The new Brightline rail service, begun in 2017, see https://cruisersnet.net/168686, has been a bone of contention and debate for boaters well before the service began due the increased number of RR bridge closings over major eastern Florida waterways.
Banana River Marina, off the Waterway via Canaveral Barge Canal, flanks the Banana River’s western banks near unlighted daybeacon #24 . Our thanks to Cap’n Parky for this news.
You might like to advise boaters:
Banana River Marina (just south of Cape Canaveral) has been acquired by one of these Developer / Building Contractor outfits. The new owner intends building houses and possibly also sell such buyers a boat slip. Thus we lose one of the lowest priced marinas on the ICW – $7.50 per ft per month. All boats (above 100) have been told to leave by the end of July.
Mind you the Banana River has problems for many boats.
The three bridges on the river have only 43 ft clearance – much too low for many sailing boats.
The river is full of unmarked shallows – less than 4ft. Any boat with a higher draft – or have their propellers below the keel – should go very slow with maximum caution . The channel markers also are very poor and depth of the channel is at best around 5 to 6ft. Bluewater ocean sailors with 6ft or more keels should not even try it.
I’m one of those leaving soon – bound for Savannah. Evading – I hope – hurricanes 😊
Best wishes,
Arnold Parkinson
Click Here To Open A Chart View Window, Zoomed To the Location of Banana River Marina
It will be interesting to see how many boats the new owners of the marina will end up with (as in abandoned) and have to pay to have removed at great expense. I’d guess that more than 75% of the boats in that marina haven’t moved in the 16 years I’ve been familiar with the marina (and former boat yard).
This week a reader, Jim Tracey, brought up an interesting topic of discussion: is the upstream portion of the St. Johns River, which flows south to north, properly called Lower St. Johns, due to its southern location or Upper St. Johns, due to being upstream of the mouth in northern Florida?
If you have cruised or are planning to cruise the St. Johns, and especially if you are a Floridian, we would invite you to weigh in on this “north versus south” topic. Keep it civil please!
CLICK HERE FOR:
Cruising the Upper St. Johns River – Palatka to Sanford (Lake Monroe) by Claiborne Young, February, 2013
Lower St Johns typically means that area north of the fixed bridge at Palatka which restricts most sailboats. Upper St Johns is the segment from Palatka south to the head of navigation just east of Sanford.
I believe upriver and down river should only be used. Less confusing. The Shands bridge at Green Cove Spring has 45′ clearance while the Memorial bridge at Palaka has 65′ clearance.
Excellent suggestion. How completely understandable. Thanks Sean.
Recent news of new public floating dockage at Hugh Taylor Birch State Park opposite Sunrise Bay (see https://cruisersnet.net/173090) raises the question as to why this attractive water expanse is not a listed anchorage. If you have anchored in Sunrise Bay and can address the pros and cons, please let us hear from you.
Yes, you may anchor at Sunrise Bay but be aware of the impact of wakes from the ICW. You will experience less wake impact the further away you are anchored from the ICW.
Other anchorages in the area are Lake Sylvia in Fort Lauderdale, Lake Santa Barbara in Pompano Beach and Boca Lake in Boca Raton. As locals, we have used them all.
Would this be a viable location for a liveaboard or only for an over night?
If not viable could you recommend somewhere nearby with free Anchorage?
Thank you in advance for any help
Jason
Our thanks to Phillip Decker for this article on new public dockage in Fort Lauderdale.
Hi, I ran across this story today about a new floating dock that has just been completed at Birch State Park, in Fort Lauderdale. Birch State Park has lots of room to walk your dog, take advantage of recreational activities, and even enjoy the ocean beach. The dock is directly across from Sunrise Bay, immediately north of the Sunrise Blvd. Bridge. Great anchorage, never crowded. The park has a $2 per person fee, but the office is at the other end of the park from the dock.
Phillip Decker
Hugh Taylor Birch State Park Opens Public Floating Boat Dock And Pavilion by Holly Gambrell in Fort Lauderdale Daily
Captain A.J. Hammer has given Cruisers’ Net permission to share excerpts from his blog, Adventures of OLOH. In these logs you will find beautiful photographs of and comments on the sights and scenes along the waters plied by the M/Y OLOH.
