The City Marina has re-opened after being severely damaged by Hurricane Irma and is accepting transients. The marina has no fuel at this point, but the marina is staffed 24/7, has ice and the dinghy dock is open. Call ahead, 904-825-1026 to request services or make a reservation.
St. Augustine Municipal Marina losing half of its revenue
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: Guns and Ammo in Bahamas Guns and Ammo in Bahamas Posted: 15 Dec 2017 07:32 AM PST We recently had some questions about how many rounds of ammunition one could bring in on a boat cruising in the Bahamas. We were able to talk to an official at Bahamas Customs and get this answer for what is allowed: 3 guns 250 rounds/weapon Also, as it states in the Customs article of our Explorer Chartbooks, if one is boarded by the Defence Force, the number of rounds of ammunition aboard should equal the number on the cruising permit. That’s the official word.
Monty Lewis Explorer Chartbooks
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Durando Fraino- December 22, 2017 - 2:28 pm
It sounds more as if you are planning a cruise to Afghanistan rather than the Bahamas. I can’t understand why you would want to vacation in a place where you need to worry about how much fire power you have on board.
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: “chart plotter software” plus 1 more chart plotter software Posted: 11 Dec 2017 04:42 PM PST What free chart plotter software on your laptop do you use when you’re downloading Explorer charts?
Lighthouse Yacht Club Andros Posted: 11 Dec 2017 04:39 PM PST Does anyone know if Lighthouse YC marina in Fresh Creek is open? Have heard conflicting reports. If closed, what are the options for stopping there? (don’t need any services) thx
There are bound to be a number of our readers who not only used Claiborne Young’s Cruising Guides for cruising information and advice, but who also knew Claiborne personally. With that in mind, Team Member, Winston Fowler, thinks you will enjoy reading Claiborne’s 2005 announcement of his guides going online (“live” as Claiborne describes) as Salty Southeast Cruisers’ Net. Can you hear his excitement? So typical of this larger-than-life personality.
From: C. S. Young To: Salty Southeast Subscriber Sent: Fri, Nov 18, 2005 4:45 pm Subject: Salty SE Cruiser’s Net Goes LIVE
SALTY SOUTHEAST CRUISER’S NET GOES LIVE!!!! Go to: http://www.CruisingGuide.com Then, click on the “Cruiser’s Net” button along the left side of our home page
Watermark Publishing is proud to announce the genesis of what may turn out to be the most important new service to the Southeastern USA cruising community for many a year. And, best of all, it’s FREE, with nothing to subscribe to or join! As those of you who have been on the Salty Southeast mailing list already know, we have been soliciting cruising news for a new “Salty Southeast Cruiser’s Net.” By this means, the cruising community can exchange information in real time about what’s changed, new, different, alarming or just plain exciting, on ALL the coastal waters from North Carolina to New Orleans.
NOTE: The enclosed links are no longer valid.
We have already received a wonderful selection of cruising news, ranging from changes in channels and aids to navigation, to marinas that might be charging a wee bit too much for their dockage. And, what’s really great, is that all this info is brought to you by those who know it best, namely, your fellow cruisers who have just traversed the waters you will soon be visiting. Some of this data will be quite IMPORTANT to captains making their way south on the Atlantic ICW, and we urge you to check out the cruiser’s net at your earliest opportunity. You will find the Salty SE Cruiser’s net divided into “North Carolina,” “South Carolina – Georgia,” “Eastern Florida” (Fernandina Beach to Miami), “Florida Keys,” “Western Florida” (Cape Sable to Carrabelle), “Northern Gulf” and “Bahamas” sub-sections. Initially, you will find the “North Carolina,” “South Carolina – Georgia,” “Eastern Florida” and “Florida Keys” sections heavy with news. This is to be expected, as we have been hearing from the “snowbirds” as they wend their way south. Of course, for this concept to work, WE NEED TO CONTINUE RECEIVING A STREAM OF NEWS FROM ALL CRUISERS, not just snowbirds, but also those who live and cruise weekly (or daily) on their home waters. So, without further ado, we invite one and all to go to http://www.CruisingGuide.com, and click on the “Cruiser’s Net” button along the left side of hour home page. PLEASE let us know what you think of the new Salty SE Cruiser’s Net, and PLEASE keep that great cruising news coming. We look forward to receiving your e-mails at opcom@cruisingguide.com. Good luck and good cruising!
