Elizabeth City, A SALTY SOUTHEAST CRUISERS’ NET SPONSOR, located at the southern end of the Dismal Swamp Canal Route, and the friendliest-to-boaters community on the Waterway, continues its calendar of exciting events!
Welcome outdoor enthusiasts! Learn about Elizabeth City’s maritime history and outdoor adventures.
CLICK HERE FOR THE FULL SCHEDULE!
www.DiscoverElizabethCity.com www.DiscoverElizabethCity/blog
On beautiful Charlotte Harbor, Fishermen’s Village Marina, A SALTY SOUTHEAST CRUISERS’ NET SPONSOR in Punta Gorda, always has so many wonderful events for visiting boaters and SSECN welcomes Capt. Ron Schebil as FVM’s new Dockmaster.
Capt. Ron Schebil
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:
Contact: Kathy Burnam, Marketing/Event Manager, kathyb@fishville.com 941 575-3007
FISHERMEN’S VILLAGE ANNOUNCES NEW MARINA HARBORMASTER
Punta Gorda, FL—Fishermen’s Village recently announced Mr. Ron Schebil as new Marina Harbormaster, replacing now retired Harbormaster, Jim Branch. Mr. Schebil worked as a dock attendant for two years at Fishermen’s Village Marina before assuming the Harbormaster’s duties.
Mr. Schebil brings more than 50 years of boating experience to his newly assumed position. Some of his accomplishments include:
“I look forward to serving the boaters in the area and keeping Fishermen’s Village Marina known as one of the “must visit” facilities in Southwest Florida”.
Contact Harbormaster Ron Schebil at the Fishermen’s Village Marina Office at 941 575-3000, marina@fishville.com.
Click Here To Open A Chart View Window, Zoomed To the Location of Fishermen’s Village
Charted depths in this area do not suggest good anchorage. However, if you have found suitable depths, let Jerry and SSECN hear from you. The nearest SSECN recommended anchorage in that area is ten miles south of Haulover Canal at Titusville/Mwx Brewer Bridge.
Good morning,
Would anyone know if anchorages are still available in the Haulover Canal, Florida @ Mile 869.5 in the basin just past the bridge southbound?
Best regards,
Jerry
Gerald Gerlitzki
33’ Pearson with a 4’ 2” draft.
jerry@gerlitzkidesign.com
410-546-9685
Click Here To Open A Chart View Window, Zoomed To the Location of Haulover Canal
Can’t speak to the depth, but when we came through on 9/8/16, it appeared suitable for using the new dock for an alongside tie. Other sources say that there is 10′ at the eastern end of the new dock. We saw several manatee diving in the basin, but did not see any obvious obstructions.
Bill
M/Y Travis McGee
65′ Pacific Mariner
I think I know the little area you are referring to, Jerry. My most recent pass through here was about 6mo ago. There is a tiny cove near the parking for the boat ramp south of the Allenhurst bascule. You might be risking impacting an underwater obstruction to venture into that area with too much depth. There are old broken-off posts just under the surface and tree stumps and all manner of nasty things. And if you did get in there without incident, areas like these collect anchors faster than most other places on the ICW. Stay at Titusville if you’re looking for a good anchorage: from experience, it is VERY good. That being said, you’ll see a number of boats anchored about 10-15 miles farther north (from the Haulover cut) in the Mosquito Lagoon outside some of the fishing camps. I can’t speak to the holding or the conditions there, but people are doing it, even for long-stays.
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: Bringing back fish from the Bahamas
Bringing back fish from the Bahamas
Posted: 11 Sep 2016 05:39 AM PDT
According to an article published in Sport Fishing magazine http://www.sportfishingmag.com/bahamas-fish-to-florida a new exception goes into place September 13, 2016 in Florida waters, allowing anglers to possess and land filleted dolphin, wahoo and reef fish that were caught in Bahamian waters. Similar allowances for dolphin and wahoo, as well as modifications to existing recreational regulations for reef fish managed as snapper-grouper being brought back from the Bahamas by water, went into effect in Atlantic federal waters in January 2016. These regulations apply to fish being transported by water only and do not apply to fish being transported or shipped by air.
