Our thanks to M/V Bella and Hank Pomeranz of Carolina Yacht Care, partners with CRUISERS’ NET SPONSOR, Southport Marina, for passing along this warning. For more on the Albemarle and Chesapeake Canal (VA to NC Cut), see https://cruisersnet.net/2016.

Hi Larry,
Submitted on behalf of M/V Bella… “Hit submerged stump dead center of channel one Statute Mile south of Centerville swing bridge. Prop damage”.

May be a good time to remind everyone that the Albermarle – Chesapeake Canal is rife with obstructions.
Regards,
Hank

Click Here To Open A Chart View Window Zoomed To the Location of Centerville Bridge

Atlantic Yacht Basin, A CRUISERS’ NET SPONSOR, is located just south of the Great Bridge lock and bridge at Mile Marker 12. Jan and Lee’s kind words are reprinted with permission from AGLCA’s Forum.

We started early out of Beaufort, NC. We’ve been in Atlantic Yacht Basin, Chesapeake VA waiting for the weather to calm down north of us. Can’t say enough about the team here at AYB. Every single member of their crew is polite and anxious to help out. We had Shangri-La hauled to paint her bottom and remove the trim tabs. All done in two days. Rates are fair, work is professional in every way. Topped off the fuel at $2.35/g (with volume nickel discount.) Their team helped Jan and I lower the mast so we could better understand what’s involved. Can’t say enough about them.
Jan and Lee
Aboard Shangri-La
42 GB Classic

Click Here To View the VA to NC Cruisers’ Net Marina Directory Listing For Atlantic Yacht Basin

Click Here To Open A Chart View Window, Zoomed To the Location of Atlantic Yacht Basin

Cruisers’ Net is pleased to be partnering with GoChesapeake.net to assist cruisers who are voyaging south or north via the Waterway through Virgina. Welcome GoChesapeake!

 
GoChesapeake provides concierge services to the more than 12,000 yacht owners and captains that travel through the Chesapeake Locks each year. Their team of guest service professionals is dedicated to providing the ultimate personalized, professional concierge services available. Skippers using GoChesapeake‘s specialized services will get customized advice and insider access to exclusive benefits in the region — all with the finest attention to detail. The goal of GoChesapeake is to make your visit memorable and uniquely yours. Cruisers’ Net is pleased to link our readers with the customized services of GoChesapeake, with their finest attention to detail. Whether you are in the area for a few hours or several weeks, GoChesapeake can assist with a wide range of services: arrange spa treatments, golf outings, a gourmet on-board culinary experience or an excursion — connecting you with everything the region has to offer.

Atlantic Yacht Basin, A SALTY SOUTHEAST CRUISERS’ NET SPONSOR has a plan to provide you with the very best winter storage. Atlantic Yacht Basin is located just south of the Great Bridge lock and bridge at Mile Marker 12.

Customize Your Storage Plan to Fit You & Your Boat

While you may find it hard to believe, Fall is lurking around the corner. It’s a great season for boating in this part of the world, but people are already locking in their off-season storage plans too.

CLICK HERE FOR MORE INFORMATION
 

Click Here To View the VA to NC Cruisers’ Net Marina Directory Listing For Atlantic Yacht Basin

Click Here To Open A Chart View Window, Zoomed To the Location of Atlantic Yacht Basin

A SALTY SOUTHEAST CRUISERS’ NET SPONSOR, Atlantic Yacht Basin is located just south of the Great Bridge lock and bridge at Mile Marker 12.

We have been a client of AYB for nearly a decade. During that time, AYB professionals have done all the work on our 42 GB, including extensive upgrades.
I can’t say enough good things about the crew and management.
They are dependable, professional, knowledgeable, friendly, and helpful.
Clyde & Diane
1987 Grand Banks 42CL
“Friendship”

Click Here To View the VA to NC Cruisers’ Net Marina Directory Listing For Atlantic Yacht Basin

Click Here To Open A Chart View Window, Zoomed To the Location of Atlantic Yacht Basin

A SALTY SOUTHEAST CRUISERS’ NET SPONSOR, Atlantic Yacht Basin is located just south of the Great Bridge lock and bridge at Mile Marker 12.

Are you looking for a quick stop, a home base or a trusted place to get work done? How about a quiet
port in the storm or a safe spot to store your boat and car? AYB is all of these things and much, much more.
CLICK HERE FOR MORE INFORMATION

Click Here To View the VA to NC Cruisers’ Net Marina Directory Listing For Atlantic Yacht Basin

Click Here To Open A Chart View Window, Zoomed To the Location of Atlantic Yacht Basin

A SALTY SOUTHEAST CRUISERS’ NET SPONSOR, Atlantic Yacht Basin is located just south of the Great Bridge lock and bridge at Mile Marker 12.

