Eyes on the Water – Bob Arrington
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FWC: Go slow, look out below for manatees this spring
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Enjoy Outdoor Recreation in Edenton, Albemarle Sound, NC
A longtime CRUISERS NET SPONSOR, historic Edenton always has an exciting calendar of events and places to visit! Edenton is at the mouth of the Chowan River on the northwest shore of Albemarle Sound.
Hello, This week, we welcomed the first day of spring to Edenton! The trees and flowers are beginning to bloom, and the warmer weather has prompted more people to get outside.
With Edenton’s prime location on the Albemarle Sound, we get to enjoy all kinds of outdoor recreational activities, both on the water and in town.
We hope you’ll take advantage of booking one of Edenton’s beautiful B&Bs so you can experience our welcoming community and join us outdoors this spring! Read this week’s blog about the many outdoor recreational activities you can enjoy while visiting our town.
We hope to see you this spring!
Visit our website! 101 W Water St, Edenton, North Carolina 27932
Click Here To Open A Chart View Window Zoomed To the Location of Edenton Harbor City Docks
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BoatUS News: Confidence Looks Good On You!
BoatUS is the leading advocate for boating safety in the US and A CRUISERS NET SPONSOR!
Embark on an on-water boating course this spring! In just 3 hours, gain vital skills for confident, enjoyable boating—safety, navigation, equipment, and manuevers. Hands-on practice boosts confidence and proficiency, ensuring safer waters ahead. Join us for a thrilling spring adventure!
3-Hours
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Taught by a
USCG Licensed Captain
Morning + Afternoon Sessions
Find A Course In Your Area
Centering the WheelShifting Gears
Pre-Departure Checklist
Station Holding
180-Degree Turnarounds
Docking on Port & Starboard
Departing From Dock
Using S.C.A.N. Procedures
Utilizing Boat TrimDisplacement & Planning
Ferrying
Emergency Stops
Crossing Waves and Wakes
Person Overboard Retrieval
Sharp Turning on Plane
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More on Removing Abandoned Boats in SC
Our thanks to Ted Arisaka for this article and comment.
Click here for Confronting a hazard on waterways: Hilton Head Island considers abandoned boat ordinance
HB 4844 would propose to require Vessel Recovery Insurance for any anchoring in SC.I am advised by an insurance industry contact that this type of coverage would not be offered to the typical vessel being targeted by this legislation.Be the first to comment!
Moonlight Mixers are back at the Folly Beach Pier! Charleston, SC
Moonlight Mixers are back at the Folly Beach Pier!
Enjoy 5 nights of dancing and music this summer
[FOLLY BEACH] – The Moonlight Mixer series on the Folly Beach Pier is back once again! The pier’s Mixers series will kick off on Friday, May 3.
All ages are invited to celebrate summertime with some dancing on the Folly Beach Pier. On five Friday evenings this summer, dancers will enjoy music from a DJ or live band. On May 3, July 26 and Sept. 20, DJ Bill Shelton will spin the hottest oldies and beach music. And on June 14 and Aug. 16, the Dave Landeo Trio will perform a variety of upbeat, energetic covers and originals.
Advance tickets are $10 per person. If the event has not sold out, on-site tickets will be $15 per person. Tickets are limited and the events are expected to sell out, so advance purchase is recommended. Event hours are 7 – 10 p.m.
Beverages will be available for purchase on site. No outside food or drink is allowed, and pets are not permitted at the event. Food and snacks will be available for purchase at the Pier 101 Restaurant and the Gangplank Gift & Tackle Shop, both located at the entrance to the pier. Food, beverages and parking fees are not included with ticket purchase. Chairs are welcome as seating is limited.
