Shared Photo- Free Masks, Gulfport, FL
Bravo Gulfport! What every city should be doing!
Bravo Gulfport! What every city should be doing!
Gulfport continues to be a leader in preventive measures to curb the spread of COVID-19. Gulfport is home to Gulfport Municipal Marina, A CRUISERS NET SPONSOR.
City of Gulfport
Our thanks to Michele Bennett of St Augustine Cruisers Net for this Facebook posting.
Another great idea from Florida to stop the spread of COVID-19. Free masks are also being given out in Pinellas County, see Free Face Masks.
They are being shipped out to almost 700,000 homes
Sun Sentinel
Just a little late
Gulfport continues to be a leader in preventive measures to curb the spread of COVID-19. Gulfport is home to Gulfport Municipal Marina, A CRUISERS NET SPONSOR.
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Stupid people gathering too close together
Charleston’s city council voted Thursday night to require people wear masks in public places beginning July 1. Enforcement will be difficult in a state that values individual freedom over community welfare.
Charleston votes to require masks as county leads SC in new coronavirus cases
AREA SPONSORING MARINAS!
Click Here To Open A Chart View Window, Zoomed To the Location of Charleston City Marina
Click Here To Open A Chart View Window, Zoomed To the Location of Charleston Harbor Marina
Click Here To View the South Carolina Cruisers Net Marina Directory Listing For Cooper River Marina
Click Here To Open A Chart View Window, Zoomed To the Location of Cooper River Marina
What makes the author believe that "enforcement will be difficult"? I think most citizens of SC will think it is no big deal to wear masks if only for the benefit of their neighbors
Bahamas Chatter is produced by Explorer Chartbooks, A CRUISERS NET PARTNER, which has long been the standard navigational supplement for enjoyable, informative, and safe cruising through the beautiful Bahamian waters and island visits.
Bahamas Chatter: More Bahamas Updates 6/25/20
| More Bahamas Updates 6/25/20 Posted: 25 Jun 2020 04:15 AM PDT Below is a link with information on COVID Protocols for those wishing to enter The Bahamas June 15 – 30. NEAR BAHAMAS Abaco Beach Resort, Marsh Harbour Brent S. S. Ingraham TREASURE CAY Meantime the old marina is demo removed, we are doing seawall repairs and expect after the first of the year to build back minimum two docks for about 50 slips. We do have services like Florences Cafe, a mini mart and expect an ATM by December when power returns. NASSAU HARBOUR CLUB is currently open for domestic travelers and international yachters and those arriving on private planes. Nassau Harbour Club: Tel: 242-393-0772 EXUMAS The Kahari Resort on Stocking Island will open JULY 1ST, 2020. All rooms are ready to be booked. FAR BAHAMAS VALENTINES MARINA will be open July 1, observing COVID protocols. SPANISH WELLS YACHT HAVEN is currently open for domestic travelers and international yachters and those arriving on private planes. Tel: 242-333-4255 |
BoatUS believes that as the Ligado L-Band network is rolled out, instances of signal interference in ordinary GPS will increase.
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Boat Owners Association of The United States
5323 Port Royal Road, Springfield, VA 22151
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
BoatUS Says FCC’s Message to Boaters and Those Relying on GPS:
‘Tough Luck’
Controversial order threatens reliability of hundreds of millions of GPS units
SPRINGFIELD, Va., June 25, 2020 – The nation’s largest advocacy, services and safety group for recreational boaters, Boat Owners Association of The United States (BoatUS), says an April 22 decision by the Federal Communications Commission to give mobile satellite services operator Ligado Networks, a private equity company, the green light to build and operate a land-based industrial 5G (fifth generation) wireless network will negatively impact the reliability of the nation’s Global Positioning System and harm boating safety.
Ligado’s slice of licensed “L-Band” spectrum designated for space-based navigation and communications is located near lower frequency bands used by hundreds of millions of GPS units used in public safety, health, government, transportation, military, commerce, agriculture and more. A founding member of the recently launched Keep GPS Working Coalition, BoatUS believes that as the Ligado network is rolled out, instances of signal interference will increase. This will give current GPS users no choice but to either purchase new GPS units or potentially suffer continued interference. The loss of a GPS signal at a critical moment is a significant safety concern for any vessel operator relying on this popular and widely used technology.
The coalition said that FCC’s decision disregarded mountains of evidence highlighting the interference issue, ignored established technical standards, relied only on limited studies with vague and impractical criteria to access interference, and was made during the COVID-19 pandemic when a final decision was circulated only among the five FCC commissioners as stakeholders were dealing with the health crisis.
The commission also ignored serious concerns from the federal government as well as agencies including the departments of Defense, Transportation, Commerce, Interior, Justice and Homeland Security, as well as NASA, the National Science Foundation, Federal Aviation Administration and U.S. Coast Guard.
“As a recreational boater, I must have a reliable navigation system,” said BoatUS Manager of Government Affairs David Kennedy. “With this decision, FCC is permitting one private company to upend the entire reliability of GPS. It’s unfathomable that the lone federal caretaker of our national radio spectrum shows such disregard, even after admitting there are cases where federal and private GPS users will suffer harmful interference. It’s a message that in essence says ‘tough luck’ – you are on your own.”
