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    • Historic Roanoake River Lighthouse Now Perched Atop Its New Home in Edenton, NC Dockage Basin (Western tip of Albemarle Sound)

      Old Roanoke River Lighthouse Now Set In New Edenton Harbor Home

      The historic community of Edenton, North Carolina lies near the western extremes of often choppy Albemarle Sound. Edenton is actually the state’s oldest town, though Bath, NC makes that claim based on incorporation dates. Edenton plays host to a wealth of historic homes and structures. We always feel that a visit to Edenton is like stepping back into America’s Colonial and Revolutionary past. And as Jim and Talley affirm, a visit to this city is well worth any cruisers’ time and effort.
      Earlier, we reported here on the Cruisers’ Net that the historic Roanoke River Screw Pile Lighthouse had been restored, and was slated to be perched atop a series of pilings in the Edenton City Dockage Basin (see /?p=81847). Well, as you can see form the photo on the right of this posting, taken 5/15/12, while it looks like some construction is still ongoing, this old sentinel has now been set atop its new home! How utterly appropriate that this historic structure has been returned to its natural habitat, perched atop a series of “screw pilings!”
      And what are “screw pilings” you may ask. Well, they are simply pilings that have been “screwed” into the bottom strata!

      If Manteo looks like Norman Rockwell, then Edenton looks like Walt Disney. This is the idyllic little town main street leading up from the simple little harbor. Something like you would expect to find forgotten in some New England fishing village. There are houses dating from 1750’s. There are monuments and statues celebrating battles before our countries revolution. Formal English gardens open to the public for all to see. There are a couple of back yards that go on forever. Everywhere you look you see residential architecture depicting taste and grandeur, not efficiency and mass production.
      This little town is anxious for the cruising community to frequent. They are improving the harbor, and restoring the old light house. They’ve moved it to sit atop new screw pilings as it was designed to be installed. Maybe the last square light house to sit on screw pilings. There is a large light cupola at the top of the house. With a good light in there, you will be able to see it from all over the eastern end of the Albemarle Sound and Chowan River.
      Great walk around town. There is a really outstanding hardware store. The dock master has a courtesy car if no one else is using it, and there is a Food Lion just a mile up the road.
      Ya got to come see this town. It’s great!
      Jim and Talley Powell

      And just across from the lighthouse is the 1758 Cupola House Museum and Gardens. Please do come to visit!!
      sally francis kehayes
      cupolahouse.org

      Cruising News:
      Recently the Roanoke River lighthouse was installed in its permanent home at Edenton harbor. A party atmosphere took over the town park while the crews readied for the transfer from land to a platform over the harbor waters. House moving is a slow and careful business so the crowd thinned considerably by the time the crew was ready. The house was rolled across the divide inch by inch on a sturdy network of girders.
      Allegria had a front row seat in Edenton’s terrific town harbor (first two nights free).
      Gregory Han aboard Allegria

      Click Here To View the Cruisers’ Net’s North Carolina Marina Directory Listing For the Edenton City Docks

      Click Here To Open A Chart View Window, Zoomed To the Location of Edenton, NC

      Click Link Below to See Additional Photos of the Roanoke Lighthouse Newly Perched Atop Its New Home at the Edenton Town Docks

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    • Swan Point Marina Reopens Under New Ownership/Management (Statute Mile 247)

      We are very pleased to report that Swan Point Marina, located just south of the AICW/New River/New River Inlet intersection has reopened under new ownership/management. According to a telephone conversation I had this morning (5/17/12) with co-owner, Jason, transient dockage is available, complete with 30-50 amp power hookups and fresh water connections. Overnight transient dockage rates are a very reasonable $1.50 per foot, per night. Mean Low Water depths on the entrance cut run to 4 1/2 feet, but the interior dockage basin has just been dredged to 6 1/2 foot MLW soundings. One nearby restaurant will dispatch cars to retrieve cruisers from the marina, and then return them to the docks after dining. Note that neither gasoline nor diesel fuel is sold here now.
      So, all in all, it’s a really good thing that another transient friendly marina is now to be found between Swansboro and Wrightsville Beach. Stop by and give Jason some business, and tell him that you read about his newly reopened facility here on the Salty Southeast Cruisers’ Net!
      If anyone has had occasion to spend a night or two at this new iteration of Swan Point Marina, PLEASE share your experience by clicking the “Comment on This Posting/Marina/Anchorage/Bridge” link below!

