If you haven’t cruised this segment of the Waterway, this report from Coastal Living will definitely whet your appetite to steer that way.
Dream Trip: Boat from Fernandina Beach, Florida, to St. Simons Island, Georgia
Our thanks to longtime cruiser, Tony Pozun, for sharing his photos of our Florida Keys reefs.
I’ve been diving Florida keys for 45 yrs,.. we need to take better care of our reefs for our kids. Some pics:
Tony Pozun
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.
Fish Where the Fish Are…
in Martin County, Florida
Martin County, Florida, is popular with fish. Lots of fish. More than 800 different species within a ten-mile radius of the St. Lucie Inlet, to be exact, according to Dr. Grant Gilmore, a renowned marine scientist.
On the Atlantic coast, Martin County is just 85 miles north of Fort Lauderdale, in the overlap of two climate zones. This environment, along with a healthy reef system and the warm Gulf Stream current, bring lots of fish to these waters.
Which makes for excellent fishing here, regardless of what type of angler you are and what type of fish you like to catch.
Stuart, the county seat, has been called “Sailfish Capital of the World” since the 1950s, and with good reason. A 1949 Palm Beach Times article tells the tale of a fishing captain who ran out of bait and had to turn back after boating 19 ‘sails in a single outing. Sailfish are the fastest marine predators, and in winter months, it’s not uncommon to hook multiple sailfish at one time.
One recent angler tells the story of reeling in a mahi when a marlin came up and ate it. An hour and a half later, the fisherman landed the marlin on a line meant for a mahi. Other salt-water species that lead to mighty fish tales include Wahoo, pompano, grouper, snapper, cobia, sea bass and kingfish.
Martin County is renowned for its fresh-water fishing, too. The county stretches from the Atlantic Ocean on the east to the fresh waters of Lake Okeechobee on the west, with a rich system of rivers and canals in between. It’s possible to fish from Stuart all the way to Fort Myers and the Gulf of Mexico via the Okeechobee Waterway. Snook, tarpon, bass, redfish and seatrout are just a few of the fish that are plentiful and fun to catch inshore.
They call this area Florida’s Treasure Coast. Fishing enthusiasts who visit know why. It’s enough to make you say Wahoo!
David and Jaculeyn continue sharing the log of Elske via their delightful blog, The Voyage of Elske on America’s Great Loop. This page recounts their visit to St. Augustine, a popular north Florida stop for Waterway cruisers.
Click Here To Open A Chart View Window, Zoomed To the Location of St. Augustine
This information is for those of you who carry kayaks or canoes on deck.
News Release
May 12, 2017
U.S. Coast Guard 1st District Northeast
Contact: 1st District Public Affairs
Office: (617) 223-8515
After Hours: (617) 717-9609
Coast Guard focusing on paddle craft safety as 2017 priority
The Coast Guard and partner agencies are focusing efforts to educate paddlers on how to “have fun, be safe, and paddle smart.” (U.S. Coast Guard illustration)
BOSTON — The First Coast Guard District, spanning from Maine to Northern New Jersey, is promoting greater paddlecraft safety awareness during the 2017 boating season in the Northeast, where paddlecraft fatalities have skyrocketed.
In 2016, the Northeast saw 28 paddler deaths, more than double the national average according to preliminary data.
“Multiple factors affect boating statistics from year to year,” said Walt Taylor, the recreational boating safety specialist for the First District. “This year, we are focused on paddlecraft safety, awareness, and enforcement to reduce the number of paddlecraft fatalities this boating season,” he said.
Additionally, the Coast Guard is partnering with paddling organizations, retailers, and local authorities to collaborate, and promote paddlecraft safety, as well as provide safety information, found at www.uscgboating.org.
“This paddlecraft safety initiative is a multi-partnered effort to educate and remind new, casual, and experienced paddlers to assess the risks, envision the consequences, and be properly prepared for what can and sometimes does go wrong,” said Merri Walker, Massachusetts boating law administrator with Massachusetts Environmental Police.
