Georgia Anchoring Legislation HB 201
Here is a link to HB 201 from the Georgia Assembly regarding anchoring:
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James Newsome Comments on Georgia’s New Anchoring Law
Another Georgian and experienced yachtsman and Waterway cruiser, James Newsome, shares his thoughts on Georgia’s new restrictive anchoring legislation. See Anchoring Under Attack in Georgia?
Reply to Bob Keller and my thoughts on the anchoring debate in Georgia,
You wrote, “As a 30+ year resident of Georgia this law is the most outrageous I have seen. This is a classic case of legislators voting on bills proposed that they have no idea about and no knowledge of what they are doing. Just trying to cast their vote so they can go on summer break and don’t have a clue what they are voting about. Disgusting really. Would like to know who sponsored and introduced this bill? Then who voted on it. They had no lobbying pushback so they voted Yea on a bill they had no clue about. Sickening. This is an embarrassment to the residents and voters of Georgia. Georgia is an afterthought on the east coast ICW and this nonsense will ensure that GA is nonexistent.”
A Senator and Representative from St. Simon’s Island and Brunswick sponsored the bill. And apparently the only lobbying group was the GA Marine Business Association or GAMBA. It’s interesting that (apparently) none of the normal waterway associations or groups knew about this legislation in last month. This includes Brad Pickel with the Atlantic Intracoastal Waterway Association, Waterway Guide, or Cruisers Net. To say that this bill flew under the radar is an understatement, and I don’t think this was by accident.
The bill pretends to address concerns about liveaboards, anchoring, and possibly derelict vessels, but I believe these are simply a ruse for the real purpose. What we need to know is the nexus for this law. We know that the Georgia DNR Coastal Resource Division and GAMBA were involved, but whose interests were being represented?
Let’s look at the public record so far from Doug Haymans of the Coastal Resource Division of DNR. In addition to removing the term “liveaboard” from all rules “the proposed amendments would create rules for over-night and long-term anchoring in the estuarine area of the state and establish an anchorage permit.” Hayman goes on to state that current law “doesn’t allow a live-aboard outside of an eligible marina.”
So now with the already passes amendments to HB201, DNR states that the main purpose is to establish rules for “for overnight or long-term anchoring in the estuarine areas of the state” by creating a new boating regulation.
Fortunately, GA law requires assessment of the economic impact on small businesses as part of any rule change. Here’s what Hayman has presented. “All the businesses possibly affected by this rule employ less than 100 persons. There are no additional costs to businesses, such as marinas, and if anything, these rules may direct additional customers to eligible facilities. For many years, Georgia has been viewed by transient boaters as unfriendly to their activities. The proposed amended rules should have the added benefit of opening Georgia estuarine waters to more transient boaters and therefore more business for coastal marinas.”
I think the phrase “these rules may direct additional customers to eligible facilities” is the real purpose of this amendment to HB201, and also why GAMBA is so involved. Does anyone with any sense really think that creating a permitting process, telling boaters where they can and cannot anchor, and charging boaters for anchoring is going to add benefit of opening Georgia waters to more transient boaters? At least we now understand how this is going to direct customers to eligible facilities (commercial marinas).
There is nothing about this change to HB201 that is friendly to Georgia boaters or transient boaters. It is heavy handed overreach of government and a thinly veiled effort to drive transient boaters to commercial marinas.
I have defended and advocated for cruisers to not bypass Georgia on their semiannual migrations. I’ve written many articles about Georgia’s wonderful cruising destinations and debated on social media platforms against folks who blatantly said to skip Georgia when asked for cruising advice. But I cannot defend this action by our state’s DNR and I am embarrassed that this has happened to us.In the coming days and weeks, I think we will learn more about the changes to this law and I think the hand will be pointed to a few folks who are greedily trying to use their influential positions to line their pockets. I hope I’m wrong, I really do.
James Newsome
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Comments from Cruisers (1)
- Reply to Roger
The permit program is a disaster waiting to happen – for Georgia as well as cruisers who love the state. It seems so simple and the cost is modest. However…
Nothing spoils the ambiance and experience of being anchored in a remote and beautiful spot like seeing a boat with a flashing blue light coming at you. Am I going to have to stop watching the sunset and spend the next half hour showing my papers and watching them put dye in the head? Requiring a permit taped to a window raises the prospect of a law enforcement officers going by each anchored boat it sees close enough to check the permit and read the number of nights purchased. Then, they have to determine how many nights the boat has actually anchored. That means either an Orwellian tracking data base or the need to stop and talk to the vessel. This can only work as written if there are just a few approved anchorage areas in the state that can be monitored. Just the need of law enforcement having to cruise by close enough to read a document on the window will cause many to either avoid the inside route or zip through just as fast as they can. I’ve had people tell me that they avoid the state just because of the signs saying it is illegal to sleep on your boat more than 30 days a year. It wasn’t that they planned to stay longer but because they didn’t want to have to establish to law enforcement how long they had been there. I know this almost never happened but perception will keep people away just as well as fact.
Permits online? There are many boats that cruise without Internet. Sure, you can get the permit before you leave home but I’ve never gone into Georgia knowing how many nights I plan to spend there. That depends on weather and whim. Even on our 43 footer, we don’t carry a printer. If we purchased four nights and need another, what are we going to do? If a boat has purchased 5 nights and learns that Sunbury Crab Company is a must stop but it means another day, they are less likely to make the run up the river and spend money there.