The 2024 Moonlight Mixers schedule is as follows:
- May 3 with DJ Bill Shelton – Purchase Tickets
- June 14 with Dave Landeo Trio – Purchase Tickets
- July 26 with DJ Bill Shelton – Purchase Tickets
- Aug. 16 with Dave Landeo Trio – Purchase Tickets
- Sept. 20 with DJ Bill Shelton – Purchase Tickets
The Folly Beach Pier opened to the public on Dec. 26, 2022. The 1049-foot-long pier is 25 feet wide and features concrete pilings and substructure, with a wooden walkway and railings. Amenities at the Folly Beach Pier include restrooms, the Pier 101 Restaurant and Bar, beach access, showers, and the Gangplank Gift & Tackle Shop (which sells gifts, sundry items, refreshments and tackle/bait, and offers rod rentals). The iconic Folly Beach Pier is the perfect location for saltwater fishing, walking, birding and breathtaking views of the Atlantic Ocean and the “Edge of America.”
Moonlight Mixers offer accessible parking, restrooms, and water fountains, as well as an accessible ramp to the pier and an accessible route to the event area at the end of the pier. KultureCity Sensory Bags are available for checkout on a first-come, first-served basis during the event. Visit the event gate for more information on accessibility in your parks. For additional information on the Folly Beach Pier, visit ccprc.com/follypier.
For details or to purchase tickets, call 843-795-4386 or visit CharlestonCountyParks.com (direct link). This event is brought to you by Dasani and your Charleston County Parks.
Owned and operated by the Charleston County Park & Recreation Commission (CCPRC), the Folly Beach Fishing Pier is located at 101 East Arctic Avenue on Folly Beach. The mission of CCPRC is to improve the quality of life in Charleston County by offering a diverse system of park facilities, programs and services. The large park system features over 11,000 acres of property and includes six regional parks, three beach parks, three dog parks, two landmark fishing piers, a skate park, three waterparks, a historic plantation site, 19 boat landings, a climbing wall, a challenge course, an interpretive center, an equestrian center, cottages, a campground, a marina, as well as wedding, meeting and event facilities. The park system also offers a wide variety of recreational services – festivals, camps, classes, programs, volunteer opportunities, and more. For more information, call 843-795-4386, or visit www.charlestoncountyparks.com.
Photos courtesy Charleston County Parks. High resolution photos available upon request
Charleston County Park & Recreation Commission / 843-795-4386 / www.CharlestonCountyParks.com
Sarah Reynolds Public Information Coordinator Headquarters 861 Riverland Dr , Charleston , SC 29412 Office: +1 8437628089 Sarah.Reynolds@ccprc.com | CharlestonCountyParks.com Be the first to comment!
Shared Photo: Moon over Oriental
Oriental, NC is home to longtime CRUISERS NET SPONSOR, Oriental Marina and Inn, lying on the eastern banks of inner Oriental Harbor. Our thanks to Flora Moorman for this shot from Oriental Marina.
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March OBX Park News: Meet Your Ranger, The Wright Flight Academy, Partner Spotlight, and more
Your March E-news preview: 
Spring is almost here, which means things are changing – the days are longer, the air a little warmer, and our parks are coming to life as they thaw out from cold winter days.One thing that doesn’t change is how each one of us love and support our Outer Banks national parks. Did you know that people like you have played a role in supporting our national parks through donations and other support since they were first thought of as “America’s Best Idea” over 100 years ago?
This year, we carry on that legacy as we celebrate five years helping you support our Outer Banks national parks. A lot has changed in just those five years:- You’ve helped create new ways to experience these special places.
- Our parks have seen a record number of visitors that has only slightly slowed down today.
- Our parks’ budget continues to tighten, making it more difficult for them to keep pace with our community’s needs.
That’s why your support is more important than ever this year. When you give a gift to Outer Banks Forever – whether it’s $50 or $500 – you allow us to help our parks adapt to these changes faster and easier. Together, we can ensure that these beautiful places remain a source of inspiration and wonder for years to come.Donate Today We can’t thank you enough for being part of our Outer Banks Forever family for the past five years and look forward to the amazing work we can do together this year and beyond!See you in our parks,
Jessica Barnes
Director
Outer Banks Forever
Our Meet Your Ranger series introduces you to the many amazing people who support our Outer Banks national parks every day! This month, we’re pleased to introduce you to Robin Snyder, Deputy Superintendent of our Outer Banks national parks!