“We want all boaters and paddlers to enjoy their time on the water and, most importantly, return home safely,” said Cmdr. Matthew Barker, director of the First Coast Guard District’s Northern Region Auxiliary.
Barker said paddlecraft safety is a critical concern and information is included in all Auxiliary public education courses and numerous events are held to demonstrate the proper handling of canoes and kayaks. Find classes here: http://a013.uscgaux.info/pe.htm.
Moreover, paddlers in Massachusetts are required to wear life jackets from Sept. 15-May 15; in Connecticut, Oct. 1-May 31, and in New York, Nov. 1-May 1. All mariners should be aware that most states require children under 12 to be in a life jacket at all times while on the water.
MEDIA NOTE: The First Coast Guard District public affairs office is seeking partnerships with local media to share safety information to Northeast paddlers. For interviews, stories, and access to Coast Guard crews and assets, members of the media are encouraged to contact 617-223-8515.
With only your computer or with smart phone VR goggles, if you are interested in the health of the coral reefs off the Georgia coast and around our Florida Keys, you will learn a lot from these virtual reality reports from theverge.com.
Take a VR swim around these breathtaking national marine sanctuaries
Dive around a school of Atlantic spadefish and marvel at the coral reef
by Alessandra Potenza@ale_potenza May 12, 2017, 2:25pm EDT
CLICK HERE FOR THE REPORTS
The Cape Coral Cruise Club is a group of dedicated cruisers who always provide unique reports from the marinas they visit. Fishermen’s Village Resort and Marina, A SALTY SOUTHEAST CRUISERS’ NET SPONSOR, is absolutely the most event active marina on the Gulf Coast for all seasons. As confirmed by CCCC’s recent report, you will feel right at home on your visit to Fishermen’s Village and Punta Gorda, also A SALTY SOUTHEAST CRUISERS’ NET SPONSOR, on beautiful Charlotte Harbor.
April 2017 Cruise to Fisherman’s Village
By Jeff & Joanne Ziemer
It was great! We had a final count of seven boats who found their way to Fisherman’s Village via the Gulf Intracoastal Waterway for our April 18-21, 2017, cruise. Three boats came all the way from Burnt Store Isles in Punta Gorda! In total, ten boats arrived after braving Charlotte Harbor on a somewhat windy day. We all made it safely and settled in for a fun-filled, three-day adventure.
The afternoon of Day One was a time to settle in, catch up, shop, or take a dip in the pool. We had snacks and docktails and a few rounds of cornhole before dinner. Dinner was pork tenderloin on the grill accompanied as usual, by some superb sides brought by members.
On Day Two, 16 CCCC members came by car to join us for a delightful cruise up the Peace River aboard the Lady Charlotte, a nearly new passenger/cruise vessel. Cruisers were treated to sightings of playful dolphin, beautiful Roseate Spoonbills, and a couple of good-sized gators. The tour was narrated by our own Captain Doug Rhees who is well versed on Florida wildlife! A few more carloads of members drove up from Cape Coral later to join us all for dinner at The Village Fish Market in Center Court of Fisherman’s Village. We had a hungry crowd of 48 diners! What a delightful turnout.
Day Three folks were free to explore on their own. A few took advantage of Punta Gorda’s free bike rentals and, literally, went to town! Other folks walked the hiking trails and checked out the workout stations along the way. Several others peeked into the many shops FV has to offer … I saw shopping bags! (And some of us napped!) Dinner was ‘on your own’ and there were several restaurants in the downtown area waiting to satisfy everyone’s appetite! As it turned out, twelve of us headed in one direction, while eight of us headed in another. After dinner, the evening… and the cruise… culminated with yet another magnificent Florida sunset!
Dolphin break the surface long side the Charlotte Lady
Thanks to everyone who came and helped make this a fun experience! What a great group of people that comprise the Cape Coral Cruise Club!
