10/4, 3:00 PM, SC has ordered the evacuation of all coastal communities and has closed coastal schools in all the coastal counties. The Governor’s office has asked that evacuees move at least 100 miles inland.
This is one very important survey that cruisers definitely will want to take. We can only keep our fingers crossed that the right questions will be asked and that our answers, observations and suggestions will be heeded, unlike past conversations with the FWC.
FWC seeks public input on anchoring and mooring rules, pilot program
The Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC) is seeking feedback from cruising boaters, local boaters and other residents in evaluating the state’s Anchoring and Mooring Pilot Program and related ordinances.
The FWC has posted a brief online survey to accept this feedback. It should take approximately five to 10 minutes to complete and will be available to the public Oct. 1-9. Survey
Any input is greatly appreciated in evaluating and improving boating in Florida.
The Florida Legislature established the Anchoring and Mooring Pilot Program in 2009. The intent was to explore potential options for regulating the anchoring or mooring of non-live-aboard vessels outside the marked boundaries of public mooring fields throughout the state.
After public input, the FWC selected the cities of St. Augustine, St. Petersburg, Sarasota, Stuart (in conjunction with Martin County) and the cities of Key West and Marathon (in conjunction with Monroe County) as five sites for the pilot program. They were granted temporary authority to regulate mooring in their jurisdictional waters through local ordinances.
All ordinances enacted under authority of the pilot program will expire on July 1, 2017, and will be inoperative and unenforceable thereafter, unless re-enacted by the Legislature.
Participation in the survey will help determine the effectiveness of the program, developed ordinances, and a variety of concepts related to specific restrictions on anchoring of vessels which may be considered in the future.
To access the survey and for more information, go to MyFWC.com/Boating.
And this from Glen Moore on the AGLCA Forum:
The Florida anchoring issue will be with us every year. This survey is part of the planning for next year’s legislative session and more legislation limiting anchoring. More communities will be vying to be included in the anchoring bans that were granted in two south Florida counties last year.
As a life-long resident of Florida, I have watched the law-making process over many decades. It is ironic that a state legislature with the majority of its members being elected on the platform of less government continue to issue laws regulating all forms of personal choice, including where one might anchor. Sorry if this sounds political, but this is a political issue and I have attempted to craft words in a benign manner.
If any of you are Floridians, and have decided to provide input through this survey, please take your time in studying each question (and there are many, particularly if you have anchored in a pilot project area since 2011) before answering. As an example, some of the questions refer to the appropriate distance to be anchored from residences or marine structures such as boat ramps. While you might have a great opinion of how far you believe is appropriate, any answer of a distance could result in laws regulating how far you must anchor. Any distance required could be difficult to follow given how large your swing circle could be. You could anchor at the appropriate distance, the wind direction change resulting in your boat swinging into an illegal spot. In many areas, laws regulating how far one can anchor from a residence will create overlapping illegal areas that essentially bans anchoring.
Last year, I wrote my State Senator questioning the proposed, and eventually passed law for south Florida. He responded that the anchoring law was needed for safety – that people water skied in the area and boats at anchor are a safety issue. I responded that they law did not prohibit anchoring in the day time, when there were people water skiing, only at night when people did not water ski – so the proposed law had no impact on the safety of skiers. He did not respond and voted for the anchoring prohibition.
We have some tough battles ahead. Our fight in Florida is not just for reasonable anchoring laws in Florida. Legislatures tend to copy laws from other states. As anchoring laws in Florida get legislated, other states will soon follow – Georgia, South Carolina, North Carolina . . .
My recommendation on the survey is to use the comment box at the end of the survey to build your case that no additional anchoring laws/restrictions are needed in Florida.
Be aware that waterfront homeowners will also be responding to the survey.
Glen Moore
Last Dance, DeFever Passagemaker 40
Flagler Beach, FL
I think the pilot program is dead! Miami Beach did not conform, Martin County/Stuart doesn’t enforce.
Dismal Swamp Canal AICW Alternate Route and the State Park have been closed since 9/23 due to high water. Our thanks to Donna Stewart, Director of the Dismal Swamp Welcome Center, A SALTY SOUTHEAST CRUISERS’ NET SPONSOR, for this update. Please note the caution re debris in the canal.
The ACOE has relayed they will resume normal lock operations at 11am today. We appreciate everyone’s understanding and patience during this closure due to high waters. The Elizabeth is heading north as we speak, she just went past my window! We look forward to seeing all of our boaters again for a busy fall boating season.