No two days are alike for Robin as she works closely with the Superintendent and division chiefs of administration, maintenance, visitor services, resource management, and visitor and resource protection to manage park operations for our three national parks!
Meet Robin 
This content is brought to you by our National Park Service partners.Prepare for takeoff and join Wright Brothers National Memorial on an extraordinary adventure in partnership with Dare County Schools with The Wright Flight Academy!Experience the start of something special at Wright Brothers National Memorial with the first installment in a series of videos chronicling the extraordinary work being performed by students from First Flight High School. Over the next two years, 23 students will build their very own, two person “flying machine” (I.e., an FAA-certified airplane) on the same grounds where brothers Wilbur and Orville Wright achieved their world-changing first flight on December 17, 1903!
We hope you’ll follow along and cheer these students on as they carry the torch of the Wright brothers’ legacy in The Wright Flight Academy!
We’re proud to support this program by sponsoring this video series created by Rayolight Productions. As videos are made available, we’ll be adding them to our YouTube channel, sharing them on Facebook, and featuring them in our monthly e-newsletters.
Learn More 
If you’ve spent time in the Outer Banks, then you’ve likely enjoyed a beverage brought to you by our friends at OBX Beverage! OBX Beverage is the only locally owned and operated beverage distributor here in the Outer Banks. When Kiefer and Molly Pirrung purchased the business in 2021, they did so with the mission of contributing to our vibrant community, providing quality beverages and service to locals and visitors alike.
They are also passionate about protecting and enhancing our Outer Banks national parks, and have done so by supporting our Pathways to Your National Parks project! Learn More This content is brought to you by our National Park Service partners.
From 1956 until 2010, Cape Hatteras National Seashore’s Buxton Beach Access, located at the south end of Old Lighthouse Road in Buxton, North Carolina, served our nation as a military base for both the United States Navy and Coast Guard. Due to decades-long military usage and apparently incomplete restoration of the area, samples taken from the Buxton Beach Access beach tested positive in early September 2023, for petroleum-contaminated soils (PCS).
Additionally, due to coastal erosion, abandoned facilities, construction debris, and septic systems associated with historic Navy and Coast Guard activities have been observed along the beach adjacent to the Buxton Beach Access. On September 1, 2023, as a precautionary measure, the beach adjacent to the former military site was closed after experiencing beach erosion from Tropical Storm Idalia and Hurricane Lee. The erosion uncovered potentially hazardous infrastructure associated with the Navy and Coast Guard bases and visitors reported a strong smell of petroleum. The Seashore filed two reports with the Environmental Protection Agency’s National Spill Response Center. Sediment samples taken in early September 2023, by the Coast Guard’s Spill Response staff came back positive for petroleum hydrocarbons with characteristics of light fuel oil, and lubricating oil. Since early September 2023, PCS have intermittently been observed on the beach. On September 25, 2023, the Dare County Department of Health and Human Services, the Seashore, and the Corps, issued a precautionary public health advisory.
On February 9, 2024, Seashore staff noticed a very strong smell of petroleum products and multiple surfers reported that their wetsuits and hair smelled like fuel and noticed a sheen on the water near Buxton Beach Access. A number of reports were submitted to the National Response Center.
Today, it appears that the foundation of the terminal building, including two cable terminal vaults and other infrastructure associated with NAVFAC Cape Hatteras, litter the beach, due to significant coastal erosion over the years. While the National Park Service remains concerned about the remnant infrastructure and PCS at this site, it is also proud that for 26 years, America’s first national seashore hosted NAVFAC Cape Hatteras, a military facility that played an essential role in tracking Soviet submarine movements and provided valuable intelligence to the U.S. Navy.