We hear that the permits won’t be enforced but are just a tool to get a handle on abandoned vessels. Even if that is true, having laws on the books with no intent to enforce is terrible public policy. It is an invitation to abuse and the economic and racial profiling the south already has a bad reputation for. Furthermore, there will be little control over how this law enforcement tool is used in the future. Marina and waterfront property owners will exert pressure to check every vessel and, while they are at it, inspect the heads and papers. Local jurisdictions will use it as grant and budget writing support for additional boats and then need to justify them. This is what happened in Florida. They lost the fight to restrict anchoring so pressure was put on law enforcement to aggressively inspect anchored vessels. It got so bad that even the marina and shore business owners finally said, “Stop”. Now you can cruise the state in relative peace.
The DNR should have the flexibility to resolve problems like this within the final regulatory language. The question is whether they have the knowledge of cruising culture and the will to resist the pressure of interests that want to drastically restrict anchoring. Wording is powerful. “Every vessel intending to remain anchored *in one location for more than seven days* shall obtain a permit.” Put “overnight” inside the ** and you have a completely different situation. The first version would accomplish everything we are told is the aim of the law regarding derelict and abandoned vessels without significantly changing the status quo. I haven’t had a chance to review the law. Perhaps it has language that would restrict the DNR from making this adjustment in which case the state is going to become even more remote and less crowded. Marina and waterfront property owners will like the second version and can be expected to fight for it. The marina owners will come to regret it if they win. Consider our case. We cruise Georgia for the anchoring experience but the time spent usually results in a night at one of our favorite marinas because we need to re-supply and to pump out. If there is a restrictive and enforced permit program for short term overnight anchoring, no marina in the state will see us or our money again. We’ll join those running down the outside or make just a single midway stop in one of the approved anchorage areas.
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Anchoring Under Attack in Georgia? Plus Georgia Responds and More Comments
Is anchoring in Georgia under attack as it is in Florida? Note carefully the proposed changes to terms for live-aboard, long term anchoring and the establishment of an anchoring permit. The first public hearing is June 17 in Brunswick. Written public comments may be submitted through July 15.
See response below from Executive Director of Georgia Marine Business. See also Kim Russo on New Anchoring Restrictions and Jim Healy CommentsPublic Notice: Notice of Rule Making for Coastal Marshland Protection and Boating Regulations
NOTICE OF PROPOSED REGULATION CHANGES TO: All Interested Persons and Parties
FROM: Doug Haymans
SUBJECT: Notice of Rule Making for Coastal Marshland Protection and Boating Regulations
Notice is hereby given that, pursuant to authority set forth below, the Georgia Department of Natural Resources proposes an amendment to the Rules of Georgia Department of Natural Resources Coastal Resources Division, Chapter 391-2-3, Coastal Marshlands Protection Regulations and Wildlife Resources Division, Chapter 391-4-5, Boating Regulations. This is a notice of proposed amendments to the rules to reflect the deliberations of the Coastal Committee of the Board of Natural Resources at its May 21, 2019 meeting.
These amendments are being promulgated under the authority of Title 52, Section 52-7-8.4 of the Official Code of Georgia, Annotated. In addition to the removal of the term ‘live-aboard’ and all associated rules from the Coastal Marshlands Protection Regulations, the proposed amendments would create rules for over-night and long-term anchoring in the estuarine area of the state and establish an anchorage permit.
A public hearing on the proposed amendments will be held in Brunswick, Georgia on Monday, June 17, 2019, 5:30p.m. at the Coastal Regional Headquarters of the Georgia Department of Natural Resources. Written public comment will be received through Monday July 15, 2019. Comments should be legible, concise and limited to the proposed rule change. Following the comment period, the Board of Natural Resources will consider the proposed rule on August 27, 2019 at 9:00 AM at its Board Room located at 2 Martin Luther King Jr. Drive, SE, Suite 1252, Atlanta, Georgia.
Mail or email comments to: Kelly Hill, Coastal Resources Division, One Conservation Way, Brunswick, GA 31520. Kelly.Hill@dnr.ga.gov
Additional information is available at www.CoastalGaDNR.org. Click on the “News and Notices” tab or click this link: https://coastalgadnr.
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Comments from Cruisers (5)
- Reply to Charles
I am the owner of Isle of Hope Marina and the president of The Georgia Marine Business Association ("GAMBA") – so take aim now! We are seeing a firestorm of comments on these proposed regulations from our cruising customers, key leaders and leading organizations in the boating community, and from our long-time friends at Cruisers Net. And as facetious as this may sound based on the comments below, that is good as our community is clearly engaged on this important issue as it should be. As Americans, and more so as boaters, we cherish our personal freedom and rise up quickly when we believe it is threatened. As humans, we fear the unknown and quite naturally assume the worst when given incomplete or inaccurate information on a controversial issue, as is evidenced by many of the comments here and on other sites. In order to take two small steps toward some clarity, here are two specific suggestions on the proposed rules:
1) Anchorage Rules: This rule needs to encourage and support safe anchoring, not inhibit it. The setback from structures must be practical. The DNR should move quickly on this issue to quiet fears.
2) Anchorage Permits If these rules are too onerous, particularly for short-term stays, I do agree that this will drive boaters away from Georgia's waters. We also need to ensure that a law-abiding boater's privacy is protected as these rules are developed. * Apologies to Susan Parker as these comments mirror her excellent and succinct comments belowThese are my personal comments. GAMBA is comprised of most of the major marinas on the coast of Georgia, as well as many of Georgia's leading marine businesses. GAMBA, as an organization, will submit detailed comments in the near future. Contrary to comments posted by others, GAMBA has taken no specific position on these proposed regulations at this time. Coming soon….