Some reminders: the ACOE has patrolled to make sure we are clear for passage. The Canal is a no wake zone. Do not follow other boats closely, debris may be stirred up from the bottom. The Canal has a controlling depth of 6 foot. If you do encounter any problems, please note your coordinates as well as the mile marker to help US Facilities in addressing any issues, and report this to our Lock Masters or share with us to forward. Your input helps.
We are excited to see boats at our dock again!
Donna
Donna Stewart, Director
Dismal Swamp Welcome Center
Margaret Bonds Podlich
Salty Southeast Cruisers’ Net and BoatUS have always had a cordial working relationship and we will miss President Podlich’s support and friendship. We wish her the very best in the next phase of her life.
BoatUS president will step down on Friday
After 23 years at BoatUS, Margaret Bonds Podlich said today that she is stepping down as president, effective Friday.
A search has been initiated for a permanent replacement to lead the national boating advocacy, services and safety group.
“We want to thank Margaret for her many years of service and dedication to America’s recreational boat owners,” BoatUS CEO Kirk La said in a statement.
“She made boating better by making government more accountable to boat owners, ensuring that their voice was heard when unfair legislation was being debated. She’s been a strong environmental advocate and played a big role in successfully growing BoatUS into the more than half-a-million-member association that we are today.”
Podlich began her career at BoatUS in 1993 as director of the Clean Water Trust, now part of the 501(c)(3) non-profit BoatUS Foundation for Boating Safety and Clean Water. Under her direction, the trust (and later the foundation) grew to play a national role in clean water issues that affect recreational boaters. Many of today’s Clean Marina programs were developed under Podlich’s vision and leadership, and now these efforts are accepted as an essential part of managing a boating facility.
A 2014 honoree of the Darlene Briggs Marine Industry Woman of the Year award, Podlich also worked to promote boating safety initiatives and participated on the prestigious Coast Guard National Boating Safety Advisory Committee.
As former BoatUS vice president of government affairs, Podlich supported realistic, boating-friendly policies and helped successfully pass the 2008 Federal Clean Boating Act, which freed boaters from a new state operating permit.
Podlich is also credited with leading BoatUS to work with the recreational boating industry, working on policy and programs mutually beneficial to boat owners, manufacturers and service providers, such as combating the spread of ethanol fuels and saving the GPS system.
In 2012 she received the NASBLA Award from the National Association of State Boating Law Administrators, its highest recognition, for notable contributions to the betterment of boating.
Along the way, Podlich campaigned her Laser sailboat in national championships, most recently taking the top women’s radial trophy at the 2014 U.S. Laser Masters Championships and the Atlantic Coast Championship. She was also a crewmember on the 2006/2007 U.S. Sailing Team, campaigning the three-woman Yngling while vying for a slot in the 2008 Beijing Olympics.
BoatUS said Podlich made it her mission to be a “president of the people,” taking great effort to address BoatUS members’ concerns. When boating on her family’s small fleet of both sail and power watercraft, she was known for approaching other vessels flying the BoatUS flag, eager to talk boating.
From Soundings’ Trade Only Today
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: Dockage rates at Cave Cay, Exumas
Dockage rates at Cave Cay, Exumas
Posted: 29 Sep 2016 07:27 AM PDT
Does anyone know what the rates for dockage is at Cave Cay? Daily, weekly, and monthly?
Thanks DenO
Charleston City Marina, A SALTY SOUTHEAST CRUISERS’ NET SPONSOR, is located along the Ashley River’s northeastern banks, northeast of marker #5, and only a hop, skip and jump from the path of the AICW!
The City Marina was the winner in the Marina category of the Post & Courier’s 2016 Charleston’s Choice Awards. It is a well-deserved honor.
Click Here To Open A Chart View Window, Zoomed To the Location of Charleston City Marina
Sunset Bay Marina lies directly on the patch of the Okeechobee Waterway, only a few miles off the AICW via the St. Lucie River. Our thanks to Peyton Yon for this report.
Convenient and easy location to get in and out of. Well maintained, good Wifi, water and electric above average, very clean restrooms and showers, crew lounge and bicycles are provided for. Dockage rates are high for short term and transit accommodations please note they charge an additional nightly fee for electric. Free pump out service for your holding tanks offer once per week dockside or at the main fuel docks on demand. Water pressure is very high please use caution. Our dockage was for a 60ft MY on B Dock.