The Seashore continues to support the military by providing land to the Coast Guard for important operations out of Hatteras Inlet and Oregon Inlet.
What’s next?
- The beach remains closed as a precautionary measure.
- The Seashore will continue to communicate observations and concerns about the existence of PCS and debris to the Army Corps of Engineers and Coast Guard.
- The Corps continues to evaluate the situation and if its authorities will allow for the removal of historic building infrastructure and associated PCS.
- The Coast Guard is conducting a CERCLA investigation at the site to evaluate the presence of non-petroleum contaminants, which is underway and expected to conclude during the summer of 2024. The contract for the investigation is not related to the PCS observations in September 2023.
To learn more about the history and status of this site from our National Park Service partners, click the button below. You can also learn more from our friend Joy Crist, Editor of the Island Free Press, by visiting her Editor’s Blog. Learn More Join us in celebrating the Ocracoke ponies who have March birthdays! Did you know you can help these beautiful and unique ponies by symbolically adopting one or supporting the herd? Your support helps cover the costs of their ongoing care and feeding. When you Adopt A Pony or support the herd with a gift of $50 or more, you will receive an adoption certificate and a picture of your pony or of the herd to keep!
Lawton – March 9 Lawton is a handsome paint pony and is the Ocracoke herd’s only gelding. He is named after the late Lawton Howard, an Ocracoke local who generously loved and supported the ponies.
Lawton enjoys playing with his four half-siblings in the herd and showing off for visitors! He’s also known for his loud, very noticeable snore!
Paloma – March 22 Paloma’s name, which means “dove” in Spanish, was given to her by the students at the Ocracoke School. Paloma’s mother was Spirit, a deeply missed member of the herd, and her father is Wentzel from the Shackleford Banks herd.
She is very inquisitive and is usually the first pony to greet visitors at the Ocracoke Pony Pens!
Rayo – March 26 Rayo is one of the beloved ponies of Ocracoke Island. His name means “lightening” in Spanish, and he is a paint stallion with lots of spunk!
He is Paloma’s brother and is the father of Jobelle and Hazelnut. He is known for being very active and curious!
Adopt A Pony 
Save the date for our favorite week of the year: National Park Week! We’ll also be celebrating our fifth birthday that week! This year, National Park Week will take place from April 20 through April 28. Highlights for the week include Earth Day, a fee-free day at Wright Brothers National Memorial, National Junior Ranger Day, and more! Stay tuned for more exciting details to come!
Photo & Video Credits: Robin Snyder, Rayolight Productions, OBX Beverage, Cape Hatteras National Seashore, Wright Brothers National Memorial.Connect With Us!
Copyright © 2024 Outer Banks Forever, All rights reserved. Our mailing address is:
Outer Banks ForeverPO Box 1635Kill Devil Hills, NC 27948-1635
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Celebrating Cole Brauer, America’s newest sailing hero – Sail-World.com USA newsletter
Cole Brauer – First Light – Global Solo Challenge – photo © globalsolochallenge
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USCG: New South Carolina Vessel Turn-In Program
‘Sullivan, James P LT USCG (USA)’ via General Contact
Mon, Mar 11, 10:31 AM (1 day ago) to D07-SMB-SECTORCHASN-WWM Good Morning All,
The South Carolina Department of Health and Environmental Control’s Office of Ocean and Coastal Resource Management (DHEC OCRM) is piloting a new preventative Vessel Turn-In Program (VTIP) to allow boat owners to surrender aging, unwanted, or at-risk vessels (for free) before they become a problem. They will even disassemble and dispose of the vessel at no cost to the owner, using the most sustainable disposal and recycling options available. Although this program does not apply to existing abandoned and derelict vessels, it is a huge step forward for protecting SC waterways.
Please see attached one-pager and text below for additional information. Feel free to forward this email as you see fit.
When is the first Turn-In Event?
