The Coast Guard rescued seven adults after their 25-foot vessel became aground at the South Jetty of the Savannah River, Friday. Owner intoxicated and only three life jackets for seven passengers.
PHOTO AVAILABLE: Coast Guard rescues 7 after vessel ran aground at South Savannah River Jetty
Following passage of new regulations in Georgia for anchoring in the coastal waters of the state (House Bill 833 Effective July 1, 2020), Ted Arisaka, an experienced skipper and frequent contributor to Cruisers Net who has been active in the debates and issues surrounding boater access to public waters, posted this summation. Thank you Ted.
Anchoring in Georgia 2021
By Ted Arisaka
“Anchoring Permits” are only required if you plan to anchor in one place for more than 14 days in a year. “One place” is defined by a circle of 1 mile radius.
“Anchoring Restriction Areas” are a separate concept – you may not anchor in these areas overnight:
– Within 300 ft. of a marina
– Within 150 ft. of a marine structure (such as a private dock)
– Within 500 ft. of an approved shellfish area
These zones are mapped on GA DNR’s website here:
https://gcmp.maps.arcgis.com/apps/webappviewer/index.html?id=b5a616ad152a462bad0b73cdb5eeb107
Marina setbacks are shown in red. Structures setbacks are shown in purple. Shellfish setbacks are shown in brown.
They are not charted by NOAA (I have requested this) nor are there currently ATONs in situ to delineate these areas. If you are on FB, we have a group there dedicated to GA Anchoring and one member took GA DNR’s KMZ files and converted them to GPX which you can import into AquaMap. Here is the post:
https://www.facebook.com/groups/SaveGeorgiasAnchorages/permalink/895344771296834/
Also in this group, I took Bob Sherer’s (Bob423) long track through the state and overlaid the anchor restriction zones for shellfish harvest so one could get a sense for where they are in relation to the AICW:
https://photos.app.goo.gl/daiwXxCkMxNaiJVt5
As far as enforcement goes, I have only heard of one case where an anchored cruiser was asked to move in Turner Creek by GA Department of Natural Resources (DNR). The law enforcement officer was courteous but was mistaken on the particular setback being cited and some of us contacted GA DNR to alert them to the need for additional training. Technically it is a misdemeanor, so potentially $1000 fine and one year in jail.
GA DNR is telling us that this is “complaint driven” and they do not have the manpower or intention to patrol the coastal waters looking for violations.
There is another issue brewing due to Georgia’s handling of subtidal shellfish leases. Note that when the new anchoring regulations were enacted last year that a 500 foot setback was agreed to by all parties at the time, not knowing how the state was going to pursue the management of shellfish areas. The new leases will impact where vessels may anchor. Defining those areas and determining what the state’s intentions are is an ongoing struggle.
So at the end of the day, I personally would anchor in Georgia, in my usual spots, keeping away from docks and feel that I would be fine. At least for this spring and summer.
The Golden Ray went aground and partially capsized in Georgia’s St. Simons Sound on September 7, 2019. The wreck of the capsized PCTC has taken more than a year to remove from St. Simons Sound, Georgia. See Cutting Chain Failure.
The position of the cutting chain in Golden Ray’s hull on Sunday (St. Simons Sound Incident Response)
Chain Link Breakage Continues to Plague Golden Ray Wreck Removal
Maritime Executive
The Golden Ray went aground and partially capsized in Georgia’s St. Simons Sound on September 7, 2019. The wreck of the capsized PCTC has taken more than a year to remove from St. Simons Sound, Georgia. See Cutting Chain Failure.
Rigging the cutting gear for the fourth cut (St. Simons Sound Incident Response)
Photos: Work Begins on Fourth Cut Through the Hull of the Golden Ray
St. Marys, Georgia originally began as a town established by the British in 1787. After St. Augustine, Florida, St. Marys is the second-oldest continually inhabited city in the U.S.
Exploring St. Marys, Georgia’s Historic Seaside Community
Forbes
Shortly after restarting operations on the third cut through the hull of the wrecked roll-on/roll-off carrier Golden Ray, salvors have been forced to stop work again and shift to the next section due to another broken chain link. See Golden Ray Removal.
