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Please Note That Postings Below From Fellow Cruisers Are Listed in Chronological Order, Based on Publication Date
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ICW Markers 18 and 18A mark the southwest inside corner of the Waterway’s intersection with the southern inlet channel from the Ponce. Our thanks to Skipper King for his observations and update on this welcomed dredging project in an area with a reputation for shoaling and groundings.
Dredging near Ponce Inlet at the south ICW by-pass.
Major dredging operations continue in the ICW north of the George Musson bridge near New Smyrna Beach Florida at marker “R 18”. This area has had shoaling problems for some time due to sand migration from Ponce Inlet to the ICW by-pass channel south of the inlet. The equipment runs from the dredge, moored in the ICW channel, to the western shore of the Halifax River, south of the by-pass channel.
There is ample room for navigation, but be aware of ‘confused’ traffic in the area as casual boaters transit the area.
G King
Click Here To Open A Chart View Window Zoomed To the Location of Dredging
What a remarkable achievement for one of the oldest aquariums in the US. And of course, Marineland is home to Marineland Marina, A CRUISERS’ NET SPONSOR, with many recent facility upgrades, see https://cruisersnet.net/168248.
Click Here For Marineland Turns 80 Years Old from WJXT News4 Jacksonville
Click Here To View the Eastern Florida Cruisers’ Net Marina Directory Listing For Marineland Marina
Click Here To Open A Chart View Window, Zoomed To the Location of Marineland Marina
Good reports keep pouring in for CRUISERS’ NET SPONSOR, Marineland Marina which lies south – southeast of AICW marker #87, along the Waterway’s eastern shore. New Bellingham concrete floating docks and a new support building for a very attractive facility!
November 2017
New Marina Building with Restrooms and Laundry now open to support the new floating docks!
CLICK HERE FOR TEXT AND PHOTOS
Click Here To View the Eastern Florida Cruisers’ Net Marina Directory Listing For Marineland Marina
Click Here To Open A Chart View Window, Zoomed To the Location of Marineland Marina
CURFEWS IMPOSED ACROSS NORTHEAST FLORIDA
Jacksonville, FL – Curfews have been imposed in many parts of Northeast Florida because of Hurricane Irma.
The curfew for Jacksonville’s beaches started Saturday night at 10PM and continued through 6AM Sunday. That will continue until further notice. Alcohol sales have also been prohibited until further notice.
All of us “short masted” vessels have experienced the concerns that Bill Raynor expresses. Considering wind tides, varying lunar tides, displaced clearance boards and sea rise, bridge clearances, even at fixed bridges, have become almost mystical. Whatever the particular situation, good communication with the bridge tender is required and erring on the side of caution should be the byword. SSECN will continue to publish “official” clearances with the admonishment to boaters to approach any fixed structure with caution, especially where currents are adverse. Thank you, Bill, for raising this issue.
Since recently buying a trawler after 18 years on a sailboat, “Closed Bridge Clearances” have suddenly become of interest to me, since my trawler requires 19 feet. READ MORE!
Saw the item about bridge clearances – fyi, I have an article coming out in September’s Cruising World on just this issue, but on the 65 foot height issue. You might want to mention that to your readers.
Wally Moran
Click Here To Open A Chart View Window, Zoomed To the Location of Main Street Bridge
Click Here To View the Cruisers’ Net’s Eastern Florida Bridge Directory Listing For Bridge of Lions
Click Here To Open A Chart View Window, Zoomed To the Location of Bridge of Lions
Our thanks to Kevin Koehl for this report and photo.
For those who cruise Florida’s East Coast on the ICW near Ormond Beach, the large rusting tug featuring The Pink Panther on the smoke stack has been an ICW icon for longer than most can remember. The tug was no longer afloat and was an environmental hazard. On June 2, the Coast Guard had the tug raised by a large crane and placed on a barge. The tug will be transported to Texas where it will be cut up for scrap. The ICW was closed during the day long removal operation.
Kevin Koehl CLICK FOR PHOTO
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. Our thanks to David and Jaculeyn for sharing their delightful blog.
Folks at Vero Beach has recommended Marineland Marina to us as a “must do” layover. We are very glad we did. This marina is undergoing renovations. Brand-new floating docks have been installed. A new dock-master’s office is under construction. The staff are delightful highly customer-service focused young men who are enthusiastic about meeting the needs of boaters. Read More
The Atlantic Ocean is directly across the road A1A from the Marina. We were able to enjoy walking on the sand but did not go in the water as it was quite rough.
