Our thanks to Bill Parlatore for permitting Cruisers Net to share articles from his excellent blog, Following Seas.
Monday Minute – Another Sailor is Out
Susie Goodall had a really close call, but she is safe after losing her Rustler 36 in the Southern Ocean. The 29-year-old was knocked unconscious when her boat pitchpoled end over end in rough seas and high winds. She was eventually picked up by a cargo ship on its way to Argentina.
Our thanks to experienced cruiser and longtime contributor to Cruisers Net, Greg Allard, for this report and link from the Exumas, Bahamas.
Larry – At the time of our last cruise to the Exuma Cays Land and Sea Park in the Bahamas, we noticed that maintenance on some of the moorings had been “deferred.” This was a disappointment, since traditionally the moorings in the Park had been excellent and well-maintained.
This article [link below] from the Bahamian National Trust which oversees the Park, is written by the new Park Warden, Brent Burrows II. For all Bahamian cruisers who consider the Park to be one of the absolute best places in the Bahamas, this is encouraging news about the refurbishment of the mooring systems.
When we visited the Park in May of 2018, we met Mr. Burrows as well as the overall Park Administrator Joe Ierna, Jr. Both of those individuals have brought a great deal of energy and enthusiasm to their positions, and this article reflects that.
Some cruisers were unhappy when the Park raised its mooring fees, and imposed a charge for anchoring. But the Park has a very limited budget, and the new fees help to improve this extraordinary facility. In my view, the value of what the Park provides far outweighs the cost. If you haven’s cruised there, it is an extraordinary experience.
Greg Allard
M/V Meander
Leading MPAs Worldwide in Providing Safe & Effective Moorings
We have been going there for 17 years but will pass by until they stop charging to anchor. We used to be members and donated and the park functioned fine with volunters brfore the current money hungry mgt. took over. The park is a natural wonder, just keep out the poachers. I wonder where all these fees are going?
Terry
I’m thinking Santa will be there for a little R&R soon
Come on, admit it…if you are locked in the snow and ice of the midwest and northeast, doesn’t this article make you drool!?! Our thanks to Southern Exposure for this delightful report.
Winter Weather in The Bahamas
Southern Exposure
Our thanks to regular contributor, Greg Allard, for this latest news from the USCG via BoatUS.
NEWS From BoatUS
Boat Owners Association of The United States
880 S. Pickett St., Alexandria, VA 22304
Read this press release online at: https://bit.ly/2PgCk85
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Press Contact: D. Scott Croft, 703-461-2864, SCroft@BoatUS.com
Photo Available at: https://www.BoatUS.com/
Photo Caption: Can you find the E15 warning label? This pump is located near Cedar Lake, Indiana. (credit: National Marine Manufacturers Association)
Ethanol Misfueling Danger Laid Bare: Gas Pump Photos
“The ethanol industry doesn’t want you to see these photos”
SPRINGFIELD, Va., Dec. 5, 2018 — President Trump has officially moved to allow E15 (15 percent ethanol) gasoline sales year-round – a fuel prohibited for use in recreational boats and a decision that recreational boating groups say will needlessly put 142 million American boaters at risk. Protecting Boaters at the Gas Pump is a new website with a series of photos of gas station pumps in Illinois, Indiana and Wisconsin that clearly shows the challenges boaters face with poor ethanol warning labels at the pump, resulting in a greater risk of misfueling.
The effort is from the National Marine Manufacturers Association’s (NMMA), which was recently shared in “Boating United” campaign that urges recreational boat owners to tweet their members of Congress to stop the expansion of the government-mandated fuel. Boat Owners Association of The United States (BoatUS) supports the effort and is urging recreational boaters to share the website with friends:
https://spark.adobe.com/page/
“The ethanol industry doesn’t want you to see these photos of gas pumps,” said BoatUS Manager of Government Affairs David Kennedy. “The confusion presented to consumers at the pump today is real. Putting the wrong fuel in your boat will likely void your engine’s warranty. We applaud NMMA for clearly showing the misfueling problem.”