- Reply to James
Reply to Bob Keller and my thoughts on the anchoring debate in Georgia,
You wrote, “As a 30+ year resident of Georgia this law is the most outrageous I have seen. This is a classic case of legislators voting on bills proposed that they have no idea about and no knowledge of what they are doing. Just trying to cast their vote so they can go on summer break and don't have a clue what they are voting about. Disgusting really. Would like to know who sponsored and introduced this bill? Then who voted on it. They had no lobbying pushback so they voted Yea on a bill they had no clue about. Sickening. This is an embarrassment to the residents and voters of Georgia. Georgia is an afterthought on the east coast ICW and this nonsense will ensure that GA is nonexistent.”
A Senator and Representative from St. Simon’s Island and Brunswick sponsored the bill. And apparently the only lobbying group was the GA Marine Business Association or GAMBA. It’s interesting that (apparently) none of the normal waterway associations or groups knew about this legislation in last month. This includes Brad Pickel with the Atlantic Intracoastal Waterway Association, Waterway Guide, or Cruisers Net. To say that this bill flew under the radar is an understatement, and I don’t think this was by accident.
The bill pretends to address concerns about liveaboards, anchoring, and possibly derelict vessels, but I believe these are simply a ruse for the real purpose. What we need to know is the nexus for this law. We know that the Georgia DNR Coastal Resource Division and GAMBA were involved, but whose interests were being represented?
Let’s look at the public record so far from Doug Haymans of the Coastal Resource Division of DNR. In addition to removing the term “liveaboard” from all rules “the proposed amendments would create rules for over-night and long-term anchoring in the estuarine area of the state and establish an anchorage permit.” Hayman goes on to state that current law “doesn’t allow a live-aboard outside of an eligible marina.”
So now with the already passes amendments to HB201, DNR states that the main purpose is to establish rules for “for overnight or long-term anchoring in the estuarine areas of the state” by creating a new boating regulation.
Fortunately, GA law requires assessment of the economic impact on small businesses as part of any rule change. Here’s what Hayman has presented. “All the businesses possibly affected by this rule employ less than 100 persons. There are no additional costs to businesses, such as marinas, and if anything, these rules may direct additional customers to eligible facilities. For many years, Georgia has been viewed by transient boaters as unfriendly to their activities. The proposed amended rules should have the added benefit of opening Georgia estuarine waters to more transient boaters and therefore more business for coastal marinas.”
I think the phrase “these rules may direct additional customers to eligible facilities” is the real purpose of this amendment to HB201, and also why GAMBA is so involved. Does anyone with any sense really think that creating a permitting process, telling boaters where they can and cannot anchor, and charging boaters for anchoring is going to add benefit of opening Georgia waters to more transient boaters? At least we now understand how this is going to direct customers to eligible facilities (commercial marinas).
There is nothing about this change to HB201 that is friendly to Georgia boaters or transient boaters. It is heavy handed overreach of government and a thinly veiled effort to drive transient boaters to commercial marinas.
I have defended and advocated for cruisers to not bypass Georgia on their semiannual migrations. I’ve written many articles about Georgia’s wonderful cruising destinations and debated on social media platforms against folks who blatantly said to skip Georgia when asked for cruising advice. But I cannot defend this action by our state’s DNR and I am embarrassed that this has happened to us.In the coming days and weeks, I think we will learn more about the changes to this law and I think the hand will be pointed to a few folks who are greedily trying to use their influential positions to line their pockets. I hope I’m wrong, I really do.
- Reply to Susan
I ask two things:
1) Restricted areas and rules be clearly communicated.
2) Anchoring permits be easily accessible/available on line.
- Reply to Amy
I'd like to clarify a few things about new laws in Georgia. I'm the executive director of the Georgia Marine Business Association (GAMBA), and the publisher of Southern Tides Magazine. I was also previously an executive director of an international cruising association.
This bill, which I strongly support, is NOT an attack on cruisers or on anchoring in Georgia.
Most liveaboard boaters/cruisers/transient boaters follow the principle of leaving no wake – meaning leaving no trace of their presence when visiting or transiting through an area. No trash, no waste, the smallest/least footprint possible. If you've been through Georgia's coastal waters, you're aware that what we have here is some of the last remaining undeveloped and unspoiled marshes, wetlands, barrier islands, and inland waterways on the eastern seaboard. This bill is an attempt to keep it that way by designating anchorage areas and restricting sewage pumpout in our state waters.
Some things to be aware of:
– Anchoring will still be permitted in most Georgia waters. Areas that will be restricted are shellfish beds (which are critical to our coastal ecosystem), and within a specified distance (still being decided) of structures, to include bridges, existing docks, and in navigation channels. This distance is for the safety of everyone involved and is not aimed so much at cruisers as at local boats that anchor in high traffic areas creating a hazard to navigation, and boats anchoring a couple hundred feet (or less) from a marina or other dock and causing dangerous situations for boats approaching and departing those docks.