Claiborne Young Watermark Publishing opcom@cruisingguide.com http://www.CruisingGuide.com
You shouldn’t have any trouble with either channel. Key Biscayne channel is better marked and perhaps a little deeper, but neither is a problem for your draft. Enjoy the trip through Stiltsville. The Cape Florida channel is not as well marked, but again no problem. However, be cautious of the sportfishers that run through it on plane. Some sails chose to anchor near the channel for a quick start to a Bahamas trip – not a good idea. Also, on weekends there is a lot of traffic here going to and from No Name Harbor and its restaurant. Currents on each are not an issue for boats under power.
Bob and Ann Sherer, authors of 2017 ICW Cruising Guide and their popular blog, http://fleetwing.blogspot.com/, generously continue to share their research of Waterway trouble spots with our readers. Having run aground in the often shoaled Russell Creek “shortcut” into Beaufort’s waterfront, this editor can vouch for the area’s confusing array of buoys. Thank you Bob and Ann!
We’ve all faced a passage where the buoy placements don’t match our charts but when it happens at an already confusing area, it’s doubly confusing – especially whens the new buoys don’t seem to make sense. The junction between the ICW and the channel to Beaufort, NC, is such and area. The Coast Guard made major revisions to the buoys in the area and the charts have not caught up with the changes. Not even Navionics which usually does a very good job shows all the buoys in their correct positions. I used the updated light list to show the correct placements compared to what’s on most charts.
First, here’s the area of interest: Here’s the NOAA ENC chart for the junction: Now for the surprise, the actual buoy placement after the Coast Guard got done:
What a difference! 28A is gone, RS has been moved northward, and 30A and 30 have been moved. Imagine the confusion in approaching this area from the north when all you have is a NOAA ENC chart which most of the chartplotter manufacturers base their own charts on. For more information on the changes and how charts from different chart providers compare see: When Charts Lie: Part I When Charts Lie: Part II
With a closed vertical clearance of 30ft, Ladys Island Bridge crosses the Waterway at Statute Mile 536 immediately north of Beaufort. Our thanks to Mandy Griffin of Downtown Marina of Beaufort, A CRUISERS’ NET SPONSOR, for this updated schedule.
Despite opposition from Florida’s marine industry, see All Aboard Florida RR to Impact OWW Boaters the new high-speed rail service in south Florida is on schedule to begin operating. How severe the required RR bridge closures will be on navigation is yet to be known.
I love how these morons try to justify their pet projects! They claim it can take up to five hours, West Palm Beach to Miami! I normally do that in an hour, in a tractor trailer!
On their voyage south this year, Vicki and Barry Lathom have been good “Cruisers Helping Cruisers” with their waterway reports. Cruisers’ Net thinks you will enjoy their very nice blog with lots of photos. Thank you Vicki and Barry!
Our thanks to Cassidy Alexander of YourObserver.com for this follow-up report (see https://cruisersnet.net/164359). Big Sarasota Pass, which has frequent channel shifts and shoals, connects the Gulf with the Gulf Waterway and the southern tip of Sarasota Bay.
Siesta, Lido sides prepare for Big Pass court hearing
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: “Weather Reports while in the Bahamas” plus 1 more Weather Reports while in the Bahamas Posted: 07 Dec 2017 03:45 AM PST Can anybody provide some information on weather reports while in the Bahamas?
Taking fireams into the Bahamas Posted: 07 Dec 2017 03:43 AM PST Does anybody know the amount of ammunition you can have aboard when in the Bahamas? I heard up to a maximum of 250 rounds per weapon.
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James- December 27, 2017 - 5:12 pm
Late nite and early AM, VHF will pick up Miami NOAA weather stations, and some days your TV will pickup Miami TV station weather before 8am
A CRUISERS’ NET SPONSOR, Harbortown Marina lies off the southern shores of the Canaveral Barge Canal between Sykes Creek and the Banana River. This fine facility has now expanded their ship’s store!
Our diesel fuel pump has been out of service for several weeks. Our fuel tank and fuel pump service provider has been working to identify and correct the problem(s) but repairs have taken far longer than we ever anticipated.
The technician that will be completing the final re-wiring of the system will be here again on Friday, December 8th. They believe they will have the pump up and running within the next 24 hours, however, this time frame may change.
We truly apologize for any inconveniences this may have caused for our loyal diesel customers. Once the pump is back in service, we will send out a follow up communication.