Roseate spoon bills on a Rookery island on the Peace River
Cruise vessel Charlotte Lady
Members enjoy an outside dinner at the Village Fish Market At Fisherman’s Village
The Cape Coral Cruise Club is open to new members who own a boat with overnight accommodations and reside in the Cape Coral / Ft. Myers area. For membership information please contact Phil Kryger at 239-541-0236. Read additional Club information on its website, www.c-c-c-c.org Like us on Facebook.
Click Here To Open A Chart View Window, Zoomed To the Location of Fishermen’s Village
Click Here To Open A Chart View Window, Zoomed To the Location of the Punta Gorda Waterfront
It’s hardly a new phenomenon — in fact, it’s been around for thousands of years — but Siesta Key residents fear red tide blooms are getting worse.
by: David Conway Deputy Managing Editor
CLICK HERE FOR THE FULL REPORT from YourObserver.com
Click Here To Open A Chart View Window, Zoomed To the Location of Siesta Key
Georgetown and Harborwalk Marina, both SOUTHEAST CRUISERS’ NET SPONSORS, continue to do everything possible to make your visit a special one. Located on the Sampit River, Harborwalk Marina is only a boardwalk away from Georgetown’s Historic District for history, entertainment, great food and shopping.
HARBORWALK MARINA
525 Front Street ! Georgetown, 29440 ! PO Box 274 ! Phone: 843-546-4250
E-Mail: stay@harborwalkmarina.com Web: www.harborwalkmarina.com
May 9, 2017
Harborwalk Marina Expansion/Renovation
Georgetown SC
Harborwalk Marina of Georgetown, SC, will double its capacity to serve transient boaters on the Intracoastal
Waterway with an expansion expected to be completed by September. [expand title =”Read More!”]
The marina, an affiliate of Evening Post Industries located on the Sampit River at the foot of Queen Street in
Georgetown, broke ground May 1 on the project that will add 825 linear feet of new floating dock that includes a
new 100-foot fuel dock with new high-flow dispensers for gasoline and diesel.
Improvements will also include a fuel hut on the dock for more convenient transactions, including ice and pump-out
service, over 385 feet of new bulkhead and drainage allowing the marina to be dredged to 8 feet MLW, and
improvements to parking and the marina building that will follow.
“Harborwalk Marina accommodates over 1,600 individual boats a year,” said manager Chris Carroll. “This brings a
major economic boost to the downtown Georgetown area. We are the closest marina to the downtown, and many of
our customers shop and dine on Front Street.
The marina, formerly known as Gulf Auto Docks, has been a Georgetown boating landmark for years. It was
purchased by Evening Post Industries in 1989. It was renamed Harborwalk Marina in the mid-1990s. A major
renovation in 2008 provided travelers with a new building offering climate-controlled showers, restrooms and
laundry facilities, 725 linear feet of floating transient overnight dockage with WiFi, cable TV and clean municipal
water seven days a week. With 7 to 12 feet of depth, the marina can accommodate vessels up to 200 feet. The
building provides space to sell ice, batteries, oils, soaps, shirts, hats and boat supplies along with a wide porch and
rocking chairs for travelers to enjoy the sunsets over Winyah Bay. Hours of operation are 8:30 a.m. to 6 p.m. daily.
“We like to think, we are not the biggest marina on the ICW,” Carroll said, “but we are one of the best.”
Click Here To View the Cruisers’ Net’s South Carolina Marina Directory Listing For Harborwalk Marina
Click Here To Open A Chart View Window, Zoomed To the Location of Harborwalk Marina
Good reports keep pouring in for SALTY SOUTHEAST CRUISERS’ NET SPONSOR, Marineland Marina which lies south – southeast of AICW marker #87, along the Waterway’s eastern shore. Our thanks to David and Jaculeyn for sharing their delightful blog.
Folks at Vero Beach has recommended Marineland Marina to us as a “must do” layover. We are very glad we did. This marina is undergoing renovations. Brand-new floating docks have been installed. A new dock-master’s office is under construction. The staff are delightful highly customer-service focused young men who are enthusiastic about meeting the needs of boaters.
The Atlantic Ocean is directly across the road A1A from the Marina. We were able to enjoy walking on the sand but did not go in the water as it was quite rough.
