CRUISERS NET
Cruisers Helping Cruisers
Comprehensive cruising resource for the Intracoastal Waterways
from Norfolk to the Northern Gulf and Bahamas.
from Norfolk to the Northern Gulf and Bahamas.
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Another Update on Georgia’s Anchoring Restrictions
Our thanks to Ted Ariska of Save Georgia’s Anchorages for forwarding this GNR link further defining Georgia’s anchoring restrictions. See New Boating Laws. Cruisers Net urges you to contribute to the lobbying efforts of SAGA at this AGLCA link.
Georgia DNR has updated their website and published the “Intertidal Harvest Areas and Anchorages” KMZ files that you can download. Using these files on Google Earth on your GPS equipped smartphone can show your position relative to these no-overnight-anchoring zones. https://gadnr.org/liveaboardscThey have not published their marina and marine structures KMZ files for some reason, but we will ask them to do so.Regards, TedBe the first to comment!
Shared Photo by Keith Green, Sr.
A lovely moonset taken from Southport, NC, home of Southport Marina, A CRUISERS NET SPONSOR!
Click Here To View the North Carolina Cruisers Net Marina Directory Listing For Southport Marina
Click Here To Open A Chart View Window, Zoomed To the Location of Southport Marina
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Getting Through COVID-19 – Adaptation and Change for the Marina Market
COVID-19’s economic impact on the recreational boating and marina industries has been mixed.
Getting Through COVID-19 – Adaptation and Change for the Marina Market
Marina Dock AgeBe the first to comment!
Protect Marine Mammals and Birds by Recycling Used Fishing Line
With fishing line taking more than 600 years to break down in the environment, it is vital that we increase the uptake of recycling of used line and commit to disposing of it correctly.
Help us protect marine mammals and birds by promoting recycling of used fishing line
Rick Wallace, Tackle VillageBe the first to comment!
“Birds of the Gulf Coast” by Jim Stevenson
Here is a book that might inspire you to get outdoors more and to expand your interest in local birds.
Fran James, Special to the Democrat
Former Tallahassee teacher has new book on Gulf Coast birds
Tallahassee.comBe the first to comment!
Bahamas Chatter: Bahamian Covid
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: Bahamian Covid
Bahamian Covid Posted: 04 Jan 2021 05:06 AM PST
Just talked to a captain returning from a Christmas/New Years trip to the Bahamas.
Come for the sunshine….go home with Covid.
4 people have already tested positive and others are having symptoms.
Damn it…wear a mask and be careful everyone or we’ll never get to travelComments from Cruisers (2)
- Reply to Perry
Since you have to COVID free to receive the shots I would hope they would accept us.
- Reply to James
I have been following the continuously changing policies for entry into the Bahamas. My wife and I just got our first of two vaccines for Covid (we got Moderna). Is anyone hearing that proof of vaccination may in the future suffice for entry into the Bahamas?
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More on Capsized Golden Ray Removal, St. Simons Sound, GA, near AICW Statute Mile 677
The wreck of the capsized PCTC Golden Ray has taken more than a year to remove from St. Simons Sound, Georgia. This is the first clear view of the autos lost. Also see Safety Zone.
© Savannah Corps of Engineers via Facebook The Golden Ray has been awaiting removal since September 2019, when the 656-foot-long ship caught on fire and capsized with 4200 newly built vehicles on board.
Capsized Car-Carrying Cargo Ship Cut in Half as Salvage Continues
CarandDriverVideo: Stern Section of Golden Ray Removed on Barge
Maritime ExecutiveBe the first to comment!
Georgia Anchoring Update
Our thanks to AGLCA Director Kimberly Russo for posting this update on AGLCA’s Forum and to Ted Arisaka for his research. See also Update on Anchoring in Georgia.
I’m sharing some information on the Georgia Anchoring issue that was prepared by one of our Coalition members, Ted Arisaka. Ted prepared this information to help show the impacts Coalition’s efforts to preserve our cruisers’ rights in Georgia’s waters over the last few years.
Here we analyzed the 150 unique anchorages as published in Active Captain, Waterway Guide and Cruisers’Net between 2019 Legislation HB201 and 2020 replacement bill HB833, showing the dramatic growth of what Georgia DNR considered approved shellfish harvest areas – impact grew from 19 prohibited anchorages to 50 prohibited anchorages.
SGA Shellfish Harvest Areas 2019 / Early 2020 comparison photo album
After offline dialogue with GA DNR, documenting the impact to 50 anchorages, they greatly reduced these areas to impact “only” 11 anchorages. These maps show the 150 anchorages in Georgia – OK in yellow, Prohibited in red. Bob423 tracks on ICW shown in magenta.
