Our thanks to Sandy Flowers at Port of Call for this information.
St. Augustine Municipal Marina’s fuel dock has re-opened. A few slips available for short rem – no power or cable.
ALL NAV AIDS IN THE INLET ARE GONE – DO NOT USE!!
This report is from “Harts at Sea” a blog by Barb and EW Hart. St. Augustine is home to Inlet Marina, A SALTY SOUTHEAST CRUISERS’ NET SPONSOR, which borders the eastern banks of the Waterway and which was extensively damaged by Matthew.
First of all…the St. Augustine community, the cruisers, the marina staff, everyone we have met during the past year, and especially our friends have been outstanding post-Hurricane Matthew. Please note that this is a time of stress for pretty much everyone in this community, whether boater and non-boater. It is heart-breaking to walk down any city street to see most of a home’s belongings piled in the yard. Cars and homes were smashed by trees; sewer water flooded stores, restaurants, and homes; and boats broke free to crash into docks, on shore gazebos, other boats, bridges, and mangroves. One marina was nearly destroyed and St. Augustine City Marina has major damage. They are not accepting reservations for at least a few weeks.
IMG_6201We are cheerful, optimistic, and helping each other. One of our favorite bars got up and running in two days, and is asking for Home Depot and Grocery Store Cards for their staff and clients who lost nearly everything. Another woman purchased cleaning and personal care products and made up 50 bags to give to those who need them. People are helping each other. Stew and I are certainly grateful every day for all the help we’ve received.
Still, some people don’t get it.
The first was a local boating lady who stood to one side and listened as I talked with David at the marina just after seeing our boat. David already knew La Luna’s location and was appropriately and sincerely concerned for us. I told him the boat was in great shape and we just had to figure out how to get her back in the water. As he walked away, the woman turned to me and said, with deep sympathy, “What kind of boat was she?” I was not in the mood. “She was and still is a Cheoy Lee designed by David Pedrick. And don’t talk about my boat in the past tense.”
Oops. Guess she struck a nerve.
The Facilities Manager of the Bayview Retirement Center where La Luna ran ashore kept making a joke about all his new boats and how he was going to put a rope around them. I was not pleased. After dropping our anchor to shore (a signal that she was being tended and not available for salvage) we learned that Florida actually has a law that prevents others from claiming your boat for salvage. (First Florida boating law I’ve liked.)
Gawkers have wandered down to the waterfront and usually joke a bit before they realize it is our home they find so droll. I pretty much handle that just fine. The St. Augustine Police Department has been amazing, first going out in a vessel the day after the storm to seek lost boats. They came to us during our first visit to La Luna, moved close enough to read her name and converse with us, and offered their condolences. They also made sure she was our boat and took our contact information. Other police officers have stopped by to check on us and the boats. Last I heard, the SA PD found 29 boats and posted their names and coordinates on Facebook so the owners could find them.
EW and I love the Coast Guard. I have two wonderful, brilliant, and accomplished nephews who have made their careers with the Coast Guard, and we have met many other members of their force in our travels. My recent favorite was the CG plane who flew over us on our way up from Panama and who contacted us. Sure, he was probably trying to determine if we were drug runners, but we had a delightful conversation.
Unfortunately, communication skills were lacking in the CG crew who showed up in a truck when EW was aboard La Luna. Like the SAPD they came within speaking distance and said, “Are you leaking oil or gas?” That was it. No, “Good morning, Captain, is this your boat?” No, “I’m very sorry to see this.” No nothing. EW answered in kind. “No, we are not, but frankly that is not my first concern.” They left.
Now that the storm is over, some folks who weren’t affected want things to get back to normal pretty darn quick. There have been Facebook rants by area venues asking the public to give them a break. Evidently, some folks are ticked that the free concerts held on St. Augustine Beach have been suspended.
Really? That’s a problem for you? The person who posted the rant suggested that everyone worried about their fun take a measuring tape out to four feet and make a mark around every room on the ground floor of their home. Now imagine all of that stuff wet with sewer water. Get over yourself.