      Click Here To View the Cruisers’ Net’s North Carolina Marina Directory Listing For Swan Point Marina

      Click Here To Open A Chart View Window, Zoomed To the Location of Swan Point Marina

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    • Darien, Georgia Looks to Attract Cruisers (7 nautical miles off the AICW, near St. M. 652)

      Back in February, of 2012, I visited the small, but surprisingly bustling community of Darien, Georgia by land yacht. I was impressed with the number of restaurants, the waterfront wine shop and the very welcoming attitude towards myself and cruisers in general. Now, with FREE 48-HOUR DOCKAGE, the city of Darien is making a real push to lure mariners along the 7 mile cruise from Darien River’s intersection with the AICW, to the town waterfront. And, with a well marked channel, featuring 12+ feet of MLW water, this is now a decidedly enticing proposition.
      We would LOVE to hear from fellow cruisers who have made the trek to Darien’s waterfront. If this accurately describes you, please click the “Comment on This Posting/Marina/Anchorage/Bridge” link below, and share your information.

      Hello Claiborne,
      I don’t know how long ago it was that you were here but we have made a great deal of improvements and added a lot of businesses near the waterfront. We are going all out to provide dockage, information and assistance to the cruisers in Darien and this is a big step. We really appreciate this and I am looking forward to seeing it on the Cruisers Net.
      Thank you,
      Captain Phillip

      Click Here To View the Cruisers’ Net’s Georgia Marina Directory Listing For the Darien City Docks

      Click Here To Open A Chart View Window, Zoomed To the Location of the Darien City Docks

      Click Here To Read a Local News Article About the New 48-hour Free Dockage in Darien

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    • Photos of Leland Oil Company’s New Floating Docks (McClellanville, South Carolina – AICW, Statute Mile 430)

      Back in April (2012), we published several reports from fellow cruisers detailing the very welcome new, floating docks at McClellanville, South Carolina’s Leland Oil Company (see /?p=81422 and /?p=85795). I had always wanted to recommend stopping in McClellanville, as this idyllic village is a real throwback to yesteryear, with its moss shrouded lanes, and quaint homes that look as if they just stepped out of the early 1900’s. However, until these new docks were added, the roughness of Leland Oil Company’s dockage facilities were a real trade-off against the community’s other charms. Now, while no-one will ever mistake this facility for Fort Lauderdale’s “Pier 66,” we can recommend a stop here!
      Just a few minutes ago, the dockmaster at Leland Oil Company transmitted a series of photos detailing his new docks, You can see one to the right. Follow the photo gallery link below to check out the rest!

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    • Freedom and Jeff

      This has absolutely NOTHING to do with cruising, but if you are an animal lover like yours truly, and particularly if you or a loved one suffers from the scourge of cancer, then don’t dare miss this moving tale! As someone whose first-rate, first-mate has been, and still is, heroically fighting “never smokers lung cancer” for 4 years, I cannot read these words and see these images, no matter how many times they pass before my eyes, without getting choked up.
      Please go to:

      /?p=87742

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    • ARGUS Shallow Water Report on Channel from Clearwater Pass to Clearwater Yacht Club and Municipal Marina


      One of the real advantage to our new ARGUS service, is that we receive advance warning of new shallow water reports directly from Survice Engineering. Be SURE to follow the “Chart View” link below to get a bird’s eye view of where this shallow spot is to be found. After following the link, turn on the new Argus layer by clicking in the “Argus (MLLW)” checkbox.
      As you will see, the shallow soundings in question seem to lie just north of the intersection between the Clearwater Pass inlet channel and the marked, northward running cut which leads to Clearwater Yacht Club and Clearwater Municipal Marina, between markers #2 and #4.
      We would WELCOME reports from local Clearwater area cruisers who have seen similar or dissimilar soundings along this stretch!!! Please click the “Comment on This Posting/Marina/Anchorage/Bridge” link below, and share your information.
      We are establishing a Salty Southeast Cruisers’ Net Navigational Alert between markers #2 and #4!