Peyton Yon
Click Here To Open A Chart View Window, Zoomed To the Location of Sunset Bay Marina and Moorings
Located on the Ortega River just above the Roosevelt Blvd. Bridge and just upstream of the intersection of the Ortega and St. Johns Rivers, Ortega River Marina is especially convenient to the Riverside section of Jacksonville. This report comes from our friends at America’s Great Loop Cruisers’ Association.
Ortega River Marina. Paul Howe is the dock master at 912-661-3437. We keep our PDQ there in the summer and fall and are very happy with it. ORM (it used to be Ortega Yacht Club Marina) is a smaller marina than “Landing”, with clean bathrooms and laundry, a small pool, and friendly, helpful boat owners. [expand title=”Read More”}Its rates are also very reasonable. ORM is near first-class yacht repair places, half a block away from one of the largest used book stores in the U.S. and a block away from West Marine, Publix, restaurants and other stores.
Kent and Jane Overbeck, Gold Loopers 2012-2013
Click Here To Open A Chart View Window, Zoomed To the Location of Ortega River Marina
We stopped here last March for a few days to stock up and service our boat before continuing north on our great loop journey. We had completed 2600 miles. When we got to the Fl/GA line we decided to pause our loop journey due to COVID. We called Paul Howe the dock master and asked if we could get a long term slip. We left our Albin 27FC docked for the past year. Paul took great care of us and he always provided friendly updates during my monthly calls. Highly recommend Ortega river marina. We have returned and are cleaning the boat, preparing mechanicals and will continue our loop journey north. Paul is an excellent marina manager and he lives on site. 3/20/21 Steve
Only a mile or so upstream from downtown Jacksonville, Ortega Landing is the first facility on your starboard as you enter the Ortega River from the St. Johns. This report is from our friends at America’s Great Loop Cruisers’ Association
The Ortega Landing Marina is a great spot. I have kept my boat there for the past three years and am very pleased. Modern floating concrete docks, spotless bathrooms, swimming pool, and an experienced staff make this an excellent choice. Contact the Dockmaster, Bruce, at 904-387-5538.
Howard Entman
Click Here To Open A Chart View Window, Zoomed To the Location of Ortega Landing Marina
This fish kill is being blamed on Red Tide, see /153517. Whatever the cause, visitors to Gulf Coast beaches are not enjoying the event! Our thanks to Winson Fowler for his SSECN-On-Patrol photo.
ST. PETE BEACH — The stench couldn’t be detected from the picturesque scene poolside of the Sirata Beach Resort. But once people stepped out toward the ocean, away from the hotel, the odor of dead fish baking in the late-morning sun was undeniable.
CLICK HERE for photos and to read the article from Tampa Bay Times by reporter Les Neuhaus.
Huge floats of small dead fish all around entrance to Tampa Bay about two miles west of skyline bridge near Passage Key.
Winston Fowler
SSECN Patrol
And this from Christian Science Monitor.
The “Ponce” is a popular, heavily traveled inlet which intersects the Waterway at Statute Mile 839.5, with a second southerly intersection near St. M. 843. Other than the Nav Alerts currently posted on SSECN, Rick is asking for “local knowledge” for the area around the Inlet. If you are a frequent navigator of the Inlet and the ICW/Inlet intersection, let us hear from you.
Thanks for your quick reply. A few years ago we were traveling around Ponse Inlet or New Smyrna Beach where there was reported shoaling and frequent marker relocations, is this still a problem and can the area be identified?
Thanks again
Rick Scheinert
43’ Tiara “Rock On”
SSECN’s answer:
Hi Rick,
There were reports of groundings in the Ponce back in July (/157074) which resulted in our posting a Nav Alert (/158393) immediately after the initial report.
Note that these groundings are in the ICW west and south of the Inlet proper. We have not received reports of shoaling in the Ponce Inlet itself.
Click Here To Open A Chart View Window, Zoomed To the Location of Ponce de Leon Inlet
Ponce Inlet South to New Smyrna Beach is fine. Once you turn South best water is closer to the eastern shore We are local and this wasn’t as if last weekend
Olde Fish House Marina sits on the northwest side of the Matlacha/Pine Island Bridge in the middle of Matlacha Pass, east of the GICW. This marina has not been listed in SSECN in the past, because they did not offer transient dockage. Now a few slips up to 40ft are open to transients on an available basis. They have non-ethanol gasoline and diesel is available via delivery truck.
Olde Fish House Marina in Matlacha welcomes cruisers.