The first Vessel Turn-In event will be held in the Charleston area in the summer of 2024. Details will be published by SCDHEC once plans are solidified.
Who is Eligible?
Private citizens and businesses within South Carolina’s eight coastal counties.
How can I Apply?
Complete the South Carolina VTIP application by visiting https://scdhec.gov/ADV
Contact Julia Chrisco for additional information.
Very Respectfully,
LT James P. Sullivan
Waterways Management Div., Chief
CG Sector Charleston
(843) 740-3184
Click here for VTIPOnePager_2
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So, Is There Really a ‘Rule’ That Helps Yacht Brokers Fix Sales Prices? – Peter Swanson
Cruisers Net publishes Loose Cannon articles with Captain Swanson’s permission in hopes mariners with salt water in their veins will subscribe.. $7 a month or $56 for the year and you may cancel at anytime.
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See also Lawsuit Rocks the Yacht-Sales World
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FWC Unveils Interactive Wildlife Management Area Recreation Finder
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Boat Sellers: Don’t Forget These 4 Critical Paperwork Tasks – BoatUS
BoatUS is the leading advocate for boating safety in the US and A CRUISERS NET SPONSOR!
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Lawsuit Rocks the Yacht-Sales World – Peter Swanson
Cruisers Net publishes Loose Cannon articles with Captain Swanson’s permission in hopes mariners with salt water in their veins will subscribe.. $7 a month or $56 for the year and you may cancel at anytime.
Click here for Lawsuit Rocks the Yacht-Sales World
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March 6th Volunteer Meeting, 5:30-7:30pm, Charleston, SC
Wounded Nature-Working Veterans is a group of veterans, non-veterans and active duty military personnel run locally by Captain Rudy Socha, a former Marine turned conservationist. The non-profit volunteer organization is working to cleanup, preserve and protect our coastal environment, particularly from derelict vessels.
Click here for March 6th Volunteer Meeting, Wounded Nature-Working Veterans AREA SPONSORING MARINA
Click Here To Open A Chart View Window Zoomed To the Location of Charleston Harbor Marina
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Hatteras Lighthouse restoration gets underway
Click here for $19.2M Hatteras Lighthouse restoration gets underway
CoastalReview.org by Catherine KozakBe the first to comment!
CALL TO ACTION: UPDATE from Wally Moran on Florida House Bill 437
Wally Moran is an experienced cruiser who fights continuously for boaters’ rights. Florida’s infamous anchoring bans and heavy handed marine police have endangered boaters for years. See More on Florida House Bill 437.
March 4, 2024 UPDATEWhere to start? First of all, thank you to the many CruisersNet readers who emailed and/or phoned the Florida senators who were examining Senate Bill 192.
The good news is, the 200 yard exclusion zone from Miami Beach was removed from the legislation. An attempt in the companion house bill to add a portion of the area was also removed a few days later.
In other words, you were heard loud and clear, and I pass on to you the gratitude of the residents at Sunset Harbor in Miami Beach.
So much for the win. There are a considerable number of other issues at hand. The biggest issue is that back in December, the city removed the dinghy dock on Collins Canal by the Publix, removing the one dock cruisers had available to get ashore for work, for food, for doctor’s appointments, etc. The only other dock, the police dock as it is called, is time limited to 20 minutes.
It’s possible that the removal of the dock was illegal, done without permit and that is being looked into now.
The day following the defeat of SB 192’s onerous 200 yard provision, the City of Miami Beach towed three dinghies away. One was from the police dock for being tied up over 20 minutes, the other two were from the Collins Canal.
The owners had to pay $600 to SeaTow for their return.
I have called on all cruisers to boycott SeaTow for this betrayal of cruisers. We give them a LOT of money, and then they do this? If you have a SeaTow policy, phone them and let them know you are not going to renew with them because of the behaviour of their franchisee in Miami Beach.