The lovely catamaran we are now guests aboard is on the north dock which has no power so EW and I are currently onshore charging all electronic devices while I write a couple of posts. This vantage point lets us listen to David Morehead respond to the calls from folks who are anxious to start their cruising adventure and want to include the beautiful city of St. Augustine. Some of them have been rather insistent that David provide them with a mooring or slip. At least one implied that there weren’t a lot of options nearby, and David suggested he check online to see the area damaged and why there were few options.
And for those of you who love music, don’t mind the smoke, and have a place in your heart for the Trade Winds—The Oldest City’s Oldest Bar—they will rise again. When we walked past two days ago, a crew of bar staff, patrons, and friends were removing everything from the bar and dismantling the stages. Already there are Black and Decker Workmate Benches on the sidewalk where soaked plywood had been stacked. We will soon listen once again to “Those Guys”, and Joe and Rusty, and Dewy Via, in St. Augustine’s iconic bar.
Give us some time, people. Some restaurants and stores have re-opened. Enjoy those and wait patiently for others. More importantly, there are people who have lost everything or nearly everything. If you can, help them. We have lost nothing except water under the keel. Just like the Mary Ellen Carter, La Luna will sail again. In the meantime, treat those of us in St. Augustine, Flagler, and points north with a bit of sensitivity. We have maintained our sense of humor, but some things just cut a bit too close to the bone.
In closing, I will resurrect a comment the musician Fond Kiser made when we were discussing our first year in St. Augustine. He had just moved back here from Austin when Hermine joined us. I mentioned that we had arrived in time for the area’s coldest winter in years, hottest summer on record, and now a potential hit from a hurricane in an area known for being safe. “Hmm,” said Fond in his charming accent. “The city may want to take up a collection to pay to have you move out of town.” After Hurricane Matthew, they may want to consider his suggestion.
NOTE: The link above for the Mary Ellen Carter was performed by Stan Rogers, who wrote it. We learned it from Maine’s Schooner Fare and I have to share that version out of loyalty. (And because I raised a stein many, many times as I belted out “Rise Again! Rise Again! Let her name not be lost to the knowledge of men.”
Click Here To View the Eastern Florida Cruisers’ Net Marina Directory Listing For Inlet Marina HURRICANE DAMAGE AND CLOSED UNTIL FURTHER NOTICE
Click Here To Open A Chart View Window, Zoomed To the Location of Inlet Marina
Fernandina Harbor Marina is closed. No dockage, no mooring field and no fuel. Their answering machine message gives no projected re-opening date. Fernandina Harbor Marina, A SALTY SOUTHEAST CRUISERS’ NET SPONSOR, that puts you right in the heart of the many wonderful things to do and see in this special port. Many cruisers are going to be disappointed. Our thanks to Wally Moran for this alert!
From their website:
October 12, 2016 – Transient Season Questionable
October 13th, 2016
To all mariners, Fernandina Harbor Marina is closed at this time. Other plans should be made for a stopping point for your travels. Our Breakwater/Outside dock, mooring field, transient dockage, fuel sales, store sales and pump out services are closed. We do not know when the marina will be back up and in full service but will use this media to keep you up to date. We wish all our customers safe travels and hope to be ready for your next trip.
October 11, 2016 – Long Term Boaters
October 13th, 2016
Prior to Hurricane Matthew, all long term boats were moved to the basin behind the breakwater dock. The breakwater dock did what it was designed to do; it took the brunt of the force and protected the marina basin and the boats located in the basin.
The City of Fernandina Beach Maintenance staff was on site early Monday morning and to assess damages and to determine what repairs could be completed safely. At this time, the docks in the basin are functional but limited. We are able to provide dockage to our existing customers but no new vessels will be permitted.
The fuel dock is closed.
The pump out facilities are closed
There is NO space available for short term, transient or dingy dockage. Please help in spreading the word to other boaters that the boat ramp is closed and it has not been determined when it will reopen.
AGAIN, there is room for our existing customers and no new customers will be allowed until repairs are complete.
Please check back here as information will be posted as it becomes available.
