The USCG rescue teams have been busy in the Gulf the last few days. See /160596.
CLEARWATER, Fla.— The Coast Guard rescued four boaters Saturday after their boat took on water and capsized 12 miles west of Johns Pass.
CLICK HERE FOR THE VIDEO AND FULL REPORT
ST. PETERSBURG, Fla.— The Coast Guard rescued two boaters Thursday after their boat took on water 12 miles west of Egmont Key.
Watch standers from Coast Guard Sector St. Petersburg received a mayday call at 6:03 p.m. via VHF-FM marine band radio channel 16. A man stated his 21-foot boat was taking on water due to a 2-foot crack in the hull and was in need of emergency assistance.
CLICK HERE FOR PHOTOS AND FULL REPORT
To put to rest the rumors, the AICW, from the VA-NC state line to New River Inlet, is closed to vessels exceeding 500 gross tons. Otherwise, the Waterway is open to all normal recreational vessels.
Boaters are reminded that nav aids may be off-station and that new shoaling may have occurred. Boaters are also warning to watch for water-borne hazards, particularly submerged or partially submerged objects.
Hazards should be reported immediately to the Coast Guard at 910-343-3880.
4:00PM Everything is open Norfolk south! [Only as far as Socastee Bridge, see /160452]
Terri Mann
10/20 All bridges and locks from Norfolk to Oriental are operational on Va Cut. Water is high with only the occasional deadheads to avoid. No problems encountered. Able to maintain safe cruising speed.
SV Kestrel
The visitor center at Dismal Swamp reports the canal remains closed and there is no estimate when it might reopen as of 10/15/2016.
David and Kim Witt were the fortunate winners in a drawing for a SSECN Cruising Cap at America’s Great Loop Cruisers’ Association at their annual Fall Rendezvous being held at Joe Wheeler State Park in Rogersville, AL October 17-20, 2016.
David and Kim Witt
Curtis Hoff and Winston Fowler, SSECN Team Members
Once again Carolina Yacht Service, Zimmerman Marine and Southport Marina, A SALTY SOUTHEAST CRUISERS’ NET SPONSOR, are teaming up to offer FREE weather and navigation daily briefings for the Fall Migration. A big thank you to these hard-working folks!
Weather and Navigation Briefs at the Southport Marina Dock for Fall 2016
Announcement
Back by popular demand! Celebrating our third year offering this free, one of a kind service.
Headed south through Southport, NC this fall? The two things we hear most in discussions amongst cruisers are concerns for coastal weather, winds and seas and navigation issues on the ICW. Well Southport Marina, in historic Southport NC, decided to do something about it.
Teaming with Carolina Yacht Care (cYc) and Zimmerman Marine, Southport Marina invites you to join them during the Fall 2016 transient season for daily “Weather and Navigation Briefs on the Dock” – geared towards transiting boaters.
These informal discussions are an opportunity for you to join fellow cruisers at the end of the day for a presentation and interactive discussion on weather and navigation issues for the next leg of your journey.
Retired US Navy meteorologist, cruising sailor and owner of Carolina Yacht Care – Hank Pomeranz, hosts the daily discussions. Hank will review the current National Weather Service advisories, watches and warnings, analyses and forecast charts and discuss the resultant forecasts for winds and seas, precipitation, temperatures, fog and severe weather potential for the Carolina coast north of Southport.
On the ICW navigation side, Hank will draw from the US Army Corps of Engineers surveys, USCG Notices to Mariners, recent fellow cruiser postings in cooperation with Salty Southeast Cruiser’s Net, The Waterway Guide, ActiveCaptain and local knowledge.
And, you won’t have to memorize everything presented. They’ll have handouts you can take back to your boat and review at your leisure.
Briefings will be held daily at 6PM through 15 December 2016 at the marina docks.
Daily “Weather and Navigation Briefs at the Dock”: yet another great reason to stop and stay with us at Southport Marina.
Click Here To View the Cruisers’ Net’s North Carolina Marina Directory Listing For Southport Marina
Click Here To Open A Chart View Window, Zoomed To the Location of Southport Marina
DNR to Host Public Hearing on Proposed Rule for Coastal Private Docks
Brunswick, GA (Oct 18, 2016) – The Georgia Department of Natural Resources has announced the rescheduled public hearing for proposed new rules for private recreational docks. The public hearing, rescheduled due to Hurricane Matthew, will be held in Brunswick on October 27, 2016 at 6:00 PM.
The proposed new rule would codify standards and conditions for issuance of a revocable license authorizing construction, maintenance, or modification of private recreational docks located over state-owned tidal water bottoms. The proposed new rule would also provide penalties for non-compliance with these standards and conditions.