We toured Marineland. The experience can best be described as a “blast from the past.” It is a simple place full of history and yet an active living aquatic experience for visitors today. Jackie remembers going to Marineland as a child, so this was a bit of a memory jogger for her. We had the honor of a “private” 45-minute tour with 2 delightful young women who clearly love what they do. Marineland was started in 1938 as a movie studio and then grew and changed over the years. It was the sight for WWII Naval training exercises. It was the first oceanarium and provided early training of dolphins. The first of whom was Nellie who lived to a very old age, the oldest known dolphin in captivity. Marineland now has an educational and research focus thanks to funding by the Vanderbilt Whitney family, the University of Florida and the Georgia Aquarium. There are no longer “dolphin shows” like Sea World or other amusement parks. It was fun to see pictures of the old TV shows and movies that have been filmed here. Jackie’s favorite was SEA HUNT with a very young Lloyd Bridges. We also got to see the educational part in action with a group of elementary school children on a field trip. They clearly were learning about the aquatic world and showed great enthusiasm for the dolphins and the other sea creatures here.
David and Jaculeyn
Click Here To View the Eastern Florida Cruisers’ Net Marina Directory Listing For Marineland Marina
Click Here To Open A Chart View Window, Zoomed To the Location of Marineland Marina
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: “New touring fee at Highbourne Cay” plus 2 more
New touring fee at Highbourne Cay
Highbourne Cay is now charging a $25 landing fee for persons who are not registered at the marina to tour the cay. This fee does not apply to persons just going to the store, the restaurant, or getting fuel.
New fuel and dockage survey
Posted: 08 May 2017 02:22 PM PDT
We just completed a survey of most of the marinas offering fuel and dockage in the Bahamas. Some we were unable to contact at the present time. More diesel and gas prices were up than down.
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.
Bimini Sands resturants..
Posted: 08 May 2017 02:16 PM PDT
FYI…both resturants at Bimini Sands are now closed. To bad, as I always liked taking there bus out there, and enjoy the sand floor bar, and good burgers. There susi bar was always good. Gota wonder what was going on there…more stuff closing down…to bad..DenO
Our thanks to Captain Chris for this notice of dredging and shoaling near Fort Pierce City Marina, A SALTY SOUTHEAST CRUISERS’ NET SPONSOR!. The entrance channel runs to the west, just south of the Fort Pierce high-rise bridge, and well north of unlighted daybeacon #188.
South of temporary buoy 188A. Sand bar off FP City Marina
Discharge pipeline goes north to ship channel then out to sea and onto beach south of jetties.
Captain Chris Caldwell
Click Here To Open A Chart View Window, Zoomed To the Location of Fort Pierce City Marina
Dredging complete; dredge and temporary buoy R188A removed on 05/15/17.
Authors/Cruisers Robert and Ann Sherer published the 2016 edition of their excellent guide and, as they have in the past, the Sherers graciously share their research on Atlantic Waterway inlet intersections with SSECN readers. This update is of a March 12, 2017 report.
Hi Larry,
Here’s an article that might be of interest to your readers. It covers the latest info on all the inlets which I’ve verified in my trip up the ICW this spring. I’ve also included links to charts by the Charleston ACOE covering vital areas such as the Isle of Shoals and others. Here’s the article:
———————————————————————————————
There is even more good news for the spring migration. All of the problem inlets have been dredged, allowing a straight shot through in all cases except New River by Bogue Sound where a zigzag course was mapped out by the ACOE around a newly formed shoal. Even with the dredging, there are a few things to watch out for which is covered in the article.
I’ve also included for the first time charts put out by the Charleston ACOE. They have reformed and now publish surveys with more detail on depths and in full color. Charts as far south as Port Royal as now linked with coverage of the Isle of Shoals, Dawho River, Ashepoo, and other interesting areas.