October 11, 2016 – Marina Closed
October 13th, 2016
Due to damages caused by Hurricane Matthew, Fernandina Harbor Marina is closed. Future repairs efforts have yet to be determined. The City of Fernandina Beach has to coordinate any repair efforts with FEMA and insurance officials. Such coordination will likely take time so a return to service for the marina cannot be projected at this time.
Joe Springer, Dockmaster
Click Here To View the Eastern Florida Cruisers’ Net Marina Directory Listing For Fernandina Harbor Marina HURRICANE DAMAGE AND CLOSED UNTIL FURTHER NOTICE
Click Here To Open A Chart View Window, Zoomed To the Location of Fernandina Harbor Marina
This discussion comes from Kevin Wadlow on keynoter.com.
Boaters operating in Florida Bay waters of Everglades National Park must complete an online education course under a new regulation expected to take effect within months.
That pending rule prompted advisers to the Florida Keys National Marine Sanctuary to ponder whether a similar educational requirement could be adopted to help protect oceanic resources in the 2,900-square-mile sanctuary. he question returns to the volunteer sanctuary council at its next meeting, Oct. 18 in Ocean Reef on North Key Largo.
In August, Everglades National Park planner Fred Herling briefed the sanctuary council on the park’s new Florida Bay boating rules scheduled to “roll out in late 2016.” Those will require completion of a free one-hour online boat-operator course that focuses on “resource protection, safety [and] respectful boating.”
The course must be completed before boat owners can get an annual or seven-day permit to operate in park waters. Park boat permits likely will cost $50 per year or $25 for seven days, but fees may be phased in over a period of months. When enacted, fees to launch at the Flamingo ramp will be dropped.
Boat-permit proceeds, estimated at $500,000 annually, would help increase funding for on-the-water enforcement rangers, marker maintenance and marine research, Herling said.
Everglades National Park has authority to enact boat permit fees and operator-education requirements for Florida Bay waters that lie in its jurisdiction. The marine sanctuary lacks such authority.
With an updated management plan for the Keys sanctuary taking shape, now may be the time to seek a new boating-education rule, some council members suggested in August. Others expressed doubt, pointing to a complex maze of regulatory approvals needed at the state and federal level.
Advocates of boater education for sanctuary waters, largely intended to keep vessels from striking reefs or scarring shallow seagrass flats, have made their case since the national marine sanctuary’s inception in 1990. But enacting a sanctuary boating license remains little more than an uncertain concept.
The Oct. 18 agenda item, “Boater Education in the Florida Keys,” is scheduled for approximately 2:15 p.m. at the Ocean Reef Cultural Center.
“It’s essentially a continuation of the earlier discussion on the potential to seek something like Everglades National Park, whether it’s mandatory or voluntary,” Deputy Superintendent Beth Dieveney said Thursday.
Council members could ask for more specific information on the process or vote on a resolution.
The Sanctuary Advisory Council, comprising 20 appointed Keys representatives from community, business and conservation sectors, does not have rule-making authority. However, sanctuary staff generally give the council’s recommendations and guidance considerable weight.
Missing managers
Kevin Wadlow: 305-440-3206
Definitely good advice!
FWC says use caution in aftermath of Hurricane Matthew
CLICK HERE FOR THE FULL REPORT
This is one very important survey that cruisers definitely will want to take. We can only keep our fingers crossed that the right questions will be asked and that our answers, observations and suggestions will be heeded, unlike past conversations with the FWC.
FWC seeks public input on anchoring and mooring rules, pilot program
The Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC) is seeking feedback from cruising boaters, local boaters and other residents in evaluating the state’s Anchoring and Mooring Pilot Program and related ordinances.
The FWC has posted a brief online survey to accept this feedback. It should take approximately five to 10 minutes to complete and will be available to the public Oct. 1-9. Survey
Any input is greatly appreciated in evaluating and improving boating in Florida.
The Florida Legislature established the Anchoring and Mooring Pilot Program in 2009. The intent was to explore potential options for regulating the anchoring or mooring of non-live-aboard vessels outside the marked boundaries of public mooring fields throughout the state.