“The Department of Natural Resources is responsible for insuring that private docks in coastal areas are built in a manner that balances environmental impact with access to tidal waterways for recreation such as boating and fishing,” explained Spud Woodward, director of the Coastal Resources Division of DNR. “The proposed rule will formalize in state law the same standards for dock size and configuration that have been required in federal law since 2012. Harmonizing state and federal law will eliminate confusion in the regulated community and strengthen the ability of DNR to resolve situations when docks are built knowingly and willfully in the wrong location or in the wrong manner.”
The public hearing on the proposed rule will be held in Brunswick at the Georgia DNR Coastal Regional Headquarters campus in the Susan Shipman Environmental Learning Center on Thursday, October 27, 2016 at 6:00 PM.
Written public comment will be received through Monday, November 07, 2016. Comments should be legible, concise and limited to the proposed rule change. Following the comment period, the Board of Natural Resources will consider the proposed rule on December 13, 2016 at 9:00 AM at the Lake Blackshear Resort, 2459-H U.S. Highway 280 West, Cordele, Georgia.
Mail or email comments to:Doug Haymans, Coastal Resources Division, One Conservation Way, Brunswick, GA 31520; email: doug.haymans@dnr.ga.gov
Additional information is available at www.CoastalGaDNR.org “News and Notices.”
Our thanks to Captain Richard Holtz who was able to get out on the Waterway and submit this report.
Cruised this weekend 101616 from New Smyrna Beach to Daytona Beach and back.
Heavy damage noted to Docks from Ponce inlet south to South of the North Causeway on the East side of the ICW. While some of the newest ones survived, more than 80% are in shambles. The CG Station Roof had issues, however the docks seems fine.
The condominium marina just to the south {of the CG Station] was wiped out.
Many commercial docks are total destroyed including Riverview Charlies and to the North of the inlet much of Inlet Harbor’s Fishing pier is gone. The floating gas dock at Inlet Harbor is OK however the restaurant took a significant hit. The floating docks at Down the Hatch seem fine, however the restaurant took a hit. The New Smyrna Marina-Outriggers Restaurant has no significant damage. In Daytona Beach Caribbean Jacks’ slips took a major hit.
Surprisingly the Halifax River has somewhat cleaned itself and has less debris than expected.
New shoaling South of Daymark Red “12” to Daymark Red “14” on the backside of Rockhouse Creek where Hunter Creek enters the ICW is significant. See /158393
The Green Daymark “11” at the CG station is gone. The North End Jetty Beacon Ponce Inlet is gone. Many floating markers appear off station. The area to West of inlet know as Disappearing Island has significant sand shifting occurring. With the very high tides it is hard to tell what will be once normalcy returns.
Thanks!
Captain Richard Holtz
Click Here To Open A Chart View Window, Zoomed To the Location of Ponce de Leon Inlet
This article by Audrey Hudson of the Myrtle Beach Online relates problems not only for communities along the Waterway, but for boaters as well. Along with debris, floating and submerged, air clearances at fixed bridges become concerns with the added water heights.
Waccamaw River crest to topple record that has stood since 1928
The Waccamaw River crested in Conway late Monday at 17.9 feet, toppling the record set in 1928 from the rain unleashed by Hurricane Okeechobee.
The 1928 flood is listed as one of the state’s “storms of the century” by the S.C. Department of Natural Resources, with rainfall of 10 to 12 inches that topped the Waccamaw at 17.8 feet above flood level. Road, bridges and railways were impassible, and property losses were nearly $6 million.
The river’s third-highest crest was set by Hurricane Floyd in 1999, and last year’s record rainstorm is now fourth.
The slow-moving river took nine days to hit the mark following Hurricane Matthew, and officials say it could take just as long for the water to finally recede back to moderate flood stage levels.
Residents near Conway started preparing for the coming flood the morning after Hurricane Matthew hit, and roads were cut off by water the following Monday.
Residents in areas that have never flooded before along the Intracoastal Waterway and in Bucksport were evacuated days later as the water crept to the crest.
The Intracoastal Waterway was at 19.09 feet over flood stage by Monday.
The code red emergency call system was activated Saturday to alert Socastee residents by phone about the rising waterway, and a voluntary evacuation was urged.
Bucksport residents — at risk from the Intracoastal Waterway, Waccamaw and Little Pee Dee River flooding — were alerted on Friday, said Brooke Holden, communications specialist for Horry County Emergency Management.
“We wanted to make sure those people knew that if they wanted to leave or felt the need to leave, now was the time to go,” Holden said.