We toured Marineland. The experience can best be described as a “blast from the past.” It is a simple place full of history and yet an active living aquatic experience for visitors today. Jackie remembers going to Marineland as a child, so this was a bit of a memory jogger for her. We had the honor of a “private” 45-minute tour with 2 delightful young women who clearly love what they do. Marineland was started in 1938 as a movie studio and then grew and changed over the years. It was the sight for WWII Naval training exercises. It was the first oceanarium and provided early training of dolphins. The first of whom was Nellie who lived to a very old age, the oldest known dolphin in captivity. Marineland now has an educational and research focus thanks to funding by the Vanderbilt Whitney family, the University of Florida and the Georgia Aquarium. There are no longer “dolphin shows” like Sea World or other amusement parks. It was fun to see pictures of the old TV shows and movies that have been filmed here. Jackie’s favorite was SEA HUNT with a very young Lloyd Bridges. We also got to see the educational part in action with a group of elementary school children on a field trip. They clearly were learning about the aquatic world and showed great enthusiasm for the dolphins and the other sea creatures here.
David and Jaculeyn
Click Here To View the Eastern Florida Cruisers’ Net Marina Directory Listing For Marineland Marina
Click Here To Open A Chart View Window, Zoomed To the Location of Marineland Marina
Our thanks to Robert Sherer for his update on the Waterway/Matanzas Inlet intersection which was been the site of recent groundings in the past and was dredged in February of this year, resulting in the relocation of the buoys as outlined by Bob’s report.
The buoy layout has been changed and the depths are now at least 12 MLW all the way through. Read More!
R82 is a floating buoy and has been moved closer to shore. Going north I aimed at it but moved back into the charted channel until abreast of the buoy before turning, slightly toward shore.
G81D and G81C have been removed. They are no longer needed (the channel is that wide!) The first green buoy is G81B and it appears to be too far out in the middle but that’s where the new, dredged channel is located.
G81A and the two reds are still there, just honor them.
Bob
ICW Blog: http://fleetwing.blogspot.com/
Click Here To Open A Chart View Window, Zoomed To This AICW Problem Stretch
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. New Bellingham concrete floating docks and dredging for a very attractive facility!
CLICK HERE FOR FULL INFORMATION
Click Here To View the Eastern Florida Cruisers’ Net Marina Directory Listing For Marineland Marina
Click Here To Open A Chart View Window, Zoomed To the Location of Marineland Marina
Waterway construction can provide welcomed distraction as well as navigational concerns. Bill Murdoch sends beautiful photos of four bridge constructions/removals currently ongoing from Myrtle Beach to Miami. And “one picture is worth a thousand words!”
Thank you Bill!
CLICK TO SEE PHOTOS!
The bridge construction in Myrtle Beach is moving along apiece with staging extending in to both sides of the waterway. One photo [below] is as we were passing through the construction area and the other photo is taken over our stern looking north at the bridge. (2/1/17)
Carolina Bays Parkway Bridge
See /162534
The old bascule bridge at Sisters Creek is almost no more. Traffic is on the new span, and crews are working both above the water and below to remove the old bridge. We squeezed through the gap between the construction barge and the red side fendering. (2/11/17)
Memorial bridge in Daytona is almost gone as well. It was a little confusing to figure out where we should pass through the construction work, but in the end we went through the old partially destroyed fendering system with no problem. (2/13/17)
Our confusion at the Daytona Memorial Bridge came from both a tool box and from the general state of disarray in the construction area. A Greenlee tool box seen end on looks quite like a green daymark.
This time it is Flagler Memorial in Palm Beach. They have been replacing this bridge for a couple of years. It is sort of like building a new school house on the site of the old school house with school still in session… it is a mess. Anyway, on February 21 we arrived at Flagler Memorial Bridge in Palm Beach right as the span was closing. After an hour wait, the bridge (one leaf) opened for us, and we passed through. It was a tight fit. The old bridge support and its fender system were to starboard, and the closed leaf was close by to port. Here is a picture of the bridge after we have come through. Sorry for the drab photo; it was not a Kodak day.
Click Here To Open A Chart View Window, Zoomed To the Location of SC31 Bridge Site
Click Here To Open A Chart View Window, Zoomed To the Location of Sisters Creek Bridge
Click Here To Open A Chart View Window, Zoomed To the Location of Memorial Bridge
Click Here To Open A Chart View Window, Zoomed To the Location of Flagler Memorial Bridge
Oasis Boatyard and Marina is on the north eastern shore of the San Sebastian River upstream of AICW Statute Mile 780. Their website is http://www.oasisboatyardandmarina.com/. Our thanks to Roger Long for this report.
Read MoreClick Here To Open A Chart View Window, Zoomed To the Location of Oasis Boatyard
The Matanzas Inlet/Waterway intersection has been the cause of several recent groundings. See a Nav Alert from November. Our thanks to Charles Solomon for sharing his unfortunate experience.
26′ Searay Sundancer thrown aground at marker 81C on Friday night 12-16-16 just before sunset. Operating at 6-8 knots. We were manuvering to West side of ICW after sighting green floating / temp marker 81C northbound and caught by a stiff current. This area is a dogleg channel deep to the west shoreline (per SeaTow). Boat rolled over almost 45 degrees on the starboard side . Backed off the engine and she righted but we were hard aground sideways to the current. Had to wait about 2 hours for the tide and powered off. Brand new engine overheated and we took a tow to St. Augustine.