E15 is currently banned for sale in many states by the Environmental Protection Agency during summer months over concerns that it contributes to smog on hot days. The push for more ethanol into the nation’s fuel supply is a result of the Renewable Fuel Standard (RFS). When it was passed in 2005, RFS assumed that America’s use of gasoline would continue to grow. Since then, however, gasoline usage has not increased as forecast, which today forces more ethanol into each gallon of gas.
BoatUS has long had concerns over potential consumer misfueling with E15. Most recreational boaters refuel their vessels at roadside gas stations where pump-labeling requirements are minimal with just a small E15 orange warning label. The advocacy, services and safety group for recreational boaters is a member of Smarter Fuel Future, a coalition that aims to reform the RFS.
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Suggested Tweet and Facebook post:
Ethanol fuel misfueling danger laid bare: the ethanol industry doesn’t want you to see these gas pump photos https://bit.ly/2PgCk85 @BoatUS, @SmarterFuels, #BoatUSonWatch, #RFSbroken
About Boat Owners Association of The United States (BoatUS):
Celebrating more than 50 years, BoatUS is the nation’s largest organization of recreational boaters with more than a half-million members. We are the boat owners’ voice on Capitol Hill and fight for their rights. We are The Boat Owners Auto Club and help ensure a roadside trailer breakdown doesn’t end a boating or fishing trip before it begins. When boats break down on the water, TowBoatUS brings them safely back to the launch ramp or dock, 24/7. The BoatUS Marine Insurance Program gives boat owners affordable, specialized coverage and superior service they need. We help keep boaters safe and our waters clean with assistance from the nonprofit BoatUS Foundation for Boating Safety and Clean Water. Visit BoatUS.com.
If you have a car and are cruising around Florida in December, here are suggestions for extra special seasonal destinations!
The 20 Best Christmas Towns in Florida
Coastal Living
This stretch of shoaling north of the Ben Sawyer Bridge has been a Problem Stretch for some time with numerous warnings in the past. Cruisers Net continues to advise mid to high tide passage only. See Nov 21 Local Notice. Our thanks to Mike Holleman for this onsite report.
Went through this section of the ICW today, mid tide rising. Did not find depths below 6 feet. However MM 430 through 440 was touch and go. 3 to 5 feet for several miles. This was at low tide.
Mike Holleman
Click Here To Open A Chart View Window, Zoomed To This AICW Problem Stretch
Our thanks to Bill Parlatore for permitting Cruisers Net to share articles from his excellent blog, Following Seas.
Monday Minute – Differential GPS Bids Us Adieu
If you are an “experienced” cruiser (aka old person) you probably remember the days of Selective Availability (SA) and intentionally reduced GPS accuracy. The military only let us know our location within 100 meters. This continued for years, despite ongoing pleas from the FAA and USCG to provide everyone with the accuracy available from the GPS satellite system. It took a jetliner being shot down to turn off this reduced-accuracy SA. Today we could not live without accurate GPS information. At home, on the road, and on the water. Read more…
Bill Parlatore
This obscured when southbound ICW red marker is on the west side of the channel c. 5NMs south of St. Augustine Inlet. Our thanks to experienced cruiser Perry McDonald for this notice.
I have given you a screen shot of the Marker ‘R30’ located south of St. Augustine. This marker is obscure to south bound traffic due to the new overbuilt dock and boat house. Cruisers see ‘G29’ and assume ‘R36 is the next marker. They often find themselves aground on the shoal. This was reported to the USCG but not action has been taken.
Perry McDonald
The Chartview opens to the entrance to the northern entrance to the Alligator River-Pungo River Canal where 3 anchorages are found off Tuckahoe, Bear and Deep Points. David has been referred to Cruisers’ Net’s Anchorage directory for the Alligator River, but if you have dropped the hook recently in that section, let us hear from you. Thank you!
