Manatee Rescued after being Stuck in Life Jacket, Fort Lauderdale, FL
Manatee Rescued from Life Vest from CTVnews
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TowboatUS Captains Honored
NEWS From BoatUS
Boat Owners Association of The United States
880 S. Pickett St., Alexandria, VA 22304FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Boat-Towing Captains in FL, MD, MA, CAHonored For Lifesaving Acts
JUPITER, Fla. January 22, 2018 – When recreational boaters need a tow home, a battery jump or fuel drop-off, captains from the red TowBoatUS on-the-water towing fleet are there 24-hours a day to provide routine assistance. When recreational boaters are in grave trouble, TowBoatUS captains don’t hesitate to act. Ten TowBoatUS captains who acted as Good Samaritans to save lives in 2017 were recently honored by their peers at a ceremony held at the annual BoatUS Towing Conference in Jupiter, Florida, on January 18.
The 10 captains serve TowBoatUS towing locations in Florida, Maryland, Massachusetts and California. These are their actions:
Woody Pollack Lifesaving Award
· Capt. Dallas Kyle Potts, Capt. Andres Rosado, Capt. Jerry Acosta, and Capt. Shane Earhart, TowBoatUS Charlotte Harbor, Florida: With help from a “sixth sense,” the four captains rescued two young anglers after their small boat overturned in stormy harbor waters, nearly drowning the anglers in “washing machine”-like conditions.
Meritorious Service Awards
· Capt. Dale Plummer, Capt. Austin Plummer, TowBoatUS Baltimore, Maryland: After an unmanned sailboat careened ashore with her sails aloft like a ghost ship, the father-and-son team rescued the vessel’s owner at very last light. The man had been in the water nearly seven hours.
· Capt. Nathan Lins, TowBoatUS Catalina, California: One simple mistake nearly cost the life of a sailor who, clad only in board shorts, went overboard while his boat and crew sailed on without him. Lins quickly searched for and rescued the man.
· Capt. Sawyer Smith, TowBoatUS Newburyport, Massachusetts: A man fell off a marina dock and unable to swim, was swept away by a ripping tidal current until Smith dove in to save the man.
· Capt. William ‘Pat’ Davis, TowBoatUS Stuart, Florida: When a father’s 14-year-old son and friend fail to follow procedures while free diving in open, choppy waters and are swept away from the boat, Davis was able to locate the boys a mile away and bring them to safety.
· Capt. James Freeman, TowBoatUS Tarpon Springs, Florida: When a vessel is about to sink, and the only call to go out is to BoatUS National Dispatch, Freeman responds, sets up a search pattern, and rescues two crewmembers a mile from the sunken boat.
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Old Port Cove Announces Sale to Safe Harbor Marinas, North Palm Beach, AICW Statute Mile 1014
Old Port Cove Marinas, A CRUISERS’ NET SPONSOR, is located on the western shore of the northern Lake Worth channel, near unlighted daybeacon #7.
Click Here To Open A Chart View Window, Zoomed To the Location of Old Port Cove Marina
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Causeway Cove Marina Announces Opening, Fort Pierce, FL, AICW Statute Mile 965
Causeway Cove Marina is east of the Indian River channel immediately south of the 65ft fixed bridge connecting Causeway Island with downtown Fort Pierce.
Click Here To Open A Chart View Window, Zoomed To the Location of Causeway Cove Marina
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Bahamas Chatter: US vessel seized
Explorer Chartbooks, A CRUISERS’ NET PARTNER, has long been the standard navigational supplement for enjoyable, informative, and safe cruising through the beautiful Bahamian waters and island visits.
Bahamas Chatter: US vessel seized
US vessel seizedPosted: 20 Jan 2018 02:52 PM PST
4 January in Marsh Harbour Abaco Bahamian Customs and RBDF officers boarded and searched a US flagged MV that had not cleared customs. They found weapons aboard. The two US citizens were handed over to Bahamian police and the vessel confiscated.
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Update on Winter Conditions in Dismal Swamp Canal, AICW Alternate Route
The Dismal Swamp Canal was almost closed earlier this month due to surface ice and freezing conditions in the canal, see Dismal Swamp Frozen! Our thanks to Donna Stewart, Welcome Center Director, for this good news update. Docks and information are provided at the Dismal Swamp Canal Welcome Center, an NC DOT Rest Area facility, and are located adjacent to the Dismal Swamp State Park, offering trails, exhibits and ongoing programs in Camden County, NC.Our thanks to Donna Stewart for this report and these photos.