CLICK HERE FOR THE INLETS SURVEY UPDATE from Cruisng Down the ICW 2017, May 5, 2017
As those of you who cruise the Atlantic Intracoastal Waterway may know, the quaint town of Swansboro sits right on the northern bank of the ICW. Swansboro is one of those down-east charming coastal villages whose warm hospitality, rich local history dating back to the late 1700’s, with its good eating places, is calling you for a visit at their Church Street Dock. The 10-slip Town Dock is located along the intracoastal waterway at Latitude 34 degrees, 41 minutes, 10.44 seconds and Longitude 77 degrees, 7 minutes, 10.08 seconds. Located at the intersection of Front and Church Streets, centrally located in the historic downtown district, within on block of the Visitors Center and Olde Towne Square.
Church St. Dock – Slip Reservations
The Swansboro Church St. Dock is now available for overnight slip rentals. Slips can be reserved online by clicking Facilities on the left of the page. Slips are $1.50/foot/night for a maximum of 5 consecutive nights. Power is available for $5/night and sewage pump out for $5 per pump out. After Hours contact: 252-725-5400.
Click Here To View the North Carolina Cruisers’ Net Marina Directory Listing For Church Street Dock
Click Here To Open A Chart View Window, Zoomed To the Location of Church Street Dock
For those of you who still think “not in my backyard!” This epidemic of drugs is so commonplace that it is now genrally ignored.
News Release
May 3, 2017
U.S. Coast Guard 7th District PA Detachment Tampa Bay
Contact: Coast Guard PA Detachment Tampa Bay
(305) 965-4672
Coast Guard offloads $56 million of cocaine in St. Petersburg
Crew members from Coast Guard Cutter Tarpon, an 87-foot Coast Patrol Boat homeported in St. Petersburg, Florida, offload 1,735 kilograms of cocaine, an estimated wholesale value of $56 million and transfer custody of eight suspected drug smugglers Wednesday, May 3, 2017 at Coast Guard Sector St. Petersburg, Florida. The contraband and suspected smugglers were interdicted during four separate cases supporting Operation Martillo, a joint interagency and multi-national collaborative effort among 14 Western Hemisphere and European nations to stop the flow of illicit cargo by Transnational Criminal Organizations. (U.S. Coast Guard video by Petty Officer 1st Class Michael De Nyse)
Crew members from Coast Guard Cutter Tarpon, an 87-foot Coast Patrol Boat homeported in St. Petersburg, Florida, offload 1,735 kilograms of cocaine, an estimated wholesale value of $56 million and transfer custody of eight suspected drug smugglers Wednesday, May 3, 2017 at Coast Guard Sector St. Petersburg, Florida. The contraband and suspected smugglers were interdicted during four separate cases supporting Operation Martillo, a joint interagency and multi-national collaborative effort among 14 Western Hemisphere and European nations to stop the flow of illicit cargo by Transnational Criminal Organizations. (U.S. Coast Guard photo by Petty Officer 1st Class Michael De Nyse) Crew members from Coast Guard Cutter Tarpon, an 87-foot Coast Patrol Boat homeported in St. Petersburg, Florida, offload 1,735 kilograms of cocaine, an estimated wholesale value of $56 million and transfer custody of eight suspected drug smugglers Wednesday, May 3, 2017 at Coast Guard Sector St. Petersburg, Florida. The contraband and suspected smugglers were interdicted during four separate cases supporting Operation Martillo, a joint interagency and multi-national collaborative effort among 14 Western Hemisphere and European nations to stop the flow of illicit cargo by Transnational Criminal Organizations. (U.S. Coast Guard photo by Fireman Kelly Clark) More than 3,825 pounds of cocaine await transfer to federal agents Wednesday, May 3, 2017 at Coast Guard Sector St. Petersburg, Florida. The contraband was interdicted during four separate cases supporting Operation Martillo, a joint interagency and multi-national collaborative effort among 14 Western Hemisphere and European nations to stop the flow of illicit cargo by Transnational Criminal Organizations. (U.S. Coast Guard photo by Petty Officer 1st Class Michael De Nyse)