After public input, the FWC selected the cities of St. Augustine, St. Petersburg, Sarasota, Stuart (in conjunction with Martin County) and the cities of Key West and Marathon (in conjunction with Monroe County) as five sites for the pilot program. They were granted temporary authority to regulate mooring in their jurisdictional waters through local ordinances.
All ordinances enacted under authority of the pilot program will expire on July 1, 2017, and will be inoperative and unenforceable thereafter, unless re-enacted by the Legislature.
Participation in the survey will help determine the effectiveness of the program, developed ordinances, and a variety of concepts related to specific restrictions on anchoring of vessels which may be considered in the future.
To access the survey and for more information, go to MyFWC.com/Boating.
And this from Glen Moore on the AGLCA Forum:
The Florida anchoring issue will be with us every year. This survey is part of the planning for next year’s legislative session and more legislation limiting anchoring. More communities will be vying to be included in the anchoring bans that were granted in two south Florida counties last year.
As a life-long resident of Florida, I have watched the law-making process over many decades. It is ironic that a state legislature with the majority of its members being elected on the platform of less government continue to issue laws regulating all forms of personal choice, including where one might anchor. Sorry if this sounds political, but this is a political issue and I have attempted to craft words in a benign manner.
If any of you are Floridians, and have decided to provide input through this survey, please take your time in studying each question (and there are many, particularly if you have anchored in a pilot project area since 2011) before answering. As an example, some of the questions refer to the appropriate distance to be anchored from residences or marine structures such as boat ramps. While you might have a great opinion of how far you believe is appropriate, any answer of a distance could result in laws regulating how far you must anchor. Any distance required could be difficult to follow given how large your swing circle could be. You could anchor at the appropriate distance, the wind direction change resulting in your boat swinging into an illegal spot. In many areas, laws regulating how far one can anchor from a residence will create overlapping illegal areas that essentially bans anchoring.
Last year, I wrote my State Senator questioning the proposed, and eventually passed law for south Florida. He responded that the anchoring law was needed for safety – that people water skied in the area and boats at anchor are a safety issue. I responded that they law did not prohibit anchoring in the day time, when there were people water skiing, only at night when people did not water ski – so the proposed law had no impact on the safety of skiers. He did not respond and voted for the anchoring prohibition.
We have some tough battles ahead. Our fight in Florida is not just for reasonable anchoring laws in Florida. Legislatures tend to copy laws from other states. As anchoring laws in Florida get legislated, other states will soon follow – Georgia, South Carolina, North Carolina . . .
My recommendation on the survey is to use the comment box at the end of the survey to build your case that no additional anchoring laws/restrictions are needed in Florida.
Be aware that waterfront homeowners will also be responding to the survey.
Glen Moore
Last Dance, DeFever Passagemaker 40
Flagler Beach, FL
I think the pilot program is dead! Miami Beach did not conform, Martin County/Stuart doesn’t enforce.
Located on the Ortega River just above the Roosevelt Blvd. Bridge and just upstream of the intersection of the Ortega and St. Johns Rivers, Ortega River Marina is especially convenient to the Riverside section of Jacksonville. This report comes from our friends at America’s Great Loop Cruisers’ Association.
Ortega River Marina. Paul Howe is the dock master at 912-661-3437. We keep our PDQ there in the summer and fall and are very happy with it. ORM (it used to be Ortega Yacht Club Marina) is a smaller marina than “Landing”, with clean bathrooms and laundry, a small pool, and friendly, helpful boat owners. [expand title=”Read More”}Its rates are also very reasonable. ORM is near first-class yacht repair places, half a block away from one of the largest used book stores in the U.S. and a block away from West Marine, Publix, restaurants and other stores.