      Capt. Bill of Reality Check Sailing provides this report on the approach to Clearwater Marina. Capt. Bill noted water depths as low as 5 1/2 feet, confirming previous indications now available through Cruisers Net.
      John Hersey
      ARGUS Development Team
      SURVICE Engineering
      http://argus.survice.com

      We ran aground between G6 and G7, less than 5 feet on that side of the channel. Favor R4 side in that area.
      Stealing Home

      About 6 months ago I was in that area. Knowing the perennial problem, I did some sounding with my dinghy. I discovered that the shoaling between R4 and R2 had extended from the west clear across the channel. However, there is a deep streak (over 10 feet) just outside (east) the marked channel.
      When I later went through with our 5 1/2 foot draft boat I went very close on the correct side of R4, swung out of the channel, and then came back in very close to the correct side of R2. No problem at all.
      It appears that the channel may have actually moved from the charted and marked location. However, I did not verify the width of the `new’ channel, and it could be quite narrow.
      Gene Fuller
      Punta Gorda

      Click Here To Open A Chart View Window, Zoomed To A “Navigation Alert” Position on the Channel from Clearwater Pass to Clearwater Municipal Marina

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    • Free Waste Boat Pumpout at Tarpon Basin Anchorages Praised (FL Keys Inside Route, 1139.5)

      Tarpon Basin is crossed by the FL Keys Inside Route, just south of Blackwater Sound and Dusenberry Creek. There are at least 3 good spots to drop the hook here, and creative skippers will find more.
      A couple of years ago, Monroe County established a pump-out boat serving vessels anchored in Tarpon Basin, and the locals chipped in with a dinghy dock on the nearby shoreline (see /?p=24226).
      Sounds like Captain Mary found the pump-out service very polite and most useful!

      We used the free pump out boat at Tarpon Basin by the government center today. We told the guy that we had planned on pumping out at Gilberts Marina. He said they don’t have a pumpout, but he will go up there in his boat. I called Gilberts and verified that, and they said they don’t have a pumpout, but they have a phone number that you call for someone to come there and pumpout. The phone number for the Monroe County pumpout boat is 305-747-2388.
      I might add the Monroe County pumpout is FREE. The guy was very nice and said he usually works M-TH, but they try to be accommodating. I asked him how far he will go and he said he goes up to Gilberts Marina and down to Tavernier. He also said that eventually all of the Keys will have pumpout boats.
      Mary Dixon

      Click Here To View the Cruisers’ Net’s Florida Keys Anchorage Directory Listing For the Tarpon Basin Northern Anchorage

      Click Here To View the Cruisers’ Net’s Florida Keys Anchorage Directory Listing For the Tarpon Basin Southern Anchorage

      Click Here To View the Cruisers’ Net’s Florida Keys Anchorage Directory Listing For the Tarpon Basin Interior Anchorage

      Click Here To Open A Chart View Window, Zoomed To the Location of the Tarpon Basin Anchorages

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    • St. Augustine Anchorage Regulations Being Challenged in Federal Court

      We have just published a lengthy, but very interesting article, that reports the city of St. Augustine’s anchorage regulations, put in place as part of this city’s participation in the Florida Pilot Mooring Field Program, are being challenged in Federal court. ALL cruisers even remotely interested in the Florida Anchoring Right Struggle will want to check out this account.

      For full details, go to:

      /?p=87621

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    • Salty Southeast Cruisers Net, SURVICE Engineering and EarthNC Form Tri-Partnership to Bring Revolutionary Sounding Data to the Cruising Community!