Skin must remain on the fillet (to aid in identification by law enforcement).
Anglers must comply with Atlantic federal bag and vessel limits.
Two fillets count as one fish toward the bag limit.
Vessels must have valid Bahamian cruising and sport-fishing permits.
Passengers must possess a valid government passport with current Bahamian stamps and travel dates.
Travel through state waters must be continuous and gear must remain stowed. Fishing gear that is appropriately stowed means terminal tackle, such as hooks, leaders, sinkers, etc., must be disconnected and stowed separately from the rod and reel.
Fish landed under these exceptions cannot be sold.
Bahamian regulations may be different than those in U.S. state and federal waters. Before you return with your catch, make sure you comply with the more restrictive U.S. and Bahamian recreational bag and possession limits. For example, species that are prohibited from harvest in the U.S., such as queen conch, goliath and Nassau grouper, cannot be transported back into U.S. waters by boat. Spiny lobster must be in whole condition and can only be transported into U.S. waters during the recreational season (Aug. 6 through March 31).
The changes will allow more fishing freedom for Florida’s residents and visitors while creating consistency between state and federal regulations. For Bahamas sport fishing regulations go to http://www.bahamas.gov.bs/wps/wcm/connect/5ed780d9-7c7f-4a02-b8cf-70cbcb01d65c/SportsfishingRegulations.pdf?MOD=AJPERES&CACHEID=5ed780d9-7c7f-4a02-b8cf-70cbcb01d65c
If you know or have seen Wayne Shosie, please contact SSECN or Laurel Long at the info below.
Hello, I’m trying to contact Wayne Shosie on MV “Blue Max”. I’ve been told he is in the anchorage at Boot Key Harbor City Marina Marathon, FL.
Thanks for any assistance you can give.
Contact info: Laurel Long
904-472-5546
laurel382@gmail.com
If you are looking for jarhead Wayne he is on the hard at Marathon ship yard my #7154989535
This intersection was dredged in early 2016 (/154951) and a Nav Alert (/158529) was posted in July re shoaling here. But, as Mark and Leslie Fields report, Hermine may have further altered the channel. Thank you Mark for this warning!
Hi, just a note to help those who are starting south. We are traveling southbound (I know, we’re early!) on SV Valkyrie, a Cal 34 with a 5′ draft. On Thursday, Sept. 8, we ran hard aground in what should have been the middle of the ICW channel where it intersects Mason Inlet (south of the Figure 8 Island Bridge at Marker 121). There is apparently severe shoaling from the recent storm. We were unable to get loose without calling for assistance. TowBoat US had to work hard to get us off the sand shoal, but we were able to continue our journey.
Boaters passing through that area should be aware that they must hug the private docks adjacent to the inlet intersection and give the green marks plenty of room to port when headed south.
We took the other inlet intersections slowly and cautiously and didn’t have more problems through that stretch (currently just south of Southport NC).
Regards,
Mark and Leslie Fields
SV Valkyrie, Southbound ICW
Click Here To Open A Chart View Window, Zoomed To the Location of Mason Inlet
This is not new. That entire stretch through there is bad at low tide. I saw it when I went through and back in June/July.
After 16 years of travelling the ICW in both directions forward looking sonar, aka scanning sonar, is something I recommend for the whole of the ICW, one of the World’s Wonders, sadly abused and neglected.
Thank you for the report. It would be very helpful to have a date,time and tide height. This is a known trouble spot.
We all know what it’s like trying to solve issues without a manual for an older, but perfectly usable, piece of equipment. If you can suggest a source for this particular life raft manual, please let us hear from you. Larry and SSECN will sincerely appreciate your help.