Fuel oil spill cleanup inside of the environmental protection barrier, February 25 (St. Simons Sound Incident Response)
Cutting Chain Failure Forces Golden Ray Salvors to Shift Efforts
Maritime Executive
Spaceport Camden is a proposal to build a rocket launch facility in Camden County, Georgia. If you oppose the proposed SpacePort, you can sign an online petition below, via the Sierra Club. Our thanks to Ted Arisaka of Save Georgia’s Anchorages for sharing this site. See Proposed Spaceport.
Click here for petition STOP The Camden County Spaceport Project!
Sierra Club
More photos. The wreck of the capsized PCTC Golden Ray has taken more than a year to remove from St. Simons Sound, Georgia. Also see Safety Zone and Golden Ray.
Cutting operations to separate Section Seven from the Golden Ray wreck resume, Feb. 4 (St. Simons Sound Incident Response)
Golden Ray Wreck Removal Resumes After Broken Chain Connector
Maritime Executive
Rocket launches will require monthly closures of St. Andrews Sound, Christmas Creek, offshore waters, and the Intracoastal Waterway. We won’t be able to fish, crab, shrimp or boat around Cumberland Island. If a launch is scrubbed, the closures will extend for days.
Contact the DNR to oppose Camden spaceport. It’s not consistent with Georgia’s Coastal Zone Management. Send your comments by March 8, 2021, to Diana Taylor, Department of Natural Resources, One Conservation Way, Brunswick, Georgia 31520 or CRD.Comments@dnr.ga.gov.
Camden’s spaceport will close our waterways
Brunswick News
Our thanks to Ted Ariska of Save Georgia’s Anchorages for forwarding this GNR link further defining Georgia’s anchoring restrictions. See New Boating Laws. Cruisers Net urges you to contribute to the lobbying efforts of SAGA at this AGLCA link.
The wreck of the capsized PCTC Golden Ray has taken more than a year to remove from St. Simons Sound, Georgia. This is the first clear view of the autos lost. Also see Safety Zone.
© Savannah Corps of Engineers via Facebook The Golden Ray has been awaiting removal since September 2019, when the 656-foot-long ship caught on fire and capsized with 4200 newly built vehicles on board.
Capsized Car-Carrying Cargo Ship Cut in Half as Salvage Continues
CarandDriver
Video: Stern Section of Golden Ray Removed on Barge
Maritime Executive
Our thanks to AGLCA Director Kimberly Russo for posting this update on AGLCA’s Forum and to Ted Arisaka for his research. See also Update on Anchoring in Georgia.
I’m sharing some information on the Georgia Anchoring issue that was prepared by one of our Coalition members, Ted Arisaka. Ted prepared this information to help show the impacts Coalition’s efforts to preserve our cruisers’ rights in Georgia’s waters over the last few years.
Here we analyzed the 150 unique anchorages as published in Active Captain, Waterway Guide and Cruisers’Net between 2019 Legislation HB201 and 2020 replacement bill HB833, showing the dramatic growth of what Georgia DNR considered approved shellfish harvest areas – impact grew from 19 prohibited anchorages to 50 prohibited anchorages.
SGA Shellfish Harvest Areas 2019 / Early 2020 comparison photo album
After offline dialogue with GA DNR, documenting the impact to 50 anchorages, they greatly reduced these areas to impact “only” 11 anchorages. These maps show the 150 anchorages in Georgia – OK in yellow, Prohibited in red. Bob423 tracks on ICW shown in magenta.
Dec 2020 Maps of Reduced Shellfish Harvest Area Impact to 11 Anchorages
Georgia House Bill 833 Passed Into Law 2020
Here is an interactive map published by DNR showing the various anchoring zones for marine structures setbacks, marina setbacks and approved shellfish harvest area setbacks. (There is a legend for the colors). You can also put Lat / Long in the search field. Georgia DNR Liveaboard Anchoring Illustrative Map
Here is our FB group that has chronicled the evolution of these regs as well as some of our communications and analyses. There are also video recordings of the initial DNR presentation to the public on their stated rationale for the need of the original HB201. Save Georgia’s Anchorages Facebook
GA DNR Page re: Commercial Shellfish Harvest
Cruisers’ Net Update on Steamboat Creek SC including USCG LNM Excerpt
Georgia House Bill 501 (2019) governing Commercial Shellfish
Best Regards,
Ted Arisaka
s/v Little Wing Valiant 42 #186
If you value this kind of work done for the cruising community, please consider contributing to the Boater’s Rights Advocacy Fund. Our coalition is currently fundraising for 2021. We need your help to be able to continue working to keep anchorages open for boaters. Contribute now!
