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: First timer First timer Posted: 15 Mar 2017 02:55 PM PDT I’m headed to Bahamas from Charleston SC Via Stuart, Fla. Frankly worried about grounding. Have 6.6′ draft sailboat. Have no clue where to first arrive and what best cruise plan/areas are. Could use some advice. I’m used to deep water sailing: Nova Scotia, Maine, New England, Bermuda.
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Comments from Cruisers (3)
David- April 10, 2017 - 9:36 am
We spent 8 weeks sailing our boat in the Bahamas; have a 6 1/2′ draft. Did not have a problem. Pay close attention to tides when you plan on entering “skinny water”, study the charts closely and don’t fixate on your chart plotter – learn to read the water (color changes).
Don’t let the shallow water keep you from going. People run their sailboats up and down the ICW with little more that a foot of water under their keel and can’t see the bottom., but they worry about the depths in the Bahamas. You can see the bottom there and it’s gorgeous! Go! Enjoy the trip. Wish I were there right now instead of northern Michigan!
A six ft 6″ draft should not be a problem; I have sailed thru the Bahamas chain with an 8 Ft draft on a 456 Beneteau; you have to keep a good eye towards coral heads and water depth; choose your course well.
News Release March 16, 2017 U.S. Coast Guard 7th District PA Detachment Tampa Bay Contact: Coast Guard PA Detachment Tampa Bay 24/hour duty: (305) 965-4672
Coast Guard suspends search for 2 missing near Pass-a-Grille
ST. PETE BEACH, Fla. — The Coast Guard suspended their search Thursday at 7:41 p.m. for two men missing near the Pass-a-Grille channel entrance since Tuesday.
Coast Guard Sector St. Petersburg watch standers received a report Tuesday at 6:10 p.m. from the captain of the Jaguar, a 71-foot yacht, stating Andrew Dillman, 27, from New York, and Jie Luo, 21, from China, were missing from the boat.
Fifteen college students chartered the yacht for the day. When the yacht anchored at Shell Key, five students, including Luo, reportedly jumped from the boat to swim. The current pulled the students from the boat, and all but Luo were able to make it back to the boat. Dillman, a crew member aboard the yacht, jumped in to rescue Luo and was also separated from the boat.
“Our thoughts and prayers go out to the family and friends of Jie Luo and Andrew Dillman,” said Capt. Holly Najarian, Coast Guard Sector St. Petersburg commander. “Suspending a search is the most difficult decision I have to make in my position, and despite our best efforts, we were unable to reunite Andrew and Jie with their families.”
Crews from Coast Guard Air Station Clearwater, Coast Guard Station St. Petersburg, Pinellas County Sheriff’s Office, and Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission conducted 39 searches totaling 80 aircraft and surface hours and covering more than 1,577 square miles – an area larger than the state of Rhode Island.
The incident is currently under investigation. March 15, 2017 U.S. Coast Guard 7th District PA Detachment Tampa Bay Contact: Coast Guard PA Detachment Tampa Bay Office: (727) 535-1437 ext. 2143 After Hours: (305) 965-4672
Coast Guard continues search for 2 missing near Pass-a-Grille
ST. PETE BEACH, Fla. — The Coast Guard and partner agencies continue their search for two males missing near the Pass-a-Grille channel entrance.
Missing are Andrew Dillman, 27 from New York, and Jie Lou, 21 from China.
Coast Guard crews and partner agencies have conducted 22 searches over 419 square miles.
“Our hearts go out to the family and friends of Andrew and Jie during this difficult time,” said Lt. Jason Holstead, the command duty officer at Sector St. Petersburg. “We continue work closely with our partners to search for Andrew and Jie; all of us have them and their family in our thoughts and prayers.”
At 6:10 p.m. Tuesday Coast Guard Sector St. Petersburg watch standers received a report from the captain of the 71-foot yacht, Jaguar, stating two males were missing from the boat.
Fifteen college students chartered the yacht for the day. When the yacht anchored at Shell Key, five students, including Lou, jumped from the boat to swim. The current pulled the students away from the boat, and all but Lou were able to make it back to the boat. Dillman, a crew member aboard the yacht, jumped in to rescue Lou, and was also swept away.