Larry,
The canal here thawed out and we had two boaters lock through yesterday. One checked in yesterday afternoon and stayed with us last night and one stayed at the Douglas Road dock. The latter and his son checked in with us and had coffee this morning. They both left today to make the 11am locking. I understand there were issues, due to frozen duckweed near the lock. They both stated they had no problems from Deep Creek to me, one drawing 4’ and another drawing 5’. This photo yesterday shows we had no ice or duckweed here, but unfortunately, there are still problems at the lock today.
I don’t know how cold it has to be to kill it {duckweed} all and make it die…………..We were at 3 degrees during the hard cold spell and previous snow. We had about 2-3 inches of snow last night, but it is clearing quickly.
Donna
Donna Stewart, Director
Dismal Swamp Welcome Center
2356 US Hwy 17N
South Mills, NC 27976
Phone – 252-771-8333
www.DismalSwampWelcomeCenter.comBird, Bike, Hike…..take in the sights!
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Coast Guard, NOAA Seize Illegal Shrimp Catch, Dry Tortugas Shrimp Sanctuary
Coast Guard, NOAA seize illegal shrimp catch
MIAMI — The Coast Guard and National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration seized approximately 6,000 pounds of shrimp with an estimated price of $60,000 from the 68-foot fishing vessel Ronald E. near the Dry Tortugas Shrimp Sanctuary Preservation Area, Friday.The vessel Ronald E. was observed fishing inside the marine sanctuary and was boarded by a Coast Guard Cutter Raymond Evans and NOAA joint boarding team. The boarding team cited the vessel for illegally fishing inside a national marine sanctuary and safety violations.
“This case demonstrates the importance of strategic partnership,” said Capt. Jeffery Janzsen, commander, Coast Guard Sector Key West. “Within the Florida Keys, we take protecting the National Marine Sanctuary very seriously. Boaters and fishermen should familiarize themselves with the boundaries of the sanctuary to make sure they are complying with federal law.”
Fishing within federally protected waters is illegal.
“The partnership between NOAA and the Coast Guard allows for efficient enforcement of the commercial fishing fleet in the waters surrounding the Florida Keys,” said Lt. Cmdr. Jonathan Wolstenholme, commanding officer, Coast Guard Cutter Raymond Evans. “Integrating NOAA enforcement officers into our boarding teams ensures quality at sea inspections of both required safety equipment and fishing gear.”
The evidence package for this seizure has been forwarded to the National Marine Fisheries Service, who will determine if a formal Notice of Violation will be issued.
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Our First 60 Days on the ICW – Lessons Learned
Here is another interesting and informative blog from a couple cruising the Waterway and other travels.
Re-posted with permission.
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Shared Photo: Double Rainbow
This photo was taken by Ann Marie Tyrell aboard the vessel “Hydrophilic” at Old Port Cove Marina.
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Celebrating 32 Years with MIAPB, Old Port Cove Marinas, North Palm Beach, AICW Statute Mile 1014
Old Port Cove Marinas, A CRUISERS’ NET SPONSOR, is located on the western shore of the northern Lake Worth channel, near unlighted daybeacon #7.
January 2018 – 32 Years Later
WE ARE CELEBRATING!Each of our marinas; Old Port Cove Marina, North Palm Beach Marina and New Port Cove Marine Center are celebrating mile stone anniversaries as members of the Marine Industries Association of Palm Beach County, Inc. We are pleased to announce that both Old Port Cove and North Palm Beach Marinas are 32 year members, New Port Cove is a 19 year member.“We’ve Come a Long Way Baby” hardly sums up all that has happened within the industry during those 32 years! The Marine Industries Association, along with its Board, which still includes one our own staff, the membership and volunteers has grown in every aspect. From community involvement, industry advocacy, marine business leadership, the remarkable success of the Annual Palm Beach Holiday Boat Parade and Toy Drive, the Palm Beach International Boat Show, which was once held at the old Jai Alai Fronton in West Palm Beach and is now considered one of the top five boat shows in the country, to the recent addition of Paddlefest. The entire Old Port Cove Holdings, Inc. Team is proud to be a participant in our growing marine industry and look forward to what’s on the horizon.If you are a marine related business located in Palm Beach County, come join in and become a member. If you are an individual with marine interests and want to keep abreast of industry related events and activities, look into their affordable Captain membership category.With 40,000 registered boats and 20,000 marine workers in Palm Beach County, you’ll definitely be in great company!Let’s Keep Boating in Palm Beach County!By Sue Morgan, Marketing DirectorOld Port Cove Holdings, Inc.P.S. Don’t forget to mark your calendar! The Palm Beach International Boat Show is March 21-25, 2018. See you there!
