211 Big Bend is a United Way Agency in the eight-county region of the big bend.
For Assistance After The Storm 2-1-1 Big Bend
Following Hurricane Michael, individuals and families in need can contact 2-1-1 by simply dialing 211 from a cell phone or landline. 2-1-1 is a free, 24/7, hotline available in multiple languages, that provides information to individuals seeking community resources like shelter, food and water, recovery support, short-term counseling and other basic needs before, during and after disasters.
Calls are free, confidential and anonymous. Trained hotline counselors are available to listen and provide emotional support, crisis counseling, suicide prevention, and information.
Dial 2-1-1 or (850) 617-6333 for 24/7 human service information and assistance.
Bilingual and translation services are available. TDD/TTY or 711Florida Relay is available for hearing impaired individuals.
2-1-1 Big Bend, A United Way Agency, is your gateway to human services in the eight-county region of the big bend. 2-1-1 Big Bend is a non-profit 501c3 organization accredited by the Alliance of Information and Referral Systems and the American Association of Suicidality. The agency’s mission is to provide assessment, emotional support, crisis assistance, education, training and referrals with accurate, up-to-date resource info.
Panama City, on the eastern shore of St. Andres Bay northeast of Mexico Beach where Hurricane Michael made landfall, suffered devastating damage from Michael. Panama City Marina and St. Andrews Marina are both CRUISERS NET SPONSORS and our thoughts and deepest sympathies go out to all in the area who sustained losses. Diana Pieper, who sent this report, lost her house.
Panama City Marina GONE….destroyed. St. Andrews Marina had a lot of damage.
We can’t even get in to our home with a u-haul to remove what furniture is salvageable because of the trees down. Our neighborhood was hit harder because of the old oak trees and pine trees that we are famous for. My family and I are staying in hotels until we can find temporary housing of some kind. I wish we had the RV I sold after my husband died. Again, thanks for your concern. The entire city is destroyed or damaged (actually the whole county). Both large hospitals have been closed indefinitely due to extreme damage. Our entire infrastructure is broken. Recovery is in years and not months. Diana Pieper
Leon County is the site of Florida’s State Capitol and is in the direct path of Category 4 Hurricane Michael. See Leon County Daily Brief.
Remain Alert To Carbon Monoxide Dangers During Michael Residents advised not to use generators, grills indoors
Tallahassee — As communities across the Big Bend region prepare for Hurricane Michael, the Florida Department of Health in Leon County urges residents to take precautions against carbon monoxide (CO) exposure.
CO is an invisible, odorless, tasteless gas and is highly poisonous. Depending on the level of exposure, CO may cause fatigue, weakness, chest pains for those with heart disease, shortness of breath upon exertion, nausea, vomiting, headaches, confusion, lack of coordination, impaired vision, loss of consciousness and, in severe cases, death.
DOH-Leon recommends the following precautions to help prevent CO poisoning:
Do not burn charcoal or gas grills inside a house, garage, vehicle, tent or fireplace. NEVER use a generator indoors, including in homes, garages, basements, crawl spaces and other enclosed or partially enclosed areas, even with ventilation. Opening doors and windows or using fans will not prevent CO buildup in the home. ALWAYS locate the unit outdoors on a dry surface, away from doors, windows, vents and air conditioning equipment that could allow CO to come indoors. Follow the instructions that come with your generator. Install battery-operated CO alarms or plug-in CO alarms with battery backup in your home, according to the manufacturer’s installation instructions. The CO alarms should be certified to the requirements of the latest safety standards for CO alarms. Test your CO alarms frequently and replace dead batteries. Remember that you cannot see or smell CO and portable generators can produce high levels of CO very quickly. If you start to feel sick, dizzy or weak while using a generator, get to fresh air RIGHT AWAY…DO NOT DELAY. If you have a poisoning emergency, call your nearest Florida Poison Information Center at 1-800-222-1222. If the victim has collapsed or is not breathing, call 9-1-1 immediately. For more information, please contact DOH-Leon at (305) 924-6839 or check out the Hurricane Information Fact Sheets posted at www.floridahealth.gov .
