Harborwalk Marina, A SALTY SOUTHEAST CRUISERS’ NET SPONSOR! is the northwesternmost marina on the downtown Georgetown/Sampit River waterfront. Check out their shiny new, first-rate, shower and laundry building! Skipper Herl’s report isn’t dated, but it seems to coincide with the current heatwave we are enduring in SC.
Harborwalk Marina Just a short run, 4 hr, north of Lelands [McClellanville] into Georgetown to Harborwalk Marina. Cris met us at the dock. Cris and my crew prevented me from crashing and burning at the dock. We arrived early so were able to take a walk down town, It is hot (100deg.) so the walk was short but very interesting. Visited the museum and some stores, they all had AC. The dock was nice, it was just too hot to do anything. Phil and Sandy Herl
We spent a month at this marina just after it was updated in 2009. The staff and the facilities were excellent. The location is perfect for strolling downtown or through the back streets with the lovely houses.
As a delivery captain with over 200 Florida to New York transits under my keel, when weather is more than marginal, I try to make Georgetown a stop. Cris, the new dockmaster, took over for my old friend Dave and the service has not suffered one bit.
I like Thomas Cafe for an early morning bite before I get underway and the River Room can hold it’s own with the finest of restaurants.
Swamp Players has live theater when in production.
Recently renovated Leland Oil Company sits on the northern shores of Jeremy Creek in the heart of McClellanville, hard by the stream’s charted turn to the west. Like many others, we find McClellanville to be one of the most delightful stops on the AICW and yet it’s known to only a few cruisers. Our thanks to Skipper Herl for this report and excellent photos.
Leland Marina Started out first thing in the AM and made good time, too good. Or maybe I just did not calculate the tide correctly. Anyway, early for Lelands Marina (low tide) so we just dropped an anchor and waited out the tide and came in after 3:00 pm with no problems. Lelands is a small Marina, very friendly and close to the ICW. We did have some issues with the electric (weak breakers) but we got it sorted out. Lelands are trying to continue to upgrade but still have some bumps to get over. I would stay again if for no other reason than the location is great for picking up fresh shrimp for dinner. The town (McClellanville SC) is small and very quiet. All within walking distance. Phil Herl
When southbound, the Waterway turns southwest into Esterville Minim Creek Canal exiting Winyah Bay at Mile 410.5. The cable operated ferry crossing is now a floating swing bridge crossing at Mile 411.5. Folks who remember Sunset Beach floating bridge fondly (!) will look forward to seeing this apparatus first hand. Our thanks to Skipper Murdoch for these photos.
At St M 411 in place of the Esterville Ferry is new “Floating Swing Bridge” somewhat like the old Sunset Beach Bridge. Here are some pictures taken yesterday. Bill Murdoch
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Comments from Cruisers (2)
Dave Boxmeyer- June 6, 2015 - 10:35 am
Just what we need, a new swing bridge. I remember the Sunset Beach bridge very well. We all held our breath every time they had to open or close it. I had mixed emotions when it was replaced. The Sunset Beach was a piece of history that I thought was lost, now I see it has been reincarnated and the ferry has faded away.
Not to worry… this will never be like the old Sunset Beach pontoon bridge, which opened just once an hour (and took forever!). I talked to the Director at the Tom Yawkey Wildlife Refuge, who told me that they are the only ones who use it, and maybe just a couple times a day at the most. They actually use skiffs to get across most of the time and only use the new bridge if they need to get vehicles or equipment across. So…the bridge will stay pinned to the bank and open to marine traffic almost all of the time. He says they can get the bridge in place and vehicles across in just 4 or 5 minutes, so even if you need to stop, you’ll get to see the pontoon bridge in action without too much delay. A much bigger hazard is the boat ramp next to it…it can get really busy! Mike Ahart Editor, Waterway Guide
On May 6, we posted this Update on the Ladys Island Swing Schedule, /?p=148206, in which the new restrictions applied M-F only. Today we received another update from our good friend, Mike Ahart of Waterway Guide, that increases the restrictions to seven days a week.
The temporary deviation for Ladies Island Swing Bridge in Beaufort SC does apply on weekends and holidays, to the consternation of the bridge tenders and all the sailboaters waiting hours for a bridge opening on a Sunday morning!