More than 3,825 pounds of cocaine await transfer to federal agents Wednesday, May 3, 2017 at Coast Guard Sector St. Petersburg, Florida. The contraband was interdicted during four separate cases supporting Operation Martillo, a joint interagency and multi-national collaborative effort among 14 Western Hemisphere and European nations to stop the flow of illicit cargo by Transnational Criminal Organizations. (U.S. Coast Guard photo by Petty Officer 1st Class Michael De Nyse) link to photo Crew members from Coast Guard Cutter Tarpon, an 87-foot Coast Patrol Boat homeported in St. Petersburg, Florida, offload 1,735 kilograms of cocaine, an estimated wholesale value of $56 million, and transfer custody of eight suspected drug smugglers to partner federal agencies Wednesday, May 3, 2017 at Coast Guard Sector St. Petersburg, Florida. The contraband and suspected smugglers were interdicted during four separate cases supporting Operation Martillo, a joint interagency and multi-national collaborative effort among 14 Western Hemisphere and European nations to stop the flow of illicit cargo by Transnational Criminal Organizations. (U.S. Coast Guard photo by Petty Officer 1st Class Michael De Nyse)
ST. PETERSBURG, Fla. — The crew of the Coast Guard Cutter Tarpon offloaded approximately 1,735 kilograms of cocaine Wednesday worth an estimated wholesale value of $56 million and transferred custody of eight suspected drug smugglers at Coast Guard Sector St. Petersburg.
The contraband and detainees were seized April 12 through April 21 during four separate interdictions by Coast Guard Law Enforcement Detachment Teams (LEDET) aboard several Coast Guard, foreign coalition and partner agency boats in coastal waters along the Central American coastline in support of Operation Martillo.
The most noteworthy and fruitful interdiction took place April 19 when Coast Guard LEDET personnel embarked on the USS Zephyr (PC 8), a U.S. Navy Cyclone-class patrol coastal ship home ported in Mayport, and coalition forces intercepted 750 kilograms of contraband and five suspected drug smugglers while on patrol in international waters 120 miles south west Mona Island, Puerto Rico.
The Zephyr, along with the Karel Doorman-class multi-purpose frigate HNLMS Van Amstel of the Royal Netherlands Navy, pursued and Coast Guard LEDET boarded a small panga fishing boat in the Caribbean Sea. The crews found and confiscated 750 kilograms of cocaine, a wholesale value of $22.5 million, and detained the five suspected drug smugglers.
“Over all, this offload represents our recent success in securing our borders and preventing illegal, regionally destabilizing narcotics from reaching our streets,” said Cmdr. Willy Carmichael, assistant branch chief of Coast Guard 7th District Response Enforcement. “It is truly an interagency and international effort that directly supports the commandant’s Western Hemisphere strategy.”
The contraband and detainees were transferred and offloaded by the crew of the Cutter Tarpon, an 87-foot Coastal Patrol Boat homeported in St. Petersburg.
These interdictions were part of Operation Martillo, which is one component in the United States government’s whole-of-government approach to countering the use of the Central American littorals as transshipment routes for illicit drugs, weapons and cash. Martillo is an international operation focused on sharing information and bringing together air, land and maritime assets from the U.S. Department of Defense and the Department of Homeland Security, as well as Western Hemisphere and European partner nation agencies, to counter illicit trafficking.
In the five years since its 2012 launch, Martillo has supported the seizure of approximately 693 metric tons of cocaine, $25 million in bulk cash, 581 vessels and aircraft and the arrest of 1,863 detainees, according to the U.S. Southern Command.
For breaking news, follow us on Twitter @uscgsoutheast.
-USCG-
Harbour Town Yacht Basin, A SALTY SOUTHEAST CRUISERS’ NET SPONSOR, is now essentially open, offering fuel sales and transients slips with water, but no electricity. As stated below, full service is expected to be restored in June. This definitely good news for Spring cruisers! Our thanks to Harbourmaster Nancy Cappelmann for this update.
The marina is now open to transient guests, however, we are still under construction and have limited amenities on the docks. In other words, we have running water.