Kent and Jane Overbeck, Gold Loopers 2012-2013
Click Here To Open A Chart View Window, Zoomed To the Location of Ortega River Marina
We stopped here last March for a few days to stock up and service our boat before continuing north on our great loop journey. We had completed 2600 miles. When we got to the Fl/GA line we decided to pause our loop journey due to COVID. We called Paul Howe the dock master and asked if we could get a long term slip. We left our Albin 27FC docked for the past year. Paul took great care of us and he always provided friendly updates during my monthly calls. Highly recommend Ortega river marina. We have returned and are cleaning the boat, preparing mechanicals and will continue our loop journey north. Paul is an excellent marina manager and he lives on site. 3/20/21 Steve
Only a mile or so upstream from downtown Jacksonville, Ortega Landing is the first facility on your starboard as you enter the Ortega River from the St. Johns. This report is from our friends at America’s Great Loop Cruisers’ Association
The Ortega Landing Marina is a great spot. I have kept my boat there for the past three years and am very pleased. Modern floating concrete docks, spotless bathrooms, swimming pool, and an experienced staff make this an excellent choice. Contact the Dockmaster, Bruce, at 904-387-5538.
Howard Entman
Click Here To Open A Chart View Window, Zoomed To the Location of Ortega Landing Marina
The “Ponce” is a popular, heavily traveled inlet which intersects the Waterway at Statute Mile 839.5, with a second southerly intersection near St. M. 843. Other than the Nav Alerts currently posted on SSECN, Rick is asking for “local knowledge” for the area around the Inlet. If you are a frequent navigator of the Inlet and the ICW/Inlet intersection, let us hear from you.
Thanks for your quick reply. A few years ago we were traveling around Ponse Inlet or New Smyrna Beach where there was reported shoaling and frequent marker relocations, is this still a problem and can the area be identified?
Thanks again
Rick Scheinert
43’ Tiara “Rock On”
SSECN’s answer:
Hi Rick,
There were reports of groundings in the Ponce back in July (/157074) which resulted in our posting a Nav Alert (/158393) immediately after the initial report.
Note that these groundings are in the ICW west and south of the Inlet proper. We have not received reports of shoaling in the Ponce Inlet itself.
Click Here To Open A Chart View Window, Zoomed To the Location of Ponce de Leon Inlet
Ponce Inlet South to New Smyrna Beach is fine. Once you turn South best water is closer to the eastern shore We are local and this wasn’t as if last weekend
This release of water has to be attributed to rains from Hermine. Increased water releases from Lake Okeechobee earlier this year resulted in massive fish kills downstream of the release.
Corps of Engineers increasing Lake Okeechobee discharges
by Scott Sutton
The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers announced Thursday plans to increase the amount of water flowing from Lake Okeechobee over the next week….
CLICK HERE for the full report from WPTV, West Palm Beach
A fellow boater asks for your opinion on long term mooring in the St. Augustine harbor. The mooring field has a northern portion and a southern portion. General consensus is that the southern portion, below the Bridge of Lions, is more protected from wind and wake. Let us hear from your experience anchoring there. For more opinions, go to /112455.
I am considering mooring my 43′ pontoon houseboat here long term, but am concerned about wake from winds, boats, and the current. What are your opinions of how this would work out?
Laura
Click Here To Open A Chart View Window, Zoomed To the Location of the St. Augustine Mooring Fields
Lived on board in St A many years ago. North for the summer and south for the winter is the rule, however, neither offers good protection from north and north east wind. Gets REAL bouncy at times. I would recommend Salt Run. Cheaper too.
Charted depths in this area do not suggest good anchorage. However, if you have found suitable depths, let Jerry and SSECN hear from you. The nearest SSECN recommended anchorage in that area is ten miles south of Haulover Canal at Titusville/Mwx Brewer Bridge.
Good morning,
Would anyone know if anchorages are still available in the Haulover Canal, Florida @ Mile 869.5 in the basin just past the bridge southbound?
Best regards,
Jerry
Gerald Gerlitzki
33’ Pearson with a 4’ 2” draft.
jerry@gerlitzkidesign.com
410-546-9685
Click Here To Open A Chart View Window, Zoomed To the Location of Haulover Canal
Can’t speak to the depth, but when we came through on 9/8/16, it appeared suitable for using the new dock for an alongside tie. Other sources say that there is 10′ at the eastern end of the new dock. We saw several manatee diving in the basin, but did not see any obvious obstructions.