I had talked to the tenders when the new schedule started, and they said, despite the notice, that it would not apply to weekends/holidays…well, I guess they were “corrected.” Another strange thing is that the notice applies to all vessels, including commercial. The bridge tenders raised a stink about that, since the tugs and barges are on schedule and cannot stop ‘“ so, apparently, the Coast Guard is allowing the bridge to open on signal for tugs and barges, despite never changing or issuing a notice to reflect this (at least not one I have managed to find).
BTW: On CruisersForum.com, someone cited a posting at SSECN from 2010…but also pointed to the current bridge listing.
We are sitting at Beaufort waiting for a 9am opening on Sunday morning since 6 this morning. Three boats have called for an opening. This is criminal and we must email. call do what ever we can to stop this insanity. There is no way to make Charleston in one day or come the other way. Please write all SC relevant politicians, Beaufort officialdom and the CG! Thanks
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Charleston is home to several marinas just off the Waterway, including three SALTY SOUTHEAST CRUISERS’ NET SPONSORS, Charleston Harbor Marina, Charleston City Marina and St. Johns Yacht Harbor.
For 17 days and nights each spring, Spoleto Festival USA fills Charleston, South Carolina’s historic theaters, churches and outdoor spaces with performances by renowned artists as well as emerging performers in opera; theater; dance; and chamber, symphonic, choral and jazz music. Now in its 39th season, Spoleto Festival USA is internationally recognized as America’s premier performing arts festival.
Just what Myrtle Beach needs, more condominiums! If you have cruised through those very attractive, still undeveloped properties along the ICW in Myrtle Beach, maybe you have probably already thought that development is inevitable. That’s 2000 acres of development!
And this from WBTW News 13, May 6
Horry County Council loosens restrictions on Intracoastal Waterway development HORRY COUNTY, SC- Council voted Tuesday to relax it’s restrictions on Intracoastal Waterway development.
A resolution passed that would allow for construction on spoil easements that line the body of water. Spoil easements are piles of dirt and sediment dug up during dredging. The county originally prohibited development on easements because they played a critical role in keep the canal clear for boats. However, several property owners got permission from the Army Corps of Engineers to build projects like a pool or a patio, according to Horry County attorney Arrigo Carotti. As a result, Council decided to allow for the issuance of building permits with written consent from the corps. “If it’s okay with the corps, it will be okay with county,” said Carotti. Army Corps of Engineers Spokesperson Sarah Corbett said they agreed to allow construction conditionally, meaning the corps could revoke the privilege at any time for dredging purposes. Waccamaw River Keeper Paula Reidhaar said development on easements could negatively impact the environment. “These are areas of land right along the edges of the waterway, which is why they were designated as potential spots to put this spoil material,” said Reidhaar. ” Anytime you’re opening up potential development for right along the water, there’s issues.” One major issue concerns rain water. Reidhaar said the easements act as filters to keep run-off out of the waterway. “Any time it’s going over a solid surface, the water just keeps carrying all of these materials to first available body of water,” she said. Run-off often consists of chemicals. Reidhaar said it can dangerously affect drinking water, fish or recreational activities. “Some of this may be upstream but it all becomes one body of water downstream so it certainly can have impacts,” stated Reidhaar.
May 4, 2015 Horry County officials say a years-old proposal to relax restrictions on development along the Intracoastal Waterway is getting some traction, although the process will be long and expensive.
The Sun News of Myrtle Beach reported (http://bit.ly/1bq8wle) that county officials are discussing a proposal with the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers that would allow for construction on about 2,000 acres of waterfront land.
The project involves tracts that are privately owned but fall under easements held by the corps. County attorney Arrigo Carotti says the corps has researched an issue involving sites that hold dredged material.
Corps spokeswoman Sara Corbett says the agency has asked the county to provide environmental assessments that the corps will use to decide whether to release the easements. She says t no decision has been made.
Coquina Harbor Yacht Club guards the eastern banks of Coquina Harbor. Coquina Harbor itself cuts into the northern banks of the Waterway, opposite unlighted daybeacon #13.