Does anyone have updated information on anchorages on the Alligator River section of the AICW (Statute Mile 80 through 105)? I am especially looking for information in the middle third of this section (roughly half way between Coinjock and Belhaven). Thanks.
David Swanson
Your Comments…I ended up anchoring at "The Straits" anchorage. The entrance was exactly as scary as described in the 6th edition of Claiborne's book, but there was slightly more water in the approach than charted. The interior was very remote. Definitely not a place to enter after dark.
For Claiborne’s description, see https://cruisersnet.net/115391
Our thanks to Bill Parlatore for permitting Cruisers Net to post articles from his excellent blog, Following Seas. And in case you missed Part 1, Part 2 or Part 3.
The Cost of Cruising – Part 4 – Cutting Expenses
Let’s take a look at some ways to cut expenses, and conversely, how to make money while cruising. They both contribute to allow you to keep enjoying the lifestyle. Not many couples can get by making video vlogs on YouTube of their adventures, and expect others to pay for their experience through donations and Patreon.
Our thanks to Bill Parlatore for permitting Cruisers Net to post articles from his excellent blog, Following Seas.
Monday Minute – The Mindset of Being on the Ocean
From an article I recently wrote for a club magazine, I wanted to share the philosophy of being on the ocean by the great sailor of the post-war period. He feats aboard his Finisterre are legendary. Carleton Mitchell also introduced the world to the joys of the trawler lifestyle, starting with a Grand Banks 42 in the 1960s.
This low hanging cable on Lake Okeechobee Route 2 was last reported in December of 2017, see Low Cable Restricting Air Space and, as Sue Ward sadly confirms, nothing has been done to remedy the situation. High-masted vessels are encouraged to use Route 1
Sad to report that the low line across the waterway has still not been lifted from around 30 odd feet. This blocks access to all cruising yachts trying to follow the Rim route across Florida. Its nearly 12 months since this route was blocked. Some friends who had not been south for a couple of years, found out the hard way yesterday and had to back track back north to Port Mayaca then cross the lake to Clewiston.
Sue Ward
11/26 Good afternoon Larry and Sue,
I was able to get a status-
The lines will be raised when ATT relocates its lines. We expect this work to start in December. FPL must do work first, and they have already dropped off their poles, so we expect this to move forward in the near future.
Thanks for checking in with us!
Wishing you both Happy Holidays-
Erica
Public Affairs Specialist
Corporate Communications Office
U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, Jacksonville District
Click Here To View the Okeechobee Cruisers’ Net Bridge Directory Listing For Torry Island Bridge
Click Here To Open A Chart View Window, Zoomed To the Location of Torry Island Bridge
Explorer Chartbooks, A CRUISERS NET PARTNER, has long been the standard navigational supplement for enjoyable, informative, and safe cruising through the beautiful Bahamian waters and island visits.
Bahamas Chatter: New Plymouth Pier
New Plymouth Pier
Posted: 23 Nov 2018 05:19 AM PST
The town dock at New Plymouth Settlement at Green Turtle Cay is brand new. Unfortunately, at this time there are no ladders so getting from the dinghy is difficult. There is another dock by Curries Grocery which we used, don’t forget your stern anchor. As usual, the Customs Officer was really friendly and we cleared in with no fuss or bother.
Cruisers Net has a number of Holiday Lighted Boat Parades listed, just enter “parade” in the Search box on our Homepage.
Christmas flotillas to light up waterways soon
Jacksonville Daily News
Explorer Chartbooks, A CRUISERS’ NET PARTNER, has long been the standard navigational supplement for enjoyable, informative, and safe cruising through the beautiful Bahamian waters and island visits.
Bahamas Chatter: New fuel and dockage survey November 21, 2018
New fuel and dockage survey November 21, 2018
Posted: 21 Nov 2018 03:47 PM PST
A new survey of dockage and fuel prices has been completed and posted showing most of the marinas offering these services in the Bahamas. Most fuel prices were up with a few exceptions that remained unchanged. A few marinas reduced dockage rates but none lowered fuel prices.
