Cruisers' Net | Cruisers Helping Cruisers

Jun 4, 2012by: Claiborne Young No Comments
ARGUS Data Updated
On 5/11/12, the Salty Southeast Cruisers’ Net proudly announced a tri-partnership with Survice Engineering and EarthNC, which resulted in our web site being the first readily available web portal to display ARGUS sounding data. Suddenly, SSECN users could 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 displays color coded markers which depict the tide corrected solution of soundings gathered by ARGUS cooperative research vessels. ARGUS is another invaluable resource for the Southeastern USA cruising community, helping to make all mariner’s time on the water a safer and more enjoyable experience.
Now, we are also very pleased to announce that Survice Engineering has just provided us with a new “solution set,” bringing fresher and even more numerous sounding data to our ARGUS chart layer. Our good friend, and EarthNC co-founder, Virgil Zetterlind, has worked through the weekend to implement the new Survice Engineering sounding data, and, as of this morning, 6/4/12, all new information is fully integrated into our system.
If you have not yet tried our new ARGUS layer, or just need a refresher on how to take advantage of this wonderful new capability, please follow this link:
/?p=87322
Everyone please take advantage of and enjoy the safer cruising experience that ARGUS brings to all of us!
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May 31, 2012by: Larry Dorminy No Comments
Beach House Marina to Close, Surf City, NC, AICW Statute Mile 260.5
The approach channel to Beach House Marina cuts southeast from the Waterway, southwest of unlighted marker #69, and just northeast of the Surf City swing bridge.
Cruising News:
Check www.wect.com for closing news on Beach House Marina, Surf City NC.
Capt Mike Wilmington NC
And this from the Pender-Topsail News and Voice and WWAY:
SURF CITY, NC (WWAY) — A marina in Surf City is closing, but the tenants are not the only ones affected. As the Pender-Topsail News & Voice was first to report, Wells Fargo, which owns Surf City Beach House Marina, delivered the news to people who keep their boat there yesterday.
“It’s been a pleasure being able to promote our entire village,” business owner Capt. David Luther said. “That’s gone now.”
For Luther and other tenants of the Beach House Marina, the past few days have been a whirlwind. Luther found out Tuesday he has to move his boats, one of which he lives on, by June 19. It’s a tough situation for him as he runs entertainment cruises from the Belle of Topsail and the pirate ship Raven.
“We’ve gotten very involved with all the businesses around here, because surprisingly enough, this marina feeds business,” Luther said. “We get back in at 8 p.m. because we do a sunset cruise, and at 8 p.m. you have been out having a good time, what do you want to do? Go somewhere else.”
Capt. Luther and his business are not the only ones affected by the closure of the marina. There are also those who own and live on boats here that will have to relocate.
“I really don’t have any plans,” tenant David Avery said. “We’re looking and trying to find out. We’ll probably have to moor here for a while until we find another place to go or figure out what’s going on… at least till my daughter gets done with school.”
Tenants have signed leases, and Capt. Luther even bought $30,000 worth of advertising promoting the location. They say it’s a nightmare they wish was not happening.
“I put everything I had into this, and then for them to come and give me 20 days to get the hell out, that’s painful,” Luther said.
Surf City Mayor Zander Guy says he does not want to see this happen. He says the town is looking into alternate options for the boats.
Click Here To View the Cruisers’ Net’s North Carolina Marina Directory Listing For Beachhouse Marina
Click Here To Open A Chart View Window, Zoomed To the Location of Beachhouse Marina
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May 31, 2012by: Claiborne Young No Comments
Good Words for Inlet Marina (Statute Mile 775.5)
Small, but super-friendly Inlet Marina (A SALTY SOUTHEAST CRUISERS’ NET SPONSOR), overlooks the eastern shores of the AICW, just north of St. Augustine Inlet, and only a hop, skip and a jump south of the Vilano Beach Bridge. While Captain Jay lacks transient dockage, Inlet Marina boasts some of the best fuel prices around, and when it comes to enthusiasm for welcoming cruisers, these good people are in the very top tier!
Don’t forget, you also can restock your galley while the tanks are being filled at a nearby (within walking distance), newly opened Publix Supermarket, only two blocks away. What’s not to love!
Great fuel stop and a nice new restaurant.
Friendly service with easy entry and exit right on the ICW. Best fuel prices in St. A with the noted discounts.
Love the afternoon music at Beaches the attached restaurant.
