Cruisers' Net | Cruisers Helping Cruisers

Aug 15, 2016by: Larry Dorminy No Comments
Report from Loggerhead Marina, St. Petersburg, Tampa Bay
Loggerhead St. Petersburg lies on the upstream reaches of Frenchmens Creek, east of the charted 22 foot fixed bridges ‘“ Frenchmans Creek is accessed off the northward running channel which leaves the Western Florida ICW at marker #14. Our thanks to Christopher for this report.
Loggerhead is in close proximity to a Publix shopping center so you can stock up on food and supplies. The marina is clean and has basic amenities (fuel, pump-out, water, electricity, showers, and a simple store with the basics), but it lacks repair services. It is not accessible to sailboats as there is a relatively low clearance bridge at the marina’s entrance.
Christopher van der Kaay
Click Here To View the Western Florida Cruisers’ Net Marina Directory Listing For Loggerhead – St. Petersburg
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Aug 5, 2016by: Larry Dorminy No Comments
Boats Are Killing Florida Manatees in Record Numbers
This report from Care2.com focuses on the large number of manatees killed in Florida by boats this year leading to what could be the worst year on record. Slow down in Manatee Zones and keep a sharp watch ahead.
Boats Are Killing Manatees in Record Numbers

Manatee advocates are raising concerns about the number of these gentle giants who have been killed in Florida this year. They hope that increased vigilance and other measures will help keep this from being the worst year on record.
The Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC) has already counted 71 manatees killed by boats as of July 22. The numbers are already higher than they were for the same period in 2009, which was the deadliest year on record with a total of 97 deaths.
The growing death toll has caused manatee advocates to worry that the unfortunate record will be broken this year, but there are differing opinions as to why.
CLICK HERE FOR THE FULL REPORT
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Jul 29, 2016by: Larry Dorminy No Comments
Florida’s New “At-Risk Vessel” Law
SSECN hopes this law will never apply to you, but if your boat is frequently left unattended for any length of time, you should be aware of the new authority granted to FWC law enforcement.

Florida Fish & Wildlife Conservation Commission sent this bulletin at 07/29/2016 11:00 AM EDT
For immediate release: July 29, 2016
Photos available on the FWC’s Flickr site: https://flic.kr/s/aHsjEz2hj2
New at-risk vessel law helps FWC officials manage Florida waterways

A new Florida law, approved by the Legislature and Governor during the 2016 Session, will enable county and local authorities along with the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC) to more effectively manage the state’s waterways. The new law (F.S. 327.4107) allows law enforcement officers to issue non-criminal citations to owners who allow their boats to become “at risk” of becoming derelict.

“This law allows officers to take action before a vessel crosses that line between at-risk and derelict, and hopefully prompts the owner to rectify any issues with the vessel before it reaches a state of disrepair,” said Phil Horning, FWC’s derelict vessel program administrator. “Prior to this law being enacted, officers had to wait until a vessel met the legal criteria for a derelict vessel before beginning any sort of official interaction with the owner.”
Under the new law, a vessel is deemed to be “at-risk” if any of the following conditions is observed:
The vessel is taking on or has taken on water without an effective means to dewater.
Spaces on the vessel that are designed to be enclosed are incapable of being sealed off or remain open to the elements for extended periods of time.
The vessel has broken loose or is in danger of breaking loose from its anchor.
The vessel is left or stored aground unattended in such a state that would prevent the vessel from getting underway, is listing due to water intrusion, or is sunk or partially sunk.
If an officer observes a vessel with one or more of these criteria, a non-criminal citation may be issued that requires the owner to correct the problem or face stronger penalties after 30 days have passed. If problems are not fixed, non-compliant vessel owners can face additional fines issued every 30 days until they are.
Officials expect that this new law will decrease the number of vessels becoming derelict, a problem which continues to burden the state’s public waterways.
“Our goal is to keep Florida’s waterways safe and protect their environmental stability,” said Horning. “We are committed to protecting this valuable resource for the people of Florida and its visitors.”
Vessel owners are also reminded to sell their vessels properly.
“Many owners don’t realize that not only is the buyer required to get the vessel retitled in their name, but the seller is also required to notify the Department of Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles within 30 days that they have sold their vessel,” said Horning.
Failure to do so is a violation and may cause the prior owner of record legal troubles should the vessel become derelict at a later date. The FWC will be assisting state and local governments with derelict vessel removal grants that will be available soon. The grant funding was also approved by the Legislature and Governor during the 2016 Session. Interested applicants may contact the FWC Derelict Vessel Program office at 850-617-9540 or email DVGrant@MyFWC.com for more information.
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Jul 19, 2016by: Larry Dorminy No Comments
Bertram Comes to Tampa Bay
This report by Bryony McCabe comes from SuperYachtNews.com.
15 Jul 2016
Bertram acquires refit facility on Florida’s Tampa Bay
By Bryony McCabe
American boat builder Bertram has announced the acquisition of a waterfront facility on Florida’s Gulf Coast where it not only intends to build new Bertram yachts, but also fulfill clients’ service and refit needs.
The new Bertram headquarters is an existing 120,000-sq. ft shipyard and marine service facility located in Tampa, immediately south of the Gandy Bridge on Tampa Bay, and is capable of hauling yachts up to 120ft in length.