Please go to our website www.explorercharts.com under Fuel and Dockage Prices to check our latest findings. We will be updating continuously as we get new information.
Our thanks to Bill Parlatore for permitting Cruisers Net to post articles from his excellent blog, Following Seas. In case you missed Part 1 and Part 2.
The Cost of Cruising – Part 3 – Some Thoughts on Living Expenses
In Part 3, we look at incidental and daily costs, and how to keep them from cutting your travels short.
Reports of shoaling south of Fernandina Beach have been coming in for several years prompting numerous comments. This shoaling and shifting channel lies c. two miles south of Fernandina Beach harbor just north of the Waterway’s turn into Kingsley Creek. Our thanks to Geologist Bill Aley for this permanent buoy update.
Following up on some conversations we were having this past April, we are happy to announce that the U.S. Coast Guard (USCG) has finally placed permanent navigation aids to mark the new channel alignment in the problematic navigation area of the Intracoastal Waterway just south of Fernandina, FL.
Attached is the notice from the USCG and a rough map showing existing and new permanent navigation aids in the area.
Unfortunately, they did not mark the shoal that is north-west of green marker #3. This shoal is still a potential hazard to any boaters who may navigate directly from marker 3 toward 1B, especially at lower tides.
Happy Thanksgiving.
Bill Aley, P.G. | Professional Geologist
Taylor Engineering, Inc.
10199 Southside Blvd., Suite 310, Jacksonville, FL 32256
Main: 904-731-7040 | Direct: 904-256-1313 | Cell: 904-545-1137
www.taylorengineering.com
Destin | Jacksonville | Sarasota | Tampa
R 061925Z NOV 18
FM USCGC HAMMER
TO COMCOGARD SECTOR JACKSONVILLE FL
INFO COGARD ANT JACKSONVILLE BEACH FL
CCGDSEVEN MIAMI FL
COGARD STA MAYPORT FL
BT
UNCLAS
PASS TO OFFICE CODES:
INFO CCGDSEVEN MIAMI FL//DPW//
SUBJ: ATON CHANGE/IATONIS UPDATE//
1. FERNANDINA BEACH BUOY 1A CONVERTED TO FERNANDINA BEACH DBN 1A POST
DREDGING PROJECT.
2. RECOVERED BUOY. ESTABLISHED (01) 50FT SPW IN 12FT. INSTALLED (02)
03 SG-SY.
3. POSN INFO: 30-39-46.403N 081-29-05.218W (30°39.7734N / 081°29.0870W, 30.662890 / -81.484783)
4. REQ MPP BECOME AP.
4. REQ BNM
BT
————————————————————————————————————————–
R 061914Z NOV 18
FM USCGC HAMMER
TO COMCOGARD SECTOR JACKSONVILLE FL
INFO COGARD ANT JACKSONVILLE BEACH FL
CCGDSEVEN MIAMI FL
COGARD STA MAYPORT FL
BT
UNCLAS
PASS TO OFFICE CODES:
INFO CCGDSEVEN MIAMI FL//DPW//
SUBJ: ATON CHANGE/IATONIS UPDATE//
1. FERNANDINA BEACH BUOY 1B CONVERTED TO FERNANDINA BEACH DBN 1B POST
DREDGING PROJECT.
2. RECOVERED BUOY. ESTABLISHED (01) 50FT SPW IN 20FT. INSTALLED (02)
03 SG-SY.
3. POSN INFO: 30-39-36.578N 081-29-09.609W (30°39.6097N / 081°29.1601W, 30.660161 / -81.486002)
4. REQ MPP BECOME AP.
4. REQ BNM
———————————————————————————————————————————-
R 061920Z NOV 18
FM USCGC HAMMER
TO COMCOGARD SECTOR JACKSONVILLE FL
INFO COGARD ANT JACKSONVILLE BEACH FL
CCGDSEVEN MIAMI FL
COGARD STA MAYPORT FL
BT
UNCLAS
PASS TO OFFICE CODES:
INFO CCGDSEVEN MIAMI FL//DPW//
SUBJ: ATON CHANGE/IATONIS UPDATE//
1. AMELIA RIVER BUOY 18A CONVERTED TO FERNANDINA BEACH DBN 18A POST
DREDGING PROJECT.
