Vessel Documentation Regulations – Technical Amendments Final Rule Published 20 SEP 2017
The Coast Guard is making technical amendments to its vessel documentation regulations, 46 CFR Part 67. The amendments make non-substantive edits to align Coast Guard regulations with current vessel documentation statutes, correct typographical errors, and align procedural requirements with current Coast Guard practice. Attached is a copy of the Final Rule for technical amendments made to the vessel documentation regulations. This final rule is effective September 20, 2017.
A call by city officials and the local populace to further restrict the opening schedule at the Bridge of Lions has been under consideration by the USCG for most of this year. This decision not to restrict the opening schedule is good news for boaters. See Schedule Controversy from April of this year.
At the intersection of the Atlantic Intracoastal Waterway and the Okeechobee Waterway, Martin County, A SALTY SOUTHEAST CRUISERS’ NET SPONSOR, is a hub of boating activity and of events of interest to boaters.
Key Lime Sailing Club, A SALTY SOUTHEAST CRUISERS’ NET SPONSOR, always has very special offers for their visitors! Key Lime Sailing Club is on the Inside Route side of Key Largo. Key Lime Sailing Club is a unique slice of KEYS ENJOYMENT…give it a try and let us hear about your experience.
Welcome to our unique little hideaway. Secluded, serene, and perfectly located, our self-contained cottages have everything you need for a relaxing waterfront vacation.
Hey Winston, thank you very much for checking in. We’re doing fair, we have seven of our cottages open for Keylime sailing club. We’re still cleaning up and repairing and we have yet to get to South Dade Marina. The marina still has boats sitting on top of the dock; 40% of the dock is missing; the sunken boats and boats on the shore. But we will rebuild. And I know we share the story with a lot of marinas and places of business. I count ourselves lucky and pray for the people that have suffered much more than us. Paul Keever
Key Lime Sailing Club, A SALTY SOUTHEAST CRUISERS’ NET SPONSOR, always has very special offers for their visitors! Key Lime Sailing Club is on the Inside Route side of Key Largo. Key Lime Sailing Club is a unique slice of KEYS ENJOYMENT…give it a try and let us hear about your experience.
This hazard is just north of the Waterway’s crossing of Dewees Creek and Dewees Inlet.
Our thanks for his kind words and for forwarding this report goes to Hank Pomeranz of Carolina Yacht Care and Southport Marina, A SALTY SOUTHEAST CRUISERS’ NET SPONSOR, located just west of the Cape Fear River along the northern banks of the Waterway hard by flashing daybeacon #2A. And, of course, our thanks to Robert Blakely for being a “cruiser helping other cruisers!” Thank you Rob!
Hi folks, Here’s a report from Skipper Rob Blakely of M/V Asolare that I think is worth sharing as we start to gear up for the Transient season.
Rob, both Salty Southeast Cruisers’ Net (SSECN) (cruisersnet.net) and Waterway Guide (waterwayguide.com) are outstanding organizations supporting cruisers. Suggest you check them out if you haven’t already. Best Hank
From: Robert C Blakely Date: September 30, 2017 at 6:32:18 PM GMT+2 To: Hank Pomeranz Subject: Hazard in ICW
Just before Isle of Palms between makers 106 and 108 is this beast sticking out of water. It is in the channel about 20 ft I would estimate. This is a low tide so at high tide it would not be visible. Had friend in small boat check it out closer and he said it is stationary. Is there a way to report?
Robert C. Blakely, CFP, AIF, ChFC CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNER 1022 Hutton Lane, Suite 109, High Point, NC 27262
UPDATE: Unified Command continues assessment of vessel affected by Hurricane Irma, prioritizes displaced vessel removal
Coast Guard Marine Science Technicians Petty Officer 1st Class Tonya Mulhern, left, and Petty Officer 3rd Class Stephen Hewlett assess damage to a vessel in Jacksonville, Florida caused by Hurricane Irma, Sept. 13, 2017. Hundreds of vessels have been reported as damaged or have sunk around the Floridian coast as a result of Hurricane Irma’s force. Teams consisting of federal and state response members are assessing the potential risk of pollution from these vessels. U.S. Coast Guard photo by Petty Officer 2nd Class Anthony L. Soto.