Crews from Coast Guard Air Station Clearwater, Station St. Petersburg, Pinellas County Sheriff’s Office, and Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission are actively searching for the missing men.
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.
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. With year-round family friendly celebrations, you will feel right at home on your visit to Punta Gorda, also A SALTY SOUTHEAST CRUISERS’ NET SPONSOR, on beautiful Charlotte Harbor.
Hook Kids on Fishing
Source: Anglers for Conservation March 13, 2017–FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE Media contact: Mike Conneen, (321) 759-3585 mike@anglersforconservation.org
Hook Kids On Fishing
In partnership with the Fisherman’s Village, Anglers for Conservation (AFC) is coordinating AFC’’s Hook Kids on Fishing program on Saturday, April 29th from 10am-12 Noon The Hook Kids on Fishing program will take place at:
Fisherman’s Village Center Court 1200 West Retta Esplande Punta Gorda, Fl. 33950
Kids ages 6 to 16, are welcome along with their parents. The first 80 kids registered may receive a free rod and reel. Registration is mandatory by calling Ralph Allen Kingfisher Fleet at 941 639-2628.
These conservation-minded Hook Kids on Fishing programs teach casting, fishing safety, knot tying, the tackle box, catch and release tactics, fishing habitat and conservation; and are taught by professional guides and knowledgeable anglers. Parents and kids bring your smiles, positive attitudes and patience along with you!
Parent or guardian must accompany attendees.
Additional community sponsors include the Anglers for Conservation, Fish Florida Foundation, Coastal Angler Magazine and Aylesworth’s Fish & Bait.
The Hook Kids on Fishing program is a product of the Anglers for Conservation, a non-profit-501-C3, whose mission is to inspire new generations of marine stewards through education, conservation, and community outreach.
Volunteers are needed and donations are greatly appreciated.
Kathy Burnam Marketing/Events Manager Fishermen’s Village mkting@fishville.com 1200 W. Retta Esplanade #57A Punta Gorda, Florida 33950 P 941 575-3007 M 941 258-1327 F 941 637-1054
SSECN is proud to be an associate of Brad Pickle as well as a supporting member of the Atlantic Intracoastal Waterway Association whose efforts toward improving navigation conditions in the Waterway are invaluable.
NEWS From BoatUS Boat Owners Association of The United States 880 S. Pickett St., Alexandria VA 22304
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE Press Contact: D. Scott Croft, 703-461-2864, SCroft@BoatUS.com
(L to R) Brad Pickle, Executive Director, AIWA; David Kennedy, Manager, BoatUS Government Affairs; Mark Crosley, Chairman of the Board, AIWA, and Executive Director, Florida Inland Navigation District
Atlantic Intracoastal Waterway Association Campaigns for the 1100-Mile Waterway on Capitol Hill
Hazardous shoaling reduces depth to less than 5 feet in several sections
WASHINGTON, DC, March 13, 2017 – The Atlantic Intracoastal Waterway, the famed 1100-plus mile coastal waterway stretching from Norfolk, Virginia to Miami, Florida, is getting “thin.” Shoaling has created hazardous conditions in some areas with depths reported less than 5 feet – which reflects a remarkable 7 feet of water depth lost in the waterway’s authorized minimum depth of 12 feet. The Atlantic Intracoastal Waterway Association (AIWA), a waterways interest group, recently gathered in Washington, DC, to ensure the Department of Transportation-designated marine highway M-95 is a top priority for Congress and the Trump Administration.
AIWA members are requesting legislators allocate $50 million for additional dredging needs to come from within the US Army Corps of Engineers operating and maintenance budget. AIWA members also pressed the case for continued allocations for operations and maintenance of navigation projects.
An estimated 13,000 recreational boaters, or “snowbirds,” make the annual boating migration from the Northeast to Florida each year, averaging $300 per day in spending supporting small-business jobs along the way. Boat Owners Association of The United States (BoatUS), a charter member of the AIWA, has concerns about boaters potentially forced to take more hazardous offshore routes due to ICW shoaling. BoatUS’s on-water TowBoatUS towing responders in South Carolina and Georgia report shoaling to be an on-going issue in some locations.
“The waterway is critical US infrastructure and important to recreational boaters,” said David Kennedy, Manager of BoatUS Government Affairs. “We vigorously support efforts to improve navigation and waterway access.”
