NOAA’s newest web portal is a remarkable tool showing “at-a-glance” the status of seven major US marine ecosystems across the U.S. as well as a national synthesis.
NOAA’s National Marine Ecosystem Status web portal is live!
Planet Stewards
Thanks much Larry for your support. I tried to be careful about the wording of my statement. The last thing I want to do is tell boaters that they should knowingly break the boating law pertaining to anchoring. However, based on my conversation with Rep Stephens, who was speaking with the DNR Commissioner Mark Williams, I was told that DNR has no intentions of enforcing anchoring restrictions in the newly announced commercial shellfish leased areas at this time.
I intend to anchor as usual, avoid anchoring near private docks and marinas, and avoid anchoring near any marked recreational and commercial shellfish areas. The legal setbacks from these areas are: 150' private docks, 300' marinas, and 500' shellfish beds. If I am approached by a GA DNR law enforcement officer, I will politely comply with their directive whether I believe they are right or wrong.
GA has very few DNR law enforcement officers working the coastal area. They do not have time, nor the inclination to harass boaters. We have been told repeatedly that enforcement is complaint driven. For example, if a marina or private landowner calls DNR and complains about a boat they believe is anchored to close to their dock, then a DNR enforcement officer will be dispatched. He/she will evaluate the situation and instruct the boater and homeowner appropriately. If there is a violation, the boater will be warned and asked to move. Take a screen shot of your GPS position for reference.
Use common sense, be courteous, and enjoy our beautiful coastal waters. Hopefully someday GA will get the public relations effort right.
Cruisers Net has joined other concerned boating groups in requesting clarification on anchoring restrictions as defined in GA DNR’s Liveaboard Anchoring Illustrative Map. Our thanks to Ted Arisaka and James Newsome for their research and diligence in seeking fairness for all boaters, locals and transients. To see the various layers with defined restrictions, click on Layers in the center of the bottom of the map linked above.
Commissioner Mark Williams, October 12, 2020
On behalf of the group of boaters who worked with the GA DNR to create replacement HB 833 earlier this year, we seek some clarification on its implementation. You may recall that during our conference call, we stated our concerns about the shellfish harvest areas and you directed your team to follow up with James Newsome as our representative on this matter. This has not occurred to date and we would like to avoid another confrontational situation such as when HB201 was developed without stakeholder involvement.
The areas designated as shellfish harvest area buffers in the current map on the GA DNR website (Ref 1) are greatly increased vs those previously defined.
· Is GA DNR CRD representing the green shaded areas as currently approved shellfish growing areas?
Terms and Conditions preceding the map state (emphasis mine) “Anchorage restriction areas means those areas within the estuarine areas of this state in any location that lies within 300 feet of a marina, 150 feet from a marine structure other than a marina, or within 500 feet of approved commercial shellfish growing areas and designated public harvest areas as determined by the department.”
· As much of the expanded shellfish growing areas include federally defined navigable waterways below the low water mark, has the US Army Corps of Engineers approved the designation USACE Nationwide Permit 48 (Ref 2 and 3) ?
· How much of the shellfish zones will be below the intertidal zone and be set aside for the mariculture technique utilizing cages suspended in the water column by floats?
· HB501 specifies that subtidal harvest zone leases must first be evaluated for impact against other public uses. (Ref 4). Has this been completed? If so, may we examine the evaluations? If not, what opportunity for public comment will you make available?
” Prior to offering a subtidal water bottoms lease, the department shall consider compatibility with other public uses of the marine and estuarine resources in proximity of the lease area that include, but are not limited to, navigation, fishing, swimming, and other forms of recreation.”
· GA DNR has adopted the federal framework of National Shellfish Sanitation Program (NSSP), requiring shellfish waters meet the NSSP requirements before being designated as approved. Have these assessments been completed for all indicated areas? (Ref 5)
The boating group members seek a balance of interest among public access, waterfront property owners, and a resurgent shellfish industry.
Your feedback to clarify the above points would be most appreciated.
Coalition is comprised of:
America’s Great Loop Cruisers Association
CruisersNet
DeFever Cruisers Association
Marine Trawler Owners Association
National Marine Manufacturers Association
Waterway Guide
Save Georgia’s Anchorages
Cc: Walter Rabon, GA DNR Deputy Commissioner,
Doug Haymans, GA DNR Director, Coastal Resources Division
Reference:
1- https://gcmp.maps.arcgis.
2 – USACE Nationwide Permit 48 Commercial Shellfish Aquaculture Activities (Sections 10 and 404)
3 – Section 10 of the Rivers and Harbors Appropriation Act of 1899 https://www.epa.gov/cwa-
4 – HB 501 lines 341-346 http://www.legis.ga.
5 – US Food and Drug Administration – National Shellfish Sanitation Program https://www.fda.gov/
October 15 update:
Thanks Larry and CN for joining our efforts to address this latest challenge to anchoring issues on the GA coast.
