In marinas from Mile Zero to the Keys, onSpot WiFi is installing what every internet seeking transient and resident wishes all marinas would install: fast, reliable Hotspot internet connections. If your marina doesn’t have an onSpot WiFi system, pass this information along. You will be glad you did! onSpot Wifi is A SALTY SOUTHEAST CRUISERS’ NET SPONSOR!
onSpot WiFi has just added Bahia Mar Marina in Ft Lauderdale, Fl to it’s growing lists of marinas that offer onSpot WiFi‘s high speed internet marina Hotspots.
`We’re very proud of the wireless network that Bahia Mar Marina has allowed us to install. Making use of an all fiber optic backbone, the Bahia Mar Hotspot is delivering blistering throughput speed and all vessels from Mega Yachts to smaller trawlers and Sailboats are reporting amazing download speeds with always on connections.’
onSpot WiFi offers both 2.4 and 5G access for all their marinas and their users.
Isle of Hope Marina – A SALTY SOUTHEAST CRUISERS’ NET SPONSOR! – lies along the northwestern shores of the Waterway in the body of a hairpin turn northwest of Waterway marker #46A.
Follow the gentle curves of the Intracoastal Waterway to the Isle of Hope Marina, nestled in the middle of the scenic historic neighborhood of Isle of Hope and located just minutes away from Downtown Savannah, Ga. Founded in 1926, the marina is ideally positioned for relaxation and Southern hospitality.
Watch the sunrise from your boat or enjoy it while strolling along beautiful Bluff Drive, taking in the eclectic mansions and picturesque Spanish moss. And no trip to Isle of Hope Marina would be complete without walking, driving, or biking down the majestic oak-lined avenue of the Wormsloe Plantation, fantastically located less than a mile from the marina.
The Isle of Hope Marina can be found west of Marker 46A at ICW Mile 590. Enjoy your stay on 4,000 feet of concrete floating docks, including 600 feet of deep-water face docks capable of accommodating mega-yachts (up to 220 ft.). Our dockage amenities include a fuel dock with gasoline and diesel (volume discounts), metered electric (30, 50, & 100 amp; single phase), an electronic security system, pump-out, and complimentary digital TV and Wi-Fi. The bathrooms, showers, and coin operated laundry room are clean and secured after hours by key card access. Please note that the Isle of Hope Marina is the last southbound fuel stop on the ICW for 90 miles.
Take advantage of complimentary morning coffee and the Wall Street Journal, and be sure to browse the Ship Store for afternoon ice cream treats and other fun goodies. Hop in one of our two complimentary loaner cars for provisioning, shopping, and eating just a mile and a half down the road in Historic Sandfly. If you prefer more physical activity, pedal away on a complimentary bicycle or swim some laps at the community pool between Memorial and Labor Day. There’s no shortage of friendly people, pets, and scenic views on this beautiful island and our overwater pavilion is a great spot for a picnic lunch or a place to sit and get some fresh air.
Isle of Hope Marina 50 Bluff Drive Savannah, Ga 31406 912-354-8187 www.iohmarina.com ICW Skidaway River Mile 590, Marker 46A
With the current weather conditions, this is almost adding insult to injury to Waterway cruisers. HOWEVER, high water wake damage can be severe, not only to docks, but to onshore buildings as well. So slow down in those populus docked areas along the Waterway. A SALTY SOUTHEAST CRUISERS’ NET SPONSOR!, Downtown Marina is located north of AICW marker #239, a short distance west of the Lady’s Island swing bridge, in the heart of downtown Beaufort.
Beaufort, SC Writing No Wake Tickets Be careful passing Beaufort, SC downtown docks. The police have a patrol boat tied up hidden in the marina and they are issuing no wake tickets to boaters. Dave Bell
The no wake zone that extends from Beaufort Marina South to the next bridge has been extended by two more no wake signs about a mile further South. The Beaufort no wake zone is already ridiculous but these new markers are at least half a mile from shore with no docks, wharfs or piers visible. What is the legality of these markers?
This latest and, hopefully, final update on the Gilmerton Bridge is sent to us by our good friend, Matt the Bridge Tender, who has faithfully kept us updated on the long and frustrating construction of the new Gilmerton bridge. Thank you Matt!!