Brad Pickel, executive director of AIWA, said, “We appreciate the high level of support by the Congressional delegation along the entire waterway. We look forward to ongoing investments in Marine Highway 95 as part of the infrastructure and jobs focus in the new administration.”
Additional AIWA members include the Virginia Institute of Marine Science, America’s Great Loop Cruisers’ Association, Florida Inland Navigation District, Waterways Journal, and the National Marine Manufacturers Association, as well as state and local agencies, marinas and commercial shipping businesses, tourism groups, publications, associations, dredging companies and tug and maritime businesses. For more information about the Atlantic Intracoastal Waterway Association visit atlanticintracoastal.org.
This report of shoaling at Marker #162A in Snow’s Cut comes from Robert Sherer’s Cruising Down the ICW 2017 blog, March 12, 2017. Snows Cut is a 1.5 mile cut connecting Cape Fear River with the east coast Waterway at Carolina Beach.
Jacksonville Landing is on the north side of the St. Johns, midway between the Main Street Bridge and the Acosta Bridge. This complex is a downtown shopping mall/food court with a stage area for special events and concerts and normally features its own dock for visiting pleasure craft. Now experienced cruiser, David Burnham, reports very limited dockage due to damage from Hurricane Matthew.
Update 3/9/2017: Arrived at the Jacksonville Landing to find no docking signs posted as the floating docks have not been repaired since last October’s Hurricane Matthew. Only a very small section, east of the river ferry dock section, and nearest the Main Street Bridge was available for docking while waiting for the bridge to open. I arrived after 4:30pm and had to wait until the next opening at 8pm instead of 6pm. Best to call the Main Street bridge tender to find out the latest opening schedule. Update 3/9/2017: After October 2017, Hurricane Matthew ruined most of the floating dock space at the Jacksonville Landing and only a very small section close to the Main Street Bridge remains open for docking now. David Burnham
Intracoastal Yacht Sales, a long-time SALTY SOUTHEAST CRUISERS’ NET SPONSOR, offers full service brokerage representation from three locations, Wrightsville Beach, NC, Little River, SC and Charleston, SC. You will want to see these new offerings!
This reported shoaling from experienced cruiser, John Wampler, is northwest of Nassau Sound. Thanks you John!
Shoaling in South Amelia River at position N30* 33.1 W081* 28.0 south of Marker 42 mag bearing 172* at 0.4 miles. +1.2 feet above Fernandina tide datum. Charted depth is 11 feet. Published course goes right over shoal. Bumped while floating over shoal. Draft 3.4 feet. Reported to USCG ANT JAX. John Wampler
Monroe County to remove 32 derelict boats from Marquesas Keys $61,200 project begins Sunday, continues through April 1 By Peter Burke – Local10.com Managing Editor Posted: 4:10 PM, March 09, 2017
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 BTC data rates” plus 1 more New BTC data rates Posted: 09 Mar 2017 01:55 PM PST Appears BTC has changed their data rates again. 500mb $2.49 1 day 1 GB $7 10 days 2 GB $10 30 days 3 GB $20 30 days 4 GB $30 30 days All +vat
Long Island Update Posted: 09 Mar 2017 05:36 AM PST Good news not only for the Long Island Rally heading for Salt Pond from George Town today but also for all cruisers to the Thompson Bay area. The former Pirates of the Caribbean, on the north shore of Thompson Bay, has reopened to offer several important services to yachts in the Bay. It is now called Tiny’s Hurricane Hole and boaters can take their dinghy there to enjoy a meal at the restaurant, use the WiFi, and even do laundry while relaxing with a beautiful view. Two of the cottages are available as well for those who want to bring guests to the island.
Long Island Petroleum is fully operational with plenty of water at the new dock. However, a word of caution: the dredging may have left a little silt at the channel entrance, but it is easily manageable at high tide.
Every now and then a fellow cruiser goes out the way to correct a situation that poses a hazard to other boaters. Joe Plunkett is just such a Cruiser Helping Other Cruisers. Joe’s efforts chronicled below have caused the USCG to relocate markers in a shoaling zone that has existed for years. Hats off to Joe Plunkett! This is Seamanship at its best.