“This plant, which already has been operating as a full-service marine facility for decades, is perfect for Bertram in so many ways,” explains CEO Peter Truslow.
“It will allow us to create a complete Bertram manufacturing and service center in one of America’s most popular year-round boating destinations. The facility has a great layout, with 40-foot-high buildings and high-tech fibreglass construction equipment already in place that we can utilise to build our new Bertram 35’ and larger models.”
CLICK HERE FOR THE FULL REPORT
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Jun 24, 2016by: Larry Dorminy 1 Comment 27.37,-82.61839999
More Good Words for Longboat Key Club Moorings, GICW Statute Mile 77.5, Sarasota, FL

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Longboat Key Club Moorings, A SALTY SOUTHEAST CRUISERS’ NET SPONSOR, guards the western shores of Sarasota Bay, north of the city of Sarasota, and south of Longboat Pass. With the advent of mooring fields in Florida, you might mistake this marina as just another set of mooring balls. But, believe you me, this is one gorgeous marina. Anna’s comments are typical for this excellent facility and we are glad they stumbled upon it!
My husband and I stayed here last week while on vacation….we actually stumbled upon it. What a beautiful resort. We were pleasantly greeted by Pete the dockhand. He was very helpful. We were very impressed by the amenities, pool (pool towels are given at office) and very nice showers, bicycles for loan, Publix within walking distance. Harbor masters store and staff was awesome. We didn’t make it to Portofinos but will visit it next time.
We will definitely be back.
Anna
Click Here To View the Western Florida Cruisers’ Net Marina Directory Listing For Longboat Key Club Moorings
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Captain Blake - June 24, 2016 - 3:37 pm

LBK Moorings is our home port. It is beautiful, very well run, and has everything any visiting boat would need….. but no mooring balls. You may be thinking of Marina Jack across Sarasota Bay.
Just an FYI, transients must have assigned marina slips. No anchoring in the bay and dinghy in. The Longboat Key Club and Marina are private, members and guests only.
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Jun 24, 2016by: Larry Dorminy 2 Comments 26.5105,-82.1899999
Not Impressed with ‘Tween Waters Inn and Marina, near GICW Statute Mile 10

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Anna’s comments are in contrast to other more favorable reviews of ‘Tween Waters Marina we have received, such as /149457, but seems to be in line with these comments: /148730. Tween Waters Inn and Marina lies southwest of the Roosevelt Channel’s marker #19 off Pine Island Sound.
Click Here To View the Western Florida Cruisers’ Net Marina Directory Listing For ‘Tween Waters Marina
My husband and I visited this marina before our vacation to preview it. We drove our car and when we got to the marina we weren’t impressed. The docks were in need of repair with nails poking through. We went into the dock masters office to inquire about pricing…the older lady working there was helpful but the gentleman there was to busy to even acknowledge our presence. We even asked him a question and he never looked up at us. Then we went to check out the restaurant and the older lady working there was very rude to us when we inquired about the menu as they weren’t open yet. Needless to say we will never stay at this place.
Anna
Click Here To Open A Chart View Window, Zoomed To the Location of ‘Tween Waters Marina
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Dave Bell - June 26, 2016 - 10:45 am