Ahoy from the Gilmerton Bridge (Mile Marker 5.8 ICW – Southern Branch Elizabeth River, Chesapeake VA), Just wanted to share with all of you that have been coming through the Gilmerton draw since construction started on the new bridge (Nov 2009) that the contractor told me yesterday he just completed working on the new fender system that day. I really do appreciate everyone’s patience (especially the tug Captains) in dealing with all the extra restrictions over the past few years. As a reminder (until the Nav charts catch up) the new vertical clearance for the Gilmerton Bridge is 35 feet at MHW in the closed position. Our new clearance gauges were installed last Friday. Also very important – all the bridges, locks and commercial traffic in this area are on Marine Channel 13.
Below are the only restrictions that now apply to the Gilmerton Bridge:
The draw of the Gilmerton (US13/460) bridge, mile 5.8, in Chesapeake: (1) Shall open on signal at any time for commercial vessels carrying liquefied flammable gas or other hazardous materials.
(2) From 6:30 a.m. to 8:30 a.m. and from 3:30 p.m. to 5:30 p.m., Monday through Friday, except Federal holidays:
(i) Need not open for the passage of recreational or commercial vessels that do not qualify under paragraph (d)(2)(ii) of this section.
(ii) Need not open for commercial cargo vessels, including tugs, and tugs with tows, unless 2 hours advance notice has been given to the Gilmerton Bridge at (757) 485-5488.
(3) Shall open on signal at all other times.
That’s it for now from beautiful downtown Gilmerton. If we meet – hope to see you on 2 whistles so I can shake your hand, Matt the Bridge Tender
BoatUS remains the premiere advocate for boaters on all waters and SSECN is proud to have BoatUS as a SPONSOR!
NEWS From BoatUS Boat Owners Association of The United States 880 S. Pickett St., Alexandria, VA 22304
BoatUS members have a new member benefit with Dockwa, a simple, online transient slip booking service.
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE Press Contacts: BoatUS ‘“ D. Scott Croft, 703-461-2864, SCroft@BoatUS.com Dockwa ‘“ Bryan Barbieri, 508-340-1576, Bryan@Dockwa.com
BoatUS and Dockwa Partner for Transient Slip Booking Benefit
Tapping Into the `OpenTable’ for the Boating Industry
ALEXANDRIA, Va., October 7, 2015 — Booking a slip, dock or mooring just got a lot easier for the 500,000+ members of Boat Owners Association of The United States (BoatUS). A new partnership with Dockwa, an award-winning unified booking and marketing platform that greatly simplifies the transient slip booking process, now allows BoatUS members to find and book a slip with just a few taps on the Dockwa app ‘“ a seamless and secure process that streamlines communication and payment via an innovative digital platform that no longer requires reservations via email or phone.
As an exclusive BoatUS benefit, members using the Dockwa app or choosing to book online at Dockwa.com will have booking fees waived when arranging dockage at any of the BoatUS Participating Marinas. Discounts will be subject to specific marinas within Dockwa’s growing network. This member perk is in addition to the exclusive transient slip discount currently offered to BoatUS members, which typically reflects a 25% savings. BoatUS members can sign up for Dockwa with great ease and convenience by simply entering their membership number during the registration process where all applicable discounts will be automatically applied.
`This is the most convenient way for our members to book their transient reservations for docks and moorings,’ said BoatUS Vice President of Membership Heather Lougheed. `No waiting for a call back, no voicemail or web forms to fill out. Just tap the Dockwa app, book and dock. You don’t even have to bring your wallet as payment is automated. If weather causes you to change your plans, it can be done with Dockwa’s easy messaging feature.’
The ease and convenience of the Dockwa platform has been positively received by early adopters within the marina and boating community. “Dockwa is the only mobile reservation service that really listened to our concerns,’ said Tom Cox, General Manager and owner of the Constitution Marina in Boston, Massachusetts. `They have the technical know-how and the business acumen to make this next generation of marina software a success.”
Launched in May of 2015 in the New England region, the entrepreneurial team of eight rapidly expanded down the Eastern Seaboard with a growing network of over 175 marinas from Maine to the Bahamas. The platform has already begun west coast expansion with plans to expand to further develop to other parts of the country later this year.
Additional benefits for marina managers through the Dockwa platform include a user-friendly web-based dashboard that lets operators review and confirm reservation requests, customer relationship tools, management capabilities and an easy and secure method for collecting payment. The ability to aggregate and store customer information into an online database also creates opportunity to optimize operations and boost traffic and revenue.