Bill
M/Y Travis McGee
65′ Pacific Mariner
I think I know the little area you are referring to, Jerry. My most recent pass through here was about 6mo ago. There is a tiny cove near the parking for the boat ramp south of the Allenhurst bascule. You might be risking impacting an underwater obstruction to venture into that area with too much depth. There are old broken-off posts just under the surface and tree stumps and all manner of nasty things. And if you did get in there without incident, areas like these collect anchors faster than most other places on the ICW. Stay at Titusville if you’re looking for a good anchorage: from experience, it is VERY good. That being said, you’ll see a number of boats anchored about 10-15 miles farther north (from the Haulover cut) in the Mosquito Lagoon outside some of the fishing camps. I can’t speak to the holding or the conditions there, but people are doing it, even for long-stays.
Definitely not a good day!! He should have drunk plain old Sweet Tea!
Boater admits to drinking Long Island Ice Teas before stranding 72-foot yacht on Palm Beach
WPTV Webteam
8:56 AM, Sep 7, 2016
1 min ago
Man admitted to drinking Long Island Ice Teas
PALM BEACH, Fla. – A boater, who said he had been drinking Long Island Ice Teas before the incident, was arrested Wednesday morning after an 80-foot yacht washed ashore on Palm Beach.
Thomas Henry Baker, 63, Belle Isle, Fla., a suburb of Orlando, told police he “failed to navigate his vessel into the Palm Beach Inlet and ran the vessel into the beach.”
The 72-foot yacht named “Time Out” was spotted floating at the shoreline right next to the Palm Beach Inlet.
CLICK HERE for the full report from WPTV.COM
Banana River Marina flanks the Banana River’s western banks near unlighted daybeacon #24 off the Waterway via Canaveral Barge Canal. Our thanks to Cap’n Parky for this detailed report and advice.
Banana River Marina, Florida. A Five Star Rating.
Up and down the ICW and Chesapeake Bay there are nice smaller marinas at much lower costs than average. The Banana River Marina just south of Cape Canaveral is one of them. Only $7.50 per ft per mo plus metered power. No liveaboard fees or any other hidden charges.
There are certain things to be aware of however – as always.
1) Any sailboat with a mast higher than 43 ft cannot get under the three Banana River bridges fixed at 43ft clearance. Currently the river is about 14 inches lower than normal but that also means trouble for any boat with a draft exceeding 4ft 6 ins.
2) Shallows are everywhere but markers very difficult to find. One moment you have 5ft of water and the next second you’re suddenly stuck on a 3ft shoal. Doesn’t matter if you come into the river from the south or the north, you face the same hazards.
3) I strongly recommend you come in from the north via the Cape Canaveral Barge Canal. Stop off briefly at the Harbourtown Marina and with a short bike ride go to the nearby WalMart and buy a fishing chart – which at least gives you some idea of both water depths and markers.
4) You can find the location of the Banana River Marina both on the chart and Google Earth. (Type in Banana River Marina). The approach channel to the marina is very narrow and around 5ft depth. But when you arrive at a small bridge, (which has to be opened by the Dockmaster (Tel (321) 453 7888), stay on the starboard side which is around 4ft 6ins at best.
5) Don’t want to give you the impression that this is too much risk. Just take it easy and keep a close eye on your depth finder and you’ll be fine.
Once safely docked, you will find this marina a very friendly laid back place indeed. With around 60 slips of differing widths, you will find at least 10 liveaboards here – many have been here for years. The toilets and showers are clean but not air conditioned. The laundry is good along with a fine exchange library. Soft drink machines are available but no marine store. There is an adjacent haul out crane and DIY yard with mechanics and other experts available for hire. There are picnic tables – but in the late afternoons the ‘no see ums’ will try to eat you alive. Inside the docks are around 6 huge manatees quietly grazing. Because of the enclosed nature of the marina, it is a fine local hurricane hole – bear this in mind should one be approaching as you too are approaching – you might find no room at the inn……
Within an easy bike ride is a Walmart, other stores and restaurants – though liveaboards with cars will often offer a ride. I’m told there is a free shuttle bus to and from Orlando but haven’t as yet tried it. This is a great spot to see any rocket launch from the Space Center – alas not as frequently as in the heady days of Apollo.