Coast Guard Marine Science Technicians Petty Officer 1st Class Tonya Mulhern, left, and Petty Officer 3rd Class Stephen Hewlett assess damage to a vessel in Jacksonville, Florida caused by Hurricane Irma, Sept. 13, 2017. Hundreds of vessels have been reported as damaged or have sunk around the Floridian coast as a result of Hurricane Irma’s force. Teams consisting of federal and state response members are assessing the potential risk of pollution from these vessels. U.S. Coast Guard photo by Petty Officer 2nd Class Anthony L. Soto.
MIAMI — The Emergency Support Function 10 (ESF 10) Florida, consisting of multiple state and federal agencies, is continuing efforts to assess and remove hazards in the wake of Hurricane Irma.
Coast Guard and Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission members are conducting assessments of damaged and sunken vessels in the areas most affected by Hurricane Irma. These assessments assist in providing an overarching image to the unified command of the effects of the storm, allowing for the effective placement of assets, expediting the response process.
“The response to Irma is a collaborative effort,” said Benjamin Franco, Environmental Protection Agency Incident Commander for the response. “Every member of this team, both local, state and federal, is bringing to bear all of their expertise, experience, and the assets necessary for an expeditious conclusion to this response. Our hearts go out to those citizens impacted by Hurricane Irma and we will make every effort to ensure their needs are being addressed.
“This command has found that all sunk and derelict vessels resulting from Hurricane Irma are a threat to the environment and our mission is to remove this threat,” said Cmdr. JoAnne Hanson, Coast Guard Incident Commander for the response. “The first priority is to remove actively polluting vessels. Second to that are the vessels that aren’t actively polluting, but where a potential for pollution exists.”
The following list represents an approximate number of vessels impacted by Hurricane Irma currently being assessed by each ESF 10 Branch Hazardous Material Assessment Team as of Sept. 25, 2017. These numbers are subject to change as more owners salvage their vessels and additional vessels are discovered in the affected areas and offshore assessments are conducted.
Miami
Vessels assessed: 200; Vessels removed: 43
St. Petersburg, Florida
Vessels assessed: 182; Vessels removed: 42
Jacksonville, Florida
Vessels assessed: 134; Vessels removed: 26
Key West, Florida
Vessels assessed: 336; Vessels removed: 1
Due to the complexity and scale of operational requirements, the Unified Command for ESF 10 Florida has established a Joint Information Center. Media members are requested to call 305-985-2867 to receive the most timely and accurate information concerning the on-going response to Hurricane Irma.
The Unified Command consists of U.S. Coast Guard Cmdr. JoAnne Hanson serving as Incident Commander, Mr. Benjamin Franco, Environmental Protection Agency Incident Commander, Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission Capt. David Schaffer as State On-Scene Coordinator and Florida Department of Environmental Protection Environmental Administrator Kent Edwards as State On-Scene Coordinator. Currently, response teams are conducting assessments of the most affected areas to include the ports and waterways from Jacksonville, Florida to Miami, Key West, and around to St. Petersburg.
The ESF 10 is the framework by which federal support is coordinated with state agencies in response to actual or potential oil spills or hazardous material releases. Partner agencies, including Florida Keys National Marine Sanctuary, are contributing expertise and experience to the assessment efforts.
See /166809 for warnings to navigation in the Keys.
9/26 UPDATE: Unified Command continues assessment of vessels affected by Hurricane Irma, prioritizes displaced vessel removal
MIAMI — The Emergency Support Function 10 (ESF 10) Florida, consisting of multiple state and federal agencies, is continuing efforts to assess and remove hazards in the wake of Hurricane Irma.
Coast Guard and Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission members are conducting assessments of damaged and sunken vessels in the areas most affected by Hurricane Irma. These assessments assist in providing an overarching image to the unified command of the effects of the storm, allowing for the effective placement of assets, expediting the response process.
“The response to Irma is a collaborative effort,” said Benjamin Franco, Environmental Protection Agency Incident Commander for the response. “Every member of this team, both local, state and federal, is bringing to bear all of their expertise, experience, and the assets necessary for an expeditious conclusion to this response. Our hearts go out to those citizens impacted by Hurricane Irma and we will make every effort to ensure their needs are being addressed.”