Jason Martin
Click Here To View the Cruisers’ Net’s Eastern Florida Marina Directory Listing For Inlet Marina
Click Here To Open A Chart View Window, Zoomed To the Location of Inlet Marina
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May 28, 2012by: Claiborne Young No Comments
Interesting Strategy When Your Vessel Is Being Boarded by Law Enforcement Personnel
Captain Robert Lucas, aboard S/V Aquitaine, has sent us a very interesting idea about a strategy that cruisers might employ when their vessel is boarded by Law Enforcement. The Salty Southeast Cruisers’ Net neither endorses nor takes issue with the strategy set out by Captain Lucas. All we will say is that it’s certainly interesting!
I’m linking to the full article below, as it is lengthy.
Claiborne,
I tried this and it worked.
Took about fifteen minutes of discussion, but the officer, after making three phone calls, said he was not authorized to sign any document. He wished me a “good day” and left.
Captain Robert Lucas
S/V Aquitaine
Bradenton, FL
Click Here To Learn about Captain Lucas’ Novel Approach to Being Boarded
BRAVO! and bravo again! I always wondered just which bureaucrat or politician gave up our Fourth Amendment rights regarding unreasonable search. My guess is that printers are humming already (if you’ve got one aboard). I hope we can find some more results of this tactic!
Capt Mike
S/V Blue Skye
Captain Lucas:
In checking the regs, I found:
Coast Guard may go aboard any United States vessel at any time, anywhere to conduct a documentation and safety inspection.
A search of a U.S. vessel beyond this type of inspection is subject to limitations under the United States Constitution. If a search extends beyond this narrowly defined scope, a court may be asked to evaluate the legality of the search by balancing the individual’s right to privacy in the specific circumstances of the search against society’s interest in detecting criminal conduct.
Captain Whitney
Cpt. Lucas does not state which authority he is re. to’¦
USCG, FMP, county?? Presumably it’s th CG but’¦ I am reasonably sure that Cpt. Whitney is correct in his assessment. Still, just the novelty of being presented with such a doc. might cause enough confusion w/ officer on the scene and higher-ups to make them pause. I do think, though, that this would certainly be useful in the case of boarding by auth. other than CG. No lawyer I, but seems reasonable. Imagine what would happen if everyone demanded the signing of such a doc. every time some auth. wanted to board a vessel.
Gov’t. of the people’¦by the people!!!!
Dr. W. W. Waldrope
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May 28, 2012by: Claiborne Young No Comments
Photos of Roanoke Lighthouse Being Moved to Its New Home in Edenton Harbor
Earlier, we ran a series of photos showing the historic Roanoke River Screw Pile Lighthouse, freshly perched atop its new home overlooking Edenton Harbor and Town Docks (see /?p=87872). Then, just today, we received a fresh set of photos from Captain Greg Han, showing the lighthouse being moved to its new resting place. Excellent pics!
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 study network of girders.
Allegria had a front row seat in Edenton’s terrific town harbor (first two nights free).
Gregory Han
Follow the Photo Gallery link below to check out these images for yourself!
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May 28, 2012by: Claiborne Young 1 Comment
Update on Bradenton Beach Anchorage (Western Florida ICW, Statute Mile 87)
The anchorage under discussion below lies just south of the Cortez Bridge, west of the ICW.
Two important notes need to be considered when evaluating this anchor down spot. First, successful entry can be very tricky for first-timers, AND the city of Bradenton Beach has twice tried to regulate this anchorage, first by creating a mooring field, and later by city registration of boats. Both attempts failed, but who knows what may happen here in the future!
Bradenton Beach anchorage update: As of 5/12, the city has made no further blatant efforts to harass boaters. As a member of the `Mooring Committee’ I can say that the city has no interest in really developing a boater friendly community.
Still, I recommend to everyone that, rather than avoid areas of `conflict ie. St Pete, St. Augustine, etc., they use these areas and RESIST (nicely, of course) the erosion of navigation rights.
As for the notion of the city `noticing the reduction of boating visitors and responding accordingly’, the city of B.B. would be quite happy if no one EVER anchored a boat in `their’ waters.
W.W.
I respectfully disagree with this assessment of Bradenton Beach. I kept two boats there for the better part of a year’¦the first a 24-foot sloop’¦then a 29-footer’¦A friend of mine protested the 15 dollar/year fee for using the mooring field.The mooring field was illegal but I think that the reason he fought it is the slow erosion of rights and I am glad now that he did. They backed down on advice from their lawyer and I think that even though 15 dollars/year for showers and dinghy dock is a small price to pay for a decent facility with access to free trolley up and down the whole island’¦I think that the costs would slowly have risen over time and a bad precedent set. Having said all that’¦I DO NOT think that they hate boaters and liveaboards here’¦especially now that some of the riff raff has cleared out. The depths are overall poor for bigger boats’¦the approach in front of the fishing pier is a sad joke’¦but there is a back door further south beyond the sand shoals you can come in from if you keep going south after coming thru the bridge from the north about 3/4 mile and then come back in’¦at a NW angle’¦All in all’¦this is a decent area to keep your boat for awhile’¦amenity-speaking’¦but not for more than a few months IMHO’¦
BTW..in case it wasn’t clear..it was BB city comission that backed down’¦on advice of their attorney and they dropped the $15/YEAR sticker fee’¦
Morgan R
Hi Morgan and all,
I did not say that B.B. `hates’ boaters and liveaboards. I said that the city has no real interest in developing a boater friendly community. I base this on my own experience with the mooring committee and the council. My belief is that this is due to a lack of familiarity with the subject as well as a lack of funds to promote the area.