Gentlemen: This is the e-mail I sent to the USCG back in December in response to the request for public comments. It is gratifying to see that a problem of long standing is now being addressed. Joe Plunkett
From: Joseph T Plunkett CPA Sent: Wednesday, December 28, 2016 10:57 PM To: D07-SMB-DPWPublicComments@uscg.mil Subject: CG 7th District LNM 07482016
To whom it my concern:
I wish to comment In regard to the proposed elimination of Fernandina TRUB 2 and establishment of Fernandina Beach Daybeacon 2 (LLNR 37988) in position 30-38-54.689N/081-29-03.486W (30°38.9115N / 081°29.0581W, 30.648525 / -81.484302) .
On September 4, 2016 at approximately 13:30 hours I ran aground in the Amelia River while piloting Happy Hagar, my 40’ Burns Craft Sun Deck Motor Yacht. The point of grounding was in the vicinity of 30-39-104N/081-29-089W (30°40.7333N / 081°30.4834W, 30.678889 / -81.508056) . Time was approximately 1.5 hours after high tide. The shoal in this area is unmarked. The USCG Station at Jacksonville, Florida should have a record of my contact on that day. The grounding resulted in the loss of our portside prop shaft and prop, bending of a prop strut and a bent port side rudder post. I was successful removing the boat from the shoal and stemming the flooding from the loss of the shaft. I anchored my vessel and waited approximately two hours for a tow from Towboat US from Brunswick. Total damage including yard repairs and towing may exceed $20,000. The missing shaft and prop are on the bottom of the Amelia River somewhere in the vicinity of the grounding.
While awaiting the tow I observed an outboard powered boat run aground in the same area. The outboard powered vessel was able to free itself from the unmarked shoal by trimming up their motor while throwing up a rooster-tail of sand. I have no information as to what damage, if any, that vessel may have incurred.
The Towboat US operator informed me that the problem shoal has been present for at least nine years. I have attached a photo of my chart plotter showing Happy Hagar’s track up to the point of grounding, at anchor after the grounding and while under tow heading toward Fernandina Beach Marina. The chart plotter image is shown as course-up with the top of the picture being SSW. The end of my track extending furthest south would be the point of grounding. The chart indicates a depth of 12-15 feet at that point. I have also attached a photo of a sailing vessel that grounded in the same area taken by Towboat US, date unknown.
I ask that you consider relocating Daybeacon 2 to the vicinity of 30-39-104N/081-29-089W (30°40.7333N / 081°30.4834W, 30.678889 / -81.508056), the point at which I grounded, subject to conducting your own survey. The existing Fernandina TRUB 2 could be replaced by a semi-permanent Daybeacon 4 in position 30-38-54.689N/081-29-03.486W (30°38.9115N / 081°29.0581W, 30.648525 / -81.484302) .
Thank you for your thoughtful consideration of my comments.
This extension of the Wappoo Creek wake zone is between the HWY 30 Connector Bridge at Mile 470 and the Wappoo Creek Bridge at Mile 471, an open stretch of water bordered by a number of homes and docks. Wappoo Creek joins Elliott Cut to connect the Ashley River and the Stono River south of Charleston. See History of Wappoo Creek for more on this area.
Wappoo wake zone to be extended Wappoo ICW
Wappoo Creek looking north from HWY 17 Bridge
Due to increased boating traffic, the South Carolina Department of Natural Resources (SCDNR) is extending the Wappoo wake zone of the Intracoastal Waterway in Charleston County.
The seasonal wake zone will be extended north to about 200 yards south of the James Island connector bridge, and south to the entrance of Coburg Creek. The extension will be in effect April 15, 2017, through Sept. 15, 2017. The normal wake zone will remain in effect until April 15 and will start again after Sept. 15.
This is one of the busiest stretches of water within the entire state, and law enforcement wants to minimize the risk for accidents.
“This is a popular area because there are two public boat landings within one mile of each other,” SCDNR Cpt. Donnie Pritcher stated. “The traffic has grown tremendously over the years and we want to keep people safe.”
For questions regarding the wake zone extension, contact the SCDNR law enforcement investigations office at 843-953-9378.