About Boat Owners Association of The United States (BoatUS):
BoatUS is the nation’s largest organization of recreational boaters with over a half million members. We are the boat owners’ voice on Capitol Hill and fight for their rights. We help ensure a roadside breakdown doesn’t end a boating or fishing trip before it begins, and on the water, we bring boaters safely back to the launch ramp or dock when their boat won’t, day or night. The BoatUS Insurance Program gives boat owners the specialized coverage and superior service they need, and we help keep boaters safe and our waters clean with assistance from the non-profit BoatUS Foundation for Boating Safety and Clean Water. For more information, visit www.BoatUS.com.
About Dockwa:
Dockwa is an award-winning unified booking and marketing platform that connects boaters to marinas in real time. This customer-oriented approach provides the marina and the boater an optimal and convenient experience for booking transient reservations. Boaters simply download the app, explore, reserve, and pay at their favorite marina in a matter of minutes. Marinas confirm the reservation, collect payment, and deposit the customer’s information into their intelligent database with a single click. Backed by a world-class group of angel and institutional investors, the company has raised $1.4 million in what has been called the `OpenTable for boaters and marinas.’ Launched in May of 2015 in the New England region, Dockwa has rapidly expanded down the Eastern Seaboard with a growing network of over 175 marinas from Maine to the Bahamas. The platform has already begun west coast expansion with plans to expand to further develop to other parts of the country later this year. The team is based out of Newport, RI with offices in Boston, MA. For more information, please visit www.Dockwa.com.
NOAA online map update offers improved coastal observations and forecasts Additional data, animation features added to popular coastal product
Contact Dawn Forsythe, dawn.forsythe@noaa.gov, 240-429-6125
October 7, 2015 NOAA has upgraded nowCOAST, a GIS-based online map service providing more frequently updated ocean observations along with coastal and marine weather forecasts. The new version, which went live on September 21, also offers a visual point-and-click access to 60 NOAA data products and services. Users can reach the site at nowcoast.noaa.gov.
`NOAA’s nowCOAST gives the public a one-stop-shop look at coastal conditions ‘” real-time and forecast ‘” before they do or plan anything on the water,’ said Rear Admiral Gerd Glang, director of NOAA’s Office of Coast Survey. `Are you sailing? Look at the winds and currents. Are you a commercial shipper? Get your high seas marine weather forecast, on the same animated map where you can check the tides before you approach your port.’
NOAA’s nowCOAST web portal, shown here with wind gusts and directions, has 60 layers of data the user can click on or turn off.
The original version of nowCOAST, available since 2003, has provided the public with information on the latest observed and predicted coastal weather, marine weather, and oceanographic and river conditions. The updated map viewer allows users to animate observations for the past four hours and forecasts for the next seven days.
The new version also adds significant data from NOAA’s National Ocean Service and National Weather Service, including watches, warnings and advisories for hazardous marine weather conditions, even far offshore. It also provides near-real-time lightning strike density data for land and over water, and hydrologic conditions and predictions from ocean forecast models.
`The new time-enabled map services go beyond traditional navigation uses,’ said Luis Cano, director of the NWS dissemination office. `For instance, during coastal storms, emergency managers are now able to overlay National Weather Service watches, warnings, and forecast products on top of critical infrastructure and evacuation maps, for better response.’
NOAA’s mission is to understand and predict changes in the Earth’s environment, from the depths of the ocean to the surface of the sun, and to conserve and manage our coastal and marine resources. Join us on Twitter, Facebook, Instagram, and our other social media channels.
Skipper Hoff is responding to a reader’s earlier inquiry about ports to visit on the east coasts of Florida, the Keys and the Bahamas. There are great suggestions here.
Regarding other locations – we have only stayed at Marathon overnight so can’t really say much about it. We have spent more time at Islamorada, Key Largo and Biscayne Bay, almost always at anchor. We tend to like either remote (Biscayne Bay, Dry Tortugas, etc.) or interesting cities (Key West) – but that is our preference. Biscayne Bay is a place we like to hang out at anchor – swimming, kayaking, walking the beach, etc.
As you head north we time a stop at West Palm Beach for their Farmers’ Market – one of the best, if not the best, on the east coast and my wife has made me stop at all of them from Maine to Key West. They have a large free day dock we spend all day at then move a couple 100 feet off to anchor for the night – all the benefits of a marina with none of the cost. Let me know if you plan to stop there and I can give you further advice since the peak current can be strong.