Transient slips on a limited basis. $1 a foot per night! Safe protected dinghy dockage available for $5 a day (hot showers too!) See Pine Island Anchorage,
Ethanol free gas,bulk ice by the basket (it’s a working Fish House),Fresh seafood market (Really), quality restaurant on site and many more within walking distance. Art galleries, gift shops, Publix is about a mile and a half away,post office,public park, bars with nightly entertainment…
Talk to Lisa about dockage 239-321-3281
As far as draft goes; I’ve been through the North channel on vessels with a 7′ keel on all but low tide.
The south channel from Matlacha bridge to the miserable mile can be done in my boat with a 4.6′ draft. The trouble spots are at markers 22 and 38. There’s a big hump @38 that can be avoided by staying West of the marker 100′ or so. Marker 22 should be given a wide berth as well, but only 30′ or so.
As far as the power lines are concerned ; I have a 44′ mast and I only get a mild shock during extremely high tides. (That was a joke). My chart reads 47′ over the channel. I hug the power pole on the west side and gain another 6-8′.
Slow down. Make sure you’re in the channel, and come explore a town that most cruisers bypass. I changed my homeport from Key West to Matlacha 20 years ago.
Syd
Click Here To Open A Chart View Window, Zoomed To the Location of Olde Fish House Marina
Click Here To Open A Chart View Window, Zoomed To the Location of Pine Island Anchorage
For some of us older Waterway cruisers, the continuing replacement of swing, bascule, lift and pontoon bridges with high rise fixed spans is a loss of history. On our family voyages, each bridge we encountered was an experience – an opportunity to deal with current, with timing, and to communicate with an unknown, often unseen Waterway tender serving boaters with their own personalities and special ways. I know it’s progress, but it is also a sterilization process, like old mom and pop shops being replaced by malls. And, like malls, once you have seen a high rise bridge, you have seen them all. Thanks to Tom Beaty for submitting this notice from wral.com. See also /157769
NCDOT approves funding to replace Surf City swing bridge
SURF CITY, N.C. — The days are numbered for the iconic swing bridge connecting Topsail Island and the mainland at Surf City on the North Carolina coast.
Media outlets report that the state Department of Transportation has approved a $53 million low bid from Balfour Beatty Infrastructure of Wilmington to replace the bridge with a 65-foot-high fixed-span bridge.
The new bridge will also have a path for bicyclists and pedestrians.
The old swing bridge has been in operation for more than 60 years.
Construction on the new bridge could start as early as this fall and the new span should be open in 2020.
Click Here To View the North Carolina Cruisers’ Net Bridge Directory Listing For Surf City Bridge
Click Here To Open A Chart View Window, Zoomed To the Location of Surf City Bridge
Due to the restrictions, having in some cases to wait 59 minutes to open , I am happy to see it go. Hope figure 8 island and wrightsville beach are next.
We hear lot of stories of extreme shallows at Hell Gate, so this report from longtime contributor and experienced skipper, James Newsome, is good news, PROVIDED you take his and our advice to wait for mid to high tide if you draw more than 4ft. See /156050 . And see 9/24 report below.
I negotiated Hell’s Gate on Sunday 08/28/16 traveling northbound exactly two hours before low tide. High tide was approximately 7.3′ for this day. Therefore, we calculated that we had 1.25′ per hour x 2 = 2.5′ of water over low tide. The least water we saw was 8′ which means the net low was around 5.5′. We steered pretty much down the middle following the magenta line, not favoring any marker.
I draw 5’8″ to 6′ loaded which means I could have made this passage through Hell’s Gate an hour before low tide and barely had water under the keel. At low tide I could not have made it through.
Based on the draft of your vessel, Hell’s Gate is only a concern within an hour or two of low tide, and if you only draw 4.5′ you can travel through here any time of the day, unless there is a negative tide perhaps. Just take it slow and easy on the south side of Hell’s Gate. There is some squirrelly current on the southern entrance to Hell’s Gate, but it’s nothing to be too concerned about.
James Newsome
9/24 Nelms Graham had a less easy passage, even 3 hours after low tide and in a shallow draft vessel!
Transited Hells Gate on 09/24/16 three hours after low tide, “bumped” in channel approx. 75ft. from marker “89”, in vessel drawing 2-‘6.
Nelms Graham
Click Here To View the Cruisers’ Net’s “AICW Problem Stretches” Listing For Hell Gate
Click Here To Open A Chart View Window, Zoomed To This AICW Problem Stretch
You fail to mention what tide station you used. Was it Vernon View?