There are seven shelters still operating in Horry County for residents who have evacuated flooded areas: at Aynor High School, Conway High School, Green Sea Floyds Middle and High schools, Loris High School, North Myrtle Beach High, Palmetto Bay Elementary School and Whittemore Park Middle School, according to the Emergency Operations Center.
“People need to know there is still somewhere for them to go,” Holden said.
With more than 100 roads closed throughout the county due to flooding and the Waccamaw River just hitting its peak, it will be several days before local, state and federal officials can access the areas to assess the damage and finalize requests for federal assistance from FEMA.
“Just like last year, it’s going to be a waiting process,” Holden said.
Once the river crests, it takes the crawling Waccamaw days, sometimes more than a week, to recede to the point that homeowners can access their property and assessments can be made.
Those assessments must be made before FEMA determines whether to grant the state’s request that Horry County be declared an emergency area.
“It’s a process that has to go to the White House for the president to approve,” said Derrec Becker, public information officer with the state Emergency Management Division.
“Horry County is still in response mode with the oncoming flood. Because it’s an ongoing emergency situation, we are focused on life and safety first, and then recovery,” Becker said.
Audrey Hudson: 843-444-1765, @AudreyHudson
Read more here: http://www.myrtlebeachonline.com/news/local/article108738657.html#storylink=cpy
Last year we were stuck for almost a week at Barefoot Landing due to flooding. Our mast height is 62′ and many, almost all the ’65’ bridges lacked height boards so we had to rely on other boaters to help us out…I suspect that same situation is true this year as well.
Carmen and Cathy Salemno traveling south through SC and GA report that traffic is very light and that visible debris is sparse. They also report that most marinas look good, but that many private docks, especially the ones with longer walkouts, have suffered damage. The dock houses appear to be undamaged, but the walkouts are gone.
The owner of Sunbury Crab Company in Brunswick, GA reports that the marina’s sign was damaged in pre-Matthew winds and a portion of the sign with their phone number was lost. Days later after Matthew, a phone call was received from a boater in Vero Beach FL who had found the broken sign part! Thanks to Carmen Salemno for relating this remarkable tale!
This 10/17 9:00 AM report of a lot of debris in the vicinity of ICW Marker #92 in the Wadmalaw River comes from our friends, Carmen and Cathy Salemno, traveling south from Charleston. The debris consists of a large tree and many pieces of floating lumber. Slow and a sharp watch are called for! Also reported are lots of private dock damage.
Click Here To Open A Chart View Window, Zoomed To the Location of Marker #92
Latest reports, Problem Stretch Report and /160432 confirm that the shallowest spot was at G81 in the Shallotte intersection and that the other nav aids appear to be on-station. That shallow water at G81 is confirmed by a report and survey sent by Hank Pomeranz of Carolina Yacht Care in Southport. The current advice for this intersection remains: mid to high tide and HUG THE RED!
LOCAL KNOWLEDGE – This is an extremely tight squeeze through here at MLW for all but the shallowest draft boats. Check the most recent USACE survey at: http://saw-nav.usace.army.mil/AIWW/CFRLR/T_19-20/Tangent_19-20.pdf.
We took our work boat down there after Matthew. Between R80A and R82, we followed the USACE track and found 5′ MLW with rapid shoaling on the green side. We tried the same run again closer to the red side and found 6.4′ MLW. The challenge is that it’s narrow through there.
Suggest transiting this inlet on a mid and rising tide and favoring a line between R80A and R82 – perhaps 10′ off. Slow and easy.
Click Here To Open A Chart View Window, Zoomed To This AICW Problem Stretch
Indiantown Marina lies on the St. Lucie Canal west of the HWY 710 Bridge. Well done Indiantown Marina!
Kudos to Indiantown Marina for extraordinary accommodation of boats evacuating Hurricane Matthew from the east, with wet water slips and haul outs. The staff worked non-stop for 3-4 days to help all in need. Locks were backed up hours with boats and all were able to get to Indiantown safe haven.
Click Here To Open A Chart View Window, Zoomed To the Location of Indiantown Marina
Good to know these folks are okay, but note they are not taking reservations! Cocoa Village Marina occupies the mainland side of the Waterway, just north of the Cocoa bridge and only a few quick steps from the downtown Cocoa business district!
Just wanted to let you know how we did here:
The staff at the Cocoa Village Marina worked days in advance, preparing for Hurricane Matthew. We are presently in the damage identification process. Restoration of power, water and internet is underway. Availability of slips will be limited until the completion of dock damage. We are presently not taking reservations for the fourth quarter of 2016.