– There will be a small permit fee, similar to what you'd pay to camp at a state or national park. The purpose of this fee is to prevent boats from being anchored in our coastal waters and abandoned, which happens far more frequently than you might imagine – I can think of half a dozen off the top of my head. It allows these abandoned boats to be dealt with (there currently isn't a way of dealing with them). The other purpose of the fee was to fund the removal of these abandoned vessels, but it was struck down on the floor of the House, even though we fought hard for it. And we'll continue to push for those fees to go directly into an abandoned vessel fund in the next congressional session.
– This law will be enforced by reporting – meaning law enforcement isn't going to ride around looking for permits, inspecting your Y valve, etc. But it does allow reports of pumping sewage overboard, protection of our shellfish beds, vessels anchored in dangerous locations, and abandoned vessels (NONE of which we want) to be dealt with.You are all still heartily welcome in Georgia waters! We rely on your patronage and have no wish to push you away. You are still welcome to anchor in our countless truly lovely areas or stay in any marina of your choosing, and there are pump-out stations (that only charge nominal fees) located throughout our coast. Please also note that this law will not go into effect until January 1, 2020, and before it does, the wording will be clarified and posted (as well as shared with Cruiser's Net , Active Captain and Waterway Guide).
I welcome any questions, and of course you're welcome to participate in the public comment to the GADNR.
Sincerely,
Amy Thurman
Georgia Marine Business Association
Southern Tides Magazine
Georgia Resident
amy@southerntidesmagazine.com
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Roger Long Comments on Anchoring Restrictions in Georgia
Roger Long is an experienced yachtsman and Waterway cruiser. His passion for the freedom offered by the ICW is very evident in his writing. Anchoring restrictions in Florida have dampened the enthusiasm cruisers once had for that state. Georgia appears to be on the same “boating is only for the wealthy” path. Thank you for sharing Roger. See also Anchoring Under Attack in Georgia? and Kim Russo on New Anchoring Restrictions in Georgia.
Larry,
I was shocked to click into Cruisers Net this morning and see NOTHING about the new Georgia anchoring law that was snuck in under the radar. There was a small, easily overlooked item yesterday but it has aged down to page two. Do you not realize that, if this stands, we are looking at the beginning of the end of ICW snowbirding for everyone not wealthy enough or inclined to stay in a marina every night? This will be the formula that FL uses to finally shut down the state. It will likely spread to the Carolinas. There is a comment and rule making process in play. There should be an all stop call for emergency action.I posted on some social media sites yesterday and am almost as shocked by the reaction of many in our community as the idiocy of Georgia government, comments generally along the lines of:
We always go outside so this doesn’t effect us.
We always stay in a marina so this doesn’t effect us.
If $5.00 a night is a problem for you, you can’t afford boating.
I’m in favor of keeping sewage out of the water.
We can afford one marina stop and get through Georgia in two days so what’s the big deal?
I find this fragmentation of interest disturbing. Do boaters only care about people who cruise exactly as they do? We are a small enough community as it is and such narrow perspectives will leave us powerless.
For us personally, exploring the remote corners of Georgia and anchoring in the many creeks and unspoiled spots is major reason for all the expenditure of time and money to maintain a large boat and take it south. If anchoring in the state is restricted to a few designated areas, which will certainly be only near places convenient for law enforcement to patrol to check for permits, and crowded, we will not be taking our boat south of Norfolk again. I know that we are probably a minority as most of your readers view the ICW as just a speed bump on the way to the Bahamas and Florida but, if our community fragments like this, there won’t be a Cruisers Net or need for it in a few years.
Roger LongComments from Cruisers (1)
- Reply to Bob
As a 30+ year resident of Georgia this law is the most outrageous I have seen. This is a classic case of legislators voting on bills proposed that they have no idea about and no knowledge of what they are doing. Just trying to cast their vote so they can go on summer break and don't have a clue what they are voting about. Disgusting really. Would like to know who sponsored and introduced this bill? Then who voted on it. They had no lobbying pushback so they voted Yea on a bill they had no clue about. Sickening. This is an embarrassment to the residents and voters of Georgia. Georgia is an afterthought on the east coast ICW and this nonsense will ensure that GA is nonexistent.
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Kim Russo on New Anchoring Restrictions in Georgia
Our thanks to Kim Russo, Director of America’s Great Loop Cruisers’ Association for this summary of Georgia’s new anchoring laws. See also Anchoring Under Attack in Georgia?
The State of Georgia has passed a bill that restricts anchoring and adds some requirements for boaters regarding their marine sanitation systems.
It appears this will mean some new requirements for Loopers, such as keeping logs of pumps outs in Georgia and securing the black water discharge valves, similar to what is currently required in the Great Lakes and Canada. It will also restrict where you can anchor and require you to obtain a permit in order to anchor overnight. Please read below or view the attached bill for more specifics.
At this point in the process, Georgia DNR has issued a notice of proposed rulemaking to start the process of implementing this new law. Details can be found here. They are suggesting a nominal fee for anchoring permits, with permits obtained in a number of ways including online. No information is included on what areas will be designated as anchoring areas, other than a notice that those area will be posted on the DNR website.
This is the most restrictive anchoring law I’ve seen pass. Thankfully, the AICW through Georgia is less than 150 miles. AGLCA will participate in the process for the notice of proposed rulemaking as DNR works on implementation. We will let members know what assistance is needed as we continue analyzing the new law and it’s proposed implementation. In the meantime, if anyone has followed the evolution of this bill or has any additional information, please contact me.