Northern Fields Cut is always an area to approach cautiously and at mid to high tide. Our thanks to Mike Cam for this marker warning.
Sat. 4 March 17 Fields Cut just into SC. At 0850 about 1h 50m after mlw and 1.5ft above mlw northbound N48A LOOKS like it’s out of place, too close to the SE shore. It is not! Honor it but hug it. Saw 7ft. Our catamaran was very close to shore to starboard [northbound].
Capitol Access is contacting other Lobbyists that have an interest with the navigable waterways, to understand each of their positions relative to ours. So far, the groups are synchronized in their positions fairly well … they are not promoting any issues or amendments that are averse to ours. This process of collaboration among all similar (and dissimilar) groups must take place continually, on a day-to-day basis, throughout the session.
Currently, Capitol Access is tracking House and Senate bills to identify any amendments that might get filed … they are ready to take a position on them as the bills get scheduled for hearings throughout the committee process. We are well-positioned with this. Capitol Access will keep us updated as amendments may be filed and as the bills get scheduled for hearings.
Survey: A lobbyist for Rybovich Superyacht Marina in Palm Beach County (http://www.rybovich.com/directions) has mentioned interest in anchoring restrictions at or near their entrance channel to ensure adequate ingress/egress/turn-around for the large vessels that they service. We not familiar with that channel. Presumably there are areas in this proximity where cruisers commonly anchor. If an amendment is filed to create a no-anchoring zone, we need local knowledge to assess the scope/breadth of the language relative to the facts on the water.
Please advise if any boater can offer information relating to anchoring on the ICW between West Palm Beach and North Palm Beach. Respond to Mike Bodin mbmtoa@gmail.com
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Comments from Cruisers (2)
Katherine Harms- March 17, 2017 - 2:50 pm
Many times we have anchored south of Peanut Island opposite the Palm Beach Sailing Club, sometimes near, sometimes pretty far away. However, when we were there in 2015 and 2016, there were many, many private moorings in that area. We could not find any location we considered safe among the moorings. We continued south of the channel used for access to Rybovich, and we anchored there in nearly 20 feet of water. We saw numerous large boats go in and out of Rybovich with no problems obvious to us. I can’t imagine what the complaint is about.
When we were anchored outside of the Rybovich yacht basin (not the Rybovich yard which is further north), the yachts would generally enter by coming down the eastern channel and then cut across spoil area, which is generally free of boats, then across the ICW western channel and into the basin. They seemed to have plenty of room.
Unfortunately that anchoring area south of the spoil area just outside Rybovich is one of the few areas south of peanut island and north of the bridge that you can get access to a dinghy dock and water, via the Palm Beach Sailing Club. It can get quite rough there when there are north and south winds, especially when the 2 knot current is going against the wind. While not a long dinghy ride in good situations, during the rougher weather it can trying and sometimes dangerous.
Without access to this dock from a close location you would have to be in the anchorage just south of Peanut island and take the dinghy over to the muni marina, which is too far a dinghy ride for those near the Palm Beach Sailing Club.
Then next best location would be south of the bridge near Clematis street.
It doesn’t appear to me at all that the megayachts have any trouble transitioning into Rybovich. Maybe the problem is with the facility and not with the ICW.
Capitol Access, Jerry Paul, Esq. Lobbyists at Florida’s State Capitol; News Release
Today marks Day 1 of the annual 60-Day Legislative Session. Although the House and Senate Committees have been meeting fairly continuously since December, the actual session, including consideration of bills on the full chamber floors, begins today. The Senate convenes at 9:30 a.m. and the House convenes at 10 a.m.
The opening day will largely be consumed with ceremonial events. Thereafter the pace will pick up quickly. This should be an interesting session. There are many newly-elected legislators following the recent elections and the conclusion of term limits for many past members. Of course many officials are already looking to their next election so some policy positions tend to be colored by that. (Remember, all of Florida’s Cabinet members – Governor, Attorney General, Commissioner of Agriculture, Chief Financial Officer – are up for election in just 20 months). But, there are also many serious matters on which the chambers will ultimately come together to resolve, not the least of which is the State Budget which will exceed $82 Billion. Although the State is expected to have a small surplus, the funds are largely already obligated so it is expected that it will ultimately be a tight budget year, particularly in the context of pending requests filed by members totaling more than $100 Million.
