Good reports keep pouring in for CRUISERS’ NET SPONSOR, Marineland Marina which lies south – southeast of AICW marker #87, along the Waterway’s eastern shore. New Bellingham concrete floating docks and a new support building for a very attractive facility!
November 2017
New Marina Building with Restrooms and Laundry now open to support the new floating docks!
If you are familiar with Florida law related to composting toilets, let us hear from you.
Hi, I am wondering how the pump out log requirements for some marinas in Florida (e.g. Dinner Key Marina) would apply to a composting toilet? Presently I use a Nature’s Head composting toilet, and there is only one toilet on the boat. Thanks for your help, Kevin Boothby
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Comments from Cruisers (3)
Connie McBride- November 20, 2017 - 9:02 am
We were in Dinner Key and told them we had an Air Head and there was never any question. We have been boarded by all the acronyms imaginable (USCG, FWC, Homeland Security, etc.) and they never question when we say we have an Air Head. I agree with Mike, our kids were on a boat with an Air Head in Boot Key Harbor and they had to do the once a month verification for urine, but that was it. Otherwise, FL marinas and mooring fields and officials seems to be pretty used to composting toilets.
Not quite relevant to the question but… we were stopped and boarded by the FWC for a ‘potty check’ a few years ago. They saw the Air-Head composting head and left without any issues. In Marathon where pump out is included in the fee they take our word that we have a composting head. Similar experiences elsewhere.
Follow-up… in Marathon you must get and keep a receipt showing urine has been dumped ashore in their porta-potty receptacle a minimum of once per month.
The Marker R60 to which Jim refers is just west of the St. Augustine Inlet proper. Our continued thanks to Peg and Jim Healy for sharing their observations and advice. The Healys are dating themselves and showing their sense of humor with the reference to Will Robinson.
ALERT, Will Robinson! ALERT! At St. Augustine – Experienced cruisers know that southbound approaching St. Augustine, the ICW hugs the barrier island to the east, and takes a hard STBD at floating R”60.” Well folks, EITHER R’60” has been relocated and I missed the announcement OR R”60″ is way off station. In any case, R”60″ is not where it’s always been. I don’t know if the shoal that it formerly guarded is there or not. People laugh at me for the detail of my routes. But today, I was very glad my boat knew where it was supposed to turn. R”60″ is MISSING IN ACTION.
Peg and Jim Healy aboard Sanctuary, currently at Rock Creek, Pasadena, MD http://gilwellbear.wordpress.com Monk 36 Hull #132 MMSI #367042570 AGLCA #3767 MTOA #3436
Passed here 11-3-17. Agree with report. Was giving instructions to a first time cruiser on how to pass through here and when we got there it was not how we described it. Red face. Sigh. Improbability
Experienced cruisers, Jim and Peg Healy, have been generously sharing their observations and advice as they make their way south for the winter. The photos below attest to the healy’s advice to pay attention! Thank you Jim and Peg!
PAY ATTENTION TO THE WATERWAY. Here are two interesting pictures. First, DSCN8150 shows a sunken boat IN THE CHANNEL AT FERNANDINA BEACH. Second, DSCN8155 shows what can happen when you mistake a Range Marker for a Red lateral on a falling tide. It was an interesting day. Peg and Jim Healy aboard Sanctuary, currently at Rock Creek, Pasadena, MD http://gilwellbear.wordpress.com Monk 36 Hull #132 MMSI #367042570 AGLCA #3767 MTOA #3436
The Waterway’s channel through the bend in the Amelia River described by Jim and Peg Healy has long been a source of shoaling and channel shifting. The good news is that, as this post is being written, dredging should be underway to realign this pesky channel, see this week’s Local Notice.
Sanctuary and crew departed Brunswick, GA, southbound, at 08h40 on 11/1/2017. The weather was clear, winds light and variable, seas flat, low humidity. A great welcome to Florida in November!
Fernandina Beach, FL at the South Amelia River – We transited that area at 13h30, just a few minutes off low tide. The tide station at Fernandina Beach, Amelia River, Florida reported +0.4 ft. On the route we followed, we saw one sandpile at 7.8 ft, with the majority of the area at 8.5 ft. The control depth on the route we followed is 7.8-0.4=7.4 ft at MLLW. Not bad. Screen shot attached. Our route is in black. Our actual track is the blue highlighted line. The route recommended by Bb Sherer (Bob423) is shown in lime. Screen shot “Fernandina” shows that area, attached. Peg and Jim Healy aboard Sanctuary, currently at Rock Creek, Pasadena, MD http://gilwellbear.wordpress.com Monk 36 Hull #132 MMSI #367042570 AGLCA #3767 MTOA #3436
Florida manatees on the move, public stewardship on the water makes a difference.