Our electrical contractor is on site and is working on the new electrical installation, and we should have power restored to some docks in the next 30-45 days. The full marina may not be restored till fall.
Our commercial dock is in place and all of our charter operators are in full swing.
Our fuel dock is open and fully operational.
The Sea Pines Resort is fully operational and all of the restaurants, golf courses, tennis courts, fitness center, beach…all of the amenities are in fantastic condition. [See /164092 and /164507]
While we still have construction ahead, we are very grateful to all of our contractors for their commitment to this project and to all of our returning guests for their patience and understanding. We look forward to the day we are running on all cylinders.
Please let me know if you have any questions.
We appreciate your support!
Nancy
Nancy Cappelmann
Harbourmaster, Harbour Town Yacht Basin
149 Lighthouse Road
Hilton Head Island, SC 29928
Office 843.363.8335
Fax 843.671.0433
NCappelmann@seapines.com
This water hazard warning comes to you from John Ellor via AGLCA’s Forum. Thank you John. Loggerhead Club Marina lies west and a bit south of the AICW’s marker #122 in Vero Beach, FL.
We entered the channel to the marina. We had to slow down for a rowing crew that cut in front of us. We were pushed to the south edge of the channel by a strong current and NW wind. All of a sudden we hit something and were unable to move. It was the submerged concrete daymark # 11. We had to be towed to Ft. Pierce having sustained a bent prop. Evidently the marker has been down for some time . There is nothing to mark this hazard, nor did anyone warn us of its existence. The maximum depth of the channel is 6′ with solid rock under the layer of silt. The daymarks have been tipped over twice in the last year because there is no way to anchor the posts on the underlying rock. We will NEVER stay here again. Marina took no responsibility whatsoever.
John Ellor
Click Here To Open A Chart View Window, Zoomed To the Location of Loggerhead Club Marina-Vero Beach
The Daymarks to Loggerhead Marina in Vero are listed on the Chart as Private Aids. The Coast Guard does not maintain private aids. It does make note of their presence, location and condition and the Coast Guard should be notified if the Daymark is damaged or destroyed to note the hazard in the notice to mariners. Someone in Vero is responsible for maintaining these private aids. The Coast Guard probably has a record of who is responsible for maintaining these so they can be notified if they receive a report of a damaged or missing private daymark.
The Marker Mr. Ellor refers to is sitting outside the channel. His boat came to lie on top of the marker after not following instructions to stay center channel. I understand he had to avoid some rowers that entered the channel yet did not maintain control of his vessel to stay within the channel. Any one wishing a clear photo of his vessel out of the channel only need ask. we have hundred of vessels in and out of our facility every year without any problem.
Given the currents in the St. Lucie River, should a sudden stop be necessary, as described by Capt. Ellor, current can easily force a vessel out of the channel, And, in this instance, onto an unmarked hazard, the base of a private AtoN installed by the marina. The simple step of buoying the hazard shows anyone, particularly those unfamiliar with the area, the location of a hazard. Blaming Capt. Ellor for failing to see an unmarked submerged hazard, created by the marina, is hardly practicing good customer relations.
The Salty Southeast Cruisers’ Net Android App has ARRIVED! A year ago we released the iOS App and today we are pleased to announce the first release of the Android App.
True to the SSECN website, all SSECN Mobile Apps are FREE.
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Take a look at all that is available to the captain and crew, while underway, using its cartographic features and continually updated information:
All submitted information from cruisers who have just navigated waters where you may be headed is vetted for accuracy. Local Notices to Mariners and Navigation Alerts are readily available to the skipper while underway with high-resolution charts, as well as maps for planning purposes.
Fuel prices and daily postings are automatically updated, so your information is always current.
With the fuel price menu, you can quickly find the best fuel prices nearest you and/or the closest fuel available to you, sorted by type, price, location, and range.
Available on phones and pads for iOS and Android devices.
All this always available on line or off line because of the full support of the SSECN Sponsors whose contact information will also be seen on this new tool for cruisers.