Downtown Ft. Lauderdale (New River) is also an interesting spot – a world away from relaxing in the Keys but interesting to see 100+ foot yachts go by one after another. Good restaurants, interesting people watching, reasonable dockage, etc.. Easy spot to have people arrive and depart from since the airport is very close by.
If at all possible we try to run outside from Ft. Lauderdale to Lake Worth (just north of West Palm). Otherwise along the ICW there are bridges, bridges and more bridges – plus some crazy boaters. Combine these and it doesn’t make for the most enjoyable travel. However the benefit of inside along the ICW is looking at the huge houses with their 100+ ft yachts docked outside.
You will probably leave from Lake Worth to cross to the Bahamas. This is where the weather is most important – don’t even consider it with any form for NE wind the day you go or during the previous few days. A few years ago I helped a friend bring a brand new 69 ft Nordhavn back after their maiden voyage crossing in 25 kt NE winds. He said it tossed the 250,000 lb boat around like a cork plus stood it on end a few times – he said they were never sicker in their lives (very experienced boaters having taken a 55 ft Nordhavn all the way to Alaska and back around to New England). His wife wouldn’t do the return crossing so I helped him. Last time I crossed with my Fleming we waited five days for good weather and finally went in what we thought would be ok weather – ended up with 15+ footers out the Gulf Stream – not fun. On the other hand my return crossing on the Nordhavn was ~1 footers – all depends on the day.
We have only spent time at West End in the northern Bahamas so I can’t say anything about the Abacos. We have spent an entire winter in the southern Bahamas and enjoyed it.
Skipper Crenshaw is seeking advice on the run from Naples to Key West. If you have experience in these waters, let us hear from you.
We hope to do our first trip from Naples , Florida to Key West. We will depart from Naples at end of December. We are not comfortable too far out in gulf and we do not mind making in two day trip with one overnite preferably in marina. We have 42 trawler with 4 foot draft . We cannot seem to select best track. Can you help with some suggestion tracks/paths down west coast side? Thanks Bob Crenshaw Sea Path Marina Wrightsville Beach, NC
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Comments from Cruisers (9)
Jay Light- October 10, 2015 - 10:11 am
We sail our 36-ft sailboat from Fort Myers Beach to Key West regularly, but do it as one twenty-two hour passage at 5.5 kt. It’s 28 miles longer than from Naples – obviously an over-nighter for us.
We have also gone to Marco and left at 4 am and arrived before dark the same day, sailing straight line. It does take you offshore a bit.
You can get from Marco to Marathon all in daylight. You can probably do it from Naples, too, if you can go eight kts. I have a good set of waypoints I’ll send you if you like. You need to know where you are going through the Moser Channel 7-mile bridge to Marathon. One big drawback of this passage in December is that this section of Florida Bay from Cape Romano to Marathon is wall-to-wall stone crab traps. It’s like going through a thirty mile-slalom course unless you’re not concerned with snagging a trap. It’s a good day’s run from Marathon to Key West, either on the inside if your draft allows it, or on the Hawk Channel between the Keys and the barrier reef.
The trip from Naples to the Keys is very simple. We did it last year in our 45′ sailboat with a 5′ draft. We did an overnight from Marathon to Naples a distance of less than 100 nm and then from Charlotte Harbor back to Key West which is less than 150 nm. The distance from Naples to Key West isn’t much different than to Marathon. Assuming you run around 10 kts it is an easy day trip. The water once you get out of Gordon Pass in Naples is mostly 10-30′ deep (some deeper) until you get to Key West where there are multiple shoals and islets so you will need to plan which channel you need to take to were you’re going at Key West. My suggestion is to pick a good weather day and do the trip in a day unless you want to do some other sight seeing along the way. At 4′ you shouldn’t have any issues as long as you watch your charts. Also, the waters around south Florida and the Keys are full of crab and lobster pots along with fish traps so you will need to keep a good watch. We did overnights and had no problems.
Avoid the Marinas!! This is the prettiest part of Florida, and should be ANCHORED OUT to enjoy.