We have stopped here both coming and going to the Bahamas over the last ten years. We’ve never been disappointed. Sandy Otten, the dock master, could not be more friendly. We rate it one of the best small marinas on the ICW and a great value. Bill Murdock
We stopped at Coquina Yacht Club April 30,2015 and we totally agree with the comments made by Bill Murdock. This was our first visit ; Sandy Otten, Dockmaster is fantastic; very, very kind and caring; she along with her buddy Bob helped us dock, brought my wife to the grocery store, etc. great stop and great value; will stop again.
The marina mentioned below in this report from AGCLA’s Forum is recently renovated Leland Oil Company on the northern shores of Jeremy Creek, in the heart of McClellanville, hard by the stream’s charted turn to the west. Like Quo Vadimus’s skipper, we find McClellanville to be one of the most delightful stops on the AICW and, yet, it’s known to only a few cruisers. Stop for awhile and make the acquaintance of this village that time has forgotten. You won’t be sorry!
Just an update, we are here on 28 April 2015 and are happy. Little town, dollar store, a place to eat, etc. Good seafood store the other way, got some huge shrimp for $8.99 a pound. Crab dip is very good and they had 100 count bags of clams we may pick up if we stay a second day. Docks are in good shape, the river is deep on the north side. People hang out at the marina that are willing to give you rides to the stores, etc. If you are here the first Saturday in May (in 2015 its 2 May) is the annual shrimp festival. Shrimp, Crab, fish, games, music, crafts, etc. I was told it’s “A real nice day” Foster and Susan Quo Vadimus Nowhere OK
Captain Healy’s observations taken at MLLW is good news for most northbound cruisers, because this area has been the source of shallow water reports last Fall. See /?p=145005. SSECN still recommends mid to high tide passage if you draw 5ft or more!
On Tuesday, 4/28/2015, between 10h30 and 10h50 EDST, Sanctuary and crew transited the ICW between R”42″ and G”35″ south of Jeremy Creek, McClellanville, SC, northbound, essentially at the morning low tide (+0.6 at 11h14) for the day. Here is our observation report:
Comments: 1. We met a SB tug/tow at R”48.” Asked him for “tips” for handling the McClellanville shallows. His answer was: “Stay in the middle. Stay off the bottom!” Then he added: “I draw 7 ft, and I float through this stretch.” Well folks, he may float, but I would observe, just barely… 2. Exact path through the area matters; stay well off the markers. Slalom course-line is OK.
* Almanac numbers based on Garmin chart plotter matched to Coastal Explorer’s tide table.
This AICW Problem Stretch has been shoaling badly along its southern and southeastern flank between the Ben Sawyer and Isle of Palms Bridges.
On Tuesday, 4/28/2015, between 07h20 and 07h40 EDST, Sanctuary and crew transited Mt. Pleasant, SC, northbound, between the Ben Sawyer Bridge and Isle of Palms, at mid-tide (falling). Here is our observation report:
Conclusions: 1. Shallowest water is north of G”119″ and nearby but south of Green floater G”117A.” 2. Exact path through the area matters; favor red for best water depths through this entire stretch. Proceed carefully in the vicinity of G”117A” at Swinton Creek. * Almanac numbers based on Garmin chart plotter matched to Coastal Explorer’s tide table. Jim Peg and Jim Healy aboard Sanctuary, currently northbound at Socastee, SC
And this from AGLCA’s Forum:
Just north of Charleston is the swing bridge at the entrance to the ICW heading north. Between markers 119 to the next bridge (and mostly around marker 117) it is very shallow. After getting a positive trip report from Seahorse on a successful trip, we went today. Only difference was an hour difference of tide. We watched a sailboat and a tow get stuck at marker 117. While TowBoatUS says to keep to the red side (port), the key is to go at least 2 hours AFTER low tide. The thicker water (note not a channel) is to the red side, but don’t stray too far. Note that there are shoals at the ocean inlets, so at those points the green side does get thin. Quo Vadimus Nowhere OK Foster and Susan
Fenwick Cut slices through a narrow neck of Fenwick Island and connects the Ashepoo River with the Stono, north of the infamous Ashepoo-Coosaw Cutoff which Captain Healy wisely avoided by taking the alternate route east around Combahee Bank in St. Helena Sound, see /?p=145808. The alternate route adds about 5 statute miles to your route.