2. RECOVERED BUOY. ESTABLISHED (01) 50FT SPW IN 13FT. INSTALLED (02)
04 TR-TY.
3. POSN INFO: 30-39-52.597N 081-29-07.909(30°39.8766N / 081°29.1318W, 30.664610 / -81.485530)
4. REQ MPP BECOME AP.
4. REQ BNM
—————————————————————————————————————————————-
R 061907Z NOV 18
FM USCGC HAMMER
TO COMCOGARD SECTOR JACKSONVILLE FL
INFO COGARD ANT JACKSONVILLE BEACH FL
CCGDSEVEN MIAMI FL
COGARD STA MAYPORT FL
BT
UNCLAS
PASS TO OFFICE CODES:
INFO CCGDSEVEN MIAMI FL//DPW//
SUBJ: ATON DISCREPANCY CORRECTION
A. COGARD ANT JACKSONVILLE BEACH
1. FERNANDINA BEACH DBN 2 (LLNR 37987 [30°38.9113N / 081°29.0580W, 30.648522 / -81.484300])
2. CAUSE: ALLISON. RECOVERED TRUB. REBUILT AID IN
18FT OF WATER USING (01) 50FT SPW. INSTALLED (02) 04 TR-TY.
3. POSN INFO: REBUILT ON AP.
4. REQ CANX BNM
BT
Click Here To Open A Chart View Window, Zoomed To the Location of Temporary Buoy 18A
Robert Sherer
Happy cruising everyone. Hopefully this area is now more clearly marked for your cruising pleasure. Please keep aware of the still dangerous shoal on the west bank, south of marker 1B and NW of marker 3. Plenty of deepwater exists on the outside of the bends in this area.
Fort Pierce City Marina, A CRUISERS NET SPONSOR and a public facility, is located west of the Waterway, just south of the Fort Pierce high-rise bridge and well north of unlighted daybeacon #188.
Many of us who enjoy cruising on coastal waters have probably heard that the “Sunset City” is San Francisco, CA.
But do you know what city is the “Sunrise City”?
It is ideally located on Florida’s eastern beautiful sandy shores and is …..
Fort Pierce City Marina at sunrise
Fort Pierce and San Francisco are actually “Sister Cities” with their acclaims as the Sunrise and the Sunset cities.
Cruising southern Florida and maybe on to the Keys or Bahamas, a visit to this slice of ole Florida charm and hospitality will be well worth your time.
The town of Fort Pierce is located on what is called Florida’s “Treasure Coast.”
The Treasure Coast refers to the tons of treasure reportedly left at the ocean’s bottom by ships sunk in this immediate area.
The major drawing card here is the Spanish “Silver” Fleet sunk in this area in 1715.
Here’s a map outlining the Treasure Coast area in red for you “treasure hunters.”
Who knows, it just might be able to help you find a Spanish coin or two!
The city got its name from an Army post that was in the area named for Benjamin Kendrick Pierce, a career US Army officer and brother of President Franklin Pierce, hence the name, Fort Pierce. As the town gradually built near by, it took the name in 1838.
Fort Pierce City Marina first opened in 1938, ideally located in the heart of the town’s business district and local parks.
Circa 1948 Ten years after opening
So much is within easy walking distance: excellent places to eat and one of our favorites is 12-A Buoy for excellent seafood. A nice stroll along Indian River Drive brings you by the Manatee Observation and Education Center, http://www.manateecenter.com and the A.E. Backus Museum and Gallery which is home to paintings by this local native of Ft. Pierce well known for his tropical landscape paintings, http://www.backusmuseum.com/.