You can go on the inside from Naples to Marco, then outside around Johnson Shoals (east of Marco Island is a bit skinny water, but the shrimpers and crab boats do it – I did it with 3′ draft and got out of the channel in the fog and ran aground). After Johnson Shoals, head back east into the ten thousand islands and spend as many days anchored in this beautiful area as your schedule allows – there are dozens of spots just inside the mangrove islands. You can run south along the park boundary markers in good depth, and never be too far from a safe anchorage. After you get to the Little Shark River, I always head directly to the keys, via the yacht channel, and then run the north side to the keys to Key West.. There is a brief interval just before arrival in Key West Northwest Channel where you have to go in unprotected waters, so wait for calm or some direction other than North wind for that.
Ben, made that trip last January. We went from Marco Island to Little Shark River, overnight anchorage, then down to 7 mile bridge and turned west for Key West. Shark River to Key West took about 10 hours. We cruised at 7-8 knts. Winds normally are easterly and we left Shark River at first light to take advantage of the light winds. By the time we turned west the winds had picked up considerable but then they were a following sea, 3-5 ft. And 10-11 secs apart so ride was ok. We were prepared to spend several nights at Shark River if winds dictated. Pick a good 2 day weather window.
The last time I cruised Florida Bay was late August 1980, Marathon to Naples, but then the chief hazard other than weather was the lobster or crab traps, some with buoys just under the surface. Thousands of them! You may want to add cutter blades to your shafts.
We always do it as a straight shot overnight. It is just under 100 nautical miles Naples pier to Key West. I use 5 knots for planning but unless weather is ugly do about 6.5 so 15-20 hours from Naples. Weather matters. Pick a cold front and ride south BEHIND it a day or 2. Typically we leave Ft Myers at noon; off Naples at 5P and NW Channel next morning, arrive Key west noon. So no ‘real’ navigating in dark. Set the gps/autopilot on the NW Channel bell buoy, Current runs west to east there so a little westing early is useful. The shrimp boats, if any, are lit up like downtown and there is nothing else out there (actually there are a couple of air force relay towers but you won’t likely even see them- google air force relay towers to find exact coordinates). Pay attention to the breakwater at the entrance to the NW Channel (don’t do this at night unless you have a good chart plotter). You can jump along the coast but it is longer as the coast moves significantly East south of Cape Romano. Marco isn’t far enough from Naples to help the cause; Goodland is better but you will need to worry about tide levels coming out by Coon Key. (Running the inside from Marco to Goodland is great but watch tides- 4′ draft is the upper end of what I’d be comfortable with especially in December ) If you anchor out there are good spots at Panther and Indian. Everglades City is nice but again 4′ is the upper limit of my comfort zone and you will lose time going up and down the river. Most folks I know push on to Little Shark, anchor out, and then jump to Marathon. Good Luck. Florida Bay can be mirror calm or a mess.
Ben: You will definitely have to watch the water depth on the west side of the keys but you should be ok. I have done the “inside” of the keys a couple of times on my Fleming 55 with a 5′ draft. We try to time the shallow areas at high tide but still “touched” bottom a couple of times (I love a big keel!). It was a bit tight for us but you’ll have another foot of comfort so you should be fine. Just go slow and feel your way when it gets shallow – plus make sure your depth sounder is accurately calibrated. Definitely wait for a very good weather day – not just one that looks ok or good enough. A couple of points to consider: The open water distance to either Marathon or Key West is not very different – they are very much open water. Depending on your speed the time difference direct to Key West is only around an hour or so longer. Many days the fast ferry runs to Key West so there is some comfort knowing at least one boat will be in the vicinity for part of the travel if you go direct to Key West. If you go to Marathon definitely make a reservation/late arrival arrangements ahead of time. Sometimes space can be limited and they could be gone when you arrive – dock space at the city facility is very limited however the mooring field is amazing in size. I believe the mooring field doesn’t take reservations but we have been able to get reservations on their dock. There are other facilities there but we have only stayed on the dock at the city marina. Ask around to see if you can find a “buddy” boat to travel along with – may be difficult to find but always nice if you can. Key West is a great location and you will definitely enjoy it. We’re spending the month of March there again this year and will travel the same route from Naples area straight to Key West. Don’t hesitate to call or email if you have any questions. Regards, Curtis
Get as far south as possible, maybe the Rod and Gun Club at Everglades City, or Calusa Island Marina at Goodland, but certainly no further north than Marco Island. Then head for middle of the keys, say Marathon area . Leave at daybreak although I am not sure of your speed. We’ve done the Marco to Key West, but we can cruise at 15 knots and that makes a big difference. Watch your wind forecast. You will get some break from easterly winds if you go down through Florida Bay and close in to Cape Sable. All this being said, it has been a few years since I have made the trip. Lets see what really comes in from some folks who may have made the trip more recently. Winston Fowler
I had a sailboat that made around 5 knots and drew 5.5 feet. I started out in Fort Myers Beach, and day tripped down the west coast to Everglades City. I had no difficulty in finding safe harbors that would accommodate my draft, but beyond Everglades City, there were no other anchorages that were deep enough.
