Contributing Editor, Captain Jim Healy, shares his perspective on Fernandina, FL, home to two SALTY SOUTHEAST CRUISERS’ NET SPONSORS. Thank you Jim!
Fernandina Beach, FL: City is easy walking distance right at the foot of the docks at the Fernandina Harbor Marina. Take the tour to Fort Clinch. Visit the house where the Pippi Longstocking movie was filmed. Visit Billy Burbank’s trawl net factory; they make shrimp nets; they’re open to the public for tours, and it’s a very interesting afternoon.
This story comes from reporter Anne Gettis in the Sun Sentinel.
A family of four and their dog had to bail out after their boat burst into flames on the Intracoastal Waterway Saturday evening. Fort Lauderdale Fire Rescue and police were called to the scene at Datura Court and the Intracoastal just after 7 p.m. Fire investigators were working late Saturday to determine what had caused the blaze.
Construction of Canaveral Lock began in June of 2015, see /149146. Local boaters will especially pleased that the work is now completed, see /156537 and /156009. Canaveral Barge Canal, with a single 600X90ft lock, crosses Cape Canaveral and Merritt Island and intersects the Waterway at statute mile 894. Our thanks to Officer Skolte for this update.
Canaveral Lock returns to normal operating hours 6 a.m. – 9:30 p.m. daily
Canaveral Lock guidewall construction is complete; Canaveral lock is back to normal operating hours, 6 a.m. – 9:30 p.m. daily. Thanks for your patience during the construction period. Please share this information on social media on the Jacksonville District, U.S. Army Corps of Engineers Facebook page https://www.facebook.com/JacksonvilleDistrict/ and retweet @JaxStrong.
Thanks as always for helping us to get the word out to the public! Erica Erica Skolte Public Affairs Specialist Corporate Communications Office U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, Jacksonville District South Florida Restoration Office, West Palm Beach
Thanks to Bill Schreiber for this bridge removal information. Stay tuned for details of necessary closures related to the demolition of the old bridge and construction of the new.
Not sure if you know. The Daytona Memorial Bridge (SM 830.6), the southern most bridge in Daytona, has just started a total replacement. Work started on June 6th and will take approximately three years. The bridge will be totally removed and a new high rise (65 ft vertical) bridge will replace same. The bascule lifts are currently in the fully up position and will remain so until removal of same; hence there is no current restriction, other than slow speed, on navigation in the immediate area. Work barges are on scene and will remain until near total replacement is finished. Eventually, some vessel traffic restrictions will be in place for bascule removal and for demolition of the old span but time frame is unknown at current time. I will, if you wish, send further info as it becomes available. USCG station Ponce Inlet would be a good source for information. Respectfully, Capt. Bill Schreiber USCG Merchant Marine Masters License
This report comes to us from good friend and avid cruiser, David Burnham, whose home port is Gulfport on Boca Ciega Bay, Gulf Coast. Renegades on the Water is on the eastern shore just south of Fruitland Cove between Little Lake George and Lake George of the St. Johns River.
We cruised our 28′ Catalina sailboat (3’9″ wing keel) down to Renegades Marina and RV park this past weekend. Because Renegades has 4 transient slips next to their GAS and DIESEL dock it should probably be added to the list of St Johns River Marinas. These slips appear to have 4-5′ of water depth although we did not get to sound all of them, only the one we used next to the fuel pier. WE DID run aground on the shallows west of Renegades while approaching the fuel dock but backed off and came in again just a little to the south between the two charted shallow areas you encounter when coming in to Renegades from the north. Our chart plotter showed 6′ (or less) where we touched the bottom so we added a 3’9″ sounding to our Navionics Android GPS chart… We ran aground AGAIN as we left Renegades the next afternoon, while following our inbound track on the chart plotter (no, NOT the SAME spot). The best approach to Renegades if you draw more than 3′ is to go south to the green navigational mark just past Renegades, then turn East and approach from the southwest to stay south of the shallow areas that are to the West of Renegades… Great Tiki Bar and really good food and drinks… http://renegadesontheriver.com/db/
JIB Yacht Club is really more of a marina than a club and it flanks the eastern shores of the Waterway, immediately north of Jupiter Inlet.