Fenwick Cut, northbound at 09h10 DST 4/27/2015:
8.6 ft observed today, mid-channel, south entrance +1.8 ft tide level per Garmin chart plotter almanac, therefore 6.8 ft MLLW control depth transiting the cut
The anchorage at the mouth of Calabash Creek, just below the NC-SC state line, has been a popular stop for years, owing in no small part to the delicious seafood awaiting a dinghy ride up the creek. Sad to have it shoaled in.
21 April 2015, attempted to anchor in the creek but saw that the anchorage had shoaled badly. Rather than anchor within the channel, we went back to Coquina Yacht Club marina for a fantastic rate of a dollar a foot plus three bucks for power with BoatUS. Third night is free. Very nice marina people’¦have scratched the Calabash creek anchorage off the list of possibilities. Too bad, considering we anchored there a little over two years ago and had fine depths and a very pleasant night’¦ Barry Umberger
Coquina Harbor Yacht Club guards the eastern banks of Coquina Harbor. Coquina Harbor itself cuts into the northern banks of the Waterway, opposite unlighted daybeacon #13.
21 April 2015, attempted to anchor in the creek [Calabash] but saw that the anchorage had shoaled badly. Rather than anchor within the channel, we went back to Coquina Yacht Club marina for a fantastic rate of a dollar a foot plus three bucks for power with BoatUS. Third night is free. Barry Umberger
We have stopped here both coming and going to the Bahamas over the last ten years. We’ve never been disappointed. Sandy Otten, the dock master, could not be more friendly. We rate it one of the best small marinas on the ICW and a great value.
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Northern Fields Cut, which was listed as a hazard to navigation (see /?p=143997) in Local Notices in August of 2014, is always an area to approach cautiously and at mid to high tide. Our thanks to Skipper Hale for this update. For a another depth report from Captains Mark and Diana Doyle, see /?p=144010
April 11, 2015 northbound. We entered Fields Cut at about 1:45 after low water. We were carrying MLLW+ 2 feet. We stayed mid channel and never saw less than 10 feet. At the north end at R48A, we were half way between the buoy and shore and saw 20 feet. There is a slight shoal just after R48A but we saw 10 feet as we crossed it. We are a trawler drawing 4.5 feet and were running `point’ for a sailboat which drew 6’2’³. They also were fine all the way through. Cheers, Tom Hale Northbound on the ICW
Skipper Hale’s passage is what we can all hope for through this Problem Stretch. However, as recent as this past October (/?p=145007), depths of less than 5ft were reported via ARGUS readings at the south end of the Cut. Tidal range is 5-7ft here and is certainly a factor in deciding to take the Cutoff or use the longer alternate route, see /?p=141157. Be sure to click the ARGUS option at the top of the ChartView page.
Ashpoo Coosaw cut off. We are north bound and arrived at the south end 1.5 hour after low water. We were carrying +1.5′ as we entered. The lowest we saw was just inside G185 we had over 6 feet but we might have been too far to the right. At G177 we had 20 feet of water. Clearly it is quite dependent on where you are, and there were times we were hunting a bit to find the best water. 30 or 40 feet to either side of our track could have been quite different,I think you can still take 4″ draft through at low water. There were three trawlers ahead of us the largest one was 50 feet and she was almost half an hour head of us. I think this passage is doable for most of the tidal cycle. Certainly the 4 hours before high water and 2-3 hours after high water. A sailboat half an hour behind us followed our track and instructions. They saw nothing less than 8.5′ Cheers, Tom Hale Northbound on the ICW Charleston SC
My family can second these recommendations on observing wildlife in South and North Carolina, as posted on AGLCA’s Forum. These sections are some of the prettiest passages in the Waterway. You can find charts to each the ICW miles given by using the “STATUTE MILE/LAT-LON WIDGET” at the top of our Homepage.