FROM: The Captain –
Conditions_ Sun and clouds.
Winds from the southeast 10-15 mph. Seas 2-3 feet.
Distance traveled_ 56 nautical miles
Time underway_ 7 hours 33 minutes
Key Largo to Fort Lauderdale, April 28, 2018
Old Port Cove Marina, A CRUISERS’ NET SPONSOR, is located on the western shore of the northern Lake Worth channel, near unlighted daybeacon #7. North Palm Beach Marina is found on the southwestern banks of the Waterway south of the North Palm Beach/Parker Bridge.
Click Here To Open A Chart View Window, Zoomed To the Location of Old Port Cove Marina
Click Here To Open A Chart View Window, Zoomed To the Location of North Palm Beach Marina
With the release of the 2017 Boating Accident Statistical Report, the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC) encourages boaters to focus on simple, effective steps that make boating safer.
2017 boating accident statistics provide an opportunity for boating safety reminders
Jeff has been acting on an older Cruisers’ Net posting re compressed natural gas. If you can direct Jeff to a source for CNG , let us hear from you!
Unfortunately, it seems this is a dead end. I have called the number above and getting no answer and a voicemail box that is full. I feel like I’m the only one that has CNG on my boat. No one seems to know where or how to get these refilled. If anyone has any updated information about this, please let me know.. Thanks Jeff Sawyer
Additionall, here is a map of fueling stations throughout the state of FL…
Attached is a map of fueling centers for CNG in Broward County…
Our thanks to Norman Mason for this survey of available sources of diesel fuel on the St. Johns River upstream of Jacksonville, FL.
There is no diesel fuel available south [upstream] of Doctor’s Lake Marina on the St. John’s River, including at Monroe Bay Marina in Sanford. Waterway Guide’s 2018 Southern edition shows it available at several places.
Trout Creek Marina near Palatka is accessible if you can get under a 17 foot fixed bridge. This is the listed height on the NOAA chart, however some resources say the clearance is 14 feet. This marina told us their credit card machine was not working and they would only accept cash.
We did not check with Mandarin Holiday Marina, but it is just across the river from Doctor’s Lake.
Georgetown Marina, at the north end of Lake George, told us their diesel system was destroyed by the hurricane. Not sure which one, but no indication it would change.
St. John’s Marina South, north of Hontoon Island, told us their diesel pump was not working, with no indication it was going to be fixed anytime soon.
Sanford Boat Works, which is south of Sanford, may have it available, but there was no answer when trying to contact them on a Saturday. Access to this facility is questionable for deeper draft cruising boats, according to several we talked to.
Anyone cruising the St. John’s should know this, and be sure to fill at Doctor’s Lake Marina, before heading farther south.
Norman Mason
Peggy Sue, Monk 36
California, MD
Click Here To Open A Chart View Window, Zoomed To the Location of Doctors Lake
If anyone is planning on going south on the St.John’s river as far as Sanford and will require diesel to return, you can call the Monroe Harbour Marina in Sanford (407) 322-2910 in advance, they will call for a fuel truck to be there at their fuel dock. I was on a 57′ Hatteras last week that filled up for a trip to Panama City. The marina called Gentry’s fuel in Deland the day before and we met the truck at the fuel dock at 9:30 in the morning. Several years ago I was buying diesel from Sanford Boat Works at the east end of Lake Monroe in Sanford, and also at the Georgetown Marina at the north end of Lake George, but I don’t know if either of them is still selling diesel. Also, Pier 44 in Deland used to have diesel but I never bought any from them. It might be worth a phone call if you really would like to cruise the southern part of the St. John’s as you’ll find that from Palatka south is the prettiest part of the river.
Cruisers Net shows that Sanford Boat Works is still reporting diesel fuel prices as of April 2018. Vessels going up river may want to call them for latest availability.
Renegades, an upscale RV campground and marina is said to have diesel. Renegades is located on the east side if the river south of Welaka and north of Georgetown near Fruitland.