JIB Yacht Club is a convenient marina to the Jupiter Inlet. Very tight inside the marina. Marina has very helpful staff. However, there is no laundry, no cable TV, no Wi-Fi and the showers/restrooms are in need of upgrades and cleaning. Diesel and gas fuel is available. Pool is very busy on weekends from locals. Joanne Kindlund
Local and onsite , near by Big Diesel Marine 772 215 7663
BURKEY MARINE GROUP MOBILE MARINE DIESEL WEST PALM BEACH 11/26/2014 5 Comments
Burkey Marine Group 772-215-7663 West Palm Beach
PLEASE CONTACT US TODAY FOR ESTIMATES ON THE FOLLOWING Performance checks and sea trials Engine surveys and trouble shooting Boreascope and internal engine analysis Electronic Diagnostics Tests Oil and Fuel sample analysis Preventative Maintenance Packages and servicing Marine gear service Engine and Generator rebuilds Re-power / New installations Engine Alignment Servicing most major brand including Caterpillar, MAN, MTU, Cummings, Detroit Diesel, MTU, John Deere, Twin Disk, ZF, Allison, Northern Lights, Kohler, Westerbeke, Onan and Lugger COORDINATED DIESEL AND ELECTRICAL DEPARTMENTS CAN HANDLE ALL YOUR DIESEL MACHINERY NEEDS
This article by Saul Saenz, Volusia County Reporter on News 13 reports shoaling in Ponce de Leon Inlet. 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.
Boaters fear growing sandbars in Volusia’s waterways PONCE INLET — Dangerous sandbars are growing along the Intracoastal Waterway in Volusia County, and boaters want officials to do something before watercraft lovers hit the area for Memorial Day weekend.
Sandbars around the Intracoastal Waterway and Ponce Inlet are growing past shoaling markers Volusia County and Army Corp of Engineers aware of problem Ponce Inlet Port Authority hopes to move shoaling markers before Memorial Day weekend
This article and video by Todd Tongen comes from Local ABC News 10 of Hollywood, FL.
Hollywood condo owners blame live-aboard boaters for dirty waterway Residents near North Beach Park say boaters dump sewage into Intracoastal
By Todd Tongen – Anchor/Reporter , Samantha Bryant – Intern Posted: 6:19 PM, May 13, 2016
HOLLYWOOD, Fla. – Hollywood condominium owners are blaming live-aboard boaters for a dirty Intracoastal Waterway behind their complex. Residents of The Moorings condominiums near North Beach Park in Hollywood told Local 10 News reporter Todd Tongen that the live-aboard boaters are nothing more than squatters on the water. Marybeth Cullinan, a Moorings homeowner association member, reported seeing raw sewage dumped in the waterway.
The vast majority of waterway contamination is not due to boaters but to surface runoff through storm drains. Intact feces could not make it through the choker valve on marine heads. They would most likely be dog dropping washed into storm drains. Similarly cigarette butts , styrofoam cups,paper and other trash are from irresponsible land dwellers, not boaters.
Reports of shoaling south of Fernandina Beach have been coming in for several years and prompted a USCG Hazard Warning in May of 2014 (/?p=140702). Our thanks to cruising writer Robert Sherer, New Intracoastal Waterway Cruising Guide, for sending this survey and waypoints to guide you through the shoals.
Fernandina Shallows with two GPX routes for 9 to 10 MLW
The shallows south of Beach have been a bane on cruisers schedules for years and yet there are two deep water paths through the hazard. The problems are the two unmarked shoals: one in the middle of the apparent route as you turn south around G1 and another one on the east bank just south of G1. The third shoal just north of G3 now has a red buoy to mark its location. If buoys were placed to direct boaters away from the shoals, then there would be no issues having a 10 MLW passage through the area. After a dozen passages through the area, I mapped out a green side route for 9 MLW that many have used successfully. Last fall the Coast Guard asked Taylor Engineering of Jacksonville, FL to do a survey of the area and recommend a new route so the appropriate buoys could be relocated to provide safe passage. I was given a copy from Bill Aley of Taylor Engineering along with waypoints. This fall I used those waypoints to verify a 10 MLW route. So now we have an embarrassment of riches, two paths through the shallows, each one with 9 to 10 MLW. The Taylor Engineering Survey is shown below: Contrast that chart with a NOAA ENC chart below showing both the survey route (dotted line) and the green side route I posted earlier shown in blue which I’ve taken many times for 9 MLW.