      May 9, 2012
      The Salty Southeast Cruisers’ Net (SSECN), SURVICE Engineering, and EarthNC, Inc. announce an exciting new tri-partnership that will provide SSECN users with the benefit of 25 million soundings acquired and processed with the ARGUS (Autonomous Remote Global Underwater Surveillance) system. The Salty Southeast Cruisers’ Net is the FIRST web site to offer easy access to ARGUS data.

      Effective immediately, users of the SSECN’s “Chart View” pages can click a simple checkbox, thereby opening a new ARGUS layer, set over up-to-date images of the NOAA nautical charts. Once selected, the ARGUS layer will display color coded markers which depict the tide corrected solution of soundings gathered by ARGUS cooperative research vessels. This new SSECN tool will be continuously updated as new ARGUS data is received. It will provide the Southeastern USA cruising community with yet another valuable resource to help make mariner’s time on the water a safer and more enjoyable experience.

      Click Here For Tips on How to Use SSECN”s New ARGUS Layer

      Click Here To View the Official Press Release Announcing the New SSECN – ARGUS – EarthNC Partnership and the Appearance of ARGUS Data on the SSECN

      Click Here To View the Full Announcement of the SSECN – Survice Engineering and EarthNC Partnership and the Appearance of ARGUS Data on the SSECN That Was Sent to the SSECN Alert List on 5/9/12

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    • Swanquarter, NC Photo Gallery

      Captains Jim and Talley Powell included some really neat photos with their recent posting concerning a visit to Swanquarter, NC, off southwestern Pamlico Sound (see /?p=87218). This port of call remains one of the most isolated on the Tar Heel coastline, with only one small marina (mostly geared towards commercial fishing craft) and very little in the way of shoreside dining or amenities. Nevertheless, a visit to Swanquarter is like stepping back in time, and many cruisers will find it to be a memorable experience!
      Click the link below to check out these superb images!

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    • Excellent Coastal North Carolina Mechanic Discovered

      Recommendations from fellow cruisers for good mechanics and marine technicians, are some of the most valuable that any of us will ever discover! Sounds like Ken Moore would be a good port in a mechanical storm if your vessel lies anywhere between Deltaville, VA to Myrtle Beach, SC!

      Today we had the misfortune of having an engine heat up and the alarm sound as we crossed the Albemarle Sound. We made it to Coinjock Marina on one engine and told the dockmaster of our situation. He indicated that a very good tech lived not far away and called him for us. He arrived very quickly, diagnosed the problem, fixed it. We talked to him about other minor issues we had and he was very knowledgable about all boat systems. He noticed some hoses did not have enough clamps. He had the clamps on his truck along with a lot of other marine supplies, including an impeller, if we had needed one. While talking to him, he indicated he worked from Myrtle Beach to Deltaville, VA. and he does not have a travel time rate. All in all, a good day and great service. His card indicates he is trained in Yanmar, Catepillar, Cummins, Ford Lehman, Honda, Mercury, Kohler, Perkins, and a lot more. He offers complete electrical, mechanical, and plumbing repairs. His company is MarinePro (http://www.marinepro.com). His name is Ken Moore 252-457-0016 (ken@marinepro.com). We recommend him to anyone. His rate was very fair, $90 per hour. We have no association with MarinePro except that we are very pleased with his work.
      Rick Johnson
      Rick ‘ Roll III

      Dear sir, Glad to read of your good fortune. We, too have had the good fortune of having Ken help us with our boats. He truly is one-of-a-kind! I am glad to see others sing his good praises, as we surely do.
      Amy Houck

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    • PLEASE Help Captain Sara With Her Listing of SW Florida Waterside Restaurants

      Captain Sara contacted me and asked if the Salty Southeast Cruisers’ Net would be interested in publishing a list of on-the-water, cruising craft accessible restaurants in SW Florida. I may have gotten a bad case of whip-lash from saying “YES!!!!” soooo quickly.
      Anyway, check out Sara’s message below, and PLEASE send her info directly if you can.
      Once their June cruise is complete, we will publish Sara’s dining directory here so it can be a lasting tool for the cruising community!!!

