A CRUISERS NET SPONSOR, Staniel Cay Yacht Club, a favorite destination for cruisers in the Exumas has always been most accommodating to its visitors. This is your chance to return the support for this fine community through these Care Packages via Makers Air in Fort Lauderdale.
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Safe Harbor City Boatyard, formerly Charleston City Boatyard, a subsidiary of Safe Harbor Marinas, A CRUISERS NET SPONSOR, is found on the northern reaches of the Wando River north of red marker #40.
Click for details on Outboard Service Available!
Click Here To Open A Chart View Window, Zoomed To the Location of Safe Harbor City Boatyard
Click Here To Open A Chart View Window, Zoomed To the Location of Safe Harbor City Marina
The National Park Service starting May 22 will offer more services to visitors of Cape Hatteras National Seashore, Fort Raleigh National Historic Site and Wright Brothers National Memorial.
Outer Banks Parks Visitor Services to Increase
Coastal Review Online
Another unprecedented situation caused by the coronavirus pandemic. Thanks to Greg Allard for sharing.
This photo appears in today’s Wall Street Journal, with the following caption:
“Cruise ships idled off the coast of the Great Harbour Cay, Bahamas, as seen by satellite.
PHOTO: EUROPEAN SPACE AGENCY VIA MAXAR TECHNOLOGIES”
A check of AIS shows the same situation. It’s sad to see the Bahamas become a dumping and storage ground for these ships.
Greg Allard
If you use Marine Traffic or other AIS mapper and pan about the Bahamas and FL, you will see even more. Sad for the trapped crews. I think they are getting bunkered and provisioned occassionally though.
Cruise ships are not allowed to dump over board. They are equipped to treat sewage water, grey water, etc…
No fan of cruise ships but these vessels are not placed in a "dumping" ground as the poster suggested.
Our thanks to Ted Arisaka for posting this article in Save Georgia’s Anchorages.
When a Boat Isn’t: Supreme Court Decides
BoatingLaw.com and Great Harbor Trawlers
Historian David Cecelski introduces his 12-part series, “The Story of Shad Boats,” that explores the origins, construction and history of the workboats found on the North Carolina coast in the late 19th and early 20th centuries.
The Story of Shad Boats
Coastal Review Online
North Carolina State Parks announced this week that trails and restrooms at its parks statewide will open Saturday, including Carolina Beach State Park, Click Here To View the North Carolina Cruisers Net’s Marina Directory Listing For the Camden TDA/Dismal Swamp Canal Welcome Center“>Dismal Swamp State Park, Fort Fisher State Recreation Area, Fort Macon State Park, Goose Creek State Park, Hammocks Beach State Park, Jockey’s Ridge State Park and Pettigrew State Park. This is good news for cruisers wanting to experience the Dismal Swamp Canal Welcome Center, A CRUISERS NET SPONSOR!
Coastal Communities Adjust Restrictions
Coastal Review Online
Our thanks to Gene Faatz for sharing his navigation of Lake Okeechobee. Few of us cruisers ever get to see 26kts, so it is interesting to read his report.
Other than a couple of canoes and crew boats we saw very, very little boat traffic on the St. Lucie River to the St. Lucie Lock. After locking through with a 10 ft. lift it was smooth cruising at 26 kts. all the way to the Port Mayaca Lock which was open for pass through. When clearing the lock and entering Lake “O” it is VERY shallow with depths going down to about 4 ft. and you MUST favor the green markers and idle for about 3/4 of a mile to deeper water. The lake has plenty of water even though it was officially at 11.3 ft. all the way to Clewiston at 26 kts., but at the junction of the rim canal it has shoaled on the NW corner but all was good to the Moore Haven Lock which at this time is about a 1 ft. drop.
Gene Faatz
Click Here To View the Okeechobee Waterway Cruisers’ Net Bridge Directory Listing For St. Lucie Lock
Click Here To Open A Chart View Window, Zoomed To the Location of the St. Lucie Lock
Click Here To View the VA to NC Cruisers’ Net Marina Directory Listing For Moore Haven Lock
Click Here To Open A Chart View Window, Zoomed To the Location of Moore Haven
As you can tell from the comments of Charlie and Jackie, Church Creek is a long-time favorite anchorage. Church Creek anchorage lies 18 miles south of Charleston. Church Creek, with 13-22 ft. depths, indents the eastern flank of the AICW’s hard by marker #77.
3-27-2020- back in one of our favorite anchorages- Church Crk, about mm 486.8. We always go farther into crk than most- quieter! Anchor held first time- never dragged here before. Great Verizon, 19 over air TV, normal tidal current, no shopping or dog walking. Plenty of swing room for many large boats. Beautiful view is worth the stop. Some protection from southerly wind- more of a moderate weather anchorage. This is in top 5 of our favorites- been here well over 12 times- and will be back in future.