You can be at the resort when things are not in sync. But normally you will find Tween Waters a very nice place to visit. We docked there one night recently, having been there by boat numerous times. They were busy with other boats, so instead of waiting we docked ourselves. No worries. The food is good. The pool is fun. The town is just a stroll away. One of our favorite places. Dave Bell, Escapade, Nordic Tug
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Gian & Vivian Mangieri - June 24, 2016 - 8:07 pm

We had almost the exact same experience last year. Because of their location they are not inclined to be friendly to anyone but their regulars, it is a very nice location, it is very nice to visit but they need new staff and a new attitude, management take notice, it is a service business.
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Jun 8, 2016by: Larry Dorminy No Comments
Infestation of Sea Lice on the Gulf Coast
In case you haven’t seen this story. We called these “nettles” in the Chesapeake and they can make a trip overboard miserable. A poultice of Adolph’s Meat Tenderizer was the remedy of choice for us. This report is from AOL.com.
Sea lice are infesting Gulf Coast beaches
Tiny creatures are lurking in the warm waters of the Gulf of Mexico and the Caribbean. The nearly invisible creatures are known as sea lice and can cause an itchy rash and even flu like symptoms.
Although the small creatures are almost undetectable to the human eye, their sting packs a huge punch. The itchy rash they cause, known as “ocean itch” or “seabather’s eruption,” can last for days but luckily it goes away on its own. Applying an oatmeal preparation and calamine lotion can soothe the itch.
According to Florida Department of Public Health, “outbreaks of seabather’s eruption occur intermittently between March and August, but they appear to peak during early April through early July.”
The appearance of sea lice during the summer months is caused by shifts in south Florida’s current and the highest incidence of cases of seabather’s eruption occur in Palm Beach County and Northern Broward County.
Sea lice are the larvae of adult jellyfish and their small size sometimes causes them to get stuck between a swimmers’ skin and their swim suit, clothes or hair, which causes them to sting.
Swimmers can reduce their chances of getting seabather’s eruption by avoiding wearing T-shirts while in the ocean and changing out of their bathing suits as soon as possible after exiting from the water.
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Jun 7, 2016by: Larry Dorminy No Comments
Advice on Crossing Southward from Northern Gulf
This advice on Gulf Coast Florida comes in response to folks about to make the voyage south from northern Florida. All the marinas listed below can be found in our Western Florida Marina Directory accessed from our Homepage.
Keep in mind that scallop season starts the 25th of June which will be an issue gaining dockage the closer you get to this date. That said there are many nice marinas reminiscent of old time Florida along the Big Bend area. Don’t expect anything fancy but you will receive great friendship and clean accommodations. All the marinas I’ll mention can handle a 3 foot draft and then some. Be cautious of the depth in this area.
1) Swanee River has two: Swanee River marina 352 542 9159 & Gateway Marina 352 542 7349 Call the local BoatUS Tow for current channel depths and USE THE NORTH channel NOT the river.
2) Yankee Town; YT marina 352 447 2529; Best talk with Helen 352-447-5888; Riverside 352-447-2890 This is one of my favorite stops.
3) Crystal River: Petes’s 352 795 3302 & Twin River 352 795 3552 This area thinks highly of there dock space but if you’ve never been to Crystal River the stop might be nice.
4) Now to my favorite river the Steinhatchee: For a nice motel with dockage call Shelter Cove. They have recently been bought out by Ideal Marine so you can be the first to review them. 352 498 5707/352-210-1781. There are also Good Times Motel never been there 352 498-8088; SeaHag 352 498-3008 lots wakes; River Haven my favorite 352 498-0709/352-356=2904.This is outland Florida so best to phone in advance to qualify all your requirements.
Gaz
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May 25, 2016by: Larry Dorminy 1 Comment 27.3284,-82.58019999
Bridge Openings and Road Traffic Delays, Sarasota Bay, Gulf Coast