If we can be of any assistance, please call us at (321) 453-0160 or stop by the office.
Celebrate Everglades’ 70th birthday with 10 interesting facts about the national park.
On December 6, 1947, Everglades National Park was established. Today, the Everglades remains an international treasure attracting visitors from around the world to explore this vast and unique landscape in southern Florida.
The Everglades contain the largest contiguous stand of protected mangrove forest in the hemisphere, and the park is teeming with plant and animal species that are found nowhere else on this planet. It’s an unparalleled landscape of exceptional beauty that you have to visit to see what’s special about this national park.
Old Port Cove Marina, A CRUISERS’ NET SPONSOR, is located on the western shore of the northern Lake Worth channel, near unlighted daybeacon #7. Looking for that special place to eat where you dock? Sandpiper’s Cove Restaurant is another great reason to visit Old Port Marinas especially during the Holidays!
Visiting Yachtsmen: Please contact the Old Port Cove Marina Office well in advance for Dockage Reservations 561-626-1760 and to make your dinner reservations, please call Sandpiper’s Cove Restaurant 561-626-2280
News Release Dec. 04, 2017 U.S. Coast Guard 5th District Mid-Atlantic Contact: 5th District Public Affairs Office: (757) 398-6272 After Hours: (757) 434-7712
Coast Guard experiences spike in suspected hoax distress cases in NC, Va.
PORTSMOUTH, Va. — Coast Guard command centers in North Carolina and Virginia experienced an increase in suspected hoax distress calls in November.
Watchstanders at Coast Guard Sector North Carolina in Wilmington and Sector Hampton Roads in Portsmouth typically notice a spike in the amount of traffic on VHF-FM channel 16 during the late fall, as well as an increase in suspected false distress cases reported on the channel.
“False distress calls incur significant cost to the public, divert limited resources to respond, and place both responders and potentially other mariners at risk,” said Capt. Bion Stewart, commander, Sector North Carolina. “We continue to encourage mariners to use VHF radios to communicate with the Coast Guard and other mariners, but it is imperative that this critical, potentially life-saving tool be used appropriately and responsibly for the safety of all mariners.”
The public should be aware that if children are found to be playing on the radio, the parents are ultimately accountable.
Hoax distress calls to the Coast Guard are considered a Class D felony and can incur more than $250,000 in fines and 10 years imprisonment, plus the cost of the search.
“We don’t take hoax distress lightly,” said Capt. Richard Wester, commander, Sector Hampton Roads. “We, along with our partner agencies, will pursue the prosecution of suspects to the fullest extent of the law. A Newport News man was convicted of making a false distress call to our command center in June 2016 and now faces potential prison time. He is scheduled to be sentenced in February.”
The Coast Guard urges the public to respond to Coast Guard callouts after accidental transmissions. Unintended communications to the Coast Guard are not prosecuted, but require clarification.
Anyone with information regarding a hoax call made to the Coast Guard is encouraged to contact the Coast Guard Investigative Service through the 5th District Command Center at 757-398-6390.
For additional information about suspected hoax distress calls at Sector North Carolina, please contact Chief Petty Officer Jeremy Thomas at 910-772-2216.
For additional information about suspected hoax distress calls at Sector Hampton Roads, please contact Lt. j.g. Stasia Ellis at 757-638-6641.
Boat Owners Association of The United States 880 S. Pickett St., Alexandria VA 22304
You Asked for Less Ethanol With Your Gas; EPA Adds More
ALEXANDRIA, Va., December 4, 2017 – This summer, the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) asked the public how much ethanol it wanted to be added to the nation’s gasoline supply, and recreational boaters as well as many other owners of gasoline engines and vehicles spoke up against increasing ethanol volumes under the Renewable Fuel Standard (RFS). On Friday, EPA set the 2018 RFS at 19.29 billion gallons, a 0.05 percent increase over the 2017 standard. Signed into law in 2005, the RFS requires an increasing amount of biofuels, such as corn ethanol, to be blended into the gasoline supply.
“In August, EPA originally proposed a slight lowering of the overall ethanol mandate. However, bowing to pressure from the ethanol backers, the agency actually notched the mandate higher,” said BoatUS Government Affairs Manager David Kennedy. “We think the EPA’s decision unfairly supports the ethanol industry over protecting consumers, recreational boaters, and the environment. If ethanol is as good for America’s fuel supply as Big Ethanol would like you to believe, then why do we have a law that forces more ethanol each year into the market? The RFS no longer works for Americans.”