Larry, Thanks much to CN for joining our effort to address this latest challenge to anchoring issues in GA. Your support is greatly appreciated.
Thanks to Cruisers’Net for your support and helping to raise awareness of this issue to the marine community.
As stated below, this test area is approximately 15 NMs west of Destin, FL. This testing is a continuation of testing begun in August.
FL – GULF OF MEXICO – DESTIN PASS – U.S. Navy Testing
Continuing until approximately November 1, 2020, the U.S. Navy will be conducting test operations in an area generally located approximately 15 nautical miles west of Destin Pass, FL. The test area will include items on the ocean floor and/or moored near to the waters surface that are obstructions to navigation, extending from the beach out to approximate depth of 40 feet. These items will be guarded and/or buoyed while deployed for the duration of the test period. Additionally, helicopter operations will be conducted in the test area. The support/guard vessels
include M/V TYSON B., which will be on station in the testing area during the test events. It is requested that vessels maintain a 1 nautical mile distance from the test area, while operations are in progress. Mariners should contact these support vessels via VHF-FM Channel 16, heed instructions given and stay a minimum of 1 nautical mile from the test vessels on station. U.S. Navy equipment has been deployed in the test area and will remain through the duration of the tests.
Test area bound by the following approximate positions;
North East corner: 30-23-12.0N 086-47-38.0W (30°23.2000N / 086°47.6333W, 30.386667 / -86.793889),
North West corner: 30-23-01.0N 086-49-40.0W (30°23.0167N / 086°49.6667W, 30.383611 / -86.827778),
South West corner: 30-20-44.0N 086-49-28.0W (30°20.7334N / 086°49.4666W, 30.345556 / -86.824444) and
South East corner: 30-20-57.0N 086-47-18.0W (30°20.9500N / 086°47.3000W, 30.349167 / -86.788333) .
Charts 11383 11385 11388 LNM 41/20
Also, define “(ii)” below. Bottom leases may be granted in areas with minimum width of 200.’ Does this mean that eligible areas must be at least 200’ wide, or does it mean that areas under 200’ cannot be leased?
“(6) Leasing of State-Owned Water Bottoms Terms, Siting, other Considerations.(a) The term of a state-owned water bottoms lease shall not exceed ten years and is subject to such provisions, requirements and conditions as determined by the Department. Leases may be renewed for additional terms if the lessee is in compliance with the terms of the current lease.(b) Subtidal water bottoms leases shall be sited in accordance with the following criteria: (i) In Approved Shellfish Growing areas as determined by the department;(ii) In areas with a minimum width of 200 feet at mean low water;(iii) In areas with a minimum depth of not less than 6 feet at mean low water; and….“
Ted Arisaka and Brad Pickle of Atlantic Intracoastal Waterway Association have been seeking clarification on the anchoring restrictions implied in Liveaboard Anchoring Illustrative Map. See New Georgia Shellfish Harvest Area Permit Status Inquiry and Georgia HB 833 and Expanded Shellfish Areas.
Response from GA DNR to Brad. The answer he received does not correlate with what is shown on the DNR website maps.
Good morning. I heard back from my contacts at GA DNR regarding placement of oyster cages within the AIWW and here is their response-
“Oyster cages will not be placed within 150ft of any federally-maintained channel. The ACOE may apply more strict criteria as shellfishermen go through their process, also.”
They also sent me the Shellfish Rule which is attached.
Brad
The pertinent lines from the rules (Shellfish Rule 391-2-4-.19) are:
(c) Any boundary of a subtidal water bottom lease shall not be within the following:
(i) 150 feet of a federal project, such as a federally maintained channel;
As Ted stated, this GA DNR rule does not correlate with what is shown on the DNR website maps.
Larry
Efforts on behalf of boaters regarding Georgia’s anchoring restrictions continue with this letter by Ted Arisaka to the USACE. See Georgia HB 833 and Expanded Shellfish Areas.
US Army Corps of Engineers
Hurricanes cause approximately $28 billion in damages to the United States economy per year, according to government estimates. In addition, the U.S. government expects to pay about $18 billion per year in hurricane relief and recovery. Since 2006, Specialty Fuel Services has been supplying emergency fuel to locations affected by unexpected catastrophic events. Editor’s note: be sure to see the list of resources at the end of this article.
US Hurricane Trends
specialtyfuelservices.com
For two days and nights in October 1878, the 11th hurricane of the season thrashed the North Carolina coast and ships offshore, with dramatic ocean rescues and loss of life.
Great Gale of 1878 Brought Nights of Terror
Coastal Review Online
Staniel Cay Yacht Club, a longtime CRUISERS NET SPONSOR and a favorite destination for cruisers in the Exumas, is excited to be welcoming guests as coronavirus restrictions are eased. With commercial airlines limiting and cancelling flights regularly, Makers Air is continuing to schedule flights with every safety precaution in mind. Growing from its initial operations servicing Staniel Cay, Makers Air is today’s premier air service to and from the Out Islands of the Bahamas.