Click for Chartview
San Pablo/Atlantic Boulevard Bridge crosses the Waterway at Statute Mile 744.5. Having seen the currents here for myself, I can tell you that Captain Ising isn’t kidding nor relaying inaccurate data. The water movement can be fierce!
In recognition of that fact, we are establishing an SSECN Navigation Alert for these waters!
We just passed through on 16 Sep 2012 at what was likely max ebb and barely made 1.0 kts SOG. Our boat under full power will do about 6.2 kts, so I estimate the current can get as high as 5+ kts. It was scary with boats ahead and astern wondering if we were going to make it.
Duane Ising
In all of Jacksonville that bridge has the strongest current first only to the Main Street bridge on the Saint Johns river In downtown Jacksonville. The travel under this bridge must scrutinized according to the tides as it is a truly powerful funneling of water through a narrow gap. Water flow can exceed 6 knots.
Dave Bennett
My boat is at Harbortown Marina right there at Atlantic Blvd and the ICW, and yea, I can’t go anywhere when she’s running strong. The current is just as dangerous two miles north where the ICW crosses the St.John’s River, stay well away from the jetty and watch your sideways set action.
Keith Blankenship s/v Renasci
We came through this bridge about the 13th of Nov. 2012 and it was horrible !! Outgoing tide and we had all we could do get through ‘“ my guess is that we were doing no more than 1 ‘“ 1.5 knts; plus the turbulence approaching and under the bridge was like a washing machine. This is an extremely dangerous situation and most expecially when you some idiot approching from the opposite direction with the current, can obviously see that you are having a major control problem and continues to enter the bridge.
Pat Kenefick
If you go to the http://www.deepzoom.com website you can easily see that the Atlantic Avenue Bridge has the strongest daily currents on the entire US East Coast. Use caution and timing and enjoy the push, but wait out the adverse current if you cannot maintain over 7 kts…:D
I sent an email to Deep Zoom to ask if they no longer support the AICW…hmmm
Palm Bay is a city on the Indian River in Brevard County, Florida, between Melbourne and Malabar.
Florida Inland Navigation District to deepen Intracoastal Waterway through Palm Bay from Florida Today
Click Here To Open A Chart View Window Zoomed To the Location of Palm Bay
Enjoy this story from Southern Boating Magazine.
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We think you will appreciate the new comments from Dan, Glenn and Bill on Jim Healy’s article on wake originally posted by Claiborne in 2011.
Jim Healy
The very informative message below is copied from the Trawlers and Trawlering Mail List. This free list is an excellent adjunct to Cruisers’ Net, and we highly recommend it. Thanks to Captain Jim Healy for giving one of the best and most thorough descriptions of restrictive speed zones I have ever seen!
Florida does by far the best job of identifying speed zones as any other US State. By far. (Canada is best of all, but I digress.) Florida Law defines three categories of marine speed limits: 1) “Idle Speed, No Wake,” 2) “Slow Speed, Minimum Wake” and 3) “Normal, Safe Operation.” There are several variations of “Slow Speed, Minimum Wake:” everything from 25MPH nights, 30MPH days, to date restrictions, etc. Many, many “Slow Speed, Minimum Wake” signs have small print that says “channel exempted” or “channel included.” Or, within 300 feet of the west (or) east shore.” Or, “within 300 feet of the bridge.” Or, effective dates. Take a pair of binoculars and make sure you read the small print. That small print can save you travel hours and personal anxiety.
In almost all Manatee areas (narrow channels with shallow waters where the animals are likely to be in the deeper channel areas), you will see long stretches of “Slow Speed, Minimum Wake.” One that’s about 6 miles long runs from below New Smyrna Beach to Mosquite Lagoon. The good news is, there are actually relatively few “Idle Speed, No Wake” zones, and Florida in general does not abuse them. Remember, the best way to get compliance is when people
generally agree that the rules are “right.” If people comply because it’s the right thing to do, enforcement is not required. So, “Idle Speed, No Wake” zones
in Florida are generally short, and virtually always surround narrow bridges and boat ramp launch areas.