When it was written, RFS assumed that America’s use of gasoline would continue to grow. Since 2005, however, gasoline usage has not increased as forecasted, which today forces more ethanol into each gallon of gas. To keep up with the RFS mandate, in 2010 EPA granted a waiver to allow E15 (15 percent ethanol) into the marketplace. However, only fuels containing up to 10 percent ethanol (E10) are permitted for use in recreational boats. As higher blends enter the gas supply, the chance of misfueling increases.
“Ethanol has been demonstrated to cause harm to many gasoline engines at the present 10 percent ethanol level, especially legacy outboard motors, decreases fuel efficiency, increases fuel costs for consumers, and has questionable environmental benefits,” added Kennedy. “BoatUS will continue to fight on behalf of America’s recreational boaters to fix the RFS.”
Go to BoatUS.com/gov/rfs for more information on the Renewable Fuel Standard. BoatUS is a member of the Smarter Fuel Future coalition.
Harbour Town Yacht Basin, A CRUISERS’ NET SPONSOR, is now 90% open following hurricane damages. They are offering fuel sales and more than half their transients slips are open with wifi, water and electricity. With repairs almost completed, call ahead for space available. Of course, activities at the Sea Pines Resort are still ongoing as you will see in their Holiday Schedule . Hilton Head Island is absolutely marvelous any time of year and the Gregg Russell concerts are priceless!
Zimmerman Marine is part of the excellent facilities of Southport Marina, a much valued CRUISERS’ NET SPONSOR. These fine organizations lie just west of the Cape Fear River along the northern banks of the Waterway hard by flashing daybeacon #2A. For more information, visit www.zimmermanmarine.com.Our thanks to Vicki Lathom for these words of recommendation.
The company is Zimmerman Marine and has a wide-spread reputation for being among the best. Someone told me if I ever needed repairs to go to Zimmerman Marine, which has five locations. Amazing that my accident happened right at a Zimmerman Marine base at Southport Marina, NC. Tell anyone that this is a very polished and professional company. They made a difficult situation much easier and it’s obvious that the company is trusted by the insurance industry. Vicki
Tarpon Basin lies on the east side of the Waterway in the northeast corner of Buttonwood Sound.
Coast Guard, partner agencies respond to vessel fire in Tarpon Basin near Key Largo
Editor’s Note: Click on images to download high resolution version.
MIAMI — The Coast Guard, Monroe County Sheriff’s Office, and Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission responded to a vessel fire Thursday in Tarpon Basin in Key Largo.
Watchstanders at Coast Guard Sector Key West Command Center received a call from Coast Guard Station Islamorada at approximately 6 a.m. stating they received a report of a vessel fire in Tarpon Basin. The station self-launched a 24-foot Special Purpose Craft—Law Enforcement boatcrew to respond.
The station SPC—LE crew arrived on scene and assisted in putting out the fire on a 50-foot houseboat using the wash from their propellers.
“Once on scene we got together with our partner agencies to help establish a safety zone to keep other vessel traffic out of harms way,” said Petty Officer 1st Class John Fleming, operations petty officer, Station Islamorada. “We also monitored the fire due to the close proximity to the mangroves and it’s potential for impacting the environment.”
There were no reported people aboard and no reported injuries.
The Coast Guard reminds boaters to keep aware of fire hazards and stay prepared with functioning smoke detectors, carbon monoxide detectors, portable fire extinguishers or on board fire extinguishing systems.
For moreinformation on boat safety requirements, please visit www.uscgboating.org
Our thanks to Vicki Lathom for this brief, but informative, report. Fernandina Harbor Marina, A CRUISERS’ NET SPONSOR, was damaged by Matthew, but is now offering limited service as Vicki Lathom notes below. The Marina docks and restaurant are right in the heart of the many wonderful things to do and see in this special port. For latest dockage information, call 904-310-3300.
12 mooring balls. Five slips available. Restaurant open. No fuel Vicki Lathom
We just anchored at Fernandina Beach for 3 nights and had a wonderful visit. New is a Island Hopper Shuttle which picks you up at City Hall and can take you to beach, Walmart, Publix and Winn Dixie for $1.00. A great improvement for crusiers! The hours are limited to 10am to about 4 PM. Another great find was a new bicycle rental place for $15 a day with delivery to the marina. Call Steve at 904-742-4740.
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