Today also marks the deadline for filing bills. The House and Senate bills on anchoring have both been officially filed. They are essentially identical and still reflect the provisions that we previously circulated. These bills will now move through the committee process including 3 committee hearings in the House and 3 committee hearings in the Senate. Then the bills will be heard on each of the full chamber floors and, if passed, would then go to the desk of the Governor for his consideration. The lead on these bills is Representative Holly Raschein (RFlorida Keys) who has invited me to attend a Stakeholder Meeting on Thursday during which all represented interests will sit together and go through provisions of the bill(s) to discuss any opposition. I will also be meeting with Senator Lauren Book who is the Senate Sponsor. We will provide a debrief to you thereafter.
The Cape Coral Cruise Club is a group of dedicated cruisers who always provide unique reports from the marinas they visit. Pink Shell Beach Resort and Marina, A SALTY SOUTHEAST CRUISERS’ NET SPONSOR!, overlooks the westerly banks of the Mantanzas Pass channel, west of marker #13. Pink Shell Resort and Marina is one CCCC’s favorite destinations, see March 2016 report.
PINK SHELL CRUISE FEBRUARY 21– 24, 2017 By Captain John Queen, Past Commodore, Cape Coral Cruise Club
The Cape Coral Cruise Club has monthly cruises to a variety of destinations in SW Florida. For the month of February 2017, that destination was the popular Pink Shell Resort and Marina on Fort Myers Beach. There was a good turnout with 17 club boats that made the trip ranging in size from 30 to 50 feet. Most of the boats arrived Tuesday, February 21st with fairly decent weather on their bow. Many boats waited until slack tide before arriving, as past experience knows, it is tricky trying to dock at Pink Shell in strong tidal currents. Since my wife Pati and I were the cruise leaders for this event, we were one of the first boats to arrive. We slid “Semper Paratus” into slip 20 around 10:30 AM just as inbound current was subsiding. Dockmaster Dave and his sidekick Craig did an excellent job in getting us and all other boats safely into assigned slips.
Tuesday afternoon was a time for relaxing and catching up with nautical conversation with other club members. At 4:30 PM, the members crowded the marina upper deck for our traditional Docktail hour with chips, pretzels and the like. As in the past, the marina has provided our club with a conference room at the resort, and this outing was no exception. At 6:00 PM club members convened in the conference room carrying food for the scheduled 1st night potluck. It’s always amazing how much love and innovation goes into the preparation of food in this club – members never go back to their boats hungry.
After dinner, club members anxiously waited for me to describe the fun and games portion of the evening. I had told them previously that we were going to play “The Awful Waffle Game” – with absolutely no other information provided.
As club members watched, 25 frozen waffles were stacked on an empty table in the center of the room. I asked for everyone to divide into teams of four. The object of the game “is easy”. “All you need to do is take the waffles and spread them out into 5 rows of 5 each, making sure that all waffle lines are perfectly aligned both horizontally and vertically”. I demonstrated with my hands how to do it. “After that, all you need to do is pick them up and dump them in this trash can across the room”. Again, I demonstrated how easy it was.
Each group was told it would be timed and the fastest team would win. Just before the first team started, I said, WAIT… there’s a catch! ELBOWS…ONLY!” (There is always a catch with my crazy made up games). Let the fun begin! It was a wild and funny sight watching these seasoned boaters trying to move and twist waffles with their elbows. Each team worked feverishly to beat the time of the previous team. When it was over, the winning team prevailed with a record time of 1 minute and 53 seconds. Prizes were awarded to the winning team and everyone had a good time. Thank goodness there was a vacuum cleaner in the room as scraps of waffles were everywhere!
The next morning, we prepared breakfast on our boat for 38 people consisting of scrambled eggs, sausage, bagels, croissants, and juice and carted everything up to the conference room for everyone to enjoy. Unfortunately, it started raining early Wednesday, and the trip from the marina to the conference room was not the best experience. But we got everything set up, and most boaters hiked up to the room to enjoy the breakfast.
After breakfast, our next fun game began. I explained to everyone that we would be doing a scavenger hunt. There were 10 questions or riddles to solve and the winner would be based on accuracy and speed. With that, I handed out envelopes to each boating couple and told them good luck.