Going north on the ICW in South Carolina near mile 425 up through South Santee River keep your eyes peeled for several eagles who live in the area. Every single time we go through this area we see them. Next section is what I have deemed alligator alley is from North Santee River curve R16 through mile 416, one year in mid-May we spotted 18 on the banks and in the water. Also keep eyes open in the Waccamaw River from mile 385 to 377 we’ve spotted them in this section as well. Pam & Eric on Pier Pressure headed home to Beaufort, NC
Ladys Island Swing Bridge has had conflicts between road traffic and vessel openings for several years, see /?p=35995. Our thanks to good friend, John Kettlewell, for sending along this article from Sounding’s Trade Only section, prompting several well-said comments. With a closed vertical clearance of 30ft, Ladys Island Bridge crosses the waterway at Statute Mile 536.
See /?p=147653 for a 4/3 response from USCG 7th District.
Coast Guard seeks limits on bridge openings in South Carolina Posted on March 23rd, 2015 Motorists won’t have to stop as much for openings of a major South Carolina barrier island swing bridge, but operators of large recreational vessels might have to find a new route. The Coast Guard is planning a trial run in April to limit the number of large boats that pass through the Richard V. Woods Memorial Bridge in tourist destination Beaufort, S.C. Known locally as the Woods Bridge, the swing bridge connects downtown Beaufort with Lady’s Island and the outer Sea Islands in Beaufort County. Because of the presence of the Intracoastal Waterway, the bridge is required to open frequently for boat traffic to pass through. Details of the trial period are pending from officials with the Coast Guard bridge division in Miami. However, local officials believe it will include restrictions on the hours when non-commercial vessels can pass through. `If it’s a commercial vessel, it’s one thing, but if it’s a pleasure boat, it’s another,’ city interim manager Bill Prokop told The Beaufort Gazette. Log-book records show that the swing bridge opened nearly 4,000 times during a two-year period, with 660 of those for commercial boats. In October, Beaufort County and Beaufort city officials sent a letter to the Coast Guard bridge branch requesting a change in when and why the bridge opens, county engineering director Rob McFee said. The vehicle traffic delays cause an estimated $2 million loss annually for the community because of lost time and other economic factors, the letter said. County and city officials requested restrictions on the passage of non-commercial boats during daytime rush hours. `Not only do the drawbridge openings affect daily traffic and local economics, it also has a dramatic effort on emergency response. A revision in the opening schedule could potentially resolve many of the resulting daily impacts,’ the letter stated, according to the paper.
Gentlemen; I’m a resident of Lady’s Island and an active cruising boater. The issue involving the proposed limiting of the Woods Bridge to two waterway openings during the day is ludicrous. Much of the issue involving increased auto traffic out onto Lady’s Island is brought about by allowing the building of big box stores out on the Island. The cost to build a road over a bridge is very high, so why do we encourage increased traffic loads on our bridges by bringing people from the mainland to an Island to shop? The Woods Bridge is already on a restricted opening schedule during rush hours and on the hour and half hour during the rest of the day. Many sailboats typically spend a night in Beaufort. It’s a two day run for them from Charleston, and a full day run from Savannah, so they arrive late afternoon and leave early morning, and need the bridge opened so they can head north or arrive going south. If they miss these two opening times, they are screwed! Let’s be good county/city planners, and keep the big box stores off the Island and keep the auto traffic down so we can keep the AICW functional. Charles Gorgen ODYSSEE Consultant, Marine and Industrial Lifting Systems
Gentlemen: We are active boaters who depend on the Atlantic Intracoastal Waterway (A-ICW) for safe travel north and south each spring and fall. We have recently become aware of a proposal requested by the City of Beaufort, SC, which would limit the opening schedule of the Woods Bridge (Lady’s Island Bridge) in Beaufort, SC, to just two openings during the business day. This letter is based on my understanding that the City of Beaufort has proposed a schedule of openings at 10h00 and 14h00 daily, so essentially, every four hours. For the USCG Bridge Branch, allowing such a schedule is not consistent with the public interest and would be a violation of the public trust and public responsibility. It would also be a seriously negative precedent for the United States’ network of Federal Intracoastal Waterways. For the City of Beaufort, it demonstrates an utter disregard for the needs, safety and wellbeing of ICW users. It is irresponsible of the City of Beaufort to propose such restrictive conditions on top of already severe restrictions. Whatever