I approached the city about a year and a half ago with the idea of establishing a yacht club for the purpose of promoting the area to boaters and managing the amenities and dinghy dock and to provide assistance/info to visitors re. anchoring, sanitation, etc.
The city seemed receptive to the idea. They have strongly indicated that they would like the `anchorage community’ to self regulate. This indicates, to me at least, that city has no real interest in reaching out’¦ they would prefer that `we’ do it.
As I could not find two other qualified people to willing hold the required offices to charter a legit club, as well as volunteer time to such, I abandoned the idea. I would be most happy to revisit the subject with the city if there is enough interest.
If the CITY were truly interested in reaching out to the boating community, I feel they would have made more/better effort to do so to date.
I urge any and all to visit B.B. as Anna Maria IS. has some nice things to offer cruisers.
Note: riff raff is in the eye of the beholder.
There are still a few boats that are derelict or nearly so.
If anyone in the local area is interested in organizing a fully chartered club, please contact me. My # is 512 903 4498
Very Sincerely,
Dr. W. W. Waldrope
Thank you for the info. Last time we came through we anchored on the East side of the ICW because we could not figure out how to get into the anchorage. We anchored without problem in about 10 feet of water. The ride to the dinghy dock was a little long and there were boat wakes to crash through. BB was a great place to visit and would gladly paid a fee for the shower and/or dinghy dock but free was good.
Frank Cushing
Click Here To View the Cruisers’ Net’s Western Florida Anchorage Directory Listing For the Bradenton Beach Anchorage
Click Here To Open A Chart View Window, Zoomed To the Location of the Bradenton Beach Anchorage
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Comments from Cruisers (1)

Jeremy - December 4, 2015 - 8:00 pm

They are harassing boaters again. Not cool. They let it go for years and then ppl come in who don’t know how to boat or act in society. They just expect to snap fingers and all is good. You don’t harass good ppl to get the bad ones to leave. But as always it’s easier and safer to go after the ppl that aren’t a threat.
Reply to Jeremy
May 25, 2012by: Larry Dorminy No Comments
Shifting Sands In St. Augustine Mooring Field, AICW Statute Mile 778
Recent reports of shoaling at some of the moorings in the St. Augustine Mooring Field were confirmed by phone today, but according to the City Marina spokesperson, the shoaling is continuous and constantly changing. Currently there are moorings with as much as 15ft and some with 0ft. However, the moorings are always assigned and you would be assigned a mooring according to your draft. Thus the necessity to contact the City Marina at 904-825-1026 before picking up a mooring pendant.
Click Here To View the Cruisers’ Net’s Eastern Florida Marina Directory Listing For St. Augustine City Marina
We used the south mooring field at St.Augustine the weekend of April 1, 2012. We approached from the south, hailing the City Marina as we came under the high bridge just south of the San Sebastion River. The marina advised to stay in the ICW channel until abeam of specific day beacon due to shoaling and then gave precise guidance to our mooring ball. We had two very pleasant,secure, nights on the ball as a front passed through with severe thunderstorms, and were able to observe close up the ‘ Blessing of the Fleet’.
The mooring field to the north of Bridge of Lions did not have any observable shoaling problems.
We topped off diesel at the Inlet Marina and visited the Publix grocery.
Steve Kamp, S/V Carolina
Click Here To View the Cruisers’ Net’s Eastern Florida Anchorage Directory Listing For St. Augustine Northern Anchorage
Click Here To View the Cruisers’ Net’s Eastern Florida Anchorage Directory Listing For St. Augustine Southern Anchorage
Click Here To Open A Chart View Window, Zoomed To the Location of St. Augustine Mooring Fields
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May 23, 2012by: Claiborne Young No Comments
Wisteria Island (Christmas Tree Island) Anchorages
The discussion below is copied from the Cruisers’ Forum, and relates to the several anchorage opportunities adjoining an island which lies withing dinghy distance of Key West Bight. The charts name this isle, Wisteria Island, but all the locals refer to it as Christmas Tree Island.