Dec 2020 Maps of Reduced Shellfish Harvest Area Impact to 11 Anchorages
Georgia House Bill 833 Passed Into Law 2020
Here is an interactive map published by DNR showing the various anchoring zones for marine structures setbacks, marina setbacks and approved shellfish harvest area setbacks. (There is a legend for the colors). You can also put Lat / Long in the search field. Georgia DNR Liveaboard Anchoring Illustrative Map
Here is our FB group that has chronicled the evolution of these regs as well as some of our communications and analyses. There are also video recordings of the initial DNR presentation to the public on their stated rationale for the need of the original HB201. Save Georgia’s Anchorages Facebook
GA DNR Page re: Commercial Shellfish Harvest
Cruisers’ Net Update on Steamboat Creek SC including USCG LNM Excerpt
Georgia House Bill 501 (2019) governing Commercial Shellfish
Best Regards,
Ted Arisaka
s/v Little Wing Valiant 42 #186
If you value this kind of work done for the cruising community, please consider contributing to the Boater’s Rights Advocacy Fund. Our coalition is currently fundraising for 2021. We need your help to be able to continue working to keep anchorages open for boaters. Contribute now!
Kim Russo
Director
America’s Great Loop Cruisers’ Association
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Goodbye 2020, Hello 2021! Gulfport Historical Society, Gulfport, FL
During the pandemic, the Gulfport Historical Society continues its educational activities for the City of Gulfport, home to Gulfport Municipal Marina, A CRUISERS NET SPONSOR, located on the northern shores of Boca Ciega Bay and easily accessible from the Western Florida ICW, just north of Tampa Bay.
A New Years Message to Our Members
Dear Gulfport Historical Society Members,
Well, it’s been quite a year!
While most of us will be happy enough to see the end of 2020, it’s worth taking a moment to reflect on what we as a community have been able to accomplish, even in difficult times.
2020 started strong with two porch parties that packed the house—one honoring Gulfport’s first woman mayor, Mayor Yvonne Johnson, and another featuring research on Flamingo Tour ’20 homes presented by one of our outstanding volunteers, John Avery. And, of course, we wagged in five new elected “pawficers” through our first-ever Pet Mayor competition. (By the way, due to the smaller number of live events we hosted this year, we have decided to extend their terms for another year, giving them a few more opportunities to represent our four-legged constituency. But we do plan to hold another pet election in 2022!)
Then COVID hit, and, like everyone else, we had to rethink how we did just about everything. We had to close the museum, but we found new ways to reach our community through virtual Florida Snapshots presentations on everything from local shell mounds to Florida food traditions to Florida’s natural history. We brought you back to the museum—just outside, on the lawn—for socially distanced porch parties, celebrating Gulfport’s spirit of volunteerism alongside Gulfport Votes 100% and hearing fabulous tales of the early settlers of Pinellas County from Erik Anderson. With the help of our fantastic volunteers, we also worked to get the Gulfport Arts Center ready to become a hub for local artists and arts classes that will help us fully engage our mission to celebrate Gulfport’s history and culture.
We are looking forward to the year to come! As the pandemic situation begins to improve, we plan to reopen the museum in February and launch our first programs at the Gulfport Arts Center. We are working on another year of great porch parties, both virtual and in person, to bring our community together for fellowship and learning. And, as ever, our walking tours, offered every third Saturday of the month, remain a great way to get to know Gulfport’s unique history.
Your support makes all of this possible. Please consider donating to the Gulfport History Society. Giving is easy—you can do it online here—and every bit helps us keep on preserving and celebrating the history of the town we all love.
Wishing you all a happy new year!
-Gulfport Historical Society
Copyright © 2020 Gulfport Historical Society, All rights reserved.
You’re getting our emails because you either signed up at the Gulfport History Museum, the Gulfport Arts Center, online, or at one of our events. You might also be on the City of Gulfport’s mailing list. You may unsubscribe from this list at any time, although it will make us sad.Our mailing address is:Gulfport Historical Society
5301 28th Avenue SouthGulfport, FL 33707
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Massive, Unrivalled Deep-Sea Project Just Discovered a Bunch of New Atlantic Species
Exploring 12 locations in the deep northern Atlantic, the project has set a gold standard for future marine research.
Massive, Unrivalled Deep-Sea Project Just Discovered a Bunch of New Atlantic Species
ScienceAlertBe the first to comment!
Deeper Dive into the World of NC’s Sea Jellies
Underwater photographer Robert Michelson continues in the second of a two-part series to explore the world of sea jellies and their relatives in North Carolina waters.
Deeper Dive into the World of NC’s Sea Jellies
Coastal Review OnlineBe the first to comment!
Strange Beauty: Jellyfish of the NC Coast
Here is definitely a case of your needing be sure to look before you leap overboard for a swim or a repair.