I and stayed at the Rod and Gun club, and spent a day exploring the town. Watch the overhead power cable. Locals indicated that it was lower than 65 feet, and they took great pleasure in seeing sailboaters come to grief there. Not sure if their info was correct, but just be aware.
Since there were no deep harbors between Everglades City and Key West, I planned on making an overnight trip to Key West. I staged just outside of the river, and departed at 3:30 PM. Got into Key West at 10 AM. Crab pots weren’t a huge problem.
Osprey Marina lies at the southern foot of AICW section known officially as the Pine Island Cut (a. k. a. “the Rock Pile”), just as the Waterway sweeps south into beautiful Waccamaw River. Osprey Marina is one of the finest marinas you will ever discover, and these good folks are A SALTY SOUTHEAST CRUISERS’ NET SPONSOR!
Osprey Marina Arrived for fuel and to get tucked in for the weekend or until the circulation in the Atlantic has cleared the area. Topped off the tanks and while just holding the nozzle was talking to Miles. We both have the gout word in common. Once we were fueled and docked Miles said he would drive us to the clinic so I could get some medication. Thank You, Thank You Miles. I think I’m on the mend. As always Osprey has been great taking care of us. Day three and the rain is still falling in large quantities. So to pass the morning we gather for free coffee and snacks and conversation. Watching the bad weather shifting south, not good for anyone traveling south. I think we will stay a while longer. 10/5/15 Monday. It is Monday and all the water is high, so anyone between Southport area and Charleston area, if you are in a spot you can stay, stay where you are it is not safe on the ICW with all the trash floating in the water. Be safe. We are talking to others in the Marina and we are all staying put for now. Phil and Sandy Herl
The intersection of the ICW and Lockwoods Folly has been a Problem Stretch for years and requires almost annual dredging. Mid to high tide is recommended for passage. For a recent report on Lockwoods Folly, see /?p=150841. A SALTY SOUTHEAST CRUISERS’ NET SPONSOR! Myrtle Beach Yacht Club on Coquina Harbor has been a great stopping place and a friend to cruisers for years. The entrance to Coquina Harbor lies on the north side of the Waterway opposite Marker #13.
North Myrtle Beach
Another good run and luck is still with us. As we approached Lockwoods Folly area, notorious for shoaling, there was a Coast Guard boat at the spot getting ready to move the buoys. When we came through they contacted us and several others to talk everyone through and we had not a problem. As usual at North Myrtle Beach Yacht Club we were treated well. Again we could not do anything because of my foot. Just one night. We were here in June and had a great time.
Good music and good fun! Y’all come! Beaufort is home to SALTY SOUTHEAST CRUISERS’ NET SPONSOR, Downtown Marina of Beaufort, within easy walking distance of the Waterfront Park.
Please come and join us at Pickin’ by the River on October 17 from noon till 5 at Downtown Beaufort SC Henry C Chambers beautiful Waterfront Park. All acoustic bluegrass, country and folk music. Stage show and open jams throughout the Park. Please no amplifiers, alcohol or drums. Good family fun. For more info you can call (843)379-9084
Our thanks to Skipper Schick whose links below augment Bob Sherer’s recent article on water levels and their effect on navigation in the ICW. See /?p=151098.
This is good information [Sherer’s article]. Two easy ways to see what’s available:
(2) http://tidesonline.noaa.gov/geographic.html and use their graphic selection tool. This site (depending on location chosen) gives additional information such as wind direction and speed.
Robert Sherer is author of 2015 ICW Cruising Guide: A guide to navigating the Atlantic Intracoastal Waterway. See /?p=150181. SSECN is grateful for Captain Sherer’s willingness to share his knowledge and experience with our readers.