There are other companies that we can give our money to, such as Boat US, who are supportive of the removal of the 200 yard exclusion.
There is also a possibility that Sea Tow broke the law by removing the two dinghies on the canal. Again, that is being looked into. It may be that the removal constituted theft. If so, the local boaters will be asking that charges be laid against the individuals concerned.
Stay tuned for more. This battle is a long, long way from being over with.Wally MoranNote:
On Monday, Feb 26, Wally Moran and a group of Miami boaters will be in Tallahassee, presenting their objections to the Senate Rules Committee to a draconian piece of legislation that would make it illegal to anchor anywhere within 200 yards of Miami Beach’s shores.From Wally Moran,………
WE HAVE A FIGHT ON OUR HANDSFlorida is about to pass HB 437, which removes the right to anchor overnight in all of Miami Beach. It also creates a situation in which a boater must prove to the police that s/he has not violated the 45 day provisions of the Anchoring Limitation Areas that are throughout the state – NOT just in Miami Beach. That puts you at risk of a violation in Hollywood, Dania, Melbourne, Jacksonville, just to name a few of the ALAs. @everyoneYou can read the changes to the legislation here – https://www.flsenate.gov/Session/Bill/2024/437/ BillText/c2/PDF The bill is due for a vote on Tuesday, January 23, so if we want to stop this, we have to act now. Here’s what I’m asking you to do: 1) Email the sponsor and co-sponsors of the bill and tell them that you object to the bill. Emails are listed below. Your reasons are as follows – The bill creates unsafe conditions for boaters who are seeking a safe anchorage; There is very limited dockage in the Miami Beach area; The bill appears to support the Miami Beach City Council’s actions to eliminate local boaters and boaters at anchor, rather than address the needs of all Florida boaters, as well as the needs of visitors to the state. Next, the bill violates the concept of “presumed innocence” by requiring a boater to prove that they have not violated the law, instead of the officer having to prove that you did. This is a direct violation of the US Constitution and the Bill of Rights.2) Phone each of the bill sponsors and co-sponsors and repeat your objections to the bill. Insist that the legislator contact you by phone to discuss this. Phone numbers are included with the emails. Be sure to phone BOTH the local office and the Tallahassee office numbers. Be certain to remind them that they are facing an election this year and that you have lots and lots of boating friends who are not happy with this legislation.3) Get everyone you know who is a boater to do this. If you are not a Florida boater, then make your comment as someone who will be coming to the state, or has previously come to the state, on a boat. Make it clear that you find these new proposed laws unfriendly to boating tourism.4 DO IT NOW. Time is of the essence. Here are the emails for the sponsors, and for the senators office backing the Senate bill as well. Also, the phone numbers for both the constituency and Tallahassee offices.JuanCarlos.Porras@myfloridahouse.gov – (305) 252-4307 and (850) 717-5119 Fabian.Basabe@myfloridahouse.gov – (305) 993-1914 and (850) 717-5106 alina.garcia@myfloridahouse.gov – (305) 663-2065 and (850) 717-5115 Karen.Pittman@myfloridahouse.gov – (813) 202-3345 and (850) 717-5065 garcia.ileana.web@flsenate.gov – (305) 442-6841 and (850) 487-5036Be the first to comment!
The Go-Anywhere Office – PassageMaker
The Marlow Explorer 70E is a floating office for a couple from North Carolina. Courtesy Dan Schiappa
Click here for The Go-Anywhere Office
Kim Kavin in PassageMakerBe the first to comment!
Panama City Marina Requesting Reconstruction Bids, GIWW MM 290
Panama City Marina was completely destroyed by Hurricane Michael in 2018. See On-Site Report: Panama City Marina Destroyed. Cruisers, especially Loopers, will welcome this reconstruction.
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Click Here To View the Northern Gulf Cruisers Net Marina Directory Listing For Panama City Marina
Click Here To Open A Chart View Window, Zoomed To the Location of Panama City Marina
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