As they opened the envelopes, they seemed unsure what to make of it. Each sheet of paper had what seemed to be a random spattering of letters running across it for several lines. It made absolutely no sense. (Of course it made no sense! I like to make people think!) I gave them one clue: “You need to work together to solve this!” Soon people started comparing their sheets of paper with other teams and realized not all sheets were the same. Finally, some of them realized that if they held the four variations the sheet together up to a strong light, it would reveal the message” THIS SCAVENGER HUNT SHOULD GIVE YOU A THRILL, YOUR LIST OF QUESTIONS ARE UNDER THE GRILL”. And with that, off they went.
Pati and I continued cleaning up the room after breakfast and retreated to the boat. I knew it would be a while before I saw anyone turn in their completed scavenger hunt questions. Some teams decided to wait for the rain to subside, while I saw other teams out there with their umbrellas and a wet sheet of paper trying to solve the riddles. As the day went on, the answer sheets started to trickle in. There were 8 teams that braved the weather and handed sheets in. I told everyone the results and winners would be announced at dinner that night. The rest of the day was spent by club members at the pool, walking the beach, shopping at Times Square, or simply ‘chillaxing’ on their boat.
At 6:00 PM everyone met at Matanzas Inn Restaurant for our group dinner. We usually have a group dinner on our cruises where other club members join us by land yacht. This outing was no exception as we had a total of 43 club members at the restaurant. The results of the scavenger hunt were revealed and prizes were awarded to the 1st, 2nd and 3rd place team. Everyone had a great dining experience at the Matanzas Inn and left will full stomachs. Since we had a number of people arrive by car, they were able to shuttle the boaters back to the marina and save them the 20 minute walk.
Thursday morning, we prepared another breakfast for all the boaters. Fortunately, there was no rain and we were able to set everything up rather quickly. After breakfast, some of the ladies stayed in the conference room to play cards, while others took walks, went back to their boats or simply enjoyed the Pink Shell Resort amenities. The weather was great most of the day.
Thursday night, club members headed off in different directions for dinner. On our club cruises, we usually designate Thursday night as ‘on your own’. Most of the boaters ended up at a handful of different restaurants on Ft Myers Beach.
Friday morning came too soon, and everyone prepared their boats for the journey home. Some boaters left early in the morning while others were in no hurry to get underway. The Pink Shell cruise was another great boating experience for members of the Cape Coral Cruise Club.
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.
The AICW follows the narrow, man-made canal known as Hell Gate between the Vernon and Ogeechee Rivers. These waters have been an AICW Problem Stretch for years. Looks like the surrounding shallows are once again beginning to creep into the channel. Effective immediately, cautious captains should begin to time their traversal of Hell Gate for mid to high tide. Our thanks to John Wampler for this report.
Passed thru Hell Gate this morning – 3.2 above Vernon View tide datum with 5.3 feet at waterline. John Wampler
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: “North exit/entrance to Grand Bahama Waterway” plus 2 more North exit/entrance to Grand Bahama Waterway Posted: 03 Mar 2017 05:12 PM PST I know that Monty Lewis checked out the waterway’s north exit/entrance for depth, and found it to be passable for drafts of 5 to 6 feet at high tide. However, just recently talked to a fellow boater with a power cat, and indicated that he touched bottom, with 3 1/2 feet draft at high tide.
I know there is a hard spot that must be avoided on the right side going out and he was not sure if this was what he touched or not.
Has anyone been through the waterway recently, and if so, what was you draft and tide situation. Thanks…DenO
Buddy Boat to the Abacos Posted: 03 Mar 2017 05:09 PM PST Planning Abaco trip from SW Florida (Punta Gorda) via Okeechobee leaving April 7, 8, or 9. 17+ knot power boat. Would like crossing buddy boat.
swansontyler7@gmail.com Tyler Swanson
Exuma Yacht club update Posted: 03 Mar 2017 05:04 PM PST Good news, they are fixing up the docks at Exuma Yacht Club. We were there a week ago (late February) and new planks had been installed on the main dock and there were making progress on the finger piers. Power working at some pedestals and both gas and diesel pumps working. Restaurant open as well.
