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    • Sep 28, 2022by:   Larry Dorminy 2 Comments

      Advice on Hurricanes from an Experienced Mariner, Sean Welsh

      Our thanks to Sean Welsh for sharing his experience and knowledge of storm conditions in the southern regions. Current LNMs are also posted and updated daily on Cruisers Net.

      For those headed south toward the FL Gulf Coast, some unsolicited advice
      from a long-time disaster responder, licensed mariner, and full-time
      cruiser:

      I know it’s late in the season and winter is soon upon us. But I suggest
      lingering as far north as practical until well past October. Hurricane
      season does not end until November 30, but, more importantly, you are
      now unavoidably traveling into a major disaster area. Things will not be
      the way you remember them if you’ve been there before, or the way
      they’ve been portrayed to you if this is your first time. Some things to
      keep in mind:

      No one will have time or resources to deal with you. Locals will be
      focused on recovery and self-care. Businesses will be closed (or
      destroyed), have limited hours, or limited stocks. Outsiders traveling
      for pleasure can be perceived (whatever the reality) as consuming
      resources needed to help residents. Or worse, as “disaster tourists.”

      Waterways in the area will have changed from what is shown on the
      charts. Shoals will have moved or developed. Aids to Navigation will be
      missing, off-station, or extinguished. The bottom can be littered with
      debris including sunken vessels or entire structures. Even well after
      these storms you will need to proceed with extreme caution; consider
      traveling offshore if weather permits and avoiding the GIWW and OWW
      altogether if possible.

      Expect waterway closures and security zones, due to damage or recovery.
      Some drawbridges or locks may be inoperative or on reduced schedules.
      Download the Local Notices to Mariners (LNMs) each week, and listen to
      the Broadcast LNMs that the Coast Guard annouces every morning on VHF
      16. LNMs can be downloaded here:
      https://www.navcen.uscg.gov/local-notices-to-mariners-by... — the
      Seventh District will be the relevant one.

      Obtain your fuel, water, and provisions well before reaching south Florida.

      Expect communications to be spotty in many places. Cellular Internet
      will be overloaded, and inoperative in some places. Even voice will have
      issues. SMS typically works better than anything else cellular in a
      disaster area. Make sure you have a good, working VHF in case of emergency.

      Marine supplies and services are likely to be unavailable. If you’ve
      been meaning to pick up a spare impeller, or some extra motor oil, or
      whatever, do it now. The simplest of problems can waylay you for a very
      long time in a place you probably don’t want to be.

      It should go without saying, but do not expect to dock. Anywhere for any
      reason. You might get lucky, but the chances are slim. If you do find a
      place to tie up, it may not have power, water, or pumpout.
      Expect to be self-sufficient once west of Stuart or south of Miami.
      My thoughts are with you and with all the people affected by, and
      responding to the pummeling the gulf coast is receiving. I’m pinned down
      today by offshore weather, with a lot of time on my hands to watch the
      news roll in; it is heartbreaking.

      Sean Welsh

       

      Comments from Cruisers (2)

      1. John Kettlewell -  September 30, 2022 - 1:14 pm

        Good advice. After a major storm like Ian even traveling offshore can be hazardous for quite awhile afterward. Think of all the junk that has washed into the ocean and could be floating out at sea. If your boat successfully weathered the storm, but was within the strong wind area, be sure to give everything a careful check before going anywhere. Make sure your sailboat rigging is all good. I went up the mast after Hurricane Bob and found most of the strands in the forestay were broken, probably due to the intense vibration endured. Similarly, give any cleats and lines a close inspection and consider replacing rope that was under tremendous stress. Make sure water didn't get into your fuel. Be prepared with extra filters when you do go out.

        Reply to John
      2. Greg Allard -  September 30, 2022 - 12:10 pm

        Excellent advice, Sean, which of course will equally apply to cruisers traveling west through the Okeechobee or north from Marathon. Well done article.

        Reply to Greg
    • Sep 19, 2022by:   Larry Dorminy No Comments

      Albemarle Sound boatbuilding exhibit to open Oct. 11

      Whether building boats for business or recreation, or used as a means to freedom, boatbuilders, along with their vessels and shipyards, have impacted the maritime history of the Albemarle Sound.

      Employees of Creef Boatworks in Wanchese are shown on a schooner under construction. Photo courtesy Outer Banks History Center, Manteo.

      Albemarle Sound boatbuilding exhibit to open Oct. 11
      CoastalReview.org

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    • Sep 8, 2022by:   Larry Dorminy No Comments 35.5422,-77.05829999

      Beaufort County’s history, natural areas add to its lure, Pamlico River, NC


       View In Chartview

      A centerpiece of the Inner Banks, Beaufort County features a state park, several smaller parks to complement its colonial heritage and is home to CRUISERS NET SPONSOR, Washington City Docks.