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Our thanks to Officer Michael Lieberum for sending this very interesting report covering discussion between the USCG, FDOT and local community leaders concerning road traffic delays from bridge openings. Both these bridges cross inlet that are subject to frequent shoaling and New Pass is not recommended by SSECN for use.
With a closed vertical clearance of 23ft, New Pass bridge connects Longboat Key and Lido key. With a closed vertical clearance of 17ft, Longboat Pass Bridge crosses Longboat Pass which separates Longbeach and Bradenton Beach, south of Tampa Bay near Statute Mile 85.
Commissioners gave Town Manager Dave Bullock direction to invite Coast Guard and FDOT officials to a future meeting to discuss bridge openings.
by: Kurt Schultheis Senior Editor
When New Pass Bridge goes up, and there’s not a boat in the water, Mayor Jack Duncan calls the bridge opening “incredibly frustrating.”
“You have a few boats in the water and thousands of cars backed up on the road, and the bridge opens without a boat in sight,” Duncan said. “It’s counter intuitive.”
2015 traffic counts
The Longboat Key Police Department’s license-plate recognition system has the ability to count the number of cars entering and exiting the island. Below is a snapshot of traffic counts so far this year:
January: 318,984
February: 520,568
March: 490,564
April: 559,289
May: 492,769
June: 420,091
July: 310,971*
August: 386,823
* A camera malfunction caused readings to not be counted for one week.
Key resident and retired U.S. Coast Guard Rear Adm. Steve Branham was asked by Commissioner Lynn Larson and Town Manager Dave Bullock to look into the drawbridge openings on the Key to see if they can be adjusted to ease seasonal traffic. Branham spent months perusing Coast Guard data and crunching traffic count numbers with resident Lenny Landau.
His conclusion at the Sept. 9 Longboat Key Town Commission regular meeting?
“New Pass Bridge and Longboat Pass Bridge are not a primary contributor to the traffic problem,” Branham said. “It’s opening once a day on average when you look at the numbers. It’s very difficult to convince the Coast Guard and FDOT we have a problem with a bridge that averages opening once a day on average.”
But the Town Commission will continue to press the issue, noting the island’s two bridges go up many times just for maintenance and not for boat traffic.
By the Numbers
13 – Cars per minute crossing New Pass Bridge in March 2015
20,000 – Estimated cars per day crossing New Pass Bridge during season
7 – Minutes it takes for bridge to open and close
17 – Steps a bridge tender must follow to open and close the bridge
387 – Openings for New Pass Bridge in 2014
32 – Average openings a month for New Pass Bridge
For the week of Jan. 24 this year, Branham noted New Pass Bridge opened 18 times, but only five of those times were because boats were in the water.
Branham told the Longboat Observer Tuesday that FDOT has agreed not to open the bridge for maintenance from 7 a.m. to 9 a.m.; 11:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. and 4 p.m. to 6 p.m.
“That’s a siginificant amount of time the bridge won’t open for that purpose,” Branham said.
Branham explained it would cost the Coast Guard a premium amount to perform maintenance openings at night instead of during working hours.
Bridge openings
The New Pass Bridge opens every 20 minutes when boats are present, which can be up to three times an hour between the hours of 7 a.m. and 6 p.m. Between 6 p.m. and 7 a.m., the bridge must open on signal with at least three hours’ notice. The Longboat Pass Bridge opens on demand for boaters. The Cortez Bridge, which connects Bradenton Beach to mainland Manatee County, opens on demand every 20 minutes between May 16 and Jan. 14 and every 30 minutes on demand from Jan. 15 through May 15.
But Duncan says it’s worth pressing the issue further and even deciding if it’s worth the town helping to pay the extra cost to perform night maintenance openings.
Younger agreed.
“Motorists get frustrated when they’re sitting and sitting and don’t even see a boat go through,” Younger said.
Commissioners gave Bullock direction to invite Coast Guard and FDOT officials to a future meeting to discuss the issue. http://www.yourobserver.com/article/bridge-openings-don%E2%80%99t-clog-traffic-study-shows
Michael Lieberum
Seventh Coast Guard District
Bridge Branch
Operations Section
305-415-6744
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pat kennedy - May 27, 2016 - 9:54 pm

These cities where given fixed span replacement alternatives in the past but for some reason they rejected them for new drawbridge (new pass) and repairing a POS drawbridge on cortez rd. So let them set in traffic and quite messing with the boats. The idiots in sarasota stalled the ringling fixed span for 10 years till the bridge was about to fall down, which did happen with the old new pass bridge.
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May 20, 2016by: Larry Dorminy 1 Comment 27.7404,-82.69619999
Looking for Crew in Boca Ciega Bay, near GICW Statute Mile 115

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One of our newest SALTY SOUTHEAST CRUISERS’ NET SPONSORS, Gulfport Municipal Marina has recently undergone renovations and is also adding a nearby mooring field. The marina and harbor are found on the northern shores of Boca Ciega Bay and are easily accessible from the Western Florida ICW near Statute Mile 115, just north of Tampa Bay.