First in a two-part series Jellyfish are some of the coolest looking creatures that live in North Carolina’s waters. Found in all coastal areas of the state, there’s a dozen different species that can be observed at various times of year while swimming, scuba diving, snorkeling or simply walking along the beach.
Strange Beauty: Jellyfish of the NC Coast
Coastal Review OnlineBe the first to comment!
Shared Photo by Keith Green, Sr.
A sunset as seen from Southport, NC, home to Southport Marina, A CRUISERS NET SPONSOR!
Click Here To View the North Carolina Cruisers Net Marina Directory Listing For Southport Marina
Click Here To Open A Chart View Window, Zoomed To the Location of Southport Marina
Comments from Cruisers (1)
- Reply to greg
Keith – Great photo. It's difficult sometimes to make a good photo of a commercial boat, but you certainly did that.
Greg Allard
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Praise for Cove Anchorage, GIWW MM 36.5
Cove Anchorage is found on the waters of the large cove indenting the Waterway’s northeastern banks at unlighted daybeacon #35. Our thanks to James Aughton for this review.
This anchorage is near perfect, in the middle of a No Wake zone and well protected from winds. Unfortunately, this is not a great location during the hot, humid Florida summers. And don’t leave the hatch open after sunset, the no-seeums will eat you up. End of roadway just to the south is a good dinghy landing and short walk east to Publix grocery store.
James AughtonClick Here To View the Western Florida Anchroage Directory Listing For Cove Anchroage
Click Here To Open A Chart View Window Zoomed To the Location of Cove Anchorage
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Good Review of Englewood Anchorage, GIWW MM 44.5, Englewood, FL
Englewood Anchorage lies east of the Western Florida ICW, north of marker #25. Don’t confuse this anchor down spot with the Englewood Beach Anchorage while is located west of the ICW’s track. Our thanks to James Aughton for this review.
Good summer anchorage, usually a good breeze and few bugs as you can anchor away from shore. Adjacent to county park with beach and boat ramp/docks for landing. One mile walk to east is Grocery & Drug store.
James AughtonClick Here To Open A Chart View Window, Zoomed To the Location of the Englewood Anchorage
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Pinellas: Cold Weather Shelters to Open the nights of Friday, Dec. 25 and Saturday, Dec. 26
Gulfport Municipal Marina, A CRUISERS NET SPONSOR, and the City of Gulfport always have a full calendar of events for all ages. The marina and harbor, found on the northern shores of Boca Ciega Bay, are easily accessible from the Western Florida ICW, just north of Tampa Bay.
Immediate ReleaseDec. 23, 2020Media ContactsCliff Smith, Coordinator, Pinellas County Cold Night Shelter Program, (727) 698-1809Lauren Wolf, Coordinator, Pinellas County Cold Night Shelter Program, (813) 951-5632Pinellas: Cold weather shelters to open to homeless Christmas nightDue to forecasted low temperatures, the Homeless Leadership Alliance of Pinellas County will activate shelters Friday and SaturdayVolunteers will open cold weather shelters on Christmas night to provide a warm, safe space for residents experiencing homelessness to avoid cold temperatures this weekend. The shelters will open the nights of Friday, Dec. 25 and Saturday, Dec. 26 from approximately 7 p.m. and close the following morning at 6 a.m. Shelter guests are provided a hot evening meal and breakfast the following morning. Guests will be advised if the shelter will be open on additional nights as conditions warrant.The following cold weather shelters are available to adult men and women:ClearwaterMLK Jr Neighborhood Center1201 Douglas AveClearwater, FL 33755(813) 951-5632Note: This shelter opens at 8 p.m.Pinellas ParkBoy and Girls Club of the Suncoast in Pinellas Park7709 61st Street N.Pinellas Park, FL 33781(727) 547-5437St. PetersburgNorthwest Presbyterian Church6330 54th Avenue N.St. Petersburg, FL 33706(727) 544-4551The Turning Point1810 5th Avenue N.St. Petersburg, FL 33713(727) 823-7811Salvation Army1400 4th Street S.St. Petersburg, FL 33705(727) 822-4954Tarpon SpringsBoys and Girls Club of Tarpon Springs111 W. Lime StreetTarpon Springs, FL 34689(727) 937-6837Families with children will be placed in family shelters on cold nights. Families should call 2-1-1, Tampa Bay Cares, Inc., for information about family shelters.“Working at a homeless cold weather shelter on Christmas night is a unique and wonderful thing,” said Lauren Wolf, who coordinates the program with Cliff Smith. “This is neighbors helping neighbors and is the ultimate expression of the Christmas spirit.”This giving spirit is present year-round for the volunteers, organizers and faith-based and community centers who open their doors to serve our houseless neighbors. However, this year is especially challenging due to COVID-19. Fewer volunteers are able to help, while more are required for temperature checks and distribution of face masks and sanitizer. With the number of homeless residents on the rise, social distancing requiring more physical space, and cleaning and safety protocols, covering basic expenses has become an even bigger challenge.“We are grateful to a community that is always willing to support those in need,” said the program’s co-coordinator Cliff Smith. “At this time when all faiths come together during a season of giving, we are hoping for continued support and assistance to continue helping our most vulnerable individuals.”For information on volunteering and supporting cold weather shelters, contact Cliff Smith at msuspartanman@msn.com or Lauren Wolf at lwolf@learning-empowered.org, or visit www.pinellashomeless.org/get-involved .###Be the first to comment!