      Beaufort County’s history, natural areas add to its lure
      CoastalReview.org

      Click Here To View the North Carolina Cruisers Net Marina Directory Listing For the Washington City Docks

      Click Here To Open A Chart View Window, Zoomed To the Location of the Washington City Docks

       

       

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    • Sep 8, 2022by:   Larry Dorminy No Comments

      BoatUS offers 3 Boating Safety Tips Just Right for Fall Boating

      BoatUS offers 3 Boating Safety Tips Just Right for Fall Boating

      Annapolis, Md., Sept. 07, 2022 – Fall boating season has arrived, and with it come different types of risks that cold water and air temperatures bring. Here are three boating safety tips from the BoatUS Foundation for Boating Safety and Clean Water just right for leaf peeping season.

      1. A float plan is needed: A float plan is as simple as telling a responsible person where you will be going and when you’ll be back. With fewer other boats on the water (potential Good samaritans) after Labor Day, a float plan ensures rescuers will be notified if you ever fail to check back in after your outing. Additionally, leaving a note under your vehicle’s windshield wiper at the launch ramp can help trigger an alarm.
         
      2. Got a way back into the boat? Falls overboard may be ranked #5 on the 2021 U.S. Coast Guard’s list of the “Top Five Primary Accident Types” with 273 accidents, but they also led the most number of deaths (170 fatal), as well as more fatalities than all the other 4 top accident types combined (#1 collision with vessel-1226 accidents/31 fatal; #2 collision with fixed object- 508 accidents/43 fatal; #3 flooding/swamping-461 accidents/55 fatal; #4 grounding-308 accidents/23 fatal). Your boarding ladder should be functional and accessible as cold water can quickly sap strength. If your boat doesn’t have a built in-ladder, a compact emergency ladder or even a looped line attached to a cleat, pre-rigged with foothold loops every few inches and hung over the transom, can substitute.
         
      3. For life jackets, camo styling hides a danger: Dark green, tan and black camo patterns are remarkable at doing exactly as designed, blending you into your surroundings. However, that’s not a benefit if you happen to be floating in the water and rescuers are searching. If possible, make their job easier and wear a life jacket with high visibility. For smaller vessels and paddlers, leaf peeping season is also a really good time to secure the life jacket to your body – that includes using buckle snaps.

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    • Sep 7, 2022by:   Larry Dorminy No Comments

      Rediscover Fort Raleigh National Historic Site! Albemarle Sound, NC

       
       
       

       

       

       
       

      Rediscover Fort Raleigh National Historic Site!

      Over the next month leading up to Public Lands Day on September 24,
      we’re reintroducing you to our Outer Banks national parks and the amazing stories and experiences they protect!
      Ranger Josh shares what you can experience at Fort Raleigh National Historic Site. 
      Watch Now
      When was the last time you experienced Fort Raleigh National Historic Site? 

      Established in 1941, Fort Raleigh National Historic Site is located on Roanoke Island overlooking the Albemarle Sound. The park is best known as the site of the first attempted English settlement in the “New World,” which is often referred to as the “Lost Colony” for its mysterious disappearance. Prior to the arrival of the English, the island was the home of the Carolina Algonquian peoples.   

      Fort Raleigh National Historic Site was also the site of the Freedmen’s Colony, which was established by freedom seekers and members of the Union Army during the Civil War. After the war, the colony was disbanded, but some brave individuals and families joined together to buy plots of land and establish a community on Roanoke Island. Many of their descendants still live on the island today.  

      Thousands of visitors come to the park each year to learn how this small island has played such an important role in America’s history. 

      Whether you visit the park every year or haven’t been in a while, make plans to rediscover this amazing park: 

      • Reflect at the First Light of Freedom Monument. The First Light of Freedom monument commemorates the Roanoke Island Freedmen’s Colony that was set up during the Civil War. The colony provided a safe haven for freedom seekers to help prepare them for a new life. 
      • Visit the reconstructed earthen fort. Archeological evidence shows an earthwork and science workshop were present on the site in the 1580s. Copper nuggets, charcoal, furnace bricks, and more were discovered just west of the earthwork, which could be the workshop site of Joachim Gans, a metal expert on the 1585 expedition. 
      • Explore history and nature on two beautiful trails. The Freedom Trail is a 1.25 mile-trail through maritime forest that ends with views of the Croatan Sound on the western edge of the park, near the location where the Freedmen’s Colony and Civil War forts once stood. Return by the trail or use the bike path along Highway 64 for a loop back to the Visitor Center of 2.5 miles. For a shorter walk, check out the Thomas Hariot Trail, a 0.3-mile loop through the island’s maritime forest to the sandy shores of Albemarle Sound. Along the way you’ll learn about the forest habitat, the Carolina Algonquian methods for gathering food, and resources the English found valuable on Roanoke Island. 
      • View the 1896 Monument. On November 24, 1896, the Roanoke Island Memorial Association dedicated the marker to Virginia Dare, the first English child born in the “New World.”  