The highlights of the bill are:
-The Board of Natural Resources is authorized to adopt and promulgate rules and regulations relating to
overnight or long-term anchoring within the estuarine areas of this state to include the establishment of an anchorage permit.-The Department of Natural Resources is authorized to establish anchorage areas within the estuarine areas of this state as well as areas where anchoring is not allowed.
-It shall be unlawful for any person to dock or anchor at night any vessel within the estuarine areas of this state unless it is in an anchorage area established by the department and in compliance with all rules and regulations adopted by the board pursuant to this Code section or at an eligible facility. Nothing in this Code section shall prohibit short-term anchoring for fishing or similar activities, nor shall it prohibit the owner of a vessel from docking at a private recreational dock or noneligible facility so long as such vessel is not utilized as a live-aboard vessel.
-It shall be unlawful to operate or float any live-aboard vessel within the estuarine areas of this state, whether anchored in an anchorage area or at an eligible facility, which has located within or on such vessel a Type I, Type II, or Type III Marine Sanitation Device, as defined in 33 C.F.R. 159, unless such device has a secured mechanism which is constructed and installed in such a manner that it can be emptied only by pumping out to prevent discharge of treated and untreated sewage or is equipped with a holding tank, as
such term is defined in Code Section 52-7-3. Examples of secured mechanisms considered to be effective at preventing discharges include, but are not limited to, closing the seacock and padlocking, using a non-releasable wire tie, or removing the seacock handle with the seacock in the closed position.-Persons operating or floating live-aboard vessels with marine toilets and subject to the requirements of this Code section shall create and maintain for at least one year after creation records which indicate the name and location of pump-out facilities used and the dates of such use. Persons who own or operate pump-out facilities shall also create a record and maintain, for at least one year after creation, records which indicate the name and vessel registration number, the date of pump-out, and verification of pump-out for each vessel for which pump-out services are performed.
Kim Russo
Director
America’s Great Loop Cruisers’ Association3 Facebook Likes, 3 Facebook Reactions
Comments from Cruisers (1)
- Reply to Richard
in georgia it is legal to dump blackwater tanks out side demarcation line. whats so ridiculous is these bureaucrats that made this law haven't got the brains to realize that most demarcation lines in georgia are just outside the mouth of the sounds barely past the beaches of the islands north and south of them. so if you dump here where its legal, (on an incoming tide}, where do you think the waste is going to wind up? MY ESTIMATION IS THAT 40 TO 50% OF CRUISERS PASSING THROUGH GEORGIA COASTAL WATERS ARE AT RETIREMENT AGE. I FEEL SAFE TO SAY THAT MOST ABIDE BY THE DUMPING WASTE REGULATIONS. THE OTHER 50 TO 60% TRAVEL OFFSHORE PASSING WITHOUT STOPPING. THE GEORGIA COASTLINE HAS MINIMAL FACILITIES FOR TRANSIENT BOATERS. THE ONES THAT DO CATER TO TRANSIENTS ARE GOING TO SUFFER DUE TO THIS NEW ORDINANCE.
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Healy Report: Jekyll Creek, GA Problem Stretch AICW Statute Mile 683
Experienced cruisers and frequent Cruisers Net contributors Jim and Peg Healy share their ships log and navigation watches as M/V Sanctuary travels north on the FL/GA Waterway. Thank you Jim and Peg!
Jekyll Creek is home to CRUISERS NET SPONSOR, Jekyll Harbor Marina, one of the best, as Jim and Peg discovered!.We called Jekyll Harbor Marina for local knowledge on dredging status in Jekyll Creek. The dredge is now working in the shallowest area of the creek, and the advice was to stand down and wait for more water. JHM let us tie up on the face dock, and let us hook up to power at no charge. The mid-day heat was brutal, so I considered that courtesy as above and beyond! Kudus to Jekyll Harbor for their welcome! We enjoyed a nice lunch there, and departed northbound at 13h30 with the tide at +2.3 ft. No issues. From the bridge to the dredge, we saw a steady 9.0 ft up to the dredge. North of the dredge, for about 1/4 mile, it was bad; 5.5 ft. Not passable for most cruising boats at MLW. But, within a couple of weeks – and certainly by fall – Jekyll creek should be fine for a change! Around 6.5 to 7 ft, MLW.
Jim and Peg Healy aboard Sanctuary
Monk 36 Hull #132See also Shallow Depths in Jekyll Creek
Click Here To View the Cruisers Net AICW Problem Stretches Listing For Jekyll CreekClick Here To Open A Chart View Window, Zoomed To This AICW Problem StretchClick Here To View the Cruisers Net Georgia Marina Directory Listing For Jekyll Harbor Marina
Click Here To Open A Chart View Window, Zoomed To the Location of Jekyll Harbor Marina
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Healy Report: St Andrew Sound, GA AICW Statute Miles 685-690
Numerous route options to navigate St Andrew Sound, especially in foul weather, have been posted on Cruisers Net. Type St Andrew Sound in our Homepage Search window for those reports. Experienced cruisers and frequent Cruisers Net contributors Jim and Peg Healy share their ships log and navigation watches as M/V Sanctuary travels north on the FL/GA Waterway. Thank you Jim and Peg!
We crossed St. Andrews Sound between 08h45 and 09h15, with the tide at Jekyll Creek at 1.8 ft. We crossed the tip of Horseshoe Shoal with 7.5 ft of water. Conditions were dead flat, so I would not recommend that route near low tide with any significant seas on St. Andrews Sound. With only 5.5 ft, +/-, some cruising boats would potentially have problems, and certainly so with 2 ft seas.