People who remember in November to watch out for manatees as they begin migrating to warmer waters are making a difference in the species’ survival.
Florida is home to more than 6,600 manatees. With the arrival of Manatee Awareness Month, people again are slowing down and looking out for these large aquatic mammals in waterways throughout the state.
Many seasonal manatee protection zones go into effect Nov. 15. Though some signs identifying manatee zones may have been damaged by Hurricane Irma, information on manatee zone locations is also available online. If you see damaged waterway signs, report them at MyFWC.com/Boating by clicking on “Waterway Management,” “Waterway Markers” and then “Damaged/Missing Waterway Markers.”
Earlier this year, the Florida manatee was reclassified from endangered to a threatened status, under the federal Endangered Species Act, in a decision announced by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service. While this is a notable step, there is still work to be done to ensure continued progress toward recovery of our official state marine mammal.
“People’s efforts to help Florida manatees are working. Let’s celebrate the fact that conservation actions are making a difference and manatees are no longer endangered by thanking all the individuals and organizations that contributed to this milestone,” said Carol Knox, who leads the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission’s (FWC) Imperiled Species Management Section.
“It’s important though to remain vigilant,” Knox said. “Let’s keep up the efforts that are helping with manatee recovery.”
How can people keep making a difference for manatees? Watch for these large aquatic mammals as they search for warmer waters to help them survive winter’s cold, which they generally find in freshwater springs and the outflow of power plants. Wear polarized sunglasses to spot them moving, grazing and resting in the water. Keep a lookout for the circular “footprints” they leave on the surface of the water. Slow down when boating and follow posted manatee zones. Observe manatees from a distance to limit disturbance. Report injured, entangled, orphaned or dead manatees to the FWC’s Wildlife Alert Hotline: 888-404-FWCC (3922), #FWC or *FWC on your cellphone or text Tip@MyFWC.com. Continue to support the manatee decal and license plate, and tell everyone how the decal and license plate support the FWC’s manatee conservation efforts. Want to see a manatee? Go to MyFWC.com/Manatee and click on the link in the “Where Can I See Manatees?” box.
MIAMI — State and federal responders are scheduled to begin vessel removal operations in Miami-Dade County Thursday as part of ongoing response efforts following Hurricane Irma.
Damaged vessels being removed will be stored at two newly established locations: Watson Island Marina and the Seminole Boat Ramp.
According to their answering recording, the City Marina has re-opened after being severely damaged by Hurricane Irma and is accepting transients. The marina has no fuel at this point, but the marina is staffed 24/7, has ice and the dinghy dock is open. Call ahead, 904-825-1026 to request services or make a reservation.
This is a message I got from a boater friend who went through St. Augustine several weeks ago:
Marina is open. Some docks destroyed. Some moorings not usable. I stayed there on a mooring and it was fine. They won’t rent the bad ones. Launch runs to 6 PM. I used my dinghy. There is s dinghy Dock. Vicki
A call by city officials and the local populace to further restrict the opening schedule at the Bridge of Lions has been under consideration by the USCG for most of this year. This decision not to restrict the opening schedule is good news for boaters. See Schedule Controversy from April of this year.
At the intersection of the Atlantic Intracoastal Waterway and the Okeechobee Waterway, Martin County, A SALTY SOUTHEAST CRUISERS’ NET SPONSOR, is a hub of boating activity and of events of interest to boaters.
See /166809 for warnings to navigation in the Keys.
9/26 UPDATE: Unified Command continues assessment of vessels affected by Hurricane Irma, prioritizes displaced vessel removal
MIAMI — The Emergency Support Function 10 (ESF 10) Florida, consisting of multiple state and federal agencies, is continuing efforts to assess and remove hazards in the wake of Hurricane Irma.
Coast Guard and Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission members are conducting assessments of damaged and sunken vessels in the areas most affected by Hurricane Irma. These assessments assist in providing an overarching image to the unified command of the effects of the storm, allowing for the effective placement of assets, expediting the response process.