happened to the City’s promise years ago to return to a 1/2 hours opening schedule after the completion of the second span of the south bridge? Improperly planned over-deveopment on Lady’s Island is not justification to confiscate access to the public trust waterways of the United States. The dual bridges at the south end of Lady’s Island provide access for emergency responders. The second span was justified in part based upon just that access. If emergency response capability on Lady’s Island is inadequate, that is the fault of inadequate city and county planning, not the fault of waterway users. South Carolina has utterly failed to maintain it’s waterways, and many areas near Beaufort have become impassible at low tide in throughout the region. The entire ICW region from the Savannah River in the South through Georgetown in the North has been allowed to shoal and presents a serious hazard to navigation interests at low tide. Being confined by daily waterway closures in Beaufort affects the safe transit of boaters through the entire 200 mile region. Having to deal with the natural tide cycle against an artificial schedule of man-made waterway closure creates potentially dangerous conditions. The passage of summer thunderstorms does not respect the time-of-day. The proposed confiscatory schedule creates a severe hardship for waterway users. Weather, poor waterway maintenance and short hours of daylight create dangerous conditions for waterway users forced to out-wait lengthy waterway closures. This proposal is inappropriate and disrespectful of the public trust for federal waterways. Respectfully, Peg and Jim Healy aboard Sanctuary
Well said Jim. You’re one of the many `regulars’ that use the AICW every spring and fall. If Wal Mart wants to build a store on Lady’s Island, maybe Wal Mart should build a third, high bridge, out to the Island, not create over taxing of the existing bridges such as to further restrict bridge openings. Hope to see you as you pass through Beaufort in a few weeks. Chuck Gorgen Consultant, Marine and Industrial Lifting Systems
We are sitting at Beaufort waiting for a 9am opening on Sunday morning since 6 this morning. Three boats have called for an opening. This is criminal and we must email. call do what ever we can to stop this insanity. There is no way to make Charleston in one day or come the other way. Please write all SC relevant politicians, Beaufort officialdom and the CG! Thanks
I suspect this is just an opening salvo from Beaufort in the hopes they can get the openings cut back to once an hour. Even then, it would cause a bottleneck for cruising boaters. When southbound there are some reasonable anchoring opportunities near the bridge, but when northbound the best bet would be to simply motor up and down the river until the next opening. All of these anchorages are current swept and not comfortable, except in the calmest conditions. Tieing up to the seawall south of the bridge is theoretically possible, but it is rough and not a comfortable spot. Even with the current schedule a lot of boaters get caught waiting for the bridge until after dark during the fall migration.
So the best solution to the whole problem is a new canal from Cowen Creek to the Morgan River. That would move the swing bridge to southeast of the airport on hwy 21 and keep the residents of Lady’s Island smiling…:D
Changing to a once an hour bridge opening would require a place on the Beaufort waterfront northeast of the swing bridge where boats can tie up to wait for the bridge to open or until a commercial vessel comes along. This is the solution on the Okeechobee Waterway in Florida while waiting for the locks to open on schedule. I have had to put my 33′ 6.5 foot draft sailboat aground to avoid a commercial tug and barge at the swing bridge when the northbound barge decided to use the northerly side opening that I had lined up to use for my southbound course. Fortunately for me, the second tug detached from the barge and came over and pulled me off the hard sand bottom AND the bridge tender left the bridge open until I cleared the opening. A 65′ bridge at this location would only bring the ire of owners of vessels who require 70′ or more of clearance…but boaters are used to being the martyrs when it comes to automotive traffic or private waterfront property owners who demand the boating public fall on their swords for their minority interests.
Make no mistake, this is another test case pitting boaters and boating interests against shore-side communities. Beaufort has been unfriendly about that bridge for years. (I always called it the Lady’s Island Bridge.) This is the same issue boaters face with “All Aboard Florida.” A precedent here will spread like wildfire along the ICW. Imagine the pain getting through places like Wrightsville Beach, NC!
The proposal, if accepted and adopted by the USCG Bridge Branch, will change the operating schedule for privately owned boats to the bridge opening only at 10:00AM, 2:00PM, and unrestricted from 6:30PM to 6:30AM. Essentially, boater will only have two opportunities to pass through the bridge during normal traveling hours – 10 am and 2 pm.