WE ARE FL. D.E.P. “CLEAN MARINA” CERTIFIED!As designated Clean Marinas, we have made the commitment to actively pursue practices that protect Florida’s waters from harmful chemicals, excess nutrients and marine debris. In a recent Waterway Guide newsletter, I stumbled upon an alarming statistic. It is being reported that there are five trillion pieces of plastic floating in the world’s seas. So when you are aboard or ashore, please save your plastics along with any you pick up in your travels and when you dock at one of our facilities, we will gladly recycle them! Thank you for helping protect the oceans and waterways.Click Here To Open A Chart View Window, Zoomed To the Location of Old Port Cove Marina
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S/V ELLIPSIS Found!
Our thanks to Melissa G for this good news:
s/v Ellipsis found, washed ashore the night of Jan. 8 on Elbow Cay, Hope Town, Abaco. Both passengers and their dogs are alive and in a home onshore.
Melissa GThis alert comes to us from St Augustine Cruisers Net.
Sharing this info:BOLO for the S/V ELLIPSIS
Seven Seas Cruising Association’s HF Radio Service KPK has been asked for assistance in locating the S/V ELLIPSIS which departed Puerto Rico on December 26, 2017 on a voyage to St Augustine, Florida. The vessel is a 32’ Westsail cutter rig sloop, light tan hull, maroon stripe below the rail, with tan bark sails.
There are two POB. The Captain is Scott Kans, age approx 55, accompanied by crew Rafael Torres, approx age 30. Neither men are known to have medical issues, although Scott is believed to have a hernia.
The vessel has a 6 person life raft, however no EPIRB, SSB or HF Radio, or other means of communication other than two cell phones. They have no way to receive weather information since departing Puerto Rico. Scott’s cell phone is 787-306-9114.
The vessel sustained major damage during the hurricanes in Puerto Rico, including damage to its rigging which is believed to have been repaired prior to departing Puerto Rico. It is believed the vessel may have a cutlass bearing issue.
Their intended route was to pass close enough to the Turks and Caicos to allow them to call their emergency contact via cell phone. The contact expected hearing from them on or around January 2nd. From the Turks and Caicos they planned to continue through the East Bahamas into the Gulf Stream to St Augustine, Florida.
The USCG Sector Jacksonville has been notified.
Chris Parker of the Marine Weather Center is also aware of this overdue boat and will broadcast a lookout on his Monday SSB morning weather report for the Bahamas.
Dick Giddings of the afternoon Doo Dah SSB Net is also aware and broadcasting a lookout as well as putting it out on the morning Cruiseheimers Net.
KPK will ensure the Waterway Radio & Cruising Club Amateur Radio Net covers it as well as the both SSCA morning SSB nets at 1215 hrs UTC and 1315 hrs UTC on frequency 8.104.
Anyone with information regarding this vessel may contact KPK@ssca.org and the USCG.
Glenn Tuttle – Net Manager
SSCA HF Radio Service KPK
941-456-5070Comments from Cruisers (2)
- Reply to Melissa
s/v Ellipsis found, washed ashore the night of Jan. 8 on Elbow Cay, Hope Town, Abaco. Both passengers and their dogs are alive and in a home onshore.
- Reply to Tracy
I hope all is well with this vessel and the passenger, but having no Epirb onboard is irresponsible.
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Have Your Wedding at Sandpiper’s Cove Restaurant, Old Port Cove Marina, North Palm Beach, AICW Statute Mile 1014
Sandpiper’s Cove Restaurant and Bar is a premier restaurant at Old Port Cove Marina, A CRUISERS’ NET SPONSOR, located on the western shore of the northern Lake Worth channel, near unlighted daybeacon #7.
