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.
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.
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.
Longtime cruiser and SSECN Contributing Editor, Captain Jim Healy, shares his knowledge and experience in these observations on this portion of the Atlantic Intracoastal Waterway. Thank you Jim!
The entire region from Charleston to St. Augustine has high tidal ranges, ranging from 5′ at St. Augustine to as much as 9′ in Savannah/Beaufort/Charleston. Those high tidal ranges create swift tidal currents, and especially for first-times, docking is easiest in the 1/2 hour before and after slack.
There are many areas of shallow water in the region. The very best resource for current data on low water and caution areas is available via www.activecaptain.com. Two other websites that all ICW travelers should know about are www.waterwayguide.com and www.cruisersnet.net. I’m sure you are familiar with the Waterway Guide book series. The “Salty Southeast Cruiser’s Net” (SSECN) is really a boating group. It was founded by Claiborne Young. After Claiborne’s untimely loss, the group continued in operation. The Cruiser’s Net website specializes on the US Southeast. There is some duplication of material between the WWG site and the SSECN site, but there is unique value to both. Both are excellent resources for fuel prices, marinas and anchorages. These websites would make a good sidebar for any ICW article. Two of these websites require registration – SSECN does not – and all three are free, and all are very useful to ICW boaters. Both WWG and SSECN also have smart phone apps that duplicate and augment website information and are very useful on small-format devices.
There are some generalizations that apply to the region, including the stretch from Georgetown, SC all the way south to below Fernandina Beach. In some of those areas, boats drawing more than 4′ will want to consider not traveling at low tide; especially celestial low tides. The Army Corp of Engineers (USACE) is responsible for dredging the ICW. USACE is funded by state congressional delegations. In recent years, the money congress allocates to dredging has been diverted to “more pressing needs,” and so many areas of the ICW are shoaling, and in fact, the ICW resource is slowly being lost; well, allowed to die, really, by congress. There is a not-for-profit called the Atlantic Intracoastal Waterway Association. The Executive Director is Brad Pickel; bpickel@seahavenconsulting.com. That would make another sidebar for any article on the ICW. There are some local knowledge bypasses around some shoal areas. All of the cruising sites above can provide additional detail.
Renting a car in any of these venues greatly expands what a boating visitor can see and do. Some, but not all, marinas have courtesy cars. Generally they can’t be used for long periods, but they are useful for re-provisioning when needed.
Hope this helps.
Jim
Peg and Jim Healy aboard Sanctuary, currently at Ft. Myers, FL
Contributing Editor, Captain Jim Healy, shares his perspective on St. Augustine, FL, home to three SALTY SOUTHEAST CRUISERS’ NET SPONSORS and on Titusville, FL. Our thanks to Jim Healy for sharing his observations!
St. Augustine, FL: The St. Augustine light house is open to the public; the Catholic Cathedral Basilica would be of architectural interest to all; the Fort itself (Castillo de San Marcos) is wonderful, and the docents that do the historical interpretation are excellent. There are many restaurants within walking distance of the St. Augustine City Marina. We like the a1a Ale House.
Titusville, FL: Not really remarkable as a destination in itself, but the Titusville City Marina is an excellent place for boaters to stay in order to visit NASA at Cape Canaveral; the public areas and displays at Canaveral are excellent. It’s also a great place to watch a launch, if one is scheduled.
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.
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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
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