“The response to Irma is a collaborative effort,” said Benjamin Franco, Environmental Protection Agency Incident Commander for the response. “Every member of this team, both local, state and federal, is bringing to bear all of their expertise, experience, and the assets necessary for an expeditious conclusion to this response. Our hearts go out to those citizens impacted by Hurricane Irma and we will make every effort to ensure their needs are being addressed.”
“This command has found that all sunk and derelict vessels resulting from Hurricane Irma are a threat to the environment and our mission is to remove this threat,” said Cmdr. JoAnne Hanson, Coast Guard Incident Commander for the response. “The first priority is to remove actively polluting vessels. Second to that are the vessels that aren’t actively polluting, but where a potential for pollution exists.”
The following list represents an approximate number of vessels impacted by Hurricane Irma currently being assessed by each ESF 10 Branch Hazardous Material Assessment Team as of Sept. 25, 2017. These numbers are subject to change as more owners salvage their vessels and additional vessels are discovered in the affected areas and offshore assessments are conducted.
Miami
Vessels assessed: 200; Vessels removed: 43
St. Petersburg, Florida
Vessels assessed: 182; Vessels removed: 42
Jacksonville, Florida
Vessels assessed: 134; Vessels removed: 26
Key West, Florida
Vessels assessed: 336; Vessels removed: 1
Due to the complexity and scale of operational requirements, the Unified Command for ESF 10 Florida has established a Joint Information Center. Media members are requested to call 305-985-2867 to receive the most timely and accurate information concerning the on-going response to Hurricane Irma.
The Unified Command consists of U.S. Coast Guard Cmdr. JoAnne Hanson serving as Incident Commander, Mr. Benjamin Franco, Environmental Protection Agency Incident Commander, Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission Capt. David Schaffer as State On-Scene Coordinator and Florida Department of Environmental Protection Environmental Administrator Kent Edwards as State On-Scene Coordinator. Currently, response teams are conducting assessments of the most affected areas to include the ports and waterways from Jacksonville, Florida to Miami, Key West, and around to St. Petersburg.
The ESF 10 is the framework by which federal support is coordinated with state agencies in response to actual or potential oil spills or hazardous material releases. Partner agencies, including Florida Keys National Marine Sanctuary, are contributing expertise and experience to the assessment efforts.
Don’t you wish everyone would use and respect those safety limits!
There is an app called WakeWatch that maps out all of the no wake zones in FL. It also tells what type of zone – i.e. slow speed minimum wake, no wake, speed limits, etc. with the associated time restrictions. It also has all of the bridge heights and opening schedules.
Our thanks to Thomas Dove for forwarding this Executive Order on navigation limits on the southern St. Johns River. No date given for the rescinding of this executive order.
A SALTY SOUTHEAST CRUISERS’ NET SPONSOR, Harbortown Marina lies off the southern shores of the Canaveral Barge Canal between Sykes Creek and the Banana River.
9-12-17:Greetings from Harbortown Marina Canaveral. The majority of our team is on site today and we are working diligently to get the marina put back together and customer ready. As it stands now, we plan to officially open the office and the boat yard on Wednesday at noon.
Today we are focused on replacing damaged and missing dock boards to ensure our customers and team members are safe. We will then move onto collecting debris and addressing any downed trees around the property.
In the slips we only saw one boat with substantial damage and we are reaching out to the owner personally. In the rack storage we saw some boat covers that were damaged and we will also be contacting those owners as well. All in all though, there was limited damage to the vessels.
We have power in the main building but due to the water levels, power to the slips is still off. Unfortunately, we have no running water at the marina. We are hearing this is a part of an outage affecting more than 82,000 Brevard residents.
The port is still closed as of now but we have heard it may open up this evening. The barge canal is actually port property, so it is officially closed right now as well. We are certainly hoping that the port traffic will lead to the water levels receding quicker. Once again, please continue to follow our social media pages for continual updates. We promise to provide you with updated information as it comes.
At the intersection of the Atlantic Intracoastal Waterway and the Okeechobee Waterway, Martin County, A SALTY SOUTHEAST CRUISERS’ NET SPONSOR, is a hub of boating activity and of events of interest to boaters.