Charlie and Jackie on Traveler.
Click Here To Open A Chart View Window, Zoomed To the Location of Church Creek Anchorage
Visitor restrictions will be lifted beginning at 12:01 a.m. Saturday, May 16, for Dare, Hyde and Currituck counties, including Manteo, home to Manteo Waterfront Marina, A CRUISERS NET SPONSOR.
Dare County Board of Commissioners Chairman Bob Woodard announces entry for visitors.
Visitor restrictions will be lifted beginning at 12:01 a.m. Saturday, May 16, for Dare, Hyde and Currituck counties.
The three counties worked together to make the decision after Gov. Roy Cooper Tuesday issued Executive Order 138 that modified the state’s stay-at-home rder and transition to Phase 1 of slowly easing certain COVID-19 restrictions and made the announcement Wednesday morning.
Visitors will be permitted entry to Duck, Southern Shores, Kitty Hawk, Kill Devil Hills, Nags Head, Manteo, Hatteras Island, Roanoke Island, Dare County mainland, Currituck County Outer Banks and Ocracoke Island. Visitors are encouraged to contact their accommodations provider to confirm reservation and arrival plans.
Allowing visitors on May 16 will allow seven days for local businesses, attractions, and accommodations providers to prepare for the arrival of visitors following the new business operating requirements put in place by the governor’s order, according to the counties.
Entry restrictions for visitors to mainland Hyde County were lifted at 5 a.m. Wednesday, Hyde announced. Ocracoke nonresident property owners will be allowed entry May 11. All nonresident property owners should bring their own supplies to sustain themselves in their homes as much as possible such as groceries, medication, paper products and other essentials.
Officials reminded visitors that the pandemic is not over and state and local restrictions are in effect including:
Visitors are encouraged to wear a mask or cloth face covering in public settings where other social distancing measures are difficult to maintain. Officials stressed CDC recommendations to not travel if you are sick or were exposed within 14 days to COVID-19.
Click Here To Open A Chart View Window, Zoomed To the Location of Manteo Waterfront Marina
Ocracoke and Manteo, here we come…
Awesome…tell Carl Jordan in Manteo that Cruisers Net sends its very best to one hell of marina manager.😎
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: Spanish Wells bridge to Russell Island has collapsed
Spanish Wells bridge to Russell Island has collapsed
Posted: 06 May 2020 01:45 PM PDT
A REPORT FROM EYEWITNESS NEWS, BAHAMAS– The bridge from Spanish Wells to Russell Island has collapsed, cutting off access to the islands and cutting off the community’s access to its main water supply.
Progressive Liberal Party Senator Clay Sweeting told Eyewitness News a cement truck and golf cart were on the bridge when it collapsed shortly before 2 p.m.
Sweeting said the government signed a contract to replace the bridge in July 2019.
“It’s been deteriorating for some time,” he said.
“The new bridge is in containers on Russell Island waiting to be installed, so right now it’s not too much that can be done. There are a lot of residents on Russell Island that cannot transport themselves to Spanish Wells and vice versa.
“Also the water main is attached to the bridge and that also has collapsed. So now the community over there will be without water for the most part.”
Sweeting added: “Right now we are trying to assess the situation not much we can do. We need to get some heavy equipment in.”
Dataw Island Marina, a former Cruisers Net sponsor, was completely destroyed by Hurricane Matthew, but has now rebuilt and is open for business (temporarily restricted to day-time only transients and outside dining.) The marina is located just a short distance south off the Waterway via Parrot Creek, then Morgan River, west of marker #6, along the southern banks of the Morgan River. A wonderful, intimate marina and a great stopover!
We are happy to report that the Dataw Island Marina is once again fully operational with fuel, wet slips, dry stack, a restaurant, and a full-service boatyard.
The Dataw Island Marina has rebuilt their wetslips and has a fuel once again. Gone are the days of being limited to dry stack. Hooray!!!
Laura McCarthy
Click Here For The Cruisers Net South Carolina Marina Directory Listing For Dataw Island Marina
Click Here To Open A Chart View Window, Zoomed To the Location of Dataw Island Marina
That time of year is rapidly approaching. Are you, your crew and your vessel ready?
Hurricane Preparedness Week in North Carolina: Determining your risk
OBXToday.com
Hurricane forecasts will see some changes for 2020: Here’s what will be different
WOGX
News you can use from NOAA Planet Stewards.
Planet Stewards Program – The Watch – May 6, 2020
Bahamas Chatter is produced by A CRUISERS NET PARTNER, Explorer Chartbooks, which has long been the standard navigational supplement for enjoyable, informative, and safe cruising through the beautiful Bahamian waters and island visits.