This is a nice peaceful old style inexpensive marina with always someone around to have a chat with or help you with some problem. My intent is to stay here at least for the winter but who knows – maybe I’ll stay around for years and feed the manatees. I could do a lot worse.
Low slip rates, friendly environment, hurricane hole – gets a Five Star Rating in my log.
Cap’n Parky
MV Pisces
Click Here To Open A Chart View Window, Zoomed To the Location of Banana River Marina
As this report by Susannah Bryan Contact Reporter at Sun Sentinel states, the anchoring ban put into effect July 1st is not working in Broward County. Go to /156265 for more on the anchoring ban.
“No Beaching, No Landing, No Launching, No Tying Up,” say the signs that went up in April.
But so far, the signs don’t seem to be working. The dozen or so live-aboard boaters anchored in the cove at North Beach Park are not only coming ashore on their dinghies, they’re using the signs as tie-up posts.
Signs at North Beach Park in Hollywood warn boaters against tying up, but they do it anyway. (City of Hollywood, courtesy)
CLICK HERE for the full report from Sun-Sentinal
We have a term for folks such as these people in the bay, “exist-aboards”. They are not legitimate boaters in any sense of the word. They are impacting our rights to use the waters freely. One must remember…..nothing in life is free, there is always a cost and these freeloaders are costing us plenty!
The sub-heading on this article is very misleading and has the potential to confuse many readers.
The linked article discusses an anchorage that is *not* covered by the regulations that went into effect on July 1. The fact that the county has chosen to start enforcing other, unrelated regulations having to do with landing tenders (not with anchoring itself, which remains perfectly legal in this particular location) is perhaps unfortunate, but is and has always been well within their legal rights. I have little sympathy for these vessels — a right to anchor does not imply a right to trespass in order to get ashore. Let’s not confuse the issues.
Let’s also remember that semi-permanently anchored vessels, with crews willing to trespass and flout other laws in order to maintain a low-cost, tax-free dwelling in an otherwise expensive area, are a big part of the state’s incentive to increase anchoring restrictions. These sorts of vessels do more to jeopardize anchoring opportunities for legitimate cruisers than almost any other factor, including even derelicts. And the presence of such vessels often means there will be no room for cruisers passing through.
Be careful what you wish for.
MARINA BUCK$ are coupons that spend just like cash money. Earn them at Old Port Cove Marinas. 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.
CLICK HERE FOR MORE INFORMATION
Click Here To Open A Chart View Window, Zoomed To the Location of Old Port Cove Marina
This report from Care2.com focuses on the large number of manatees killed in Florida by boats this year leading to what could be the worst year on record. Slow down in Manatee Zones and keep a sharp watch ahead.
Boats Are Killing Manatees in Record Numbers
Manatee advocates are raising concerns about the number of these gentle giants who have been killed in Florida this year. They hope that increased vigilance and other measures will help keep this from being the worst year on record.
The Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC) has already counted 71 manatees killed by boats as of July 22. The numbers are already higher than they were for the same period in 2009, which was the deadliest year on record with a total of 97 deaths.
The growing death toll has caused manatee advocates to worry that the unfortunate record will be broken this year, but there are differing opinions as to why.
CLICK HERE FOR THE FULL REPORT
SSECN hopes this law will never apply to you, but if your boat is frequently left unattended for any length of time, you should be aware of the new authority granted to FWC law enforcement.
Florida Fish & Wildlife Conservation Commission sent this bulletin at 07/29/2016 11:00 AM EDT
For immediate release: July 29, 2016
Photos available on the FWC’s Flickr site: https://flic.kr/s/aHsjEz2hj2
New at-risk vessel law helps FWC officials manage Florida waterways
A new Florida law, approved by the Legislature and Governor during the 2016 Session, will enable county and local authorities along with the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC) to more effectively manage the state’s waterways. The new law (F.S. 327.4107) allows law enforcement officers to issue non-criminal citations to owners who allow their boats to become “at risk” of becoming derelict.