Overall we did well, most power has been restored. TV & internet service still spotty. Fuel has been an issue, most facilities are coming back online. Boaters should be cautious of debris in the water both in & off shore, floating & partially submerged. Most boats did well with damage occurring mostly to a few vessels moored at exposed docks. American Custom Yachts reported yesterday that they hauled over 300 vessels and sustained NO damage
We did much better than many other areas of the state and have real concerns for the keys and west coast.
I hope this helps and will fill you in on any new details.
Our thanks to Sue Morgan for this update. A SALTY SOUTHEAST CRUISERS’ NET SPONSOR, Old Port Cove is located on the western shore of the northern Lake Worth channel, near unlighted daybeacon #7.
> Old Port Cove Marina- The marina remains evacuated. No power, phones or internet. Minor dock damage, some electric pedestal damage. Restaurant is open. > > North Palm Beach Marina-Little to no dock damage. Some minor vessel damage. The marina remains filled with local boaters who evacuated to this Hurricane safe Home. No power yet. No phones or internet. > > New Port Cove Marine Center-Hurricane stored boats were being put in the water today. There is no power, phones or internet. Can not take in any vessels yet. Marina sustained some damage to the floating docks but is easily repaired within a week or so. Several vessels anchored out in Lake Worth broke their moorings and drifted in. Boaters, do not anchor out there in a storm please! With the Lake Worth Inlet across the Intracoastal, it becomes a wash tub. There’s no where for the water to go. Other boats were sunk or were washed up on a private homeowners beach to the north. > > Sue Morgan, Marketing Director
We hope that you, your family and friends are safe following the destruction caused by the recent hurricanes.
We’re experiencing outages and are forced to close our office. Rest assured, we are committed to reopen our office as quickly as possible.
If you have any questions, please don’t hesitate to reach out to us by email. You can find our contact information on our website.
Please be patient as our internet and phone services are down. We will try to reply to you all as soon as possible.
Sincerely,
The Yacht Group Team
About The Yacht Group
The Yacht Group team of products includes Yacht Controller, Yacht Thruster, Yacht Graphx, Yacht Protector, Yacht Command and Yacht Beam. We bring the highest quality products, expertise, professionalism and support to the yachting community. This is the hallmark of our brands through “innovative technology for the marine industry”. Our marine products enhance the boating experience and improve control and safety afloat on thousands of yachts of all sizes on more than 180 brands and counting!
Fort Pierce City Marina, a SALTY SOUTHEAST CRUISERS’ NET SPONSOR, is located west of the Waterway, just south of the Fort Pierce high-rise bridge, and well north of unlighted daybeacon #188.
Hello all, Hope everyone faired well during our massive storm. The Marina fared really well. All boats stayed in their slips and the docks rose and fell with the waves. We are still without power unfortunately. The substation that reacts with the Marina is still out. As soon as they get the substation up and running we should hopefully get the docks and building up and running. I will continue to keep you posted as FPUA keeps us posted.
AS OF RIGHT NOW THE POWER IS UP!!!! WE ARE REQUESTING THAT YOU GIVE US SOME TIME TO CHECK ALL METERS AND TRANSFORMERS BEFORE PLUGGING IN YOUR BOAT. WE ARE TRYING TO MAKE EVERY EFFORT TO FINALIZE EVERYTHING.
WE WOULD APPRECIATE IT IF THE GENERAL PUBLIC WOULD STAY AWAY FROM THE MARINA UNTIL TOMORROW.[Wednesday 9/13]
TIKI BAR AND COBB’S LANDING WILL ALSO OPEN UP FOR NORMAL SERVICE BEGINNING WEDNESDAY 9/13/2017.
THANK YOU FOR ALL YOUR SUPPORT AND UNDERSTANDING.
I AM ACTUALLY LOOKING FORWARD TO GOING BACK TO WORK TOMORROW.
IF ANYONE HAS ANY QUESTIONS PLEASE FEEL FREE TO CONTACT ME VIA E-MAIL. THERE IS NO ONE IN THE OFFICE TO TAKE ANY CALLS.
Please post that we will be open for dockage and fuel beginning 6:30 tomorrow morning. [Wednesday 9/13] Anne Maurer Fort Pierce City Marina 772-464-1245 amaurer@city-ftpierce.com fortpiercecitymarina.com
Comments from Cruisers (2)
New facilities and docks are outstanding. We really enjoyed exploring Washington Oaks,Gardens State Park, about 2 miles south of the marina.
Eric and his staff are the best!