE, EXPIRE DATE, CATEGORIES, ENABLE SOCIAL POST *** 0: llnr: 0 District: 07 lat/lon: 38.517803333333,-79.06959 Desc: Situational Update – Hazardous Weather Outlook for the Western Atlantic – Sat Oct 17, 2026 14:00
You don’t often get email from darin.figurskey@noaa.gov. Learn why this is important at https://aka.ms/LearnAboutSenderIdentification ]
The latest briefing for the tropical Atlantic is attached, updated for Hurricane Isaias.
Mariners need to continue monitoring the latest forecasts and remain in an avoidance posture, or urgently execute avoidance plans now! Mariners can expect seas to 35 feet, possibly slightly above that, along the hurricane’s track.
On the forecast track, Isaias is expected to approach the U.S. northern Gulf Coast this afternoon and make landfall within the warning area this evening.
As Isaias moves farther inland, seas are expected to diminish below 12 feet Saturday.
For the latest tropical cyclone information visit: www.hurricanes.gov For the latest marine information visit: www.hurricanes.gov/marine
This email was sent to curtis.hoff@CruisersNet.net using Granicus Communications Cloud on behalf of: U.S. Coast Guard · U.S. Department of Homeland Security · Washington, DC 20528 · 800-439-1420
*** THIS DIV IS AUTOMATICALLY HIDDEN WHEN DISPLAYED – INFO FOR DEBUGGING PURPOSES *** ***MANUALLY DO: FIX TITLE, EXPIRE DATE, CATEGORIES, ENABLE SOCIAL POST *** 0: llnr: 0 District: 07 lat/lon: 38.517803333333,-79.06959 Desc: Situational Update – NWS Tropical Atlantic Marine Weather Briefing 12:45
Thanks for sharing this CoastalReview piece. The title sums up something that applies to fishing along the coast more than any gear choice: the water usually tells you what is happening if you watch it. Diving terns and pelicans, nervous bait on the surface, or a slick on an otherwise rippled area are all signs that fish are pushing bait, and noticing them a few minutes earlier than everyone else often makes the difference between a good day and an empty cooler.
For cruisers who fish from the boat while traveling the ICW, tide and current are probably the most useful things to keep an eye on. Moving water around creek mouths, inlet edges and oyster bars tends to concentrate bait, and the last couple of hours of a falling tide can be especially productive. Keeping a simple log of tide stage, water temperature and where fish were found makes those patterns much easier to repeat on the next trip through.
One thing worth adding is that paying attention also means watching the weather, especially with a storm forming in the Gulf right now. Fall fishing can be excellent ahead of a front, but conditions change quickly in open sounds and near inlets. It is worth checking forecasts and having a clear plan for when to head back before the wind builds.
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