Bahamas Chatter: Cruising Permit Update
Cruising Permit Update
Posted: 05 May 2020 02:06 PM PDT
CRUISING PERMIT UPDATE – from the Bahamas Customs Department:
“Because of the Emergency Orders that are in place, any vessel in Bahamian waters whose Cruising Permit expires will not be penalized. Once the E/O has been lifted, the renewal process will be resumed.”
Regards,
Geannine R. Moss, Ed.D, MBA, MPA
Comptroller of Customs
Bahamas Customs Department
(242) 604-3021, (242) 604-3116
(242) 322-6223 (fax)
Windmill Harbour Marina, A CRUISERS NET SPONSOR, is located on Skull Creek, on the shores of Hilton Head Island. As of 5/6 transients are welcome.
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Click Here To Open A Chart View Window, Zoomed To the Location of Windmill Harbour Marina
Our thanks to Ted Arisaka of Save Georgia’s Anchorages for calling our attention to this article on anchoring restrictions in Georgia, a topic that dominated cruisers’ news in the fall. Enter “anchoring” in our Search Window for related discussions.
Anchorage Problems in Georgia
Charles J Doane, April 20, 2020
Sail Magazine
One of a number of Safe Harbor Marinas along the Intracoastal Waterway, Safe Harbor Charleston City Marina, A CRUISERS NET SPONSOR, is located along the Ashley River’s northeastern banks, northeast of marker #5.
Simplifying your boating experience | Introducing ePay
Click Here To Open A Chart View Window, Zoomed To the Location of Safe Harbor Charleston City Marina
The opening of boat ramps in Miami has had a direct affect on the northern Keys as attested in this report. See also Restrictions on Cruisers Transiting the Keys.
FWC Seeing a Large Number of Non-Residents in Monroe County
The Blue Paper
Visitors are currently banned in the Florida Keys and cruisers wanting to move north are finding marinas and dinghy dockage closed to transients, meaning no supplies. These restrictions on water-born travelers in the Keys is being discussed at length on AGLCA’s Forum and summarized nicely by Ben Sanderson, re-posted here with his permission. See also Non-Residents.
True, legally, transients are barred. However, after living here in Marathon for two years, we have never seen the dinghy police. Just say’n for those in real need who have been quarantined for awhile. We’re leaving in the next few days or we would offer to get the groceries. There are several other loopers still here that may speak up and offer. We are all in this pandemic together.
Another idea is to have Publix deliver the groceries to the fuel dock while you are fueling. They make deliveries from online orders. Not sure about Winn-Dixie.
I was super curious so I checked the boat ramp up by us and there were no signs. So I worked my way down to the ramp by Keys Fisheries (bay/gulf side). Saw the homemade signs and a marked patrol vehicle sitting in the lot as they do at all of the ramps since the new regs went into effect a couple of months ago.
Talked to the officer, CBP T. Diaz, while there and asked why the signs as transients are trying to get food. His words, not mine, were to the effect that during this past late winter too many boaters were anchored off shore and the whole boat ramp and waiting wall was filled with dinghies which interfered with the trailer boats. Understandable. So the city manager put up the signs. I explained the situation with some transient boats needing to get food supplies for a couple of hours so they could head north and he replied that Monroe County deputies wouldn’t write a citation for a dinghy or two if that was what they were doing and the signs really aren’t official anyway as well as no real regulation. Just stay at the end of the wall or better yet, anchor your dinghy a few feet out from shore and wade in. Maybe even leave a note on the dinghy with a contact number.
My recommendation is still to go into or near Boot Key Harbor and anchor semi-legally and then dingy in since the bay side isn’t nearly as good and there is lots of seagrass on that side. I forgot to check Burdines dinghy dock area but a neighbor went there last week by boat and docked without a question raised. Burdines has both fuel and water. Both Pancho’s Fuel Dock and Marathon Marina & RV Resort have fuel and water and are connected to BKHarbor. Bayside, Faro Blanco has fuel only from my understanding. I’ll also bet if you dinghied up to Dockside bar & grill, bought a couple of cold beers and a meal and asked the owner, Simone, if you could leave it tied for an hour while you fetched groceries, I’ll bet she says okay.
FWC Seeing a Large Number of Non-Residents in Monroe County
We were there when they were throwing the proverbial switch on. It was eerie strange to see Mallory Square with only approximately 100 people and 2 performers in it at sunset. The anchorage was packed with boats all around Listeria Island. We had dinner at Jack Flats and Sloppy Joes was closed. They were not selling dinghy permits. Very few places open. The CVS or Starbucks was not open. The Schooner Wharf Bar was open and in full swing with a very good guitar player.
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