Thanks, Ken
10/17 9:45AM Just a quick heads up letting you know we are now able to take limited, daily rate transient business until further notice. Thanks,
Ken Lunden
321-632-5445
Click Here To Open A Chart View Window, Zoomed To the Location of Cocoa Village Marina
This is certainly good news for cruisers! Our thanks to good friend, Matt the Bridge Tender for this update.
North Landing Bridge on the ICW at M/M 20.2 is fully operational as of 4 PM Oct 14th.
The Dismal Swamp Canal Route remains closed due to high water from recent rain events.
All Bridges, Locks and Commercial traffic in this area are on Marine Channel 13
Matt the Bridge Tender – Gilmerton Bridge
Click Here To View the VA to NC Cruisers’ Net Bridge Directory Listing For North Landing Bridge
Click Here To Open A Chart View Window, Zoomed To the Location of North Landing Bridge
An earlier Problem Stretch Report confirmed that the shallowest spot was at G81 in the Shalotte intersection and that the other nav aids appear to be on-station. That shallow water at G81 has now been confirmed by the keel of Darryl Desmarteau’s vessel. We are glad he has able to back off with no damage. Thank you, Darryl, for your report. The current advice for this intersection: hug the Red!
Travelling N on 10/14/2016 in trawler with 3′ 8″ draft. about 1h before low tide. Ran hard aground following mid channel course between G 81 and R 80,. I was able to back off and continue staying close to R 80. it was like a wall and in my view G 81 is essentially on top of a shoal extending well to port.
Darryl Desmarteau
Click Here To Open A Chart View Window, Zoomed To This AICW Problem Stretch
This notice is for our friends and cruisers in south Florida.
New Zika transmission zone confirmed in Miami-Dade County
NBC 6 MIAMI , WPTV Webteam
4:20 PM, Oct 13, 2016
11:29 PM, Oct 13, 2016
CLICK HERE FOR THE FULL REPORT
If you sight this vessel, please contact Tony at 850-851-8619, local authorities or SSECN via email contact@cruisersnet.net.
About two weeks ago, a crewmate stole my 43′ Gulfstar sailing ketch from Panama City Florida. The name of the boat is “The Solution”. She has white hill with red sail covers and red canvas over the cockpit.
The guy who stole it is 18 yrs old named Bear McGinty. He has his girlfriend on board with her 6 month old baby boy. Believe they are headed to Galveston Texas.
If anyone sees the boat please call me at 850.851.8619.
Much thanks,
Robert A. (Tony) Hicks
Our thanks to Sandy Flowers at Port of Call for this information.
St. Augustine Municipal Marina’s fuel dock has re-opened. A few slips available for short rem – no power or cable.
ALL NAV AIDS IN THE INLET ARE GONE – DO NOT USE!!
November 21, 2016… all navigation aids are back in place in the Inlet. In good conditions this remains a safe Inlet. As the local TowBoat US operator said, if you follow all the buoys, no problem. People get in trouble by short cutting buoys in poor conditions. It can be hard in poor light to see where the next one is, but if you favor the red side in, no problems in reasonable conditions.
This report is from “Harts at Sea” a blog by Barb and EW Hart. St. Augustine is home to Inlet Marina, A SALTY SOUTHEAST CRUISERS’ NET SPONSOR, which borders the eastern banks of the Waterway and which was extensively damaged by Matthew.
First of all…the St. Augustine community, the cruisers, the marina staff, everyone we have met during the past year, and especially our friends have been outstanding post-Hurricane Matthew. Please note that this is a time of stress for pretty much everyone in this community, whether boater and non-boater. It is heart-breaking to walk down any city street to see most of a home’s belongings piled in the yard. Cars and homes were smashed by trees; sewer water flooded stores, restaurants, and homes; and boats broke free to crash into docks, on shore gazebos, other boats, bridges, and mangroves. One marina was nearly destroyed and St. Augustine City Marina has major damage. They are not accepting reservations for at least a few weeks.
IMG_6201We are cheerful, optimistic, and helping each other. One of our favorite bars got up and running in two days, and is asking for Home Depot and Grocery Store Cards for their staff and clients who lost nearly everything. Another woman purchased cleaning and personal care products and made up 50 bags to give to those who need them. People are helping each other. Stew and I are certainly grateful every day for all the help we’ve received.
Still, some people don’t get it.
The first was a local boating lady who stood to one side and listened as I talked with David at the marina just after seeing our boat. David already knew La Luna’s location and was appropriately and sincerely concerned for us. I told him the boat was in great shape and we just had to figure out how to get her back in the water. As he walked away, the woman turned to me and said, with deep sympathy, “What kind of boat was she?” I was not in the mood. “She was and still is a Cheoy Lee designed by David Pedrick. And don’t talk about my boat in the past tense.”