Charles Solomon
Click Here To Open A Chart View Window, Zoomed To This AICW Problem Stretch
The Matanzas Inlet/Waterway intersection has been the cause of several recent groundings, as well as an off-station marker, see /160628. Our thanks to Bob Poovey for this report and for his sage advice: Go Slow!
Passed through here Wednesday (11/16/16) afternoon near high tide. With the “super moon” the water level was higher than I have ever seen it. However, slightly north off marker “80” saw 12.5 feet. Compensating for the moon, a normal low tide would calculate an approximate depth of 4 to 4 1/2 feet.
I have transited this area for the past ten years in a row. And, it’s never been the same. The path through here changes on every passage. My advice; stay in the middle of the channel and “GO SLOW!”
Bob Poovey
m/v – Threadbare
Click Here To Open A Chart View Window, Zoomed To the Location of Matanzas Inlet
Our thanks to Captain Richard Holtz who was able to get out on the Waterway and submit this report.
Cruised this weekend 101616 from New Smyrna Beach to Daytona Beach and back.
Heavy damage noted to Docks from Ponce inlet south to South of the North Causeway on the East side of the ICW. While some of the newest ones survived, more than 80% are in shambles. The CG Station Roof had issues, however the docks seems fine. Read More!
Many commercial docks are total destroyed including Riverview Charlies and to the North of the inlet much of Inlet Harbor’s Fishing pier is gone. The floating gas dock at Inlet Harbor is OK however the restaurant took a significant hit. The floating docks at Down the Hatch seem fine, however the restaurant took a hit. The New Smyrna Marina-Outriggers Restaurant has no significant damage. In Daytona Beach Caribbean Jacks’ slips took a major hit.
Surprisingly the Halifax River has somewhat cleaned itself and has less debris than expected.
New shoaling South of Daymark Red “12” to Daymark Red “14” on the backside of Rockhouse Creek where Hunter Creek enters the ICW is significant. See /158393
The Green Daymark “11” at the CG station is gone. The North End Jetty Beacon Ponce Inlet is gone. Many floating markers appear off station. The area to West of inlet know as Disappearing Island has significant sand shifting occurring. With the very high tides it is hard to tell what will be once normalcy returns.
Thanks!
Captain Richard Holtz
Click Here To Open A Chart View Window, Zoomed To the Location of Ponce de Leon Inlet
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
Click Here To View the Eastern Florida Cruisers’ Net Anchorage Directory Listing For Memorial Bridge
Click Here To Open A Chart View Window, Zoomed To the Location of Memorial Bridge
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
Click Here To View the Eastern Florida Cruisers’ Net Marina Directory Listing For Marineland Marina
Click Here To Open A Chart View Window, Zoomed To the Location of Marineland Marina
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.
Another great stay at Marineland. These folks really know how to make you feel welcome. Easy access to the ICW, nice facilities, friendly people, and reasonable prices…what more can you ask ? Our second time and hopefully we’ll have many more. We recommend it highly.
Capt Jack B-H and First Mate Steve O.
Delivering the trawler “Whatever” from New Bern, NC to Daytona Beach
Click Here To View the Eastern Florida Cruisers’ Net Marina Directory Listing For Marineland Marina
Click Here To Open A Chart View Window, Zoomed To the Location of Marineland Marina
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.
Such an awesome little marina! Very nice staff, helpful and went above and beyond to ensure we were happy. Even provided a loaner car for a run to the Public. Beach is just a 2 minute walk!! Quiet, and deserted, we had it to ourselves! Can’t wait to stop back in the Spring!
Still Clueless
All of the glowing reviews posted previously are very well-deserved. Easy in and out. Staff VERY friendly and helpful. Facilities were very clean, also. By far, the best value we found traveling from NC to FL.
Capt Jack Henry & 1st mate Steve Oakley
Click Here To View the Eastern Florida Cruisers’ Net Marina Directory Listing For Marineland Marina
Click Here To Open A Chart View Window, Zoomed To the Location of Marineland Marina
This AICW Problem Stretch has always been one of the shallowest sections of the Waterway in Eastern Florida. Earlier descriptions of the three newest markers would indicate that shoaling is beginning to reappear. BE SURE to observe any new aids to navigation and, as always on perennial AICW Problem Stretches, be READY for new shoaling and even newer markers as you pass through. Our thanks to Skipper McLeran for sharing his observations.
Two of us transited Matanzas Inlet southbound at mid tide 3.5 feet this morning (10/30) at 0930. Despite giving the temp greens and reds their appropriate distance we saw only 7.5 feet total depth in a few spots. Boaters still need to be careful and play the tide if necessary for the boat’s draft.
Bob McLeran
Click Here To Open A Chart View Window, Zoomed To This AICW Problem Stretch