Jim and Peg Healy aboard Sanctuary
Monk 36 Hull #132See also Comments on St Andrew Sound
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Healy Report: Cumberland Dividings, GA AICW Statute Mile 704
Experienced cruisers and frequent Cruisers Net contributors Jim and Peg Healy share their ships log and navigation watches as M/V Sanctuary travels north on the FL/GA Waterway. Thank you Jim and Peg!
Problem Stretch Cumberland Dividings at the intersection of the Waterway and Brickhill River has been a Problem Stretch for several years due to constantly shifting shoals and an erroneous magenta line on many chartplotters.The Cumberland Dividings were fine as marked. Floating R”60″ has been moved slightly north again. We cleared R”60″ at 08h30, with tide at Crooked River at +3.5. We saw at least 9.0 ft, so at least 6.5 ft at MLW. We did not that we needed to stay north there, close to the shoreline. The south side is shoaling. Creates anxiety, but doable for most cruising boats except at celestial lows.
Jim and Peg HealyClick Here To View the Cruisers Net AICW Problem Stretches Listing For the Cumberland DividingsClick Here To Open A Chart View Window, Zoomed To This AICW Problem Stretch Be the first to comment!
Shallow Depths in Jekyll Creek, GA Problem Stretch, AICW Statute Mile 683
As Richard Ross warned in early May, Caution Still Needed, Sean Foley reminds us that, despite ongoing dredging in the creek, a sharp eye on your depth finder is a wise choice until the dredging project has been completed. And like TowBoatUS, mid to high tide is Cruisers Net’s recommendation for safe passage.
If you draw five feet or more, enter Jekyll Creek from the north only at or very close to peak high tide. Our depth finder showed less than 6 feet of water at Marker 17 an hour before the afternoon peak high tide. We draw 5 feet so we had less than a foot of clearance. The ongoing dredging operations will greatly improve this situation, but until the project is completed use caution and time your entry properly. The dockmaster told me it will take another few weeks to complete the project. I had called TowBoat US for local knowledge before entering the Creek and he suggested a mid-tide or higher entry would be ok. He was correct, but I’d say make it closer to peak high tide.
By the way, after I submitted my comment I spotted a couple of skeptical responses to the early May advisory from two other skippers. The answer here is that the dredging equipment is by necessity occupying the Jekyll Creek channel around markers 17 and 19, forcing boat traffic into the western shallows. The dredging crew has advised Tow Boat US to tell deep draft vessels to pass as close as safely possible to the west side of the dredging barge/equipment.
Cheers,
Sean FoleyClick Here To View the Cruisers Net AICW Problem Stretches Listing For Jekyll CreekClick Here To Open A Chart View Window, Zoomed To This AICW Problem StretchAREA SPONSORING MARINA
Click Here To View the Cruisers Net Georgia Marina Directory Listing For Jekyll Harbor Marina
Click Here To Open A Chart View Window, Zoomed To the Location of Jekyll Harbor Marina
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Caution Still Needed in Jekyll Creek Problem Stretch, GA AICW Statute Mile 683
This long overdue dredging is very welcome, but as Richard Ross confirms, the dredging has not been completed so GO SLOW and KEEP YOUR EYE ON THE DEPTH FINDER! Because the channel through this Problem Stretch seems to shift with each tide and until the dredging proves otherwise, Cruisers Net still recommends mid to high tide passage.
By now everyone cruising the ICW should know that Jekyll Creek is being dredged.
We came thru there today (May 2/19) near high tide and saw 2 ft MLW near the infamous marker 19. The dredge is at the north end and will be working its way south. Completion is scheduled for June 15. So don’t strike this off your list of Georgia problem stretches yet.
Richard RossClick Here To View the Cruisers’ Net’s “AICW Problem Stretches” Listing For Jekyll CreekClick Here To Open A Chart View Window, Zoomed To This AICW Problem StretchAREA SPONSORING MARINA
Click Here To View the Cruisers Net Georgia Marina Directory Listing For Jekyll Harbor Marina
Click Here To Open A Chart View Window, Zoomed To the Location of Jekyll Harbor Marina
Comments from Cruisers (3)
- Reply to Richard
In reply to Dave and Bob. Sorry it took so long, we have been out cruising.
MLW depths mean the water depth at low tide. Of course the water was much deeper at close to high tide when we went thru (We draw 5 ft), but I subtracted the tide when calculating water depth. The bottom line is that until the dredging is finished, most boats will not be able to pass this section at low tide.
- Reply to Dave
Can someone please verify this? Seems to be an exaggeration
- Reply to Bob
With all due respect, it is hard to believe that there was 2 ft mlw in Jekyll Creek today near high tide. These kinds of reports are useless to cruisers and actually are detrimental because they do not potray a complete picture. Exactly where near green 19 were you when you saw 2 ft? I suspect you were quite far off G 19 and which direction were u heading, north or south? I travel through here several times a year and have never heard of 2 ft at mlw except if you are out of the channel, off course or have not paid attention to the many tracks and routes posted online to easily traverse this area.
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Explore Your Ocean Treasures at Gray’s Reef National Marine Sanctuary
Gray’s Reef National Marine Sanctuary protects Georgia’s special live-bottom wildlife habitat in the Atlantic Ocean and along the southeastern U.S. coast, an area teeming with diversity and an abundance of marine life.