Good morning,
I am wondering if you could help me locate a manual for my life raft. I have a Givens 6 man life raft that is 9 years old and I need an owners manual. I am wondering if you or any of your readers might have one where I could get a copy of it?
Larry Fansler
Definitely not a good day!! He should have drunk plain old Sweet Tea!
Boater admits to drinking Long Island Ice Teas before stranding 72-foot yacht on Palm Beach
WPTV Webteam
8:56 AM, Sep 7, 2016
1 min ago
Man admitted to drinking Long Island Ice Teas
PALM BEACH, Fla. – A boater, who said he had been drinking Long Island Ice Teas before the incident, was arrested Wednesday morning after an 80-foot yacht washed ashore on Palm Beach.
Thomas Henry Baker, 63, Belle Isle, Fla., a suburb of Orlando, told police he “failed to navigate his vessel into the Palm Beach Inlet and ran the vessel into the beach.”
The 72-foot yacht named “Time Out” was spotted floating at the shoreline right next to the Palm Beach Inlet.
CLICK HERE for the full report from WPTV.COM
Douglas Road Landing is on the east side of the Canal, south of Deep Creek Lock. Its new dock and facilities would make a convenient emergency stopover in a storm or other temporary situation. Our thanks to Bill Spaur for this notice and photo.
The drinking fountain and restrooms at Douglas Road Landing, Dismal Swamp Canal, are open. The Landing is between Army Corps of Engineers Statute mile markers 18 and 19.
Bill Spaur
You only have to spend a short time talking with Randy Mims to know that he has the soul of a true sailor. Randy not only built his 27ft gaff-rigged cutter, Ideath, but each year he single-hands the cutter from North Carolina to the Northern Gulf Coast and back again. “Ideath” is pronounced Idea-th and loosely translates as “house of ideas”. Randy stops along the way to visit maritime museums and, indulging his passion for music, he volunteers to sing in church choirs along the way. He also takes time to share his travels with his friends and has agreed to allow Cruisers Net to post his emails. For more photos and more on Randy, go to http://towndock.net/shippingnews/ideath?pg=1 from TownDock.net in Oriental. See previous installment: /156986.
Randy Mims
soul of a true sailor and, as you will read in the log below, he is the very essence of the DYI! Randy not only built his 27ft gaff-rigged cutter, Ideath, but each year he single-hands the cutter from North Carolina to the Northern Gulf Coast and back again. “Ideath” is pronounced Idea-th and loosely translates as “house of ideas”. Randy stops along the way to visit maritime museums and, indulging his passion for music, he volunteers to sing and play in church choirs along the way. He also takes time to share his travels with his friends and has agreed to allow SSECN to post his emails. For more photos and more on Randy, go to http://towndock.net/shippingnews/ideath?pg=1 from TownDock.net in Oriental, NC. See previous installment: /157772.