Looking for crew for our Catalina 309, located in Gulfport on Boca Giega Bay.
Barbara and Frank Downward
Click Here To View the Cruisers’ Net’s Western Florida Marina Directory Listing For Gulfport Municipal Marina
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Marc Holtzberg - May 20, 2016 - 2:12 pm

Barbara and Frank,
What exactly do you need crew for?? Catalina boats are nice boats and the 309 is the modern version of the venerable Cal 30.
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May 14, 2016by: Larry Dorminy 1 Comment 26.6478,-81.86979999
Praise for Fort Myers Yacht Basin, Caloosahatchee River/Okeechobee Waterway Statute Mile 135

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City of Fort Myers Yacht Basin, A SALTY SOUTHEAST CRUISERS’ NET SPONSOR, lies along the southeasterly banks of the Caloosahatchee River, between the 3rd and 4th bridges from west to east. Our thanks to Ralph Winkler for these good words for one our finest sponsors.
Over the last ten years I’ve visited the Ft Myers Yacht Basin on several occasions as I’ve cruised the cut to the AICW but I’d not visited there in the last year or so, boy have they done a nice remodeling of the cruisers men’s and ladies restroom/showers. This morning I talked to Brian the manager and complemented them on the nice upgrade to the facilities. This marina is a great location if you’re east or west bound thru the cut, fuel and ships store prices are very good, the location is within walking distance to Ft Myers historical district including several great pubs, eating choices and even a very highly acclaimed theatre is just a couple blocks away. Try it! you will not be disappointed.
Ralph Winkler
Punta Gorda, FL
Click Here To View the Western Florida Cruisers’ Net Marina Directory Listing For Ft Myers Yacht Basin
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Leif Lustig - May 17, 2016 - 3:59 pm

Thank you Mr. Winkler,
We are glad that you enjoyed your stay with us and we look forward to helping you to enjoy your boating in the Fort Myers area in the future.
Sincerely, Leif, Brian and the FMYB Crew
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May 13, 2016by: Larry Dorminy No Comments 25.9569,-81.73039999
Suggested Route from Marco Island to Islamorado, Gulf Coast to the Keys

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These good suggestions come from AGLCA member, Dave Fuller, as posted on AGLCA’s Digest.
If this is your first trip from Marco to the Keys, I recommend coming out Capri pass and proceeding south. Going the back way is a little shorter, but MUCH shallower and requires you to pay close attention. The Cape Romano shoals are the first area you need to avoid, so look at your chart and plot your course accordingly. Depending on your speed, you should consider an overnight and Little Shark River (marked by a Green 1 on a 16 ft. pole) is a well protected anchorage. Depending on wind conditions, you may want to go further up river to use the mangroves to break the wind and waves. It is plenty deep quite a ways in so you should not have a hard time finding a suitable spot. Just be aware of small fishing boats zipping by so make sure you are well lit at night. For a general route, try to stay outside the boundaries of Everglades National Park. You will notice what looks like I-beams marking the park boundaries. Inside the park boundaries, you will have less crab traps to negotiate, but the tradeoff is that the water is much shallower. So much so that I had to shut off my depth alarm as it was constantly in alarm mode, but we never touched bottom. There is one place on the chart that you must observe. I don’t know the name of the banks on either side, but it is called the “yacht channel” and is a fairly narrow opening in the bank where you make a sort of S turn. It is clearly marked on the charts. There are a number of places to cross over from Florida Bay to the Atlantic such as Channel 5, Seven mile bridge, and others depending on where you are going. When we last did the trip, we went straight to Islamorada to visit friends so we skipped Marathon. Have a fun and safe trip.
Dave & Nan Ellen Fuller
WACI 3
Click Here To Open A Chart View Window, Zoomed To the Location of Marco Island
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May 1, 2016by: Larry Dorminy No Comments 27.37,-82.61839999

A Good Word from Longboat Key Club Moorings, GICW Statute Mile 77.5, Sarasota, FL

Longboat Key Club Moorings, A SALTY SOUTHEAST CRUISERS’ NET SPONSOR, guards the western shores of Sarasota Bay, north of the city of Sarasota, and south of Longboat Pass. With the advent of mooring fields in Florida, you might mistake this marina as just another set of mooring balls. But, believe you me, this is one gorgeous marina. Book Now.