Oops. Guess she struck a nerve.
The Facilities Manager of the Bayview Retirement Center where La Luna ran ashore kept making a joke about all his new boats and how he was going to put a rope around them. I was not pleased. After dropping our anchor to shore (a signal that she was being tended and not available for salvage) we learned that Florida actually has a law that prevents others from claiming your boat for salvage. (First Florida boating law I’ve liked.)
Gawkers have wandered down to the waterfront and usually joke a bit before they realize it is our home they find so droll. I pretty much handle that just fine. The St. Augustine Police Department has been amazing, first going out in a vessel the day after the storm to seek lost boats. They came to us during our first visit to La Luna, moved close enough to read her name and converse with us, and offered their condolences. They also made sure she was our boat and took our contact information. Other police officers have stopped by to check on us and the boats. Last I heard, the SA PD found 29 boats and posted their names and coordinates on Facebook so the owners could find them.
EW and I love the Coast Guard. I have two wonderful, brilliant, and accomplished nephews who have made their careers with the Coast Guard, and we have met many other members of their force in our travels. My recent favorite was the CG plane who flew over us on our way up from Panama and who contacted us. Sure, he was probably trying to determine if we were drug runners, but we had a delightful conversation.
Unfortunately, communication skills were lacking in the CG crew who showed up in a truck when EW was aboard La Luna. Like the SAPD they came within speaking distance and said, “Are you leaking oil or gas?” That was it. No, “Good morning, Captain, is this your boat?” No, “I’m very sorry to see this.” No nothing. EW answered in kind. “No, we are not, but frankly that is not my first concern.” They left.
Now that the storm is over, some folks who weren’t affected want things to get back to normal pretty darn quick. There have been Facebook rants by area venues asking the public to give them a break. Evidently, some folks are ticked that the free concerts held on St. Augustine Beach have been suspended.
Really? That’s a problem for you? The person who posted the rant suggested that everyone worried about their fun take a measuring tape out to four feet and make a mark around every room on the ground floor of their home. Now imagine all of that stuff wet with sewer water. Get over yourself.
The lovely catamaran we are now guests aboard is on the north dock which has no power so EW and I are currently onshore charging all electronic devices while I write a couple of posts. This vantage point lets us listen to David Morehead respond to the calls from folks who are anxious to start their cruising adventure and want to include the beautiful city of St. Augustine. Some of them have been rather insistent that David provide them with a mooring or slip. At least one implied that there weren’t a lot of options nearby, and David suggested he check online to see the area damaged and why there were few options.
And for those of you who love music, don’t mind the smoke, and have a place in your heart for the Trade Winds—The Oldest City’s Oldest Bar—they will rise again. When we walked past two days ago, a crew of bar staff, patrons, and friends were removing everything from the bar and dismantling the stages. Already there are Black and Decker Workmate Benches on the sidewalk where soaked plywood had been stacked. We will soon listen once again to “Those Guys”, and Joe and Rusty, and Dewy Via, in St. Augustine’s iconic bar.
Give us some time, people. Some restaurants and stores have re-opened. Enjoy those and wait patiently for others. More importantly, there are people who have lost everything or nearly everything. If you can, help them. We have lost nothing except water under the keel. Just like the Mary Ellen Carter, La Luna will sail again. In the meantime, treat those of us in St. Augustine, Flagler, and points north with a bit of sensitivity. We have maintained our sense of humor, but some things just cut a bit too close to the bone.
In closing, I will resurrect a comment the musician Fond Kiser made when we were discussing our first year in St. Augustine. He had just moved back here from Austin when Hermine joined us. I mentioned that we had arrived in time for the area’s coldest winter in years, hottest summer on record, and now a potential hit from a hurricane in an area known for being safe. “Hmm,” said Fond in his charming accent. “The city may want to take up a collection to pay to have you move out of town.” After Hurricane Matthew, they may want to consider his suggestion.
NOTE: The link above for the Mary Ellen Carter was performed by Stan Rogers, who wrote it. We learned it from Maine’s Schooner Fare and I have to share that version out of loyalty. (And because I raised a stein many, many times as I belted out “Rise Again! Rise Again! Let her name not be lost to the knowledge of men.”
Click Here To View the Eastern Florida Cruisers’ Net Marina Directory Listing For Inlet Marina HURRICANE DAMAGE AND CLOSED UNTIL FURTHER NOTICE
Click Here To Open A Chart View Window, Zoomed To the Location of Inlet Marina
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