Kim Russo
Director
America’s Great Loop Cruisers’ Association
I had no idea how to figure this out so thanks. After all there are oysters seemeverywhere in Georgia.
In pursuit of some clarification regarding Georgia’s new anchoring restrictions in commercial shellfish areas, Ted Arisaka of Save Georgia’s Anchorages wrote this letter to the USACE. Thank you for sharing Ted,
Dear Sir / Madam: I am a recreational boater who enjoys the coastal waters of our East Coast and in particular, the coastal waters of Georgia. I have followed with interest, the evolution of Georgia’s regulations around navigation / anchoring in their estuarine waters, starting with House Bill 201 in 2019 and replacement House Bill 833 in 2020. As a result of HB833, GA DNR has updated their definitions of no-anchoring zones as published on their website: https://gcmp.maps.arcgis.com/apps/webappviewer/index.html…
Among the various zones, one in particular, “shellfish harvest” areas (shaded in green) have expanded dramatically between 2019 and 2020. These shellfish harvest areas are portrayed as “approved” on the GA DNR website and among the multiple requirements for approval is to receive a permit from US ACE for those areas in navigable waters. If one examines the published maps, there are many areas in navigable waters as well as established channels demarcated by Aids To Navigation by USCG and charted by NOAA. This also includes portions of the Atlantic Intracoastal Waterway, which as you know is important not just for recreational boaters but also for commercial navigation. The reason for my email is to inquire as to the status of USACE approval of these shellfish harvest zones in navigable waterways.
There is an updated page from Georgia DNR which references the need to obtain USACE approval prior to proceeding with mariculture.
https://coastalgadnr.org/commercialshellfishharvest
My FOIA request is to ascertain which Georgia waters have received USACE approval to date.
Thanks and Regards,
Ted Arisaka
Our thanks to Ted Arisaka for sharing this link from Georgia Public Broadcasting.
Will Georgia’s Fledgling Oyster Industry Sink Before It Swims?
GPB
Thanks much Larry for your support. I tried to be careful about the wording of my statement. The last thing I want to do is tell boaters that they should knowingly break the boating law pertaining to anchoring. However, based on my conversation with Rep Stephens, who was speaking with the DNR Commissioner Mark Williams, I was told that DNR has no intentions of enforcing anchoring restrictions in the newly announced commercial shellfish leased areas at this time.
I intend to anchor as usual, avoid anchoring near private docks and marinas, and avoid anchoring near any marked recreational and commercial shellfish areas. The legal setbacks from these areas are: 150' private docks, 300' marinas, and 500' shellfish beds. If I am approached by a GA DNR law enforcement officer, I will politely comply with their directive whether I believe they are right or wrong.
GA has very few DNR law enforcement officers working the coastal area. They do not have time, nor the inclination to harass boaters. We have been told repeatedly that enforcement is complaint driven. For example, if a marina or private landowner calls DNR and complains about a boat they believe is anchored to close to their dock, then a DNR enforcement officer will be dispatched. He/she will evaluate the situation and instruct the boater and homeowner appropriately. If there is a violation, the boater will be warned and asked to move. Take a screen shot of your GPS position for reference.
Use common sense, be courteous, and enjoy our beautiful coastal waters. Hopefully someday GA will get the public relations effort right.
Cruisers Net has joined other concerned boating groups in requesting clarification on anchoring restrictions as defined in GA DNR’s Liveaboard Anchoring Illustrative Map. Our thanks to Ted Arisaka and James Newsome for their research and diligence in seeking fairness for all boaters, locals and transients. To see the various layers with defined restrictions, click on Layers in the center of the bottom of the map linked above.