Our Community is a Better Place Because of You

Steven Wright Executive Director Of Chesapeake Economic Development, Spencer Hull AYB’s Treasurer, Chesapeake’s Mayor Alan Krasnoff, and Jack Stumborg AYB’s President.

The Chesapeake Port Authority awarded Atlantic Yacht Basin its 2016 Waterfront Business of the Year.

In bestowing the award to AYB, Steven Wright, Director, City of Chesapeake, Department of Economic Development, recognized Atlantic Yacht Basin “for its role in driving the local economy forward with sustained employment levels, new investment and job creation.”

All of us at Atlantic Yacht Basin are proud to receive this award.

We also recognize that there are awards and there are rewards. They are different, but share some of the same space.

The Waterfront Business of the Year award totally caught us by surprise! We are so honored to be recognized as contributing to the economic health of our community.

Chesapeake is the 3rd largest city in the Commonwealth of Virginia based on population and the 2nd largest based on land mass. So, we are in good company with a long list of businesses that call Chesapeake their home, and contribute to our vital and strong economy.

The rewards for us at AYB come from taking care of you: boat owners and your guests who stop at our facility as you make your way up and down the waterway.

AYB’s family proudly offering a tradition of quality craftsmanship and excellence since 1936

We take great pride in making sure that we exceed your expectations. Whether you are visiting us to top off your fuel, spending the night with us at our face docks, provisioning for your journey ahead, seeking a repair, looking for parts, planning a refit or storing your prized possession in our covered sheds — the largest under cover, fresh water storage facility on the East Coast – our reward is that each and every one of you put your trust in us.

Our mission is to exceed your expectations.

It’s our reward.

The shared space between awards and rewards comes from serving you. The part we play in local economic development is the result of meeting your needs. We contribute to local employment by hiring dedicated and professional staff. We retain only the most experienced and reliable outside contractors.

Our professional and knowledgeable Marine Store personnel stock and order only the best paints, varnishes, parts and equipment to keep your vessel as good as new. We take pride in fulfilling your needs, and at the same time, we are cognizant that this mission is also a resource for other local businesses that serve the boating sector.
All of what we do is interdependent.

In fact, the 2016 Waterfront Business of the Year award belongs to you, as much as it does to us.
We are honored that you put your trust in us. And as a result, we have a thriving business in a community with a strong economy. Bringing your boat to AYB results in our success, which contributes to our community’s vitality.
We wouldn’t be here unless you were here, and our community is a better place because of it.

Awards and rewards…they share some of the same space.

We are proud we can share our passion for boats with your passion for travelling America’s waterways—and that includes the Intracoastal Waterway, as it passes through Chesapeake, Virginia and in front of Atlantic Yacht Basin.

We’re grateful that our customers come back to us boat after boat, year after year

All of us at AYB, our management team, office staff, mechanics, dockmasters, carpenters, painters, fiberglass specialists, marine store personnel, detailers and haulout crew, are honored to be recipients of this year’s Waterfront Business of the Year

And we thank you for trusting your vessel with us.

We hope to see you soon!

As always, please give us a call toll free at (800) 992-2489 or local at (757) 482-2141 or drop us a line at info@atlanticyachtbasin.com for a free quote or to find out more about all of our comprehensive marine services.

Your Friends at AYB

Click Here To View the VA to NC Cruisers’ Net Marina Directory Listing For Atlantic Yacht Basin

Click Here To Open A Chart View Window, Zoomed To the Location of Atlantic Yacht Basin

This latest and, hopefully, final update on the Gilmerton Bridge is sent to us by our good friend, Matt the Bridge Tender, who has faithfully kept us updated on the long and frustrating construction of the new Gilmerton bridge. Thank you Matt!!

Ahoy from the Gilmerton Bridge (Mile Marker 5.8 ICW – Southern Branch Elizabeth River, Chesapeake VA),
Just wanted to share with all of you that have been coming through the Gilmerton draw since construction started on the new bridge (Nov 2009) that the contractor told me yesterday he just completed working on the new fender system that day. I really do appreciate everyone’s patience (especially the tug Captains) in dealing with all the extra restrictions over the past few years.
As a reminder (until the Nav charts catch up) the new vertical clearance for the Gilmerton Bridge is 35 feet at MHW in the closed position. Our new clearance gauges were installed last Friday.
Also very important – all the bridges, locks and commercial traffic in this area are on Marine Channel 13.