Heading down the ICW, everyone pays close attention to the tides when navigating through the shallow spots but few pay attention to the effects of wind on the level of the water. Most everyone knows that an east wind will raise water and perhaps cause flooding and a west wind will push water out and make the shallow spots even more difficult. Who hasn’t looked at a posting on depth and then patted themselves on the back when they found deeper water (what a great navigator I am…) or been surprised when the opposite happened (the poster obviously was out to lunch…)
Have you ever wondered the basis for NOAA’s warnings on coastal flooding? Well, NOAA has particular buoys outfitted with water level monitors that give a reading of water height vs the predicted height from tide tables. If you know how to access the data, you too can benefit. For example, you may have 3 extra feet of depth in passing through the shallows south of Fernandina (or three feet less!) You have to know which buoys have the data you want and then how to access it, it’s not a one click operation. I’ve compiled a list of buoys reporting water heights that would be useful for negotiating the ICW but first an example. We were in Hampton, VA when Joaquin came through off shore and produced 25 to 35 kt east winds for two days which you would expect to push water levels higher than normal. We were on floating docks so we had some concern about just how high the surge would be so we watched a NOAA water level buoy site for that information. Here’s a typical plot: The line of interest is the purple plot showing the delta between the predicted tide height (blue line) and the actual water height (red line). You can see that on 10/4/2015 the water was 3.5 ft higher than predicted by the tide tables!
This information is available all along the ICW from selected weather buoys and can be helpful when passing through areas where you really need to know the real depth accurately. That purple line above can be minus too in a strong west wind! One more example: I have a 55.3 ft mast and I like to use the Cape May canal to reach Delaware Bay. I need to know the actual water height before going through since from past experience in normal weather the height boards read 58 ft at 0.0 predicted tide. In my fall of 2015 trip down, we had a strong east wind and the height board only read 56.5 ft at low tide! The low tide can actually be 3 ft higher than the tide tables! Now 56.5 ft is enough for my 55.3 ft mast but may not be enough for others. So here’s the list of stations I find useful with links:
You can click on “Show Data Listing” for the numbers in addition to the plots. I’ve noticed that when accessed on my iPad I get all three plots but when looked at on my laptop I only get the red and blue lines but I always use my iPad anyway. When planning your next passage, it never hurts to check on the predicted tide height vs actual, it only takes a minute and it could save you a lot of grief.
Robert Sherer (aka Bob423) Author of “2015 ICW Cruising Guide” available on Amazon.com You can follow our adventures down the ICW at fleetwing.blogspot.com
(2) http://tidesonline.noaa.gov/geographic.html and use their graphic selection tool. This site (depending on location chosen) gives additional information such as wind direction and speed.
A SALTY SOUTHEAST CRUISERS’ NET SPONSOR, Southport Marina is located just west of the Cape Fear River along the northern banks of the Waterway hard by flashing daybeacon #2A.
Southport Only spent one night, they had a fishing thing going on for this weekend and they were going to be full up. Would have liked to walked to Fishy Fishy (less than a mile) but at this time my foot is giving me fits.
We hear that after we left they had a bad storm in the area and with the tides being high to begin with because of the circulation in the Atlantic, the water level came up enough to cause Fishy Fishy to move a lot of their stuff out. Not much else to report. Phil and Sandy Herl
Good News: A phone call to Cheaspeake City clears up the situation raised by Skipper McLeran regarding overnight stays in the Virginia Waterway locks and canal. The “no overnight mooring policy” has been rescinded and you may, as before, stay tied up for 24 hours – longer if foul weather demands. Deep Creek Lock interrupts the Alternate AICW Great Dismal Swamp Canal Route at Statute Mile 10.6.
We entered the Dismal Swamp Canal Wednesday afternoon at the 1530 locking in order to hide from forecast high winds (and now hurricane Joaquin). When we inquired of Robert about the availability of Elizabeth’s Dock he told us that the dock was available, but that recently (didn’t say when) the Army Corps had a problem with a boater who was living on his boat in the canal and working in the area, tried to persuade him to leave, and when that didn’t work contacted Chesapeake City officials who somehow convinced him (and his boat) to depart the canal. Then the _city_ instituted a “no overnight mooring” policy and posted signs to that affect at the locks and docks; interestingly, there are no pertinent signs anywhere at Elizabeth’s Dock. We moored to Elizabeth’s Dock anyway, concluding that with the approaching iminent storms this was the best place to hide and that we would deal with the city if asked to leave. In our dozen or so passages through the canal we have never encountered this policy, and on several occasions have moored for several nights at Elizabeth’s Dock with other boats while waiting for nor’easters to pass. More commonly, we transit the canal in one day and stop at the “shopping dock” to resupply while waiting for the next lock through. This new policy is going to have a big impact on the southerly migration which will start soon, if boats are truly prohibited from mooring at the docks and locks in the canal. Perhaps you have some contacts at the Army Corps and the Chesapeake City who would clarify the situation and listen to some reason about the value of allowing boats to moor overnight in the canal. I’m sending this to both Waterway Guide and to Salty Southeast Cruisers’ Net. Bob McLeran
This AICW Problem Stretch has always been one of the shallowest sections of the Waterway in Eastern Florida. Earlier descriptions of the three newest markers, as well as Skipper Justin’s experience, would indicate that shoaling is beginning to reappear. BE SURE to observe any new aids to navigation and, as always on perennial AICW Problem Stretches, be READY for new shoaling and even newer markers as you pass through. Our thanks to Justin for sharing his experience.