      In advance of my bareboat charter out of St. Pete down to the Keys in June, I’m compiling a list of restaurants that offer tie-ups to boaters. I will be collecting lat/long, depth, dockage description, dining experience and any other relevant data for each restaurant. This information will then be made freely available to the boating community. If you have info to share that would make the resource more useful to all, please contact me via email at:

      saraburns2000 AT yahoo DOT com

      If all goes well, I believe I might have found another interesting and productive hobby! Thanks! 🙂
      Sara Burns
      Facilitator, The Work of Byron Katie
      Transforming Education in America

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    • 62ft Vertical Clearance Reported at Sunset Beach Fixed Bridge, AICW Statute Mile 338, Sunset Beach, NC

      This unusually high tide could be because of the Super Moon condition we are finding both high and low tides along the east coast. The bridge and its gauge are relatively new and should be accurate. This new bridge replaced the old pontoon bridge to Sunset Beach.

      We’re seeing a 62′ reading on the tide gauge on the new bridge at Sunset Beach at high tide this morning May 7. Is the tide three feet higher than normal? Perhaps the gauge is inaccurate?
      Ed

      As a follow up…4 boats went thru and radioed back reports of 62′ readings on a 65′ bridge. I don’t think the super tides were 3′ off! 2 sailboats waited a few hours before risking it. One sailboat just had their mast measured after recently clipping apparatus. The tip of their antenna is at 65′. The board was reading 63′ and nothing touched.
      This height board is different than most in that you cannot tell for sure if the depth is above, in the middle or below the number. If 63 is showing, we assume that is the height.
      So, APPARENTLY, the board is 1 to 2 feet off.
      Ed

      Click Here To View the Cruisers’ Net’s North Carolina Bridge Directory Listing For Sunset Beach Bridge

      Click Here To Open A Chart View Window, Zoomed To the Location of Sunset Beach Bridge

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    • Dog River Marina No Longer Offering Free Overnight Dockage with Fill-up (off Mobile Bay)

      As of May 6, 2012, Dog River Marina, Mobile, Ala. is no longer offering a free nights dockage for a fill up. Ricky says they have lowered fuel instead.
      Joseph

      This is so disappointing. For years with our sailboat, we have stopped at Dog River Marina for fuel and transient dockage before heading up the rivers. In all fairness, we could never accept free dockage after only taking on 10 gallons of fuel for the sailboat but always remembered the Loopers offer of free dockage with a BIG fillup. Now, with our trawler, we were looking forward to the Loopers deal that is no more. We feel disappointed at being a day late and a dollar short. I hope Sonny has LOTS of diesel this week.
      Tom & Patsy

      Apparently, the free dockage with fill-up is still available for members of the American Great Loop Cruisers’ Association (AGLCA) and the Marine Trawlers Owners Association (MTOA) only!

      Apparently it’s reported MTOA mebers are still getting the free dockage with fill up.
      Capt. Sterling

      I just talked to Ricky at Dog River Marina and he said that there was a miscommunication between the office and the fuel dock: It’s free dockage for Loopers with a fillup.
      Verify with Ricky or Mike at Dog River Marina fuel dock at 251-471-4517 or the office at 251-471-5449.
      Hope this helps clarify.
      Kris

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    • Matecumbe Bight Anchorage (FL Keys Inside Route, St. M. 1166)

      Matecumbe Bight Anchorage is located off the Florida Keys Inside Route, just south and west of Lignumvitae Key. This is not a spot where you want to be if fresh northerly winds are in the offing, but there’s good shelter during times of southerly breezes.
      I’m familiar with the “creek” described below by Captain Dixon. It’s a tiny, SMALL CRAFT ONLY cut-through from the Lignumvitae Channel. During daylight hours, I’ve used this passage myself as a short-cut, but running it after dark at planing speed, well, the thought of this activity gives me the shudders.