Recently Engaged Over the Holidays?Plan Your Waterfront Wedding with Us!Let Our Professional Staff Help You Plan Your Destination Waterfront Wedding & Reception at Sandpiper’s Cove!Overlooking our beautiful marinas,Sandpiper’s Cove is the perfect venue location for hosting all your wedding needs! Enjoy sweeping floor to ceiling marina views while dining and dancing in our private Lakeshore Room as guests mingle and sip on cocktails in the adjoining Sand Bar!We are the Perfect South Florida Venue for Bridal Showers & Luncheons, Engagement Parties, Bachelorette andBachelor Parties!Do you enjoy the outdoors? Additional options include the use of our Flag Deck which sets up beautifully for a ceremony, waterside cocktails and hors d’Oeuvres.Or simply celebrate with friends and family by enjoying an intimate dining Al Fresco experience just for you.Please contact John North, Banquet Coordinator andreserve your special date today!Call: 561.626.2280Email:
Additional Photos and Previous Party Host’s comments including consistant 5 Star reviews can be found on Wedding Wire site at the link below.Be sure to ask about ceremonies on the Grassy Knoll!STAY CONNECTED
Click Here To Open A Chart View Window, Zoomed To the Location of Old Port Cove Marina
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Bahamas Chatter: Search for Missing Vessel
Explorer Chartbooks, A CRUISERS’ NET PARTNER, has long been the standard navigational supplement for enjoyable, informative, and safe cruising through the beautiful Bahamian waters and island visits.
Bahamas Chatter: Search for Missing Vessel
Search for Missing VesselPosted: 09 Jan 2018 08:02 AM PST
Sharing this info:BOLO for the S/V ELLIPSIS
Seven Seas Cruising Association’s HF Radio Service KPK has been asked for assistance in locating the S/V ELLIPSIS which departed Puerto Rico on December 26, 2017 on a voyage to St Augustine, Florida. The vessel is a 32’ Westsail cutter rig sloop, light tan hull, maroon stripe below the rail, with tan bark sails.
There are two POB. The Captain is Scott Kans, age approx 55, accompanied by crew Rafael Torres, approx age 30. Neither men are known to have medical issues, although Scott is believed to have a hernia.
The vessel has a 6 person life raft, however no EPIRB, SSB or HF Radio, or other means of communication other than two cell phones. They have no way to receive weather information since departing Puerto Rico. Scott’s cell phone is 787-306-9114.
The vessel sustained major damage during the hurricanes in Puerto Rico, including damage to its rigging which is believed to have been repaired prior to departing Puerto Rico. It is believed the vessel may have a cutlass bearing issue.
Their intended route was to pass close enough to the Turks and Caicos to allow them to call their emergency contact via cell phone. The contact expected hearing from them on or around January 2nd. From the Turks and Caicos they planned to continue through the East Bahamas into the Gulf Stream to St Augustine, Florida.
The USCG Sector Jacksonville has been notified.
Chris Parker of the Marine Weather Center is also aware of this overdue boat and will broadcast a lookout on his Monday SSB morning weather report for the Bahamas.
Dick Giddings of the afternoon Doo Dah SSB Net is also aware and broadcasting a lookout as well as putting it out on the morning Cruiseheimers Net.
KPK will ensure the Waterway Radio & Cruising Club Amateur Radio Net covers it as well as the both SSCA morning SSB nets at 1215 hrs UTC and 1315 hrs UTC on frequency 8.104.
Anyone with information regarding this vessel may contact KPK@ssca.org and the USCG.
Glenn Tuttle – Net Manager
SSCA HF Radio Service KPK
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Dismal Swamp Frozen! AICW Alternate Route
The Dismal Swamp Canal had been closed to navigation since Hurricanes Matthew and Irma and its recent restricted re-opening is welcome news to cruisers. Docks and information are provided at the Dismal Swamp Canal Welcome Center, an NC DOT Rest Area facility, and are located adjacent to the Dismal Swamp State Park, offering trails, exhibits and ongoing programs in Camden County, NC. Our thanks to Donna Stewart for this report and these photos.
I’ve attached an advisory just received from the USACOE regarding the ice on the Dismal Swamp Canal and the A&C Canal. I’ve attached photos taken on Saturday at 4pm, and things have not really changed here, today, except the temperatures have started to creep up.
I personally do not remember seeing this much ice in the Canal. We have experienced very cold temperatures for a week, my thermometer registering 3 degrees one morning.
Stay warm if you can.
Donna Stewart, Director
Dismal Swamp Welcome Center
2356 US Hwy 17N
South Mills, NC 27976
Phone – 252-771-8333
www.DismalSwampWelcomeCenter.comBird, Bike, Hike…..take in the sights!