I ran aground hard going north through this passage with current behind me. I kept to the east of the new green buoys because it seemed they were way to close to the western bit of land. I thought they shifted to be a “port” marker (red right returning) because of the meet up with the two channels..My navigation chart was a complete fail to show depth. This place is tricky. I believe I should have kept the green buoys to my starboard, going north. A red marker would’ve helped too. Justin
I’ve done that section a few times; you almost have to stay close enough to the west bank to touch it with an extended boathook (perhaps not “quite” that closely, but it sure seems like it). Frank Morris
This stretch has ALWAYS required proper adherence to the temporary buoys and is not a problem as long as they are honored no matter how close one thinks they’re putting you to the shore.
It appears from his statement that skipper Justin went on the wrong side of the greens. Went through here yesterday southbound had no more problems or less depth than ever. Stay in the channel and you’ll stay off the bottom.
Dockside Marina guards the AICW’s northwesterly banks, west of Motts Channel’s westerly entrance. Our thanks to Skipper Herl for his continued reporting as he and Sandy travel south.
Wrightsville Beach Arrived about 6:15, had a good run today, the wind has calmed down and we are in the skinny protected area. We still had lots of rain but that is nothing as long as we don’t get a lot of wind. We stopped at Dockside Marina for the night, they have been great even though we came in in a downpour. Stopped in and had dinner after we got all set up and everything was good. The food, the service, and the dock help. Not a word of complaint, just did what we had to do to get tied up and electrified. I would stop here again any time. We did not take any time to explore the area, we are trying to stay ahead of the circulation out in the Atlantic. Phil and Sandy Herl
Our thanks to Dick Mills for this on-site report. It looks like the driver of the rig is going to need lots of North Carolina fatback grease to get this vessel any further north! Smithfield is home of the famous Carolina Pottery. Please, Skipper Mills, give us a followup!
Happening right now on I95 in Smithfield, NC. The boat is not damaged, so the driver must have stopped. The bow pulpit is about 1 foot higher than the bridge. The driver was letting the air out of the tires as I watched. Dick Mills
Since this report does not specify a homeport or area of activity for the new survey boat delivered to the eastern Gulf of Mexico, it will be up to you to send us reports of sightings along the coast. Obviously, No Wake is the order in the vicinity of these small boats. Please do click the link connection below for very interesting graphics related to these surveys.
New small survey boats for hard working navigation response teams
To a marine pilot looking forward to a long-awaited nautical chart update, a white NOAA survey ship “mowing the lawn” of the approaches to a port is a gorgeous site. The ship slowly moving back and forth, collecting hydrographic data from the ocean floor, is easily recognizable.
This new survey boat was recently delivered to the navigation response team collecting data in northern California.
Less well known are Coast Survey’s smaller survey vessels, operated by navigation response teams (NRTs) situated strategically along the U.S. coasts. These vessels are hard worked by two- or three-member teams of physical scientists and technicians who must know everything about the vessel, the specialized survey equipment, and the science of collecting and processing data. On top of all that, they must be expert sailors.
This new survey boat was recently delivered to the navigation response team collecting data in northern California.
Recognizing the value that these teams and vessels bring to our survey and charting responsibilities – not to mention their essential work in locating underwater debris after hurricanes – NOAA is “recapitalizing” the NRT fleet, building new small boats specifically designed for hydrographic surveying. The first two boats, built by Lake Assault Boats of Superior, Wisconsin, were delivered last week to navigation response teams surveying ports in California and the eastern Gulf of Mexico.
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