      Matecumbe Bight. Anchored here May 5, 2012. Things were good until shortly before dark. Fishing boats started buzzing us. One came so close to our bow that I thought he was going to hit us. One boat stopped by and told us we were in the fishing boats `runway.’ So, even though it was dark, we pulled up anchor and moved farther NE behind the mangroves. There apparently is a creek that you can see on the chart, but not the naked eye, the fishing boats use.
      Mary Dixon

      Click Here To View the Cruisers’ Net’s Florida Keys Anchorage Directory Listing For the Matecumbe Bight Anchorage

      Click on Chartlet Below to Open a Chart View Window,
      Centered on the Location of This Anchorage:

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    • Welcome Mat Out for Cruisers at Washington, NC, off the AICW on Pamlico River

      Whether you want to revisit the past or satisfy your curiosities, discover the arts or explore your true nature, you can do it from the heart of the Inner Banks - Washington, North Carolina. 800 546 0 Read Captains Jim and Talley’s newsy note below, and you will discover more reasons than ever to leave the familiar confines of the AICW, and journey upsteam on the Pamlico River, to the Washington downtown waterfront. This SALTY SOUTHEAST CRUISERS’ NET SPONSOR has sooo much to offer the cruising community. Tell them we sent you!

      Cruising News:
      So much fun coming to Washington N.C. by boat, rather than so many times by car. This little town is just on the edge of renascence, and they want cruisers to be part of it. The Dock Master, Guy Blackwell, also works at the local West Marine, and is full of information and local history. The city merchants have put together a `Welcome to Washington’ bag stuffed full of coupons, business cards, flyers and advertisement for businesses all within a four block walk of the docks. We even ran into people we know. Charming town full of friendship, promise, great restaurants, and art galleries. Come here. You’ll love it.
      Jim and Talley Powell

      Click Here To View the Cruisers’ Net’s North Carolina Marina Directory Listing For the Washington City Docks

      Click Here To Open A Chart View Window, Zoomed To the Location of the Washington City Docks

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    • Good Depths and Gasoline Found in Everglades City (south of Marco Island – Western Florida)

      Glad to hear that Captain Steve discovered good depths moving upstream on the Indian Key channel to Everglades City. Some other cruisers have reported thin soundings at low water along certain stretches of this channel.
      And, while Steve did discover some self service gasoline to pump, that does not solve the problem of finding Diesel fuel in Everglades City. Has anyone found a place to purchase diesel here??????

      I posted a question some time ago about finding Fuel in Everglades City. I had found a marina there just up the river from the Rod and Gun club online and they advertised fuel. You posted my question and no one had any experience at
      that time. I just wanted to let you know, i did go back there and found the fuel. I had plenty of depth. It was a self surface pump (gasoline only) that takes credit cards. There was a very nice floating dock and ramp. It was very
      convenient and offered us a nice stop on the way to Key Large for refueling.
      Thanks,
      Steve

      Click Here To View the Cruisers’ Net’s Western Florida Marina Directory Listing For the Rod and Gun Club

      Click Here To Open A Chart View Window, Zoomed To the Location of the Rod and Gun Club and Everglades City

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    • More on Okeechobee Waterway Obstruction

      Back on 3/5/12, the SSECN published an article entitled, “Okeechobee Waterway To Be Partially Obscured Between Clewiston and Moore Haven Until 2014 (near St. M. 70 to 75)” – see /?p=81398. Below, we hear from Captains Rusty and Betty that the data in this earlier message is not only accurate, but the described “obstruction” can lead to unhappy and expensive consequences. ALL cruisers bent on an Okeechobee Waterway passage prior to its closing on 6/11/12 (for maintenance) should be SURE to read both the account below, and our earlier posting linked above!

      On April 15, 2012 I misread the temporary channel markers next to the cofferdam construction, got too close to the east bank (lake side), and ran the Cooper onto rocks. Even at 5 mph the momentum was enough to ground us. We got off with the help of The Spirit of New York, but scraped the keel, bent the shaft and propeller. We made it safely to Indiantown where repairs are underway.
      Rusty and Betty Huges

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    • Shallow Water at Marker #43, South of McClellanville, SC, AICW Statute Mile 434.2


      Due to persistent shoaling, in early 2011 we designated the Waterway south of McClellanville to Awendaw Creek, as an “ACW Problem Stretch.” As before, we recommend passage at mid or high tide.
      And what began as a caution has turned into an excellent discussion on GPS. Read and learn!