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Ever wonder how the experts capture that perfect photo to convey the wonders of our ocean and Great Lakes? Join the National Marine Sanctuary Foundation for a series of virtual seminars and intimate discussions with world class photographers on October 20th, October 27th and November 10th.
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Until his recent untimely death, Robert Peek served as Lockmaster of Deep Creek Lock on the Dismal Swamp Canal for 24 years. See In Memorium Robert Peek. Our thanks to Donna Steward, Director of Dismal Swamp Welcome Center and longtime friend, for sharing this 2012 Facebook article on a typical day in Robert’s life.
Great Dismal Swamp – The Life of a Lockmaster
Kathy Bohanan Enzerink
It was a very nice person we enjoyed this lock and it is parts of our best lock souvenir. Rest in peace
The stories of Robert Peek’s “customer relations” are indeed legendary throughout the cruising community. Here is a man who loved his job and did not hesitate to share that love with boaters locking through Deep Creek Lock. Our thanks to Donna Stewart of Dismal Swamp Welcome Center for this notice and to Kim Russo of AGLCA for sharing Robert’s obituary.
Our hearts are heavy, as we mourn the loss of our dear friend and colleague, Deep Creek Lockmaster Robert Peek. Please keep his beloved wife Jackie and family, friends and co-workers in your thoughts in this time of loss. No one will ever fill his shoes.
Robert of Deep Creek Lock squeezed 18 boats in the lock yesterday – we were like sardines in a can. I found the whole thing quite hilarious! Arnold Parkinson
Robert smiling.
Robert getting ready to play his conch shell, for which he was famous. Phil and Karen Barbalace
Robert Leslie Peek Obituary
Sturtevant Funderal Home
If you met Robert once, you were a friend. For life. We met, chatted with and were invited to breakfast several times. He was generous with his time, his knowledge and, of course, coffee and danish. Because of storms, dredging and lock repairs we were unable to take the Dismal for couple of years. We were looking forward to seeing Robert this year. Shocked and saddened by this news. It is a terrible loss for the entire boating/cruising community. Our best wishes and condolences to Jackie and his entire family.
Mike and Carol
Improbability
A longtime CRUISERS NET SPONSOR, Edenton always has an exciting calendar of events including safe activities during the coronavirus pandemic. Edenton is at the mouth of the Chowan River on the northwest shore of Albemarle Sound.
Fall Colors, Cooler Temps & Edenton Nature at its Best
Click Here To Open A Chart View Window Zoomed To the Location of Edenton Harbor City Docks
The popular Cape Lookout Bight anchorage is practically in the shadow of Cape Lookout Lighthouse. In rough offshore weather, cruisers with shallow draft may choose to access the anchorage via Taylor Creek and Barden Inlet which separates Shackleford Banks and Core Banks. These shallow, sparsely marked waters require a constant eye on the depth finder.
Lookout Closer to Becoming Dark Sky Park
Coastal Review Online
Click Here To Open A Chart View Window, Zoomed To the Location of Cape Lookout Bight
Dock at one of the most accommodating marinas, CRUISERS NET SPONSOR, Long Boat Key Club Moorings, and get off the boat for a few days to enjoy Longboat Key Club’s recently renovated rooms and resort special areas. It will renew your inner-most appreciation of Florida’s West Coast.
Click here for Get the Look: Longboat Key’s Oh-So Yacht Sleek – Opal Unpacked
Gray’s Reef National Marine Sanctuary is one of seven sanctuaries currently involved in NOAA’s Underwater Sound Monitoring Program as part of the SanctSound project—a collaboration between NOAA and the U.S. Navy to better understand underwater sound within the National Marine Sanctuary System.
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Cruisers Net is proud to be a member of the Atlantic Intracoastal Waterway Association whose lobbying work is crucial to keeping the Waterway navigable. Your membership dollars directly support their vital work. Please join and encourage your boating neighbors to do likewise, regardless of their homeport.
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This inlet channel buoy is on the east side of the Cutoff range between Fort Macon and Shackleford Pt.
1. THE FOLLOWING AID TO NAVIGATION HAS BEEN RELOCATED.
A. BEAFORT INLET LIGHTED BUOY 14 (LLNR 29370 [34°41.5102N / 076°40.0486W, 34.691837 / -76.667476]) TO APPROX POSIT 34-41-32.789N,076-40-05.587W (34°41.5465N / 076°40.0931W, 34.692441 / -76.668219) .
This non-ICW marker is on the north side of a maintained channel between two Cruisers Net sponsors.
Manatee River Daybeacon 24 Structure damaged, temporary buoy onsite. Chart 11416 LNM 39/20
AREA SPONSORING MARINAS
Click Here To Open A Chart View Window, Zoomed To the Location of Twin Dolphin Marina
Click Here To Open A Chart View Window, Zoomed To the Location of Riviera Dunes Marina Resort
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