Explore your ocean treasures at Gray’s Reef National Marine Sanctuary
Upcoming public meeting, student robotics competition, and special volunteer recognition 
NOAA science diver Randy Rudd descending to the depths of Gray’s Reef National Marine Sanctuary. Photo credit: Dr. Peter Auster/UCONN
Gray’s Reef National Marine Sanctuary Advisory Council to meet
NOAA’s Gray’s Reef National Marine Sanctuary Advisory Council will hold a meeting on
April 30, 2019, from 10:00 a.m. to 4:15 p.m. at the Library Auditorium of the University of
Georgia’s Skidaway Institute of Oceanography. The public is invited to attend.Gray’s Reef Sanctuary Advisory Council holds two in-person meetings every year. The council will receive reports about science activities and results, including a presentation by NOAA research scientist Dr. Jenni Stanley about her work to characterize soundscapes in Gray’s Reef and three other national marine sanctuaries. Council member Bob Crimian from The Nature Conservancy will report on TNC’s recreational angler engagement project.
Public comment will be taken at approximately 4:00 p.m.
For updates including a final agenda, visit
https://graysreef.noaa.gov/management/sac/council_news. html 
Gray’s Reef Southeast MATE ROV Competition
Students from across the southeast will compete in Savannah, GA on Saturday, May 11th with their underwater robots (ROVs) in a mission involving habitat restoration, water quality monitoring, maritime archaeology, and structural maintenance of freshwater dams. Come learn about applied ocean sciences, operations, engineering and opportunities for student learning with Gray’s Reef National Marine Sanctuary Foundation at the Southeast MATE ROV Competition!
#graysreef #materov #graysreefnmsf
Gray’s Reef Volunteer of the Year – Katie Miller
Join us in congratulating Katie Miller for being Gray’s Reef National Marine Sanctuary’s Volunteer of the Year! Katie has acted as a dedicated and engaged outreach volunteer since 2015 and is being recognized for her outstanding service to the site in 2018. Katie is a stellar student, now in her first year at Dartmouth College, who is inspired by the ecology of coastal Georgia and seeks opportunities to learn about and protect our ocean planet. We wish her all the best and congratulate Katie on a job well done!
Gray’s Reef National Marine Sanctuary
graysreef.noaa.gov
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Georgia’s Coast Given an A- on the Ecosystem Report Card
Georgia’s 105 mile coast has been given an A- for this year, the highest grade since the grading began in 2014. This is good news for everyone. See links below for the full story.
CRD: Coastal report card shows improved environmental health
The Coastal Resources Division of the Georgia Department of Natural Resources today announces the release of the 2018 Coastal Georgia Ecosystem Report Card. This annual snapshot of Georgia’s 105-mile coastline examines key indicators in human health, fisheries and wildlife.
This year, the report card’s metrics scored our coast at an “A-“, which is the highest score for the report card since its inception in 2014.
Here is a link to a press release, and the report can be downloaded directly by visiting https://coastalgadnr.org/sites/default/files/crd/PressRelease/Report%20Card%202018.pdf or clicking the link above.
Have a great day,
Tyler Jones
Communication Specialist
Coastal Resources Division
(912) 262-3140 | M: (912) 230-9709
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Good News! UPDATE: Dredging Underway, Jekyll Creek Problem Stretch, GA AICW Statute Mile 683
This long overdue dredging is very welcome, because the channel through this Problem Stretch seems to shift with each tide and, until the dredging proves otherwise, Cruisers Net still recommends mid to high tide passage.
Below is a link to information about the dredging of Jekyll Creek off Jekyll Island set to begin April 10 (date revised March 11, 2019). Crews will arrive Monday for staging. This has been a long time in the making. Jekyll Creek is one of the most shallow points in the Atlantic Intracoastal Waterway in Georgia and has not been dredged since 1998.Additionally, the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers will be using two new techniques to manage dredge sediments. You can read all about it in the link below. Please don’t hesitate if you have questions. I’m also working on putting a short video together about this with some drone footage showing the locations referenced on the website. I expect to have that available tomorrow for TV stations and anyone else who’d like it.
You can read all about it here: www.coastalGADNR.org/JekyllCreek
Tyler Jones
Communications Specialist
Coastal Resources Division
(912) 262-3140 | M: (912) 230-9709
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A division of the
GEORGIA DEPARTMENT OF NATURAL RESOURCES3/12/19 Jekyll Creek dredging pilot project set for April
Brunswick NewsGEORGIA
Dredging in Jekyll Creek begins this month
News4JaxJekyll Creek Dredging Information Video
Dredging in Jekyll Creek begins this month
WJXT News4JAXBig dredging project underway in Jekyll Creek
WJXT News4JAXClick Here To View the Cruisers’ Net’s “AICW Problem Stretches” Listing For Jekyll CreekClick Here To Open A Chart View Window, Zoomed To This AICW Problem StretchAREA SPONSORING MARINA
Click Here To View the Cruisers Net Georgia Marina Directory Listing For Jekyll Harbor Marina
Click Here To Open A Chart View Window, Zoomed To the Location of Jekyll Harbor Marina
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Jekyll Island, 2011-2014 by Sonny Reeves
Our thanks to Sonny Reeves, an experienced cruiser and photographer, for this photo essay on Jekyll Island where he, his wife, Jean and their rescue Dachshund, Suzsea, lived for a number of years on their boat at Jekyll Harbor Marina, A CRUISERS NET SPONSOR.