Dear Friends,
Let me begin by apologizing to everyone that does not follow me on Facebook or Youtube for not sending a text update when I arrived back in Apalachicola. I posted a video about the nice sail from St. Pete to Apalach but forgot to tell everyone that I had made it. OOPS! Since I arrived, I have been playing a lot of music. In addition to practicing four instruments for half an hour each almost every day, I have played at the Apalachicola Farmer’s Market and various Open Mics. Of course I have resumed doing a Prelude for the church service every other Sunday and play flute along with the organ on the Processional and Recessional. I hope everyone had a great summer. It seems strange that just when you get the faintest hint that fall is actually going to get here that Hurricane season get’s the most active. Back is 2002 I went across the creek from the dock at low tide and cut a hole in the marsh grass. On what I remember as probably the hottest day there ever was, I dug a three foot deep hole that measured three feet by two feet. Out each end of this hole I dug a trench two feet deep that was about a foot wide and eight feet long. Into this trench a went a “landscape timber”. Around this timber I fastened a length of five-eights inch chain. Into the big hole (which of course was beginning to fill with the tide coming back in) I mixed eight ninety pound bags of concrete mix. This produced about a six hundred pound anchor with which to hold the boat out in the creek and off the dock when the storm surge actually gets higher than the dock. When I got back this time I noticed that the buoy that marked the end of the chain was missing. Investigating I found that over the years the massive chain had melted into something that wouldn’t hold a rowboat in place. It took weeks for there to be a low tide that wasn’t in the middle of the night. Thankfully last week the tide was right at about seven thirty one evening. With shovel and post hole digger and a piece of 3/4 inch nylon anchor line that I had prepared with a loop spliced in one end and a thimble spliced into the other I paddled across the creek not looking forward to what I had to do. Actually I had my doubts if it would even be possible. But with a positive attitude and only about an hour and a half till dark, I dug a hole on the side of the block away from the creek and a smaller hole down beside the block on the creek side and lying face down in the mud I began trying to push a drain cleaning snake through the mud under the anchor from one hole to the other. I lost track of how many tries it took but with the light failing I hit the other hole. Hallaluja!! I had my anchor back. This proved to be a very good thing. Depression Nine about which the weather service didn’t seem to have a clue did indeed become a hurricane though thankfully not a powerful one and came right to Apalachicola. I spent last night with IDEATH tied to the dock and fore and aft to the anchor across the creek and with an anchor down the creek. Every hour (until the barometer started going back up) and then every two hours I went out into the thirty to fifty mile an hour wind and the DRIVING rain and checked and adjusted lines and was thankful that the storm wasn’t worse. I love living on the boat. It is not always Fun and Relaxing, but NOTHING is more beautiful than the sunrise after a storm. The air is completely clean and the world is peaceful and new.
Peace and Love to you All,
Randy
A warning to cruisers on the Miami- Biscayne Bay waters: take preventative measures to avoid mosquitoes.
Mosquitoes test positive for Zika virus in Miami-Dade, state says
CLICK HERE for this report from wptv.com, West Palm Beach, FL
Bridge Pointe Marina flanks the southern banks of the Trent River off the Neuse River, opposite the downtown New Bern, NC waterfront.
What a great place to keep your vessel. I have enjoyed the Marina and its staff, they are always helpful and Jesse (dock-master) is always willing to help any way he can with any issue that may arise. I would like to tip my hat to Bridgepointe Marina for having such a great place to keep my Boat.
Many thanks for you guys keeping on top of things.
Tim L Mitchell
Click Here To View the North Carolina Cruisers’ Net Marina Directory Listing For Bridge Point Marina
Click Here To Open A Chart View Window, Zoomed To the Location of Bridge Pointe Marina
This area of shallow water is at the south end of the Estherville Minim Creek Canal which begins at the Waterway’s exit southward from Winyah Bay.
SOUTH CAROLINA – AICW – MYRTLE GROVE SOUND AND CAPE FEAR RIVER TO CASINO CREEK – WINYAH BAY – CHARLESTON HARBOR: Depth of Channel.
The U.S. Coast Guard has found at low-tide depths of less than 5ft of water in the middle of the channel between Winyah Bay-Charleston Harbor Channel Light 4 (LLNR 34120 [33°11.7192N / 079°16.3300W, 33.195320 / -79.272167]) and Winyah Bay-Charleston Harbor Daybeacon 5 (LLNR 34125 [33°11.4410N / 079°16.5012W, 33.190683 / -79.275020]). Mariners are advised to use caution while transiting the area. Chart 11532, 11534 LNM 35/16
Click Here To Open A Chart View Window, Zoomed To A “Navigation Alert” Position at Minim Creek Canal
In 2015 Robert and Ann Sherer published their first ICW Cruising Guide, which has received 5 star ratings (see /150181) and have recently published their 2016 edition of their excellent guide (see /159063).
Now, as they have in the past, the Sherers graciously share their research with SSECN readers.