Click Here To View the Western Florida Cruisers’ Net Marina Directory Listing For Longboat Key Club Moorings

Click Here To Open A Chart View Window, Zoomed To the Location of Longboat Key Club Moorings

With an exclusive Sarasota location, countless luxury resort amenities and 291 slips for yachts up to 150 feet, Longboat Key Club Moorings is the top destination for boaters on Florida’s west coast.
RESERVE YOUR SLIP ONLINE NOW and take advantage of these special offers:

Book twelve training sessions
and receive a
COMPLIMENTARY
FITNESS EVALUATION
AND PERSONAL TRAINING
SESSION

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or Signature Island Facial
each month of your stay and receive a
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Apr 28, 2016by: Larry Dorminy No Comments 27.8054,-82.78219999
Calm Night in Veterans Hospital Anchorage, Boca Ciega Bay, GICW Statute Mile 122

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The Veterans Hospital Anchorage lies in northern Boca Ciega Bay northeast of the ICW’s flashing daybeacon #6 between Tampa and Clearwater.
We anchored here last night and it was beautiful and calm. Lots of room but wide open to southerly breezes. Can be busy on weekends and wave action since it’s in a wake zone and close to Johns Pass, which is a popular inlet for fishing in the gulf. Close to a bridge so there is some traffic noise but not bad. It was super calm last night which made this a perfect place to drop the hook. We didn’t drop the dinghy to explore but did hear about the dock and McDonalds and shopping nearby.
Click Here To View the Western Florida Cruisers’ Net Anchorage Directory Listing For Veterans Hospital Anchorage
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Apr 18, 2016by: Larry Dorminy No Comments 27.3153,-82.59819999
Still More on New Pass NavAids, Sarasota, FL, Gulf Coast

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New Pass leads directly to the Sarasota waterfront and the entrance portion between the Entrance Light and Light 7 is constantly shifting and shoaling. SSECN has long recommended that this pass not be used. See /156085 for a recent Local Notice on this area. Our thanks to BOSN4 Pauly for these updates.
All,
The Coast Guard continues to do outreach to the public regarding the removal of the navigation markers in New Pass. Attached is a Port Community Information Broadcast issued by the Commander, Sector St. Petersburg. Feel free to print this out, post and share this with the community, law enforcement, and any other concerned person or groups.
CWO Pauly
BOSN4 Darren Pauly
Aids to Navigation Officer
US Coast Guard Sector St. Petersburg
155 Columbia Drive
Tampa FL 33606
darren.a.pauly@uscg.mil
(813) 228-2191 Ext. 8184 Tampa office
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Apr 13, 2016by: Larry Dorminy No Comments 26.8271,-82.27019999
No-Wake Zone Sought in Gasparilla Sound, Charlotte Harbor, Punta Gorda, FL

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The proposed no-wake zone is primarily around the Boca Grande Swing Bridge at GICW Statute Mile 34.5 at the northern end of Gasparilla Sound. Our thanks to the Florida Council of Yacht Clubs for this report.

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Apr 12, 2016by: Larry Dorminy No Comments
More on “Terrific” Yanmar Diesel Mechanic in Bradenton, Florida
Michael is referencing an earlier posting praising mechanic Kevin McGary, 941-713-3936, of Bradenton, FL. Kevin is very much in business and will be glad to assist you with mechanical issues. See /27077.
I can’t express how happy I am with Kevin, thank you Dudley Fort. He is exceptional, it’s nice to find courteous honest people in which you can trust nowadays.
Michael Leporati
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Apr 11, 2016by: Larry Dorminy 2 Comments
Gov. Scott Signs Anchoring Ban
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Comments from Cruisers (2)

Gregory Yount - April 18, 2016 - 7:34 pm

Law suits are the only answer at this point.
Who will step up?
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Gary weskrna - April 15, 2016 - 2:38 pm

So the boating people get the bilge again, how stupid is their thinking or should I say how deep are their pockets when it comes to money?
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Apr 8, 2016by: Larry Dorminy No Comments
Life Jackets: Wear Them!
April 8, 2016
FWC PSA Availability