Martin County Moments, December 2020
At the intersection of the Atlantic Intracoastal Waterway and the Okeechobee Waterway, Martin County, A CRUISERS NET SPONSOR, is a hub of boating activity and of events of interest to boaters.
December 2020
Happy Holidays from all of us at Discover Martin
As 2020 draws to a close, we’re wishing everyone a safe and healthy holiday season. Despite the challenges faced during this unprecedented year, we are looking ahead to brighter days ahead in the New Year, and hope you are too.
The holiday cheer kicked off with this dazzling display in Jensen Beach! The 50,000-square-foot oceanfront private residence shines bright with more than 700,000 bulbs! You can read more about the beloved annual tradition in this blog post from Just Short of Crazy.
“You Have to See This Jensen Beach Mansion Christmas Lights Display” 
In case you missed it, we launched the Missed Milestones program last month! The campaign acknowledges that everyone has missed an important milestone this year – from birthdays and weddings to graduations, holidays, and more.
We’re inviting you to come celebrate your Missed Milestone in Martin County next year with a much-deserved getaway. Book 2 nights at a participating hotel partner before December 31 and you’ll get an extra night for free to redeem in 2021 when you’re comfortable traveling again
️🧳 Learn more about the special offers below.
*Offer varies and is valid only at participating lodging partners – other restrictions may apply*
Still looking for the perfect Christmas present? It’s not too late! We’ve rounded up some of the best gift ideas you can still snag from local Martin County businesses.
From foodies and fashionistas to adventure seekers and animal enthusiasts – there’s something perfect for everyone on your list. Head over to our blog to read the full Martin County 2020 Gift Guide. Don’t forget: local businesses need our support more than ever!
Martin County 2020 Holiday Gift Guide 
Did you catch a glimpse of the Beaver Moon at the beginning of the month?
🤩
This shot was captured at the Savannas Preserve State Park by local photographer Chris Spain (@wizsnap on Instagram). For more inspiration, be sure to follow us on Instagram!
Follow Along on Instagram 
Forget to send a holiday card this year? Then email your loved ones a FREE digital postcard, right from Martin County. You can select your favorite design and even add a personalized message. What are you waiting for? Send one today!
Send a Postcard From Paradise! 
Yahoo! recently named Stuart one of America’s most charming towns that you need to add to your must-visit list! Our under-the-radar appeal and uncrowded beaches helped us make the cut. Read the full article to see what other destinations made it onto their list
Read the Full Article Here 
How delicious does this merry mint mocha latte look? Gilbert’s Coffee Bar serves up creative concoctions all year long, but this might be our favorite. Grab one before they’re gone!
Gilbert’s Coffee Bar 
Need some inspiration before you set intentions and make resolutions for 2021? Then jump over to our YouTube channel to watch our new “Resolve to Return” video.
Show Me the Video 
There are lots of exciting events on the horizon here in Martin County! From the 47th Annual Stuart Boat Show to the Jensen Beach Fine Art & Craft Show, there’s something for everyone to look forward to. Check out our lineup of January events below ⚓
January Events in Martin County 
If you’re planning to take a trip in the New Year, make sure to review our Special Offers page — it’s updated regularly and features lots of new packages and special rates.
For even more inspirational content, follow us across our social media platforms and be sure to share your favorite Martin County memories using #DiscoverMartin.
2401 SE Monterey Road Stuart Fl 34996
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Oil Drilling near Florida Coast
Bahamas Petroleum Company has started drilling for oil just 150 miles off Florida’s coast, prompting a dire warning from members of Congress.
Oil drilling near Florida coast
SunSentinelBe the first to comment!
Keep Plastics Out of Our Seafood
With little doubt that microplastics find their way into seafood, Todd Miller of the North Carolina Coastal Federation says we should be doing everything possible to reduce the amount of plastic released into coastal waterways.
Keep Plastics Out of Our Seafood
Coastal Review OnlineBe the first to comment!
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