The author’s comments:
The information should certainly be interesting to your readers for those contemplating a trip down the ICW this fall. There have been some dramatic changes to the ICW by inlets in North Carolina as measured by the Wilmington ACOE surveys. I’ve also included GPX routes recommended by the Wilmington ACOE District as part of the article.
Bob
CLICK HERE for the most recent Sherer blog report on Waterway shoaling.
The article can also be downloaded in Word format at:
https://drive.google.com/open?id=0B-XC5pePZB9BaXpLcU1Kb1RUVEk
As this report by Susannah Bryan Contact Reporter at Sun Sentinel states, the anchoring ban put into effect July 1st is not working in Broward County. Go to /156265 for more on the anchoring ban.
“No Beaching, No Landing, No Launching, No Tying Up,” say the signs that went up in April.
But so far, the signs don’t seem to be working. The dozen or so live-aboard boaters anchored in the cove at North Beach Park are not only coming ashore on their dinghies, they’re using the signs as tie-up posts.
Signs at North Beach Park in Hollywood warn boaters against tying up, but they do it anyway. (City of Hollywood, courtesy)
CLICK HERE for the full report from Sun-Sentinal
We have a term for folks such as these people in the bay, “exist-aboards”. They are not legitimate boaters in any sense of the word. They are impacting our rights to use the waters freely. One must remember…..nothing in life is free, there is always a cost and these freeloaders are costing us plenty!
The sub-heading on this article is very misleading and has the potential to confuse many readers.
The linked article discusses an anchorage that is *not* covered by the regulations that went into effect on July 1. The fact that the county has chosen to start enforcing other, unrelated regulations having to do with landing tenders (not with anchoring itself, which remains perfectly legal in this particular location) is perhaps unfortunate, but is and has always been well within their legal rights. I have little sympathy for these vessels — a right to anchor does not imply a right to trespass in order to get ashore. Let’s not confuse the issues.
Let’s also remember that semi-permanently anchored vessels, with crews willing to trespass and flout other laws in order to maintain a low-cost, tax-free dwelling in an otherwise expensive area, are a big part of the state’s incentive to increase anchoring restrictions. These sorts of vessels do more to jeopardize anchoring opportunities for legitimate cruisers than almost any other factor, including even derelicts. And the presence of such vessels often means there will be no room for cruisers passing through.
Be careful what you wish for.
Can you explain this RR bridge sign on the Manatee River east of the GICW? Since RR bridges are normally open except during a train crossing, is this a sign of things to come with Florida railway bridges? Photo sent to us by Rivera Dunes Marina
‘Hands off!’ is best policy for sea turtle hatchlings
Sea turtle hatchlings are digging out of their nests and clambering toward the ocean in September and October, the last months of Florida’s sea turtle nesting season.
Just remember, “Hands off!” is the best policy for beachgoers encountering sea turtle hatchings.
Well-meaning efforts to rescue a sea turtle hatchling by helping it leave a nest or picking it up and placing it in the ocean are not good ideas, according to Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC) biologists.
Worse yet are instances where hatchlings are being handled by people who think it’s OK to get that close, often because they want to take a photo.
“Some Florida beachgoers are unaware that sea turtle hatchings should be watched from a distance and left undisturbed,” said Dr. Robbin Trindell, who leads the FWC’s sea turtle management program. “Even well-meaning attempts to rescue sea turtle hatchlings can do more harm than good. And digging into a sea turtle nest, entering a posted area, or picking up a sea turtle hatchling to take a photo also are against the law.”
Hatchlings must overcome many obstacles to survive. Digging out of their nests may take a few days. Once out, they are vulnerable to predators. And any misdirection on their path to the sea – from artificial lighting to items left on the beach, holes in the sand or people approaching or handling them – may leave them exhausted, lost or dehydrated on the beach in the morning sun.
“So please remember to keep your hands off sea turtle hatchlings and tell others to do the same,” Trindell said. “The best way to help hatchings is to turn off any artificial lighting on the beach at night or at least keep it shielded. If you see hatchlings, watch from a distance and never shoot flash photos.”