Here’s contact information for the folks making this request and the USCG Bridge Branch. I think they need to hear from the cruising community. Also, there doesn’t appear to be a provision for any period of public input other than direct contact with these folks. In particular, I suggest reaching out to the two USCG contacts listed. The ultimate decision is theirs and there is no guarantee that the local government officials in Beaufort will relay our concerns since they are asking for the change.
United States Coast Guard District Seven Bridge Administration Branch Miami, Florida Chief, Bridge Branch Mr. Barry Dragon (305) 415-6743 Email: Barry.Dragon@uscg.mil
This bridge is already closed to recreational boats on weekdays from 7-9am and 4-6pm. What further “weekday rush-hour” restrictions can they be asking for? It seems that South Carolina is determined to make impossible an ICW passage through the state, with the lack of dredging, and now what seems will be an onerous change to an already restricted bridge opening schedule. Jill Hough
The Ladys Island Bridge is already closed 7-9AM and 4-6PM, I am not sure how they can say that there is a problem in rush hour. There is a particular problem, fully caused by the City of Beaufort, SC. When southbound the bridge blocks access to the City Marina. The bridge is closed until 6PM and then the marina PROMPTLY closes at 6PM, exactly when boats arrive needing dockage. There are long traffic tie-ups in daytime non rush hours at the bridge. This is an area of strong, changing, reversing currents. It is not possible for a displacement boat to estimate their arrival time. If the bridge schedule is cut back, many boaters will have long waits as it is not possible to change speed enough, given the currents, to meet the opening times at this location. It would seem that this is a candidate for a new 65′ fixed bridge.
I live on Lady’s Island and work in Burton. If anyone traveling from Beaufort to Lady’s Island or the outer Islands thinks there is NOT a traffic problem when this bridge opens and closes, they are delusional. I’ve lived at my residence since 1976. The growth on the Lady’s Island side is enormous and once the Wal-Mart is built, it will be a nightmare. It already is when the Woods Bridge breaks down. The McTeer Bridge is not adequate to accommodate traffic to or from Lady’s Island, St. Helena, Fripp Island, etc. The only solution to this issue is to build another bridge or limit the bridge openings. Traffic backs up well beyond Bellamy Curve during rush hours in the evening. I can’t even imagine what traffic is going to be like should a hurricane head to Beaufort. Well, actually I can. During Hurricane Fred it took two hours to get from Lady’s Island to the National Cemetary on Boundary… and 11 hours to get to Atlanta. People will need to evacuate Beaufort a week in advance of hurricane at the rate the population of Beaufort is growing on the Lady’s Island side.
I can see it now… I come up to Lady’s Island bridge on my 135′ commercially documented mega-yacht and I’m denied an opening. The $12 an hour dip schitt on the switch cannot understand the difference between a multi-million dollar piece of hardware and a POS dragger headed for home. Arguement ensues leading to my calling USCGD7 and get the same lame response. Twice an hour, I can handle. Once an hour would infuriate me!!
USPower and Sail Squadrons provide valuable local community services with their public boating safety inspections and boat handling courses, as recognized here by BoatUS, A SALTY SOUTHEAST CRUISERS’ NET SPONSOR!
NEWS From BoatUS Boat Owners Association of The United States 880 S. Pickett St., Alexandria, VA 22304
(L to R) C/C Robert Baldridge; Cdr. Sterling Wyland, Ocean City; Lt/C. Bonnie Kanoy, North Strand; Cdr. JB Bagby, Ft. Macon; Cdr. Dick Todd, Lake Norman; Cdr. Jim Strothers, Sanibel-Captiva; D/C Mary Dodd, USPS District 8: Ted Sensenbrenner, BoatUS.
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE Press Contact: D. Scott Croft, 703-461-2864, SCroft@BoatUS.com
MD, NC, SC and FL United States Power Squadrons Bestowed With Honors
JACKSONVILLE, Fla., February 5, 2015 — At the US Power Squadrons (USPS) Annual Meeting held recently in Jacksonville, Florida, five Squadrons from across the country and one District were honored with Distinguished Civic Service Awards. Sponsored by Boat Owners Association of The United States (BoatUS), the awards are given annually to the USPS District and Squadrons in recognition of exceptional service and public boating safety education and service to the boating community.