Florida State Law defines “Slow Speed, Minimum Wake” as “fully settled in the water,” not making a wake that would cause harm to other nearby boaters, and minimum wake. For trawlers that travel at hull speeds of 7.5 kts, “Slow Speed, Minimum Wake” is essentially not much different from your normal speed. All I do is back off 200-250 rpm or so to make sure my wake doesn’t break at the crests. That’s where I’m fully compliant with the law.
NOTE: This set of distinctions is NOT well understood, even by other boaters, so from time to time, people will yell at you. I always wave back in friendship.
One such area is the bascule bridge tender at the Haulover Canal. Another is the area of Peck Lake, just above Hobe Sound (Jupiter Island). And yet another is at the Royal Palm bridge in Palm Beach County. They’ll yell at you that you’re in a “No Wake” zone. Not true; the zones are clearly marked “Slow Speed, Minimum Wake.” When you remind them of that (high power, channel 13 or 16, so the whole world hears), they go quiet, or mumble and mutter. But, these areas are heavily patrolled, especially on weekends, and none of the police agencies (FWC, sheriff, metro) will quibble with you. In fact, they often operate (non emergency mode) with wakes larger than your own. We’ve never been stopped, and we always wave and get friendly waves back. Good judgement is important, too, since some min wake areas are more sensitive than others.
The pearl is, Florida “Slow Speed” zones are designed to protect Manatees by controlling heavy, powerful sportfish and sea-ray types that are fast, selfish and have exposed wheels; Manatee can easily avoid trawlers and slow cruisers. And of course, sail boats. So except for the immediate area of South Florida between Ft. Lauderdale and Miami, you will rarely be inconvenienced by “No Wake” zones.
A good guide in South Florida is to watch what the local 12 – 18 foot day boaters are doing. They are a useful indicator in unfamiliar territory. If they’re ripping along, you’re OK. If they’re dawdling along, check the signage.
Jim
Peg and Jim Healy aboard Sanctuary
Currently at Franklin Lock, Alva, FL, southbound
What you write makes sense, but unfortunately law enforcement does not always use common sense. I have been stopped in my sailboat in a `Slow Speed, Minimum Wake’ zone while creating at most a 6-inch wave which I produce at my usual cruising speed. The most infuriating thing was that moments before I was pulled over I was seriously waked by a whole string of powerboats going full tilt through the same area. Luckily, when I angrily confronted the police officer with this information he let me go. His take was that even on a sailboat throwing almost no wake we must slow down significantly in these zones.
John Kettlewell
I have to disagree with Jim. Here on the West Coast you better be going slower than 7.5 kts in a min wake zone. I have personally asked three FWC law enforcement officers how they define min wake and none gave me an answer other than go very slow. They did not have any definition and most just shrugged their shoulders. Even the definition you quote just says `minimum wake’ at the end. I usually slow down to 1300 RPM or around 4 knots. Even at that speed I have had sheriffs boats pull along side of me and told to go slower. At anything over 5knts on the West Coast, you’ll get a ticket.
Dick Goldfarb
Jim’s analysis is ,as always, excellent. The Florida DNR and local law enforcement may understand the difference in “slow speed minimum wake” vs. “idle speed no wake”. The Coast Guard, however, does not. I was stopped by the Coast Guard going into Fort Pierce. I was running 1000 rpm, and a speed of about 5.5 knots in a “slow speed minimum wake” zone. My Monk 36 was fully settled in the water, with minimum wake. I showed the USCG boarding party the Florida DNR definitions. This was to no avail, as he said there was “no difference”. Except for the fact we determined somehow that we had gone to high schools that played each other in sports, I would have been cited with a Federal violation. There was no discussion of any difference in his opinion. He finally let me off with a warning.
I wish there was some way to resolve this issue, but now, If the speed zone is relatively short, regardless of what it is marked, I run at idle speed. The zone south of New Smyrna Beach, marked” Slow speed minimum wake” is one I would probably run 5 knots, because it is so long.
Norman Mason
Peggy Sue, Monk 36, currently cruising St. John’s River, FL
California, MD
April 20, 2018
Slow also means very small wake.
Here is quote from the FWS boaters handbook
Areas where vessels must be fully off plane and completely settled in the water. Any wake created by a vessel in one of these zones must be minimal (very small). If your vessel is traveling with the bow even slightly elevated while in one of these zones, it is not proceeding at “Slow Speed” as required by law.