      Yesterday we traveled from Charleston to Georgetown on the ICW. At GREEN 43 we were dead on the magenta line when the depth under our props went to 0.2 feet. We draft only 39 inches so this is really a problem for most boats.
      We put out a securite call on the VHF and saved a couple of boats from going aground. I later heard chatter from a couple of sailboats we had passed earlier that they were having to wait for high tide to traverse this section. It was only a bar and lasted a few seconds as we cleared it but it gave us a start. Today I heard locals in Georgetown talking about trouble in the same place. Be careful out there.
      Rusty and Jan Carlisle

      I too experienced the shallow water following the magenta line on my Garmin 4210 in this area. I have found that Mr Garmin has put my “boat cursor” in the marsh while in the waters of Georgia and S. Carolina. I have find deeper water by going off the magenta at slow speed usually toward the inside of turns. I poke around a bit and find the “real channel”. With all this said, I still love my Garmin electronics. Most of the time the magenta is right on.
      Rick, Sun Gypsy

      I think you meant the outside of the turns. General rule of thumb is stay 2/3 rds of width to the outside. Imagine the current flow scouring out a channel. The scouring velocity is greatest on the outside of the turn.Seek the side with larger vegetation and steeper banks. Of course there are many other factors that can cause variations with this “thumb” rule.
      Joe

      This may or may not be another example of what can happen by spending too much time following the magenta line rather than using visual observations and following the channel markers instead. Often coming up and down the waterway, we found our plotter showing us crossing land instead of being in the channel. We have transited this section many time and were told by other boats over the VHF that there was shallow water, one telling us they
      found 4 feet in the channel. When we crossed we actually found 8 feet of water in the channel some five minutes after they passed through. There are other areas like Cumberland Dividings where following the chartplotter will put you solidly aground. I’m not saying this is the case here, but would caution everyone to not depend on the plotter for more than a reference and use good old fashion navigation. When I hear any reports that the boat was aground and on the magenta line, I have to ask myself how accurate the plotter is in this section. Many boats will make the same mistake and before long there are several reports of groundings because too many of us religiously follow the magenta line. The towing companies will often tell us that they have pulled many boats off shallows in the area. The reason is because following the plotter into shallow water is a common problem. We often see many boats running from green to the next red marker down a channel instead of staying well in between the markers. Many channel markers along the ICW sit in one or two feet of water, but boaters will think that as long as they are inside the markers the channel is deep. Running up close to them will almost always lead to a grounding. Since our first trip south on the ICW in 1993 we have observed so many boats hard aground in what they thought was the channel, while we passed safely by. The depths do change for a variety of reasons and caution is always needed, especially in known problem spots. We too follow the various websites looking for the latest information, but often find reports that are based on operator inattention more than poor conditions. Some channels are less forgiving than others should one stray too far.
      Chuck Baier

      The problem isn’t with the chart plotter, it’s the map they used. The GPS is telling you exactly where you are, but the channel has moved relative to the chart that is published that was used on the chart plotter. The magenta line is published on the chart, and so if the channel has been moved by the moving water, which it has, then the magenta line will lead you astray.
      Follow the channel, NOT THE MAGENTA LINE! Makes no difference how new your chart plotter is, it has to do with when the chart used was updated. When you update your chart plotter, hopefully they have used the latest charts available.
      Chuck Gorgen aboard ODYSSEE

      Click Here To View the Cruisers’ Net’s “AICW Problem Stretches” Listing For the Waterway south of McClellanville to Awendaw Creek

      Click Here To Open A Chart View Window, Zoomed To This AICW Problem Stretch

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    • Dinghy Dockage Rules on Smokehouse Bay Anchorage (Marco Island)

      Apparently, Esplanade Marina on Marco Island’s Smokehouse Bay will no longer allow dinghy dockage unless you spend all your time ashore at the marina and its surrounding shopping complex. It’s a good thing there is another source of dinghy dockage nearby at the local Winn Dixie (see below).
      We verified this report by calling Esplanade Marina on 4/23/12, and were told their “dinghy slip space is for patrons of the Esplanade.” So, looks like Captain Noel’s info is accurate!