We are currently behind Wisteria Island. The whole area is surrounded with boats. North of the Island east and west. The cityKWB marina maintains dinghy dock for 26 a week or 80 a month. Just pick a spot with enough swing, lotta boats.
forsailbyowner
Anchoring on the south side of wisteria (christmas tree) island will give you some shelter from the north but it’s rolly from wakes (especially in the early morn. when the charter boats go out). Holding is fair but use caution. It’s a short dink ride across the channel to the harbor where the dink dock is (payment enforcement haphazard… meaning you never know so just pay). note: going back across the channel in a northerly blow can be extremely rough and wet.
Also remember that K.W. has been pirate country for centuries… and still is. Use common sense and you will have a great time.
Cheers,
MM
Just off of Christmas tree is the place to be. It’s convenient to the municipal docks & out of the way. There are areas where there is 8-10 inches of sand over limestone, and you will think you are dug in well but will drag like a mother in the first squall, so make certain you’re dug in.
Also, an open hatch is considered an invitation. A closed hatch with a big lock will generally be left alone.
Starfish
Just take care that your anchor does not get stuck in the many custom made moorings around the island. I picked up an engine block once trying to haul anchor. Many derelict boats with questionable ground tackle all over.
Be careful of the shoal in the middle that looks like a great empty anchor spot.
However once you navigate all the above it is a great spot very close to KW and a much better location than the city mooring field. Never had issues with `piracy’ in the many years I have gone there. Might be dumb luck though but I do lock up when I leave the boat.
Patrick
Click Here To View the Cruisers’ Net’s Florida Keys Anchorage Directory Listing For the Wisteria Island (Christmas Tree Island) Eastern Anchorage
Click Here To View the Cruisers’ Net’s Florida Keys Anchorage Directory Listing For the Wisteria Island (Christmas Tree Island) Northwesterly Anchorage
Click Here To Open A Chart View Window, Zoomed To the Location of Wisteria/Christmas Tree Island
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May 18, 2012by: Larry Dorminy No Comments
May, 2012 Report from Hell Gate, AICW Problem Stretch, Statute Mile 602
The AICW follows the narrow, man-made canal known as Hell Gate between the Vernon and Ogeechee Rivers. These waters have been an “AICW Problem Stretch” for years. Fortunately, dredging during the summer of 2009 had kept depths decent until December of 2010 when reports of new shoaling began. Looks like the surrounding shallows are once again beginning to creep into the channel. Effective immediately, cautious captains should begin to time their traversal of Hell Gate for mid to high tide.
Entered Hells Gate, abeam of “92” at 1348, about 1 hour after low tide. Strayed a little to far to the red side at the edge of the channel and got as low as 7.5′-corrected to center channel and saw from 8′ to 14′ to “87” at 1355, where it dropped off to 10-12′. There is a nun “90” in the cut that may not appear on some charts. Passage should not be a problem, even at low tide.
Michael J. Horowitz aboard ALTAIR
Click Here To View the Cruisers’ Net’s “AICW Problem Stretches” Listing For Hell Gate
Click Here To Open A Chart View Window, Zoomed To This AICW Problem Stretch
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May 18, 2012by: Larry Dorminy No Comments
Detailed Report on AICW/Ashepoo Coosaw Cutoff Problem Stretch (Statute Mile 515)
Earlier reports have indicated depths of 5.8 feet at dead low in this perennial “AICW Problem Stretch” south of Charleston, SC.
Abeam of “186” at 1137 and followed the magenta line around to abeam “185”, entrance to the Ashepoo-Coosaw cutoff, and depth dropped to as low as 8.1′, then bounced between 8.1′ to 8.5′ abeam of “184”. Low tide prediction: 1339, +0.14′-probably have at least 6′, + or -, at LT. Dredging would help.
Michael J. Horowitz aboard ALTAIR
Click Here To View the Cruisers’ Net’s “AICW Problem Stretches” Listing For Ashepoo/Coosaw Cutoff
Click Here To Open A Chart View Window, Zoomed To This AICW Problem Stretch
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May 17, 2012by: Larry Dorminy No Comments
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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May 17, 2012by: Claiborne Young No Comments
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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May 16, 2012by: Claiborne Young No Comments
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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May 15, 2012by: Claiborne Young No Comments
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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May 15, 2012by: Claiborne Young No Comments
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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May 15, 2012by: Claiborne Young No Comments 27.9644,-82.81589999
ARGUS Shallow Water Report on Channel from Clearwater Pass to Clearwater Yacht Club and Municipal Marina

View In Chartview

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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May 15, 2012by: Claiborne Young No Comments
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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May 11, 2012by: Claiborne Young No Comments
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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May 11, 2012by: Claiborne Young No Comments
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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May 11, 2012by: Claiborne Young No Comments
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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