Hey James – thanks for that information – knowing you, I know it is reliable.
Sadly, as in many other Florida anchorages, transient cruisers are being painted with the same negative brush as derelict boaters who do not care for the waters and shores they abuse. Smokehouse Bay lies in the heart of northern Marco Island. This fortunate body of water plays host to Esplanade Marina and a good anchorage. Collier Creek is its entrance channel which leaves the Marco Island-to-Naples waterway west of marker #14. Our thanks to Jay and Katherine Light for this report.
I’m sorry to report that Marco Island has taken yet another step toward proving that they are the most cruiser-unfriendly port in southwest Florida.
Many years ago, their Town Council passed an anti-anchoring ordinance that took years to get rid of. In a trial, in which Claiborne Young and the maritime lawyer who drafted the State’s anchoring rules testified, the law was found to be unconstitutional on a whole list of grounds and was tossed out.
More recently, the management of the Esplanade, the condo-shopping mall and marina in Smokehouse Bay made it clear to “those people” who had the audacity to anchor there that they were unwelcome, even though there was an agreement made with the town when the development was built that they would provide dinghy dockage for vessels in the bay. They continued to provide it – in as chintzy a way possible. You can dock your dinghy there for $10, but you must be back and take it out by 6pm or the access to it will be locked up. This means if you want to go into town for dinner, you’d better be a real “early bird.”
Just last week, we cruised to Marco and anchored in Factory Bay, a little farther up the river. We had always been welcomed there when it was the Marco River Marina. They charged a reasonable $5 a day for dinghies and you got back when you got back. Now that it’s the Rose Marina, there’s a new sign. The dinghy dockage is still five bucks, but they, too, have added the “you have to be out by 6pm” rule. Upon questioning some of their staff about it, the reply was “Well, we’ve had problems with it.”
The one remaining place to land in Marco is at the Winn-Dixie store on the other side of the Boulevard. You can get there through Smokehouse Bay and under the bridge to the right of the Esplanade. Take the first left under the bridge. There is also a nice public park right next to that bridge, but it is clearly marked with “No Mooring” signs. All it would take to suggest that cruisers were welcome would be for the town to simply take down those signs and replace them with “Mooring for Dinghies of Anchored Vessels.” A single section of floating dock tied to that wall would really be a welcome sign. Given Marco’s history, I’m not holding my breath.
Jay Light
s/v ALBORADA
Fort Myers Beach
Click Here To View the Western Florida Cruisers’ Net Anchorage Directory Listing For the Smokehouse Bay – Marco Island Anchorage
Mike Ahart, known to many of you as Editor of Waterway Guide, recently announced his retirement and all of us will miss his reporting and words of wisdom. As Editor to Editor, I can attest to Mike’s strong sense of fair play and camaraderie in the publication of information of value to boaters. Especially when I was first editing SSECN, not only could I call on Mike at any time for advice, Mike would actually call me to make corrections in my postings, so that you, the boater, would receive accurate information. Mike was dedicated to the safety of all boaters and he set the standard for integrity in marine reporting.
We at SSECN wish Mike the very best in his retirement. He will be missed!
Larry
Larry you could not have said it better. Mike Ahart was and remains a “team”
player ; always willing to put the boaters and cruisers first. For Mike service to the public he served came first, not personal credit.
I take this opportunity to say “thank you Mike Ahart for your contribution to all who were served by your work.” Mike I wish you fair winds, blue skies, gentle seas, and God’s blessings on every step of your new journey.
Winston Fowler
This release of water has to be attributed to rains from Hermine. Increased water releases from Lake Okeechobee earlier this year resulted in massive fish kills downstream of the release.
Corps of Engineers increasing Lake Okeechobee discharges
by Scott Sutton
The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers announced Thursday plans to increase the amount of water flowing from Lake Okeechobee over the next week….
CLICK HERE for the full report from WPTV, West Palm Beach
Jericho Creek exits the Waterway to the west, north of Georgetown at Statute Mile 395. There are 5 recommended anchorages in those waters. The fixed 20ft bridge John Winter describes is just north of the Pee Dee River/Waterway intersection at Georgetown Landing Marina. Thank you John!
The 20′ bridge on the Pee Dee just north of Georgetown, SC just off the ICW which is the route many boaters take to connect back to the ICW through Jericho Creek is being worked on. It has chain link fencing draped under it to catch falling debris. Clearance is maybe 16′.
John Winter.
Click Here To Open A Chart View Window, Zoomed To the Location of Pee Dee River Bridge
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