Below are the only restrictions that now apply to the Gilmerton Bridge:

The draw of the Gilmerton (US13/460) bridge, mile 5.8, in Chesapeake:
(1) Shall open on signal at any time for commercial vessels carrying liquefied flammable gas or other hazardous materials.

(2) From 6:30 a.m. to 8:30 a.m. and from 3:30 p.m. to 5:30 p.m., Monday through Friday, except Federal holidays:

(i) Need not open for the passage of recreational or commercial vessels that do not qualify under paragraph (d)(2)(ii) of this section.

(ii) Need not open for commercial cargo vessels, including tugs, and tugs with tows, unless 2 hours advance notice has been given to the Gilmerton Bridge at (757) 485-5488.

(3) Shall open on signal at all other times.

That’s it for now from beautiful downtown Gilmerton. If we meet – hope to see you on 2 whistles so I can shake your hand,
Matt the Bridge Tender

Click Here To View the Cruisers’ Net’s Bridge Directory Listing For Gilmerton Hwy Bridge

Click Here To Open A Chart View Window, Zoomed To the Location of Gilmerton Hwy Bridge

Good News: A phone call to Cheaspeake City clears up the situation raised by Skipper McLeran regarding overnight stays in the Virginia Waterway locks and canal. The “no overnight mooring policy” has been rescinded and you may, as before, stay tied up for 24 hours – longer if foul weather demands. Deep Creek Lock interrupts the Alternate AICW Great Dismal Swamp Canal Route at Statute Mile 10.6.

We entered the Dismal Swamp Canal Wednesday afternoon at the 1530 locking in order to hide from forecast high winds (and now hurricane Joaquin). When we inquired of Robert about the availability of Elizabeth’s Dock he told us that the dock was available, but that recently (didn’t say when) the Army Corps had a problem with a boater who was living on his boat in the canal and working in the area, tried to persuade him to leave, and when that didn’t work contacted Chesapeake City officials who somehow convinced him (and his boat) to depart the canal. Then the _city_ instituted a “no overnight mooring” policy and posted signs to that affect at the locks and docks; interestingly, there are no pertinent signs anywhere at Elizabeth’s Dock.
We moored to Elizabeth’s Dock anyway, concluding that with the approaching iminent storms this was the best place to hide and that we would deal with the city if asked to leave.
In our dozen or so passages through the canal we have never encountered this policy, and on several occasions have moored for several nights at Elizabeth’s Dock with other boats while waiting for nor’easters to pass. More commonly, we transit the canal in one day and stop at the “shopping dock” to resupply while waiting for the next lock through.
This new policy is going to have a big impact on the southerly migration which will start soon, if boats are truly prohibited from mooring at the docks and locks in the canal.
Perhaps you have some contacts at the Army Corps and the Chesapeake City who would clarify the situation and listen to some reason about the value of allowing boats to moor overnight in the canal.
I’m sending this to both Waterway Guide and to Salty Southeast Cruisers’ Net.
Bob McLeran

For more on this story, go Waterway Guide’s report:
http://www.waterwayguide.com/latest-news/news/5722/deep-creek-lock-and-elizabeths-dock-update

Click Here To View the VA to NC Cruisers’ Net Bridge Directory Listing For Deep Creek Lock

Click Here To Open A Chart View Window, Zoomed To the Location of Deep Creek Lock

Our thanks to Skipper Bell for this report and follow up. Top Rack Marina is just north of the Steel Bridge in the Virginia Cut at Mile 8.8

Diesel $1.92.9 Includes tax. Free pump out with fuel. These guys bend over backwards for you. Nice deli restaurant, brand new restrooms and great floating docks. Low and high speed diesel fuel pumps. We stopped because the Great Lock was shut down for three hours due to high tides. So glad we did. Very nice folks.
Dave Bell

More from Skipper Bell:

Top Rack has Diesel for $1.93 per gallon. Free Pump Out. Plus. If you eat dinner in the Amber Lantern restaurant that is at the marina, you can stay the night at no charge including power. Food is good too. Very nice folks. They will do anything to make your day on the water more enjoyable. New floating docks as well. We will return.
David Bell

Click Here To View the VA to NC Cruisers’ Net Marina Directory Listing For Top Rack Marina

Click Here To Open A Chart View Window, Zoomed To the Location of Top Rack Marina