Boaters may remember Ligado’s former name, LightSquared. In 2010, FCC suspended consideration of its prior proposal to use its licensed spectrum for a 4G LTE network also citing unresolved concerns over radio spectrum interference with GPS, forcing the company into bankruptcy. In May of this year, Ligado announced $100 million in new funding from unnamed sources.
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Removal of these vessels has resulted in significant improvements in recreational boating access.
County removes derelict vessels from Keys waters with FWC Grant
Florida Keys Weekly
Due to the importance of public safety, the annual BeachWeek events, typically scheduled for the week leading up to Independence Day, has been canceled.
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This suspension of mobile pumpout service is not good news to cruisers in the Florida Keys. Cruisers now must rely on land-based pumpout until mobile pumpout is restored. See link below for locations.
FLORIDA – FLORIDA KEYS: Monroe County Mobile Vessel Sewage Pumpout Service suspension.
Effective July 1, 2020 the Monroe County Mobile Vessel Sewage Pumpout Service will be suspended. Vessel owners are advised that waters of the Florida Keys are within a No Discharge Zone and proof of legal pumpout is required. For a list of available pumpout facilities, please visit www.monroecounty-fl.gov/pumpout or call 305-289-2505 for more information. LNM 25/20
There are more than 30 land-based pump-out facilities located throughout the Keys.
This is why people pump overboard!
Broward County, FL, includes Waterway communities such as Boca Raton, Fort Lauderdale and Hollywood. These actions follow in the wake of a surge in COVID-19 cases in south Florida.
Broward to shut down businesses that don’t comply with social distancing and mask rules
Sun Sentinel
This West Florida county emergency action mirrors similar ordinances recently enacted in east coast Palm Beach, FL. See Masks to be Required. Gulfport continues to be a leader in preventive measures to curb the spread of COVID-19. Gulfport is home to Gulfport Municipal Marina, A CRUISERS NET SPONSOR
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City of Gulfport
2401 53rd Street South
Gulfport, FL 33707
(727) 893-1000
www.mygulfport.us
For Immediate Release, 6/24/2020 – 8:20 AM
CITY OF GULFPORT COVID-19 SAFETY MEASURES:
FACE COVERINGS IN CITY FACILITIES
In addition to the Pinellas County Board of County Commissioners emergency ordinance requiring that citizens wear face coverings in most indoor public places, the City of Gulfport is requiring face coverings in all City of Gulfport public facilities with the exclusion of the Gulfport Recreation Center.
As COVID-19 cases surge, let’s hope this requirement is not too little, too late.
Masks to be required in public places in Palm Beach County
Sun Sentinel
A referendum was put before Key West voters that sought to dredge a wider channel through the Florida Keys National Marine Sanctuary to accommodate super ships and voters defeated the referendum with an astonishing 74% of the vote.
Opinion: Safer, cleaner ships for the future of Key West
Florida Keys Weekly
The original state report on sea level rise in 2010 yielded controversy rather than policy changes to address the problem, but officials say there’s response happening now at the state and local levels
NC’s First Sea Level Rise Report, 10 Years On
Coastal Review Online
This is good news for Waterway cruisers in Georgia. Our thanks to Kim Russo for this announcement posted on AGLCA’s Forum.
Minutes ago the Georgia State Senate passed legislation that will undo the disastrous anchoring regulations that took effect in that state on January 1st of this year. HB 833, sponsored by Georgia Representative (and Gold Looper!), Ron Stephens, passed the Georgia House on March 12th, but didn’t make it to the Senate floor for a vote before the General Assembly adjourned for COVID-19 quarantine. The lawmakers have returned, and the bill passed the Senate today by a vote of 48-1.
HB 833 takes back some of the widespread power the previous law afforded DNR to regulate anchoring. In short, HB 833 removes the ability to require permits for all overnight anchoring, removes the requirement to keep records of pump outs, and perhaps most importantly, removes the requirement that boats not anchor within 1,000 feet of water front structures and within 300 feet of marinas. Instead, the new law changes those set-back distances to 150-feet from waterfront structures, 300-feet from marinas, and 500-feet from commercial shellfish beds for short-term anchoring, which is defined as anchoring in the same place for up to 14 cumulative nights per calendar year. Long term anchoring (over 14 days in the same place) will require a permit.
The bill now requires a signature from the Governor, which is expected soon. Once signed, the new law takes effect immediately.
This is a big win for the boating community and a great example of what our membership can do with our collective advocacy efforts.
Kim Russo
Director
America’s Great Loop Cruisers’ Association
A big thanks to you two Wally and James.. huge thanks.
Thanks CN for all your support publicizing this issue.
As the first inlet into NC waters south of the Chesapeake, Oregon Inlet is very tempting to offshore cruisers. HOWEVER, Oregon Inlet is notorious for shoaling, keeping the USCG busy relocating ATONs. Even with this dredging project, Cruisers Net still recommends attempting navigation ONLY with shoal draft and good local knowledge.
Park Service OKs Oregon Inlet Dredge Plan
Coastal Review Online
If you’re a fan of state parks, you’ll enjoy checking out Florida’s unique selection: the state’s parks encompass more than 800,000 acres across 175 state parks, nine state trails, and many historic sites.
Exploring Florida’s Wild Outdoors
The Epoch Times

Sunset on Long Pines Key Lake, Everglades.(Shutterstock)
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