“This command has found that all sunk and derelict vessels resulting from Hurricane Irma are a threat to the environment and our mission is to remove this threat,” said Cmdr. JoAnne Hanson, Coast Guard Incident Commander for the response. “The first priority is to remove actively polluting vessels. Second to that are the vessels that aren’t actively polluting, but where a potential for pollution exists.”
The following list represents an approximate number of vessels impacted by Hurricane Irma currently being assessed by each ESF 10 Branch Hazardous Material Assessment Team as of Sept. 25, 2017. These numbers are subject to change as more owners salvage their vessels and additional vessels are discovered in the affected areas and offshore assessments are conducted.
Miami
Vessels assessed: 200; Vessels removed: 43
St. Petersburg, Florida
Vessels assessed: 182; Vessels removed: 42
Jacksonville, Florida
Vessels assessed: 134; Vessels removed: 26
Key West, Florida
Vessels assessed: 336; Vessels removed: 1
Due to the complexity and scale of operational requirements, the Unified Command for ESF 10 Florida has established a Joint Information Center. Media members are requested to call 305-985-2867 to receive the most timely and accurate information concerning the on-going response to Hurricane Irma.
The Unified Command consists of U.S. Coast Guard Cmdr. JoAnne Hanson serving as Incident Commander, Mr. Benjamin Franco, Environmental Protection Agency Incident Commander, Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission Capt. David Schaffer as State On-Scene Coordinator and Florida Department of Environmental Protection Environmental Administrator Kent Edwards as State On-Scene Coordinator. Currently, response teams are conducting assessments of the most affected areas to include the ports and waterways from Jacksonville, Florida to Miami, Key West, and around to St. Petersburg.
The ESF 10 is the framework by which federal support is coordinated with state agencies in response to actual or potential oil spills or hazardous material releases. Partner agencies, including Florida Keys National Marine Sanctuary, are contributing expertise and experience to the assessment efforts.
This questions comes from Charles Curry, a Cruisers’ Net reader who, after following a number of threads concerning various passageways and anchorages on the West Coast, is perplexed by the common use the phrase “shallow draft vessels should have no problem.” While 4ft seems generally to be the demarcation between shallow and deep draft, is “shallow draft” the same for a trawler as for a sailing vessel? Our reader would like more opinions as to the meaning of the draft terms, hopefully arriving at a standardized measurement. Can you help?
And here is an article to whet your thinking process:
Shoall Draft Vs Deep Draft
Any trawler that draws more than four feet puts its owner at a disadvantage in America’s most popular cruising grounds. Gunkholing becomes a chore. Anchoring means sharing waters crowded with sailboats while shallower spots lie empty. Worst of all, when the sky threatens, the deep-draft boys will find far fewer harbors of refuge to accommodate them. Do not believe the argument that deep draft is safer; deep draft does not equal stability.
Don’t you wish everyone would use and respect those safety limits!
There is an app called WakeWatch that maps out all of the no wake zones in FL. It also tells what type of zone – i.e. slow speed minimum wake, no wake, speed limits, etc. with the associated time restrictions. It also has all of the bridge heights and opening schedules.
Key West Mayor, Craig Cates, said they are targeting October 20th as their goal to officially reopen to tourists in time for the annual “Fantasy Fest”.
Explorer Chartbooks, A SALTY SOUTHEAST 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: With heavy heart I would like to announce the passing of… With heavy heart I would like to announce the passing of… Posted: 24 Sep 2017 04:45 AM PDT A good friend and long, long time boater. Mike Anderson known as “Mikey” has passed away on his beloved boat Silent Flight, in Salt Pond, Long Island. Mike and I go way back to the days of St. Thomas, in Elephant Bay for 10 years…89 to 99 and before in the Bahamas.
Mike was a solo sailor for most of his sailing life. He was always happy, and loved his rum. It is unclear how he died…suspected heart attack. He will be missed. Dog lover…avid spear fisherman and maker of lobster jerky.
He was also a collector of glass fishing floats…because he went to places where the average cruiser never goes. He once told me he had 15 on his boat and a storage room full someplace else…..
Explorer Chartbooks, A SALTY SOUTHEAST 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: TCI Update TCI Update Posted: 19 Sep 2017 07:02 AM PDT We are happy to receive this report from TCI after Irma but before Maria. Our hope is that the report will continue to be favorable. Please send us any news you have on the Bahamas and Turks and Caicos. Sara and Monty
Hi Friends!