Note the differences in the two routes as you round G1. The survey route (dotted line) would seem to take you into the shallows if you believed your chart but it doesn’t, the chart is wrong (shifted). Just look at the Taylor Engineering chart with their route plotted on a satellite view. At some point the buoys will be moved to direct boaters through the dotted line route. I have two GPX files available, one with the green side route and one with the survey route (dotted line). With either the Fernandina shallow passage should no longer be a problem although it does appear that the survey route has more leeway in route width, besides we will be following that route at some point in the future anyway when the Coast Guard marks the new route with buoys. The GPX files (standard disclaimer, user assumes all responsibility): – For the Taylor Engineering Survey: tinyurl.com/gvmwrmd – For the Green side passage posted earlier in the year: tinyurl.com/hnvfjo2
5/20/16 Bob received this reply today from Bill Aley of Taylor Engineering:
Bob, Thanks so much for the information and the route verification. We’re still working with the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers and the Coast Guard to get the buoys moved, and to do some minor maintenance dredging to get a nice clean channel through the area. I hope for all of this to be done by this fall. The information that you provided will be very helpful in my ongoing coordination with the Army Corps and the Coast Guard. Much Appreciated, Bill Aley Professional Geologist Taylor Engineering www.taylorengineering.com
Charlie and Jackie continue their reports with as visit to St. Augustine City Marina which overlooks the western shoreline of the Waterway, just south of the Bridge of Lions.
5-8-16 Now at St Augustine Municipal Marina. At MM777. We like it here since it’s in the middle of everything. Had AC problems here but called Dometic and they recommended Hansen Marine. Chris came out the very next day- even tho they VERY slammed– and not only fixed but also cleared 2 other problems. Charge was VERY reasonable and on top of the Chris is a pretty nice guy. Use him if need AC work there. Ate at AIA like everyone else but in the bar and was great!! A walk around is necessary in the town. Careful docking!!! Listen to dock hands. Current can exceed 5kts!! Showers are very clean and laundry is largest I’ve seen. Money change machine! Charlie and Jackie on Traveler.
The log of Traveler takes us to 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.
5-7-16 Now at Fernandina Harbor Marina. On inside of breakwater (face dock) where anyone would want to be unless too big. Joshua, dock hand, very good—LISTEN to him as the current can be interesting– especially at fuel dock. Saw a nice crash between 2 60+’ boats even after the negligent one was warned off. But again, one of my top 5 places to stop. If u have bicycles, then in for a treat. So many things to see and do here. Fresh seafood store right on the docks and the restaurant there is great!!! Marg’s even better than Coastal Kitchen at St Simons! One of the busiest marinas we’ve seen– in a nice way. Lot of foot traffic on the docks and the historic town is right across the railroad tracks for anything– especially lot of wonderful places to eat– or ice cream!! Only concern was that we came in fairly close to low and the south end of the breakwater- where you have to enter- is very shallow. Stay very close to the south end of the breakwater. Wifi not good at all but we were warned about that. Charlie and Jackie on Traveler.
Cocoa Village Marina occupies the mainland side of the Waterway, just north of the Cocoa bridge and only a few quick steps from the downtown Cocoa business district!
Great place, friendly, well designed and maintained. Staff are very helpful, and we found electrical repair services right away. Wi-fi is awesome. Rick Cass
Lighthouse Point Yacht Club lies south of Waterway marker #68 on the large canal making into the western shores of the Waterway and well south of the Boca Raton Inlet.
Wonderful marina – good location that is right off the ICW in Lighthouse Point, Florida. Transit boaters are welcome at the Restaurant and it is open for lunch and dinner – check current schedule for day & hours of operation. Zack Rice, their Marina and Harbor Manager is very friendly and can accommodate most requests. Lovely pool area, super wi-fi connection and very calm inside the marina basin. Joanne Kindlund
This tax supported dredging to accommodate the yachts of the wealthiest of the wealthy clearly shows to whom Florida politicians bow. You will pay for the project, but will it aid you in any way?
FLORIDA – AICW – WEST PALM BEACH TO MIAMI – FORT LAUDERDALE: Intracoastal Waterway Deepening Project The Florida Inland Navigation District (FIND) is sponsoring a project to deepen the AICW channel to -15 ft MLW in a ±2-mile section from 17th Street Causeway to just north of the Las Olas Bridge. Material from the AICW channel will be mechanically dredged by Cashman Dredging, Inc. and placed into a barge. The material will be dewatered and temporarily placed at a Dredged Material Management Area (DMMA) located at Port Everglades. Dredging will begin the first week of May 2016, and is expected to continue for about 50 weeks. The Dredge CAPTAIN A.J. FOURNIER will work daylight hours only. During the project, every reasonable effort will be made to accommodate normal, safe navigation operations. However, mariners should be aware that clearances within the AICW will be reduced and navigability will be limited during dredge operations. Mariners are urged to subscribe to daily email updates at IWWDredgePosition@jaycashman.com for operation reports and potential impacts to navigation, or call Stephen Tobin (877) 294-9990 or (888) 280-9630 for general questions concerning the project.