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850.606.5300 | cmr@LeonCountyFL.gov | www.LeonCountyFL.gov 301 S. Monroe St., Suite 502, Tallahassee, FL 32301
The Florida Fish and Wildlife Commission Interactive link is at the bottom of this posting.
FWC will provide interactive Daily Sampling Map for red tide
The Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC) will provide an enhanced, interactive map updated daily of water samples to inform the public on the status of naturally-occurring red tide throughout the state.
The online Daily Sampling Map will be offered in addition to FWC’s current Wednesday and Friday updates on the status of Florida’s red tide blooms. This will provide the public with more immediate and accurate red tide data, as researchers process the many water samples from across the state.
“We are pushing out all we can, when we can, in the spirit of providing the most timely and beneficial information to the public and partners,” said FWC Executive Director Eric Sutton. “We will continually expand efforts to assist during this difficult event.”
The FWC works with a large network of partners, including private organizations, local governments and citizen volunteers, to continue research and sampling efforts and has conducted meetings and phone calls to develop a course of action for affected areas. This strong collaboration is critical to response efforts in coastal communities throughout the state.
Sadly, as Steve Ramsay bewails, what seemed unthinkable ten years ago is now a reality, not only in Florida, but along much of the east coast: free, public anchorages are becoming pay-for-use municipal mooring fields. (Enter “mooring” in the Search window above for a perspective on the battle that was waged against mooring fields in Florida several years back.) While welcomed by some who see the moorings as an alternative to ever rising dockage fees, those of us who boat on a budget and find the moorings restrictive, along with the prohibitive cost of boating in general, are in agreement with Steve, to the point that we can no longer afford to spend much, if any, time cruising. Steve is replying to A Disturbing Message about Anchoring.
Like so much of our culture today, it is a case of the “HAVEs” versus the “HAVE NOTs.” We hear you Steve!
I moved here from New England and as a boater since age 2, I am very disappointed with the availability of moorings here (Tampa area). Boating is such a healthy outdoor activity for the whole family. Go to New England, you will see boats on moorings as far as the eye can see, and they only have a 4 month season. I had planned on buying a 24 ft. sloop, but I am afraid I will have to abandon the idea altogether. Personally, at $400 per month for a mooring, I am forced to leave my favorite past time to a high end class of people who will continue to enjoy sailing as much as I did. I have been priced out. It seems like boating here is discouraged rather that encouraged and fully advocated for.
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Comments from Cruisers (2)
edd Jennings- July 31, 2019 - 9:37 am
It seams to me that the big marinas are really controlling the cost of docking more so than ever, in St. Petersburg the safe harbor group will get control of the city docks soon, that means they have a monopoly controlling all the docks and moorings in St. Petersburg. As for anchoring I don’t have any problems with this except that Most anchorage’s have bad boat that are in kept and in danger of abandonment also there is a problem with pumping out this is a federal regulation that is always over looked Anchorage for transit moorings and dingy docks is a good idea for everyone at a minimum price if not totally free.
You are absolutely correct,Steve. I traveled in a trawler from North Carolina to Louisiana for many years and enjoyed the many towns and anchorages along the way. Not nearly as many anchorages as there used to be. And many more restrictions on the ones that are left. Florida, especially , seems to discourage boating. Especially transient boating. I got tired of the hassle and high cost of marinas, moorings, and dockage and got out of boating. It’s not affordable for the average pocketbook anymore. It’s just one more thing that belongs to the people with a lot of money. The middle class will soon be no more. My opinion, Jerry
The Cape Coral Cruise Club is a group of dedicated cruisers who always provide unique reports from the marinas they visit. Pink Shell Beach Resort and Marina, A CRUISERS’ NET SPONSOR and voted Best Small Marina in 2017, overlooks the westerly banks of the Matanzas Pass channel, west of marker #13. Pink Shell Beach Marina is a favorite of the CCCC, see https://cruisersnet.net/170308.