Also nearby are many interesting places to visit such as:
National Navy SEAL Museum https://www.navysealmuseum.org/
Ft. Pierce Inlet State Park https://www.stateparks.com/fort_pierce_inlet_state_park_in_florida.html
which provide an abundance of recreational opportunities.
The breathtakingly beautiful half-mile beach welcomes visitors for swimming, snorkeling, surfing, and scuba diving. Beachcombing, picnicking, or just relaxing on the sand are also popular activities, and a slightly longer walk or short bike ride will take you to Heathcote Botanical Gardens, https://www.heathcotebotanicalgardens.org/.
Provisioning for your crew is rather special as each Saturday, Fort Pierce boasts one of the best farmer’s markets in all of Florida and it is ranked in the top five nationally, https://www.fortpiercefarmersmarket.com/.
Now that has to be some kind of Farmers Market.
Fresh baked bread
Over seventy vendors
And then on Wednesdays, the “Green Market” also takes place, so every skipper should be able to have some of Florida’s freshest produce aboard for all to enjoy.
On the social side, weather permitting, the first Friday of each month there is a “Street Party” with live music where you may meet new friends, and we are sure you will have some good ole fashioned enjoyment.
Going offshore for the Bahamas, one of Florida’s best east coast inlets is the Fort Pierce Inlet, known to be the “best all weather inlet on the east coast.”
Fort Pierce Inlet
The inlet and surrounding Indian River Lagoon provides many spoil islands to enjoy on day trips with the family, or kayaking, or enjoying a picnic, but also easy access to the Atlantic and world-class fishing waters…and between us “friends,” maybe find a Spanish silver coin or two.
Spoil islands anchorage
Fort Pierce City Marina is eighty years young as this is being published. This first-class marine facility has not only stood the test of time, but this marina continues to lead with improvements, such as their $32.8 million dollar waterfront Island protection project, new floating docks, their “first in the state” eco-friendly Storm Protection System and improved yacht friendly navigation.
| Fort Pierce City Marina in 2007… | and here’s the marina in 2016 … |
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You have to visit and see first hand how this marina management team has worked hard and smart to develop something very unique that not only protects its marina slips but contributes to the local sea habitat, both fish and fowl.
Also provided for the cruising community is a new dinghy dock so cruisers can have easy and comfortable access to the town.
Ft. Pierce City Marina provides all the amenities of home: clean comfortable facilities, free wifi, two fueling stations, complementary pump-outs, two restaurants on site, pet friendly, supply store, etc… (see marina features below).
Fort Pierce City Marina is just south of South Bridge on the Atlantic ICW at Statute Mile 966.5. The entrance channel is relatively new, a couple years old now, just be sure your charts are current.
Contact them on VHF #16 or #17, or
Call via your cell phone to 800.619.1780 or local 772.464.1245.
Web site – http://www.fortpiercecitymarina.org/
Enjoy your stay with this team of professional marina providers. They are truly a skipper’s resource and excellent host for you as you enjoy your trip through this part of Florida. Many have come for a visit and, well, now Ft. Pierce City Marina is their home port. Let your team here at Cruisers Net know about your visit to Fort Pierce City Marina.
Marina Features
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Click Here To Open A Chart View Window, Zoomed To the Location of Fort Pierce City Marina
Our thanks to Bill Parlatore for permitting Cruisers Net to post articles from his excellent blog, Following Seas.
I went along on what will likely be the last sail of the year. Boats that have not gone south are being winterized and properly stored. This past Saturday we brought a Hallberg-Rassy to its winter yard at Herrington Harbour North in Deale, MD. And today I help bring a Selene 40 trawler over to Jabin Yacht Yard in Annapolis for hauling and shrink wrap. It’s that time of year.
Monday Minute – Last Sail of 2018
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