Reports of shoaling south of Fernandina Beach have been coming in for several years and prompted a USCG Hazard Warning in May of 2014 (/?p=140702).This shoaling lies c. two miles south of Fernandina Beach harbor just north of the Waterway’s turn into Kingsley Creek. Our thanks to Joe Plunkett for sending this 9/2016 report. Now Joe sends us a welcome new report on changes in the Nav Aids around the shoaling.
3/4/2017 Problem area 300 meters north of old temporary red #2 in Amelia River south of Fernandina Beach has been addressed. Passed by this area on 3/3/17 and noted that the USCG has installed a new marker [Red 2] at the sandbar I grounded on 9/4/16. [See LNM below for [position] USCG requested comments in December replacing temporary red marker#2 with a permanent marker. I used the opportunity to comment and am pleased to see the USCG response. Semper Paratus. Joe Plunkett
And Joe adds in response to Bob’s question:
I copied the following from the the District 7 Local Notice to Mariners, Week 10-17: FLORIDA – AICW – ST SIMONS SOUND – TOLOMATO RIVER – FERNANDINA BEACH- ST. JOHNS RIVER – FERNANDINA BEACH The following changes have been approved to the Aids to Navigation System in St Johns River, Fernandina Beach: Fernandina Beach TRUB 2 will be permanently discontinued Fernandina Beach Daybeacon 2 (LLNR 37988) will be established in position 30-38-54.689N/081-29-03.486W (30°38.9115N / 081°29.0581W, 30.648525 / -81.484302)
And this:
When I passed through the Amelia River south of Fernandina last week I noticed a new red temporary marker had been placed at or near the location where I grounded last September. I did not take note of the number on the temporary channel marker. Back in September there were three channel markers identifying the channel: a green #1 at the northeast end, a green #3 and a temporary red #2 at the south/southwest end of this section of the Amelia River. There are now four channel markers: The original green #1 at the northeast end of the channel, a new red temporary marker near the location of my grounding, the original green #3 and a new permanent red marker replacing the old temporary marker at the south/southwest end of this section. I did not note the numbers on the new markers. I do not find these new markers on my charts. I use Navionics on my chart plotter and updated the Navionics chip the evening before departing Fernandina heading south. I expect the changes have been or will shortly be published in the Notices to Mariners. Joe Plunkett
9/4/2016 Encountered less than 3? at near high tide 300 meters north of Temporary Red #2. Time was Approximately 1330 Hours on 9/4/16. Pulled out port shaft attempting to get off. About ninety minutes later while awaiting tow, observed outboard run aground near same spot. With outboard trimmed up, operator was blowing substantial amounts of sand. You must favor the green side when approaching Green #3 from the north or departing Green #3 from the south. Came through this area northbound in late June and did not have any trouble. Joe Plunkett aboard Happy Hagar
Joe Plunkett aboard Happy Hagar- March 3, 2017 - 10:18 pm
Problem area 300 meters north of old temporary red #2 in Amelia River south of Fernandina Beach has been addressed. Passed by this area on 3/3/17 and noted that the USCG has installed a new marker at the sandbar I grounded on 9/4/16. USCG requested comments in December replacing temporary red marker#3 with a permanent marker. I used the opportunity to comment and am pleased to see the USCG response. Semper Paratus.
Click Here To Open A Chart View Window, Zoomed To A “Navigation Alert” Position at Light #3
Comments from Cruisers (3)
We spent 8 weeks sailing our boat in the Bahamas; have a 6 1/2′ draft. Did not have a problem. Pay close attention to tides when you plan on entering “skinny water”, study the charts closely and don’t fixate on your chart plotter – learn to read the water (color changes).
Don’t let the shallow water keep you from going. People run their sailboats up and down the ICW with little more that a foot of water under their keel and can’t see the bottom., but they worry about the depths in the Bahamas. You can see the bottom there and it’s gorgeous! Go! Enjoy the trip. Wish I were there right now instead of northern Michigan!
A six ft 6″ draft should not be a problem; I have sailed thru the Bahamas chain with an 8 Ft draft on a 456 Beneteau; you have to keep a good eye towards coral heads and water depth; choose your course well.
I would read the book “Too Old Not to GO.” It has some excellent advice for 1st timers going to the Bahamas.