That is the problem with the FL law. Although it is defined, it really is subjective. If a cop is having a bad day, his judgment could be much more restrictive. In other states, I think they pretty much say slow speed or no wake is defined as 5 MPH. In that case, its pretty much non-subjective.
” In other states, I think they pretty much say slow speed or no wake is defined as 5 MPH. In that case, its pretty much non-subjective.”
The problem with a specific speed limit is that larger boats can’t go that slow. I do 6kts [7 mph] at idle, sport fishers do even more – even with trolling valves. So the best that we can get is the off plane, fully settled in the water, minimal wake standard; despite its subjectivity.
Slow your boats: Manatees are coming from WJXT News4JAX
In FWC’s first application period for derelict vessel removal grants, $488, 550.00 was available and only $184,935.00 was requested. This leaves $303,615.00 still available for derelict vessel removal grants. Therefore this 2nd opportunity announcement is being advertised.
The Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC) is announcing the opportunity to apply for Derelict Vessel Removal Grants. The application period for the Bulk Derelict Vessel Removal Grant Program will begin on Monday March 26, 2018 at 8:00 AM (EST), and end on Wednesday May 9, 2018 at 5:00 PM (EST). Applications received after Wednesday May 9, 2018, will not be eligible for consideration. All removal applications must demonstrate proof that due process was provided for each vessel’s owner. At a minimum, this would include an opportunity for the vessel owner to challenge the derelict vessel determination, either in criminal court or in an administrative hearing. Vessel cases not demonstrating that these opportunities have been offered to the owners of the vessels will not be considered for state funding assistance. The grant guidelines and application form may be downloaded at: http://www.MyFWC.com/DVGrant.
You may also receive the guidelines and application by contacting Phil Horning at (850) 617-9540 or email DVGrant@MyFWC.com.
Applications that meet the requirements for the Rapid Removal Grant Program may be submitted at any time after the opportunity announcement start date, but no later than November 31, 2018 at 5:00pm (EST) (based on available funding). Rapid removal cases must also meet due process requirements. Total funding allocated for derelict vessel removal for fiscal year 2017/18 is $488,550. Applications may be mailed to the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission, Boating and Waterways Section, Derelict Vessel Grant Program Administrator, at 620 S. Meridian Street – Room 235, Tallahassee, Florida 32399-1600 or emailed to DVGrant@MyFWC.com.
For further information, please contact:
Phil Horning, Derelict Vessel Program Administrator, Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission, Division of Law Enforcement, Boating and Waterways Section, (850) 617-9540 or email Phil.Horning@MyFWC.com
Will this project be of use for navigation? We’ll have to wait and see.
MarineMax and Boat Owners Warehouse are providing the boats that will transport the Google cameras through South Florida’s waterways. In addition to the Intracoastal Waterway and Biscayne Bay, the map will cover some adjoining rivers, inlets and commercial canals.
Google to map South Florida waterways in partnership with marine industry from South Florida Business Journal
Old Port Cove Marina, A CRUISERS’ NET SPONSOR, is located on the western shore of the northern Lake Worth channel, near unlighted daybeacon #7. North Palm Beach Marina is found on the southwestern banks of the Waterway south of the North Palm Beach/Parker Bridge.
CLICK HERE FOR LIVE STREAMING FROM OLD PORT COVE AND NORTH PALM BEACH MARINAS
Click Here To Open A Chart View Window, Zoomed To the Location of Old Port Cove Marina
Click Here To Open A Chart View Window, Zoomed To the Location of North Palm Beach Marina
Fort Pierce is home to Fort Pierce City Marina, A CRUISERS’ NET SPONSOR, located west of the Waterway, just south of the Fort Pierce high-rise bridge, and well north of unlighted daybeacon #188.
Manatee Observation and Education Center
Click Here To Open A Chart View Window, Zoomed To the Location of Fort Pierce City Marina
Click Here To Open A Chart View Window, Zoomed To A “Navigation Alert” Position at San Pablo/Atlantic Boulevard Bridge
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