`While America’s recreational boaters are enjoying the water with friends and family, Power Squadron members work hard giving up their own time to help make boating safer. They offer boat owners free vessel safety checks, provide boating safety instruction, and more. We greatly appreciate their commitment to ensuring everyone has a safe day on the water,’ said BoatUS Foundation for Assistant Director of Boating Safety Ted Sensenbrenner.
Top Squadron honors went to Sanibel-Captiva Sail and Power Squadron, Florida. Some of their activities included: participating in an on-water wreath laying ceremony honoring lost members of the armed forces, helping a local food pantry, and working to increase safety for paddlers. `They showed how difficult it can be to see kayakers at dusk and in times of limited visibility, and how simply adding white reflective tape to paddle blades can be a real lifesaver,’ said Sensenbrenner.
Second Place for Top Squadron went to Lake Norman Sail and Power Squadron, North Carolina, for their work with youth and bringing a new Sea Scout Ship to the area, as well as support of the `The Dolphin Project,’ a local non-profit that performs surveys to monitor the health of dolphin populations.
Third place went to North Strand Sail and Power Squadron, South Carolina, which hosted shoreline clean up events, collected donations for their local Helping Hands charity and Sea Haven, a residence for homeless teens offering crisis services.
Runners up for Top Squadron included Ocean City Power Squadron, Maryland, for their community participation in parades, clean up events and their work with a respite care home to take families fishing and sightseeing. Another runner up was Fort Macon Sail and Power Squadron, North Carolina, for their work with the local visitors center to spread safety message as well as publishing boating safety stories and reaching out to boating families.
Top USPS District Award, which recognizes the collective efforts of all of the squadrons within a region, went to USPS District 8, which includes South Florida and the Keys. The award is based on the amount of classroom hours logged, community outreach hours and number of vessel safety checks performed. These voluntary and free safety reviews are designed to educate boaters about recommended and required safety equipment aboard recreational vessels and to assess the condition of the safety equipment they have aboard.
US Power Squadrons began with the efforts of Charles Chapman, who in 1914 realized that owners of recreational powerboats needed instruction on how to operate safely and with confidence. Today, the USPS has over 400 regional Squadrons for owners of both sail and powerboats.
About United States Power Squadrons:
Organized in 1914, United States Power Squadrons (USPS) is a non-profit, educational organization dedicated to making boating safer and more enjoyable by teaching classes in seamanship, navigation and related subjects. Our members are boating families who contribute to their communities by promoting safe boating through education. We enjoy participating with our fellow members on the water and in the classroom. USPS has nearly 40,000 members organized into over 400 squadrons across the country and in some US territories. USPS is America’s largest non-profit boating organization and has been honored by three US presidents for its civic contributions. Each squadron’s activities involve the three primary objectives of USPS: community service, continuing education, and enjoying the friendship and camaraderie of our fellow members. For more, go to USPS.org.
About BoatUS and BoatUS Foundation:
Boat Owners Association of The United States (BoatUS) is the nation’s leading advocate for recreational boaters providing its over half-million members with government representation, services such as 24-hour dispatch, on water boat towing as well as roadside assistance for boat trailers and tow vehicles, feature-packed boat insurance programs, money-saving benefits and vital information that improves the boating, fishing and sailing lifestyle. Its 501(c)(3) nonprofit BoatUS Foundation for Boating Safety and Clean Water is a national leader promoting safe, clean and responsible boating, and provides innovative educational outreach directly to boaters and anglers with the aim of reducing accidents and fatalities, increasing stewardship of America’s waterways and keeping boating safe. For more, go to BoatUS.com or BoatUS.org.
Comments from Cruisers (2)
We spent a month at this marina just after it was updated in 2009. The staff and the facilities were excellent. The location is perfect for strolling downtown or through the back streets with the lovely houses.
As a delivery captain with over 200 Florida to New York transits under my keel, when weather is more than marginal, I try to make Georgetown a stop. Cris, the new dockmaster, took over for my old friend Dave and the service has not suffered one bit.
I like Thomas Cafe for an early morning bite before I get underway and the River Room can hold it’s own with the finest of restaurants.
Swamp Players has live theater when in production.
Enjoy a stop here.
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