By Joanne Ziemer
An even dozen! That’s the number of boats that took advantage of the $1/ft. marina fee for our summer cruise to Pink Shell! Jeff & I settled in ahead of the arriving boats on Tuesday morning. Dave and Craig from Pink Shell were there to greet us in their usual cordial manner. Boaters arrived over the next several hours so, by Docktail time, we had a nice crowd gathered on the lawn for adult beverages and heavy hors de oeuvres. We were fortunate not to have the normal summer afternoon thundershowers.
Thanks to Michelle & Doug Rhees, and Becky & John Todd, Wednesday morning we served up a breakfast of sausage, eggs, fruit, sweet breads, and juice on the deck. It was HOT even at 8:30 a.m. but a few people found shade to enjoy their coffee and breakfast. After clean up, it seemed to be pool time for some folks. The wind was still out of the East, so no one was bothered by the effects Red Tide.
One group rented a pontoon boat for a leisurely cruise to a nearby restaurant for lunch. Others retreated to their boats for some “down time” or took the opportunity to just visit, and some headed to downtown to browse the many shops of Ft. Myers Beach. At 6 p.m., we reconvened for dinner on the lawn. It was again a concerted effort from my helpers who served up burgers and dogs along with the many varied and delicious sides our boaters brought! We had the 12th boat arrive today plus six folks by car so a total of 30 people for our BBQ! Again, the storms held off so no one got wet!
Thursday morning was a repeat of Wednesday. The temperature did not moderate, so another hot day was in store for us. Unfortunately, the wind shifted to the West, so even at the pool, we could feel the effects of Red Tide. No one stayed for a long time at the pool, most wandered back to the marina for some down time before gussying up for dinner. Tonight folks were on their own for dinner, and several headed to Fort Myers Beach to a favorite restaurant.
The last day of the cruise found all but four boats heading home. We were very fortunate with the weather this cruise. Although we had storms all around us, we did not experience any for the duration of the cruise. (For those of us who stayed Friday night; well, that’s another story!)
Thanks to all the participants! I know the staff at Pink Shell was pleased to have 12 boats nearly fill the marina!
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. Read additional Club information on its website, www.c-c-c-c.org Like us on Facebook.
After this tragedy, the Gulfport Historical Society can certainly use our help to keep their important educational and environmental work going, see https://cruisersnet.net/173192. See below for how to help. Gulfport Municipal Marina, A CRUISERS’ NET SPONSOR, and the City of Gulfport always have a full calendar of events for all ages. The marina and harbor, found on the northern shores of Boca Ciega Bay, are easily accessible from the Western Florida ICW, just north of Tampa Bay.
Click Image to Enlarge
What a day this has been.
This morning, we had a fire at the Gulfport History Museum.
Most importantly, no one was hurt. This is the thing we must bear in mind as we move forward. No. One. Was. Hurt.
It could have been far, far worse. The quick actions of the Gulfport — and St. Petersburg — fire department spared most of the building as well as paper records and photographs. They risked their lives to save our town’s history this morning — if they hadn’t been so quick to act, everything would be lost. As it stands now, it looks like our main historic losses are the historic Shuffleboard Club sign and the Gulfport Historic Register sign (we’ll know more after the investigation is complete and we can conduct a full assessment). These things are not replaceable, and their loss is real and tragic.
Thanks, too, to the Gulfport PD for being on hand, assisting and apprehending a suspect. We also want to thank everyone who stopped by to tell investigators what they saw, extend their sympathy and join with us in our communal heartbreak. We also want to thank representatives from Gulfport Beach Bazaar and Stella’s, and councilfolk Paul Ray and Christine Anne Brown, who wanted to see how they could help — along with countless others we’re probably too addled to properly thank.
We were touched by all of your support, and also by the number of people asking how they could help. Thank you for the special trip you made to tell us you wanted to help; your kindness to us and reverence for our history touches us.
Finally, we want to thank the city staff who came in before 8 a.m. on their day off to help us with debris clearing and securing the museum. Your dedication to this community means more to us all than you will ever know.
We don’t know what lies ahead, but we’re still here. We’re just a little… charred… right now (here are some photos of what the inside of the museum looks like, and for those of you not in town, what damage the outside suffered).