We highly recommend that if you cruise from Mile Marker “0” to Mobile, AL, get it, use it, and report back to us your thoughts and suggestions!!
Thank you,
The Salty Southeast Cruisers Net Team
Bald Head Island Marina is located on Bald Head Island on the eastern shore of the mouth of the Cape Fear River just south of the Waterway’s westward turn. Of course, this pet-friendly island is A SALTY SOUTHEAST CRUISERS’ NET SPONSOR!
Hello,
Did you know that Bald Head Island is pet-friendly?
Check out our Pet-friendly rentals!
We’re even offering our Bring Fido gift to guests who bring their pets along on vacation!
Please select “pet-friendly” in your online search or tell our Rental Relations Coordinator about your pet so we can select a home for you that will suit your needs.
-Bald Head Island Property Management
Contact Us: (877) 344-6673
Click Here To Open A Chart View Window, Zoomed To the Location of Bald Head Island Marina
Regarding the West Florida intracoastal waterway, Paul E. raises questions about official USCG terminology versus local usage with this comment:
Just a friendly reminder that the ICW by Sarasota is officially part of the AICW and not part of the GICW. While Sarasota in along the Gulf Coast, the GICW goes from Carrabelle, FL to Brownsville, TX.
to which I responded:
Re “GIWW” I try to use the USCG’s terminology. See these recent LNM headings:
FLORIDA – GIWW – TAMPA BAY: Maximo Marina Redevelopment
FLORIDA – GIWW – CHARLOTTE HARBOR TO TAMPA BAY – GASPARILLA SOUND CHANNEL: Construction.
FLORIDA – GIWW – CHARLOTTE HARBOR TO TAMPA BAY – FORKED CREEK: Private Aid Hazard to Navigation
I know Claiborne always told me that West Floridians hated having the West Florida Waterway referred to as GIWW or GICW. However, for the novice boater, I find it hard to refer to the western waterway as Atlantic Intracoastal Waterway. Confusing at best.
We welcome your opinions!
Hi Larry,
Actually this getting more interesting. I recall reading some time back that the Gulf Intracoastal waterway extends from Brownsville, TX to Carrabelle, FL. Location along the GICW is measured in statutory miles east and west of Harvey Lock, NO. That is Harvey Lock is 0 StM, the StM values increase east from 0 to 375 StM at Carrabelle whereas westward, the StM increase from 0 StM at Harvey Lock to StM 665 at Brownville, TX. There is a wiki page on the GICW which defines the GICW as ranging from Carrabelle to Brownsville too(but just because it is online does not make it correct).
At some level it is all semantics, in that is there is one ICW, Intracoastal WaterWay, that encompasses all, with regions of the ICW loosely defined(or loosely labled & used). The ICW has many segments, and it is probably not fair to split it in two regions. In fact, historical there were AIWW, GIWW, and the FIWW (plus I’m sure others). The well known Atlantic Inland Water Way, the Gulf Inland Water Way, and the Florida Inland Water Way (West FL & Okeechobee). While the FIWW label is not widely used, the Florida west coast region has it own layout of statutory miles going from Anclote Key (StM 150) to Sanibel/Ft Meyers area (StM 0). In fact, one very trusty online resource, CruisersNet, gets this right and distinguishes this region as “WF ICW”. See: /marinas/060-wf-icw-miserable-mile-to-gasparilla-island/
Actually, I found the attached historical document “History of the Gulf Intracoastal Waterway” by the US Army Corp of Engineers very interesting. At one point there were plans to extend the GIWW from Carrabelle through St Marks and down to Anclote Key, making one continuous GIWW which would include the Okeechobee Waterway(which I guess one could be referred as OIWW (or Oke-ICW) since it has it own StM system). Ok, I give up. But I do prefer: Atlantic-ICW, Gulf-ICW, West_Florida-ICW, Oke-ICW, … And I would rather not use the old inland waterway terms like AIWW & GIWW.-
Paul E.
1981 C&C 38 Landfall
S/V Johanna Rose
Carrabelle, FL
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