      PS: If you use social media, follow Fort Raleigh National Historic Site on Facebook, Instagram or Twitter to stay up to date with the latest happenings! 

       
      Roanoke Island: New Clues Uncovered In
      Enduring Mystery
      Roanoke Island’s sandy soil has many stories to tell.  One of those stories is that of the “Lost Colony.”

      Archaeologists with the First Colony Foundation – which is dedicated to conducting archaeological and historical research and learning about the first attempted English colonies on Roanoke Island – in partnership with the National Park Service, are working hard to understand what stories this soil holds.

      Learn More
       
      Join A Ranger Program!
      Check out the schedule below for a list of ranger programs that will be offered at Fort Raleigh National Historic Site now through October 9! Limited programs are offered throughout the year; visit the park’s website before you go for the most up-to-date schedule.

      The Freedmen’s Colony – The Civil War on Roanoke 
      A beacon of hope! During the Civil War, Roanoke Island became a safe haven for freedom seekers. Discover the successes and struggles of the Freedmen’s Colony and its fate after the Civil War. 

      The “Lost Colony” – Walking Tour
      Delve into the history and mystery surrounding England’s first attempt to establish a colony in the new world. This walk follows paved sidewalks and is .25 miles in length.  Meet at the plaza outside the Visitor Center. This program is wheelchair accessible.  

      Park Programs
       
      Your Impact: Telling Important Stories 
      With the help of our donors, we are currently working with our National Park Service staff and volunteers to create a new education garden beside the park’s Visitor Center!

      This education garden will include three 2’ x 8’ raised garden beds that will be used to grow crops that were cultivated by the Carolina Algonquian and members of the Freedmen’s Colony. The garden will allow our park’s staff and volunteers to share why these crops were vital to the history of our community. 
       
      The goal of this new education garden is to enhance the understanding of our local history, and to help our park better tell the important stories of the people who shaped our unique community. The garden will also focus on the role women from these communities played in leading, organizing, and performing agriculture.

      Consider a tax-deductible gift today to help us continue to protect and enhance this special place.

      Donate Now
       
      Virtual Education Programs
      Virtual education programs are available at Fort Raleigh National Historic Site! Join a ranger from wherever you are to learn about the diverse stories that the park preserves. These programs are free and can be scheduled for schools and organized groups.

      Contact Josh Nelson, Lead Park Ranger, for more information: Josh_Nelson@nps.gov. 

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      Outer Banks Forever

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      Kill Devil Hills, NC 27948-8086

       

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    • Sep 3, 2022by:   Larry Dorminy No Comments

      Navigating Under Bridges – Passagemaker

      Bridges can be a bit intimidating, and judging from the number of scrapes or damaged timbers seen on fender systems, there is good reason for the concern.

      Flagler Memorial in Palm Beach, on a single span opening

      Navigating Under Bridges by Bob Arrington
      Passagemaker.com

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    • Aug 25, 2022by:   Larry Dorminy No Comments

      Good Reads for the Maritime Community – St Albans Press

      A tale of modern day piracy on the high seas that had its roots in the second world war.

      During the last days of World War II, two SS officers desert the German army and sail with two dozen hijacked tanks to a South American dictatorship. Decades later the same regime, facing a mortal threat, hires a British shipping executive and a former British army captain to perform a daring act of maritime piracy. As the two young Englishmen ally with the elderly SS men, the present mirrors the past – and a remarkable crime on the high seas races to an explosive conclusion.

      Click Here

      www.saintalbanspress.com

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    • Aug 24, 2022by:   Larry Dorminy 1 Comment

      Stop Feeding Wild Animals by Alex Rickert

      Social media might make it seem cool to go viral with the next mind-blowing animal encounter, but feeding many wild animals, especially marine mammals, is already illegal.

      Sharks + intentional feeding = a dangerous situation for all involved. CONTRIBUTED

      STOP FEEDING WILD ANIMALS by Alex Rickert
      Keys Weekly

      Comments from Cruisers (1)

      1. Jim monroe -  August 29, 2022 - 3:08 pm

        We dump our sewer plant discharges into their water, then drain our streets and highways into their environment. But you are worried about humans feeding them???

        Reply to Jim
    • Jul 31, 2022by:   Larry Dorminy No Comments

      Dare County has played key roles in NC history, tourism by Eric Medlin

      In Coastal Review’s continuing series on coastal county history, the county named for the first English child born in the New World still draws people from around the world.

      The current Washington Baum Bridge was completed in 1994. Photo: Roger Mulligan/Creative Commons

      Click here for: Dare County has played key roles in NC history, tourism
      CoastalReview.org

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