Click here for Jekyll Island, 2011-2014
Suzsea
Click Here To View the Cruisers’ Net’s Georgia Marina Directory Listing For Jekyll Harbor Marina
Click Here To Open A Chart View Window, Zoomed To the Location of Jekyll Harbor Marina
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Excellent Report on Cumberland Island, South Georgia AICW
Our thanks to Richard and Jill Spurlock for granting permission to share their excellent description of Cumberland Island as posted on AGLCA’s Forum. Cumberland Island National Seashore is a National Park on the east shore of the Waterway’s passage through Cumberland Sound south of Jekyll Island. There are only dinghy docks on the island and one of Claiborne’s favorite side trips along the south Georgia coast was to leave the Waterway at marker #34 and cruise up the Cumberland Island channel to anchor off the west side of Cumberland Island and east of Drum Point Island. See Anchoring off Cumberland Island and the Park’s website is https://www.nps.gov/cuis/index.htm.
If you would like to explore a great island park stop at Cumberland Island National Park just North of Fernandina Beach, Florida. Cumberland Island is the first barrier island you see [northbound] after you cross the Georgia line on the ICW. There is a long anchorage area that is protected except from the south and southwest. There were boats from 22 feet to 55 feet anchored in this 1/2 mile long anchoring area while we were visiting. There is a lot to see and do here if you like the outdoors. There are the Dungeness ruins, remains of a huge mansion and outbuildings, wild horses, Plum Orchard Mansion still intact with tours. You can also walk a half a mile to the Atlantic side and have a beach that goes as far as you can see. We only met two people walking the beach the day we were there. If the weather is nice you can easily spend 3 days here walking and enjoying the outdoors. There are 2 docks where you can tie a dinghy on the southern end and one on the Brickhill River where the Plum Orchard Mansion is located. This is a national park so there is a $10 per person entry fee for adults. Check it out on the web.
Richard and Jill Spurlock
Jill Kristy
MacGregor 26 X
Cumberland Island Beach, photo by Sonny Reeves
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Comments on St. Andrew Sound, GA AICW Statute Miles 685-690
In this Facebook posting on Bob423, Tom Hale describes his recent St Andrew Sound passage. St Andrew Sound can kick up nasty conditions in the shallows of the Waterway’s magenta line east around infamous Marker 32. Alternative routes have been explored and suggested as long as I can remember. See Robert Sherer’s alternate route for more on this often challenging sound.
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Comments on Jekyll Creek Problem Stretch, GA AICW Statute Mile 683
In this Facebook posting, Tom Hale is referring to Dredging to Begin, Jekyll Creek Problem Stretch, GA AICW Statute Mile 683 on Bob423’s blog.
Click Here To View the Cruisers’ Net’s “AICW Problem Stretches” Listing For Jekyll CreekClick Here To Open A Chart View Window, Zoomed To This AICW Problem StretchAREA SPONSORING MARINA
Click Here To View the Cruisers’ Net’s Georgia Marina Directory Listing For Jekyll Harbor Marina
Click Here To Open A Chart View Window, Zoomed To the Location of Jekyll Harbor Marina
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Celebrate Spring with Gray’s Reef National Marine Sanctuary, Savannah, GA
Gray’s Reef National Marine Sanctuary protects Georgia’s special live-bottom wildlife habitat in the Atlantic Ocean and along the southeastern U.S. coast, an area teeming with diversity and an abundance of marine life.
These sea fans at Gray’s Reef are animals classified as cnidaria (naɪˈdɛəriə), a family containing over 11,000 aquatic species found mainly in our ocean. Photo credit: Greg McFall/GRNMS
Calling all Captains!
Skidaway Institute of Oceanography, a unit of the University of Georgia, seeks applications to fill an immediate need for a Captain / Marine Operations Coordinator with NOAA/Gray’s Reef National Marine Sanctuary.
This position serves as Master of the R/V Joe Ferguson, a 41 ft research vessel, and the R/V Sam Gray, a 36 ft research vessel operated by Gray’s Reef National Marine Sanctuary. In coordination with the Vessel Operations Coordinator (VOC), ensures effective vessel operation and safety of ship and crew personnel to successfully complete science cruise missions. This is a full time position with time/effort split between cruises (<120 days per year with average duration of 10hrs) and shore duties. For more information on the duties and responsibilities, training and experience, and how to apply click here
Savannah St. Patrick’s Day Parade
Be on the lookout for the Gray’s Reef National Marine Sanctuary float during the Savannah St. Patrick’s Day Parade on Saturday, March 16. We will bring the reef to the street and showcase the treasures of the sea during the “Hostess City” of the south’s 195th heritage parade. Take pictures of the Gray’s Reef float and share them with us at #graysreef
Gray’s Reef National Marine Sanctuary
graysreef.noaa.gov
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GA Coastal Resource Division Begins Annual Angler Survey
During this survey, CRD staff goes to boat ramps, marinas, shorelines and other places along Georgia’s 100-mile coastline and asks anglers to participate in a survey that collects data later used to help keep our saltwater fisheries healthy and robust.
Click here for CRD: Annual angler survey kicks off
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More on Capsized Tug in Jekyll Creek, GA AICW Statute Mile 683
This large tug capsized in December just north of the fixed bridge over Jekyll Creek, Jekyll Island, GA. The tug has now been removed, see Bruce’s comment below. See Sunken Tug and Capsized Tug for earlier reports.
Capsized tugboat floating off Jekyll Island for more than 2 weeks
WJXT News4JAXComments from Cruisers (1)
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