All e-mails sent from this computer are subject to the Public Records Law and the information contained therein is a public record.
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Request from Navionics for Re-Charting Assistance
Here’s a free update from Navionics for boaters who assist in re-charting the Keys. Fun and Profit all in one offer!
Wanted: Your Help With Post-Irma Chart Updates from Florida Sportsman Editor
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The Coast Guard Authorization Act of 2018 – 5 year renewal, Additional Information
A multi-year documentation renewal is good news for long term liveaboard cruisers, but might not be a wise option for smaller vessels. It will be interesting to see how this plays out.
“The Coast Guard Authorization Act of 2018 was signed into law on Tuesday, Dec. 4, 2018. Included in this Act is a provision providing recreational Certificate of Documentation (COD) holders the ability to select a multi-year renewal (1-5 years) during an implementation period (January 1, 2019-December 31, 2021), after which a five-year document (recreational vessels only) will become automatic.
Implementation of this provision will require an update to automated systems at the National Vessel Documentation Center (NVDC) in order to accommodate multi-year renewals. Additionally, the Coast Guard is evaluating what revisions to existing regulations may be needed to incorporate the provisions of the Act. Recreational vessel owners should continue to follow the current process for requesting/renewing CODs.
Please visit our website under ‘NVDC Latest News’. Updates will be posted as received. You may also elect to receive automated messages by registering under ‘SUBSCRIBE TO NVDC INFORMATION.”
And this note added 1/4/2019:
Recreational vessel owners who wish to renew for more than one year may do so by including additional fees in the amount of $26.00 per extra year requested, and annotating same on the CG-7042 Credit Card Form, or in the Memo line of checks.
For more information, please see Instructions under the Instructions and Forms tab on our website [above].
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350th Anniversary Celebrations on the Chowan, Historic Edenton, NC, Albemarle Sound
For this 350th Anniversary, Historic Edenton, A CRUISERS’ NET SPONSOR, has an exciting calendar of year-long Celebration events for all ages. Edenton is at the mouth of the Chowan River on the northwest shore of Albemarle Sound.
CLICK HERE FOR 350TH ANNIVERSARY CELEBRATION!
Click Here To Open A Chart View Window, Zoomed To the Location of Edenton Harbor (City Docks)
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UPDATE 16: Pollution Mitigation Continues
UPDATE 16: Crews continue to mitigate pollution threats from vessels displaced by Hurricane IrmaCLICK HERE FOR PHOTOS AND THE FULL REPORT
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Local Knowledge Requested on Longboat Pass, south of Tamp Bay
If you have current local knowledge on Longboat Pass, let Pat hear from you. Longboat Pass separates Longbeach and Bradenton Beach south of Tampa Bay near GICW Statute Mile 85. Adjustments to ATONS are normally ongoing in the Pass (https://cruisersnet.net/162514) and dredging was completed in April of ’17 (https://cruisersnet.net/164177).
Inquiring about Longboat Pass…….I have a Cape Dory 25 with a 3 foot draft. Is it safe to bring the boat through the Pass?
PatClick Here To Open A Chart View Window, Zoomed To the Location of Longboat Pass
Comments from Cruisers (2)
- Reply to nick
the last time I went in there I drew 5.5 feet and the correct approach is from the south along the beach, not from the north watch the water color.
- Reply to John
If you stay in the marked channel you should be fine. We draw 4.25 ft. and have never had a problem. Be sure to enter the channel well to the south. Round the MO (A) if coming from the north. Also be aware that the current runs through the pass pretty strongly at times. The bridge opens on demand, but you may find yourself “crabbing” through the bridge due to the current.
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Good News Report on Stump Pass, near GICW Statute Mile 41
Our thanks to James for this onsite report on navigation conditions in Stump Pass. Stump Pass separates Englewood Beach and Knight Island and connects to the Gulf Waterway at Statute Mile 41 in Lemon Bay. The Pass had been closed to navigation until recent dredging was completed, as James reports.
Stump Pass dredging is complete and now has 5′ depth from Gulf to GICW. Well marked when approaching from the SW. Do not approach close to shoreline from the NW as there is a new un-marked rock jetty mostly submerged. Once inside, the currents run strong and there are shoals on both side, so do not attempt at night.
JamesClick Here To Open A Chart View Window, Zoomed To the Location of Stump Pass
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