Share:
Comments from Cruisers (8)
Gene Fuller- May 20, 2016 - 3:15 pm
I think Larry and others are largely missing the point. This project has almost nothing to do with navigating the ICW or special privileges for megayachts. After all, it is only a couple of miles in length. The real reason for the project is for economic support of local businesses. Not a whole lot different than a new highway to support a large factory or deepening a harbor to support commercial shipping.
The CONTROLLING depth of the ICW is 12′. I think Larry is reacting as I did to the 15’depth of the project using taxpayer money in a section of the ICW that has few reported shoaling problems from cruisers. It is clearly for the benefit of the megayachts who visit the port. It is about 20:1 from my experience on Foreign vs. USA registration…. and there are numerous spots on the FL ICW that don’t even carry 6 ft. without tidal help where the money could have been better spent. I’d suggest that if FT LAUDERDALE wants to deepen it’s waters…they should fund it from their tax base… or impose fees on marinas catering to those depths…. and let the taxpayers deal with NORMAL maintenance of the ICW which should be funded by users through fuel and use taxes… not the general public.
Considering that most of the mega yachts that will need these additional depths in this area are mostly foreign flagged vessels that avoid taxes in the U.S.
Whereas US tax payers and local boaters cannot find affordable dockage and other marine services, these funds are being spent purely for the wealthy.
I think Larry is dead on. How many recreational boaters are needing or clamoring for 15′ depths?! Re-work Matanzas Inlet, Jupiter Inlet or one of the many ICW shoal areas.
I, too, find the tone odd… The dredging project is to accommodate deep draft vessels, which spans many economic ranges, both private and commercial. And the positive about this 1% you mention, is that they spend a lot of money, as their vessels, guests, and crew require a range of services ranging from high end boutiques and restaurants to neighborhood hardware stores and fast food restaurants to mechanics and professional services. That’s a lot of employment creating more taxpayers and more spending. Circle of economic life.
I find the titling of this article odd. Larry seems to be adopting the non-boat owners’ view that all boaters are wealthy and that improvements to the nation’s waterways is “welfare for the rich.” Certainly that characterization is wrong. What I suspect Larry meant is that the money for this deepening project could be better spent elsewhere to the benefit of cruisers who rely on the ICW. A fair point, but to describe the project as is done in the title gives the wrong impression and is a disservice to the very idea that the waterways are for all boaters, not just the rich. Bill Marett
Good reports keep pouring in for SALTY SOUTHEAST CRUISERS’ NET SPONSOR, Marineland Marina which lies south – southeast of AICW marker #87, along the Waterway’s eastern shore. Still Clueless is definitely not clueless about Marineland Marina!
Had a wonderful stay here, once again! Eric and his staff are awesome 🙂 They go out of their way to ensure you, and your boat are comfortable! Super clean marina, and waters thanks to their efforts. Thanks again for a nice stay 🙂 Still Clueless
If you are a boater or resident in the area and are familiar with the history of the Port Canaveral Lock system, maybe you could address Travis’ questions. I think we would all like to hear from you.
From the Atlantic, Canaveral Barge Canal, with a single 600X90ft lock, crosses Cape Canaveral and Merritt Island and intersects the Waterway at statute mile 894. The lock has been closed Monday – Friday from 7AM to 5PM since June of 2015. See /149146.
I would like to know how we could get the locks open to assist the lagoon as well, and what is the reasoning behind the lock system? Travis Zimmer
As I understand it, the purpose of the Port Canaveral lock is to isolate the port from the Lagoon to avoid strong tidal flow through the port and the attendant shoaling and difficulties for large ship maneuvering that come with strong currents. The lack of strong current on the ebb tide in the entrance channel does make the Port one of the safest entrances on the east coast in rough weather (no “stacking” of waves at the entrance).
Opening the locks to improve tidal flushing of the lagoon has been considered and has been modeled by coastal engineers, but would probably compromise the port operations and maintenance.
Located south-southeast of AICW marker #27, Titusville Municipal Marina is one of the best medium-sized municipal marinas on the Eastern Florida coastline. And now, as praised below by Robert Sherer, has a super WiFi system. It is also only a short driving distance from Dixie Cross Roads Seafood Restaurant, one of the best in the south!
This marina had WiFi professionally installed and I no longer need a WiFi amp. I can stream Netflix with no stuttering. Tested speed runs between 6 and 10 Mbps. This is the only marina I’ve been in along the ICW that I can stream Netfix in the evening. The staff is friendly and competent, the docks are super sturdy, laundry is only $1/load, there’s a nearby dog park and downtown is a short walk away. At $1.44/ft (fourth day free) or $10/month, it’s a great value. Robert Sherer
Be the first to comment!