Thank you so much for your kind thoughts!
We have made it through safe and sound!
We were scheduled for closing for annual shutdown, however due to our favorite new girlfriends Hurricane Irma and Maria, we will have to let everyone know when the re-opening will now be. We are repairing and look forward to welcoming everyone very soon!
Reminder: NO BOAT IS LARGE ENOUGH FOR INLET NAVIGATION WITH A HURRICANE IMMEDIATELY OFFSHORE! And Oregon Inlet is notorious for shoaling and precarious under normal weather conditions. Cruisers’ Net recommends attempting navigation ONLY with good local knowledge.
Our thanks to Thomas Dove for forwarding this Executive Order on navigation limits on the southern St. Johns River. No date given for the rescinding of this executive order.
FOUNDERS PARK AND PLANTATION YACHT HARBOR MARINA ARE CLOSED TO THE PUBLIC
DECEMBER REOPENING PLANNED
Founders Park (MM 87 bayside in Islamorada) is being utilized for Florida Keys Electric Cooperative repair crews and as a staging site for vegetative debris from Hurricane Irma being picked up from neighborhoods and properties in the Village. It is not safe to use any Founders Park facilities and the park is completely closed to the public.
Given the time it will take to collect, grind and remove the massive amount of debris from neighborhoods and properties throughout the Village, it is anticipated that reopening of Founders Park will not occur until December 2017. The pool will be covered to protect it from the effects of the debris grinding.
All events scheduled to be held at Founders Park will be cancelled or relocated to a different venue.
The Plantation Yacht Harbor Marina, including the boat ramp and fuel dock, will also be closed for public use during the time Founders Park is closed. Long-term Marina residents may continue to reside at the marina, but no new reservations will be made.
The Village Council and Village staff are aware of the importance of Founders Park to the community and will strive to resume operations as quickly as possible.
Our thanks to AGLCA member, Gary Reed, for sharing his Forum report, which, by in large, is good news for cruisers needing to make the coast to coast run.
We came across (west to east) this past Thursday and Friday (September 14th and 15th). No major issues at all. All locks operational as well as bridges. Some were still on generator with one only able to raise one span at a time. All operating on normal schedule. (Note, we drove from St. Lucie to Cape Coral on Wednesday, 13th, the amount of water in the area was astonishing as well as the significant downed power lines.)
Debris in the water was mostly ‘soft’ (leaves, vegetation, etc.) … some rather large mats but easily avoidable. We only had to run through one large mat shore to shore. Surprisingly, we saw virtually no deadheads, remnants of docks or piers, etc. A couple of the locks had some debris either on the upper gate on the western side or in the lock itself. We limited thrusters in these locks for obvious reasons and sprung off the stern line.
The runoff into the waterway on both sides of Lake O was significant at some of the inlet spillways (not lock spillways but drainage into the waterway). Several moved the boat around quite significantly and unexpectedly until we began looking for them.
Explorer Chartbooks, A SALTY SOUTHEAST CRUISERS’ NET PARTNER, has long been the standard navigational supplement for enjoyable, informative, and safe cruising through the beautiful Bahamian waters and island visits.
Posted: 17 Sep 2017 04:39 AM PDT Bimini Sands Resort and Marina today announced that their property, located on South Bimini in The Bahamas, has emerged from Hurricane Irma without significant structural damage and is slated to reopen its doors to guests on Thursday, September 21, 2017.
“We couldn’t be happier to report that Bimini Sands has weathered the storm and we’ll be ready to welcome our friends and loyal guests back to their home away from home very soon,” said Brad G. Michael, Bimini Sands’ Resort Coordinator. “I am grateful to our dedicated and hardworking team, who have been working around the clock to ensure our resort and marina are back up and running as soon as possible.”
Bimini Sands is already making ice, has gasoline and diesel. The fact that the property suffered only minor damage to gutters, power slips on the docks and a few satellite dishes, can be attributed to its prime location, which is heavily protected by the island’s native mangroves.
Click Here To Open A Chart View Window, Zoomed To A “Navigation Alert” Position at Dewees Creek
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