Bright lights on houses, motels, condominiums and businesses along the beach can disorient nesting adult females, but are particularly harmful to turtle hatchlings. The hatchlings will head for the bright lights, thinking they are the sparkling sea. They can end up walking landward and are more likely to become prey for animals like coyotes.
People are asked to call the FWC’s Wildlife Alert Hotline, 1-888-404-FWCC (3922) or *FWC or #FWC on a cellphone, to report hatchlings that are stranded, wandering in a road or parking lot, heading away from the water or are dead.
For more on sea turtle nesting and hatchlings, go to MyFWC.com/SeaTurtle.
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: Long Island Update
Long Island Update
Posted: 24 Aug 2016 05:37 AM PDT
We just got news of the reopening of Parrots of the Caribbean in Thompson Bay, now named Tiny’s Hurricane Hole. Also, LI Petroleum’s new dock is done and much easier take the big boat up to. And Midway Inn in the Bight is completely renovated, open and fabulous.
Bess and Billy Storm
S/V Alibi II
Author Corinne Kanter has these suggestions to make your culinary summer delightful and delicious! Bucksport Marina, A SALTY SOUTHEAST CRUISERS NET SPONSOR!, lies south of Waterway marker #36, along the western shores of the beautiful Waccamaw River. As well as making sausage, Bucksport is hosting one more drag boat race this summer in September, as well as a reduced dockage rate for SSECN readers.
If you are inside and near Bucksport Marina, pickup Bucksport Sausage.
Need more helpful hints, you should carry the cookbook CRUISING KISS, keep it simple Sailor? Stupid? or really SYSTEM.
Have a great race. Cook with KISS.
PS. If you would like a autograph copy order direct or get it on Amazon. Corinne had the column in Multihull Magazine out of Quicy, Mass. titled Corinne’s Culinary Corner.
Cook With K.I.S.S.
Corinne Kanter, author of The Cruising KISS Cookbook
www.sailcopress.com
The Rooster Crows but the HEN delivers the goods
corinnekanter@gmail.com
Click Here To View the Cruisers’ Net’s South Carolina Directory Listing For Bucksport Marina
Click Here To Open A Chart View Window, Zoomed To the Location of Bucksport Marina
With two recent groundings at this AICW Problem Stretch, we are upgrading these reports to a Nav Alert. Until dredging is done, slow speed and mid to high tide is recommended for this intersection. Thank you Michael and Ken for sharing these incidents and SSECN is glad neither of you sustained damage in the grounding, other than your pride!
Coming south 16Aug16 at +1′ above low. Draw 4′. At idle speed ran hard aground in mid-channel just past green buoy. C-Map charting [updated Sep15] shows channel angles sharply toward red at the green buoy — should have followed its suggestion. My mistake was to “stay mid-channel.” The bottom raised VERY quickly, almost a wall. After backing off, saw above 10′ in area on line between reds.
Michael Loy
We were also headed south through this stretch on August 14. We draw 3 feet. Just past the green we also ran hard aground. We were in the channel toward the red side as recommended, but not quite on the line between the two reds. There was no warning on the depth meter before it was too late. We were able to get off eventually using bow and stern thrusters and some wakes from passing small boats. We didn’t incur damage except to our equanimity.
Captain Ken Hirsch
Keeping in mind that rapid changes in shoals at inlet intersections is not unusual, RodC offers this January 2016 ACOE survey:
http://saw-nav.usace.army.mil/AIWW/CFRLR/T_19-20/Tangent_19-20.pdf
Latest ACOE survey for the area – clearly shows the traditional channel is ~100% shoaled to between 2 and 4ft MLLW. What channel there is (or was as of 1-16-2016) is just to the outside on the RED side of the marks.
RodC
Click Here To Open A Chart View Window, Zoomed To A “Navigation Alert” Position at Shalotte Inlet
Need to pay more attention to the Nav Markers than your “Chart Plotters”!!!!
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