“Wear It Florida!” – Life jackets save lives
Who: Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC)
Why: As boating season in Florida gets underway, boaters can choose to have fun and stay safe on Florida’s waters. And the FWC can help.
Background: As the boating capital of the world, Florida leads the nation with nearly 1 million registered vessels across the state and is known as the prime boating spot for residents and visitors. The FWC wants everyone to enjoy boating opportunities safely. It conducts boating safety education campaigns to support this goal by encouraging boaters to wear a life jacket, 360-degree operator awareness and sober boating. FWC officers assist and educate vessel operators year-round.
Resource: Life jacket :60 Broadcast Version: https://vimeo.com/127883864
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Apr 7, 2016by: Larry Dorminy No Comments 26.5485,-82.19659999
CCCC Visits South Seas Island Resort & Marina, near GICW Statute Mile 15

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The Cape Coral Cruise Club is a group of dedicated cruisers who always provide unique reports from the marinas they visit. See /138063 for a description of the channel into South Seas Marina.
Cape Coral Cruise Club returns to South Seas Island Resort & Marina
by Mike Stewart

Member boats docked at South Seas Marina

Member boats docked at South Seas Marina
South Seas Island Resort was the place to be for fun loving CCCC cruisers March 15, 16 17. Fog early on Tuesday, the 15th, did not deter 11 boat skippers from sailing up the sound and arriving safely at the Resort marina to be assisted by the professional dock crew with lines, power and TV cables. (Two boats did not make the run due to last minute mechanical difficulties.) Phil and Lyn Quick, cruise leaders, had matters in hand and the whole evolution went off without a hitch.

Most people, except for our hard core fishermen, either enjoyed the pool or walks on the beach. There was a get together for “docktails” at 5pm, after which we all boarded the trolley for a run to Doc Fords for dinner. After enjoying the wide variety of seafood and land offerings, accompanied by wines and beers of choice, the group rode the trolley back to the marina. Some boaters even had room left for ice cream!
Wednesday morning in the Chart Room our cruise leaders served a sumptuous breakfast of eggs, sausage, fruit, sweet muffins, muffins…..and more! Those ladies assisting by providing the fruit for the menu saw to it that nobody could claim that the selection was sparse. Most of us chose to walk the beaches for a couple of hours before again lounging at the pool. For lunch, cruisers were on their own to eat on board their boat or at an on-site restaurant. Several of us took the trolley to do some shopping off property. There is a great Mexican restaurant within easy walking distance of the resort, down near the Bubble Room. Two more boats arrived to bring our party to 13.
Dinner was prepared by our leaders and their assistants and served in the Chart Room. You just cannot beat barbecued pork loin with baked potatoes and green beans! After dinner the Second Annual “Not so Newlywed Game” entertained everyone. Apparently, only Jon and Elise “know” each other very well, the rest of us really struggled with the questions. And the jury is still out on our Commodore and his karaoke machine that “makes anyone sound like a professional”. I understand that there is evidence otherwise on Facebook!
Thursday, St. Patrick’s Day, and with everyone wearing green, started with a continental breakfast in the Chart Room. Then it was “on your own” until 4:30 pm cocktails. After happy hour, everyone spread to the winds to find a place to have dinner, most of us selecting the Harbourside Bar and Grill a fine restaurant at the marina. At about 7 pm we reconvened at the Chart Room for a “99” tournament, with tokens supplied by the cruise leaders. Mike and Brenda got no good cards at all and were gone early. Leave it to Dee and “newbie” Joanne to wipe out all the others and win the jackpot at their respective table. Way to go ladies!
Friday dawned spectacularly and the hardy cruise group said a fond “farewell” to South Seas Island Resort and safely proceeded home.
The Cape Coral Cruise Club is open to new members who own a boat with overnight accommodations and reside in the Cape Coral / Ft. Myers area. For membership information please contact Phil Kryger at 239-541-0236. View a short picture video of recent Club activities and read additional Club information on its website, www.c-c-c-c.org Like us on Facebook.
Click Here To View the Eastern Florida Cruisers’ Net Marina Directory Listing For South Seas Island Resort Marina
Click Here To Open A Chart View Window, Zoomed To the Location of South Seas Island Resort Marina
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