      April 19, 2012 ‘” We are anchored in Smokehouse Bay and just notified the harbormaster of our intention to come ashore to do some shopping and sightseeing around the island. We were informed that new rules have been adopted that anyone coming into the Esplanade docks will be required to remain on Esplanade property. I was informed that a dinghy found at he dock earlier was going to be `locked up’. The harbormaster was very polite and informative. I’m sure the rules are not his to decide ‘“ only enforce. We will be proceeding to the dock behind the Winn-Dixie where we expect our presence and money will be more welcome.
      Noel

      It’s their private property. I see nothing wrong with this. Especially with a great dock at Winn Dixie.
      Ted

      And, well considered input directly from the folks at Esplanade Marina:

      While the above reports are true, I think that it is important to clarify that this rule actually has always been in effect and is contained in the Covenants, Conditions & Restrictions that were filed 04/02/2003 with Collier County, FL. In this document we have USE RESTRICTIONS that outline how and what of our marina will be used for the general boating public. This outlines that in fact the general boating public has access to the Esplanade to conduct business at the Esplanade. (Para phrasing of course with consideration to time and space with no change to the intent),. In addition it goes on to say that the Esplanade Marina Board of Directors has the full responsibility of enacting and enforcing rules regarding dockage and the entire marina facility property.
      With all of that stated; in the past, the Marina Board, my staff and I attempted to be very generous with our enforcement of the rules when it came to cruisers moored in Smokehouse Bay. However after having our generosity taken advantage of more and more over the last 24 months by cruisers who have trespassed on to locked private gated docks to dump trash and fill water, cruisers who came in to walk pets and did not pick up after the pets, documented and proven cases of cruisers who have been pumping waste straight overboard into the water, and more and more cruisers who would leave dinghy’s tied to our docks for 5,6,7 and 8 hours a day without contacting the Dockmaster we decided that we needed to take a more defined level of enforcement regarding how our docks are being used.
      So with all of that said here is our current policy that follows our Use Restrictions, and Marina Guidelines generally related to dinghies and Boaters moored in the bay so there is no question:
      All vessels entering into the Esplanade Marina must abide by all Coast Guard Regulations or will not be allowed to dock.
      The Esplanade Marina technically does not provide any dingy dockage however will allow those with dinghies to dock only on the single floating slip to the left of the mole located between B and C dock. If a powerboat is in this spot than unfortunately we will have no dingy dockage at that time regardless of what other space exists at that time. All guest dockage is limited to 2 hours.
      All Guest dockage is for the use of the Esplanade Businesses only. You may not dock your dingy and leave the Esplanade Property; if you do so your dingy may be locked to the dock and or towed at the owner’s expense.
      All Boats needing dockage must contact the Dockmaster either on VHF ch.16 or by phone number provided on the whalers of all docks.
      The Esplanade will not accept any Trash from any boat and will not fill water containers.
      The Esplanade Marina will provide Pump Out services to any boat based on Dockmaster availability. You must schedule your pump out in advance.
      It is and always has been the intent of the Esplanade Marina Board of Directors, its Staff and Slip Owners to be good neighbors and great Stewards of the Sea’s that we all share. It is however our responsibility to those individuals and businesses invested in the Esplanade Property to make sure that we are taking each one of them into consideration when it comes to how we manage the Marina Property. We hope that all Boaters can understand and appreciate the knowledge that we welcome you to our property with the understanding that while you are here you are our guests and must follow a simple set of rules that we have set forth.
      We look forward to seeing you on the water and on the docks.
      Kris Greenough
      Dockmaster

      Click Here To View the Cruisers’ Net’s Western Florida Anchorage Directory Listing For Smokehouse Bay Anchorage

      Click Here To Open A Chart View Window, Zoomed To the Location of Smokehouse Bay Anchorage

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