Commissioner Mark Williams, October 12, 2020
On behalf of the group of boaters who worked with the GA DNR to create replacement HB 833 earlier this year, we seek some clarification on its implementation. You may recall that during our conference call, we stated our concerns about the shellfish harvest areas and you directed your team to follow up with James Newsome as our representative on this matter. This has not occurred to date and we would like to avoid another confrontational situation such as when HB201 was developed without stakeholder involvement.
The areas designated as shellfish harvest area buffers in the current map on the GA DNR website (Ref 1) are greatly increased vs those previously defined.
· Is GA DNR CRD representing the green shaded areas as currently approved shellfish growing areas?
Terms and Conditions preceding the map state (emphasis mine) “Anchorage restriction areas means those areas within the estuarine areas of this state in any location that lies within 300 feet of a marina, 150 feet from a marine structure other than a marina, or within 500 feet of approved commercial shellfish growing areas and designated public harvest areas as determined by the department.”
· As much of the expanded shellfish growing areas include federally defined navigable waterways below the low water mark, has the US Army Corps of Engineers approved the designation USACE Nationwide Permit 48 (Ref 2 and 3) ?
· How much of the shellfish zones will be below the intertidal zone and be set aside for the mariculture technique utilizing cages suspended in the water column by floats?
· HB501 specifies that subtidal harvest zone leases must first be evaluated for impact against other public uses. (Ref 4). Has this been completed? If so, may we examine the evaluations? If not, what opportunity for public comment will you make available?
” Prior to offering a subtidal water bottoms lease, the department shall consider compatibility with other public uses of the marine and estuarine resources in proximity of the lease area that include, but are not limited to, navigation, fishing, swimming, and other forms of recreation.”
· GA DNR has adopted the federal framework of National Shellfish Sanitation Program (NSSP), requiring shellfish waters meet the NSSP requirements before being designated as approved. Have these assessments been completed for all indicated areas? (Ref 5)
The boating group members seek a balance of interest among public access, waterfront property owners, and a resurgent shellfish industry.
Your feedback to clarify the above points would be most appreciated.
Coalition is comprised of:
America’s Great Loop Cruisers Association
CruisersNet
DeFever Cruisers Association
Marine Trawler Owners Association
National Marine Manufacturers Association
Waterway Guide
Save Georgia’s Anchorages
Cc: Walter Rabon, GA DNR Deputy Commissioner,
Doug Haymans, GA DNR Director, Coastal Resources Division
Reference:
1- https://gcmp.maps.arcgis.
2 – USACE Nationwide Permit 48 Commercial Shellfish Aquaculture Activities (Sections 10 and 404)
3 – Section 10 of the Rivers and Harbors Appropriation Act of 1899 https://www.epa.gov/cwa-
4 – HB 501 lines 341-346 http://www.legis.ga.
5 – US Food and Drug Administration – National Shellfish Sanitation Program https://www.fda.gov/
October 15 update:
Thanks Larry and CN for joining our efforts to address this latest challenge to anchoring issues on the GA coast.
Larry, Thanks much to CN for joining our effort to address this latest challenge to anchoring issues in GA. Your support is greatly appreciated.
Thanks to Cruisers’Net for your support and helping to raise awareness of this issue to the marine community.
Also, define “(ii)” below. Bottom leases may be granted in areas with minimum width of 200.’ Does this mean that eligible areas must be at least 200’ wide, or does it mean that areas under 200’ cannot be leased?
“(6) Leasing of State-Owned Water Bottoms Terms, Siting, other Considerations.(a) The term of a state-owned water bottoms lease shall not exceed ten years and is subject to such provisions, requirements and conditions as determined by the Department. Leases may be renewed for additional terms if the lessee is in compliance with the terms of the current lease.(b) Subtidal water bottoms leases shall be sited in accordance with the following criteria: (i) In Approved Shellfish Growing areas as determined by the department;(ii) In areas with a minimum width of 200 feet at mean low water;(iii) In areas with a minimum depth of not less than 6 feet at mean low water; and….“
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