“This law allows officers to take action before a vessel crosses that line between at-risk and derelict, and hopefully prompts the owner to rectify any issues with the vessel before it reaches a state of disrepair,” said Phil Horning, FWC’s derelict vessel program administrator. “Prior to this law being enacted, officers had to wait until a vessel met the legal criteria for a derelict vessel before beginning any sort of official interaction with the owner.”
Under the new law, a vessel is deemed to be “at-risk” if any of the following conditions is observed:
The vessel is taking on or has taken on water without an effective means to dewater.
Spaces on the vessel that are designed to be enclosed are incapable of being sealed off or remain open to the elements for extended periods of time.
The vessel has broken loose or is in danger of breaking loose from its anchor.
The vessel is left or stored aground unattended in such a state that would prevent the vessel from getting underway, is listing due to water intrusion, or is sunk or partially sunk.
If an officer observes a vessel with one or more of these criteria, a non-criminal citation may be issued that requires the owner to correct the problem or face stronger penalties after 30 days have passed. If problems are not fixed, non-compliant vessel owners can face additional fines issued every 30 days until they are.
Officials expect that this new law will decrease the number of vessels becoming derelict, a problem which continues to burden the state’s public waterways.
“Our goal is to keep Florida’s waterways safe and protect their environmental stability,” said Horning. “We are committed to protecting this valuable resource for the people of Florida and its visitors.”
Vessel owners are also reminded to sell their vessels properly.
“Many owners don’t realize that not only is the buyer required to get the vessel retitled in their name, but the seller is also required to notify the Department of Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles within 30 days that they have sold their vessel,” said Horning.
Failure to do so is a violation and may cause the prior owner of record legal troubles should the vessel become derelict at a later date. The FWC will be assisting state and local governments with derelict vessel removal grants that will be available soon. The grant funding was also approved by the Legislature and Governor during the 2016 Session. Interested applicants may contact the FWC Derelict Vessel Program office at 850-617-9540 or email DVGrant@MyFWC.com for more information.
One of the four areas tested, Leighton Park, is in the South Fork of the St. Lucie River at Mile 9.5 of the Okeechobee Waterway just south of the Palm City Bridge. Central Marine is on the north side of the the Okeechobee/St.Lucie River, east of the New Roosevelt Bridge and Loggerhead Club and Marina. This report comes from WPTV.com of West Palm Beach, FL.
Report shows extreme toxicity in four bodies of water in Martin County
WPTV Webteam
12:00 PM, Jul 15, 2016
Water samples taken in Martin County show extreme toxicity in four bodies of water.
The analysis, done by chemists at the SUNY-College of Environmental Science and Forestry in New York, found that water samples from Leighton Park, Sandsprit Park, Deck and Central contained levels of microcystins that were “extremely high, well above the levels allowed for recreational contact.”
Microcystins are toxins produced by cyanobacteria, also known as blue-green algae.
Those results are not surprising to Mary Radabaugh who manages Central Marine. That’s one of the locations where tests showed extreme toxicity.
CLICK HERE FOR THE FULL REPORT AND VIDEO
The state of emergency was put into action June 29th and has now been extended. See /158039. This report comes from WPTV, West Palm Beach.
Martin County extends local state of emergency a 3rd week due to toxic algae
WPTV Webteam
3:31 PM, Jul 12, 2016
7:35 PM, Jul 12, 2016
Martin County said it is extending a local state of emergency for a third week due to toxic algae. The decision allows the government to streamline efforts to finance projects that could remedy the algae situation.
The decision came on the same day that Gov. Rick Scott sent a letter to Florida’s congressional delegation.
CLICK HERE FOR THE FULL REPORT AND VIDEO
RELATED: More toxic water coverage | MAP: Algal blooms in Florida
Comments from Cruisers (1)
November 21, 2016… all navigation aids are back in place in the Inlet. In good conditions this remains a safe Inlet. As the local TowBoat US operator said, if you follow all the buoys, no problem. People get in trouble by short cutting buoys in poor conditions. It can be hard in poor light to see where the next one is, but if you favor the red side in, no problems in reasonable conditions.