We’re seeing a lot of talk on social media right now, about arson and who it might have been. Please remember the important things: no one was injured, the losses could have been far greater, and mental illness is a disease. It is our most sincere hope that if it was arson, whoever set the fire — for whatever reason — is able to get the help they need in a safe place. Our hearts break for them and what must be happening in their head.
While we can’t replace the historical items that were lost, we can take steps to further protect our records. Since Hurricane Irma swept through town almost one year ago exactly, we’ve had some big discussions on how to safeguard our town’s history.
What we know we need to do: We need to digitize all our photographs and records — which include historic maps, charts, property information, historic records of construction, property tax records, the Seabreeze and Gulfport Tribune… the list goes on and on. Quite frankly, it’s overwhelming to think about what needs to be done, in part because it’s beyond our immediate ability to do so.
There are, of course, services that can do this — Olive Software has met with us (along with the head of the library, David Mather) about digitizing the collection. They’ve done this for other local groups — take a look at how they’ve archived Dunedin’s records and made them searchable.
This is the most prudent course of action for the Gulfport Historical Society. It will keep our history preserved in perpetuity, safe from any act of nature (or person), and it makes it accessible to people not within striking distance of the physical museum. That means those of you who don’t live in Pinellas County would be able to look at all our records and pictures — and search them to find exactly what you wanted to find — anytime you wanted.
So what’s stopping us?
Excellent question.
Money. It’s all about money. To take the whole of our paper records and images, digitize them, give us a digital copy and maintain an online searchable database of Gulfport’s history is the best possible thing we, as a society entrusted with safeguarding the town’s history, could possibly do. However, the price tag is somewhere between $25,000 and $30,000.
Right.
We’d discussed hiring someone to do development to raise the money, but that’s not something to be taken lightly and the board hadn’t yet voted on this. So many people have asked us today, “What can I do?” it seems the best response we can give you is this:
Donate so we can afford to digitize our history. Insurance money will replace the porch. We can find great porch furniture somewhere (the last set was donated), and there’s nothing we can do to replace the two artifacts we lost today (and, again, how blessed were we to only lose two? Thank you so much, Gulfport and St. Pete firefighters), but we’ve now dodged two potentially devastating bullets: Hurricane Irma and the Labor Day Fire.
The third time, as they say, is the charm. That’s why we’re asking you to donate in case we aren’t lucky one more time. We don’t care if it’s $20,000 or 20¢; every penny helps.
Every. Penny. Helps.
You have trusted us with your history but we need your help to keep it truly safe. Please help preserve Gulfport’s history. Donate here.
We cannot do this without you.
I’m certain, in a week or two, our brilliant board will come up with donor gifts and rewards, but right now, tonight, it’s important we get your donation. It’s important we start to move forward on what we need to do — save Gulfport’s history for the future. This is why I’m asking you — without artifice, and without any glossy sales pitch — to please, please help us avoid losing everything.
Thank you for your support. As we say so often — and we mean it — we cannot do this without you.
As confirmation of our earlier posting, Red Tide Spreads Along Gulf Coast, this onsite report of the discomforts of being in the vicinity of red tide comes from our friend, Jeffrey Guttenberger, as posted on AGLCA’s Forum.
We decided in early July to stay in SWFL and cruise her for the summer, then start the loop in March, 2019. As it turns out, that wasn’t a good plan. The fresh waters down here are filled with green/blue algae and the coastal waters all have red tide. We can’t be on the boat because we’re both coughing and sneezing. The water down here (Ft. Myers area) is not good. Jeffrey and Cathy Guttenberger
Especially with the current red tide threat to manatees in the Gulf, reported sightings are even more important. How to report sightings is listed below.
Manatee sightings can be reported to the DISL/MSN team 24 hours a day, 7 days a week by phone 1-866-493-5803, email manatee@disl.org, or through an online sighting form found at manatee.disl.org.
DERELICT VESSEL REMOVAL GRANT 2018-2019 OPPORTUNITY ANNOUNCEMENT
The Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC) is announcing the first opportunity to apply for Derelict Vessel Removal Grants for the 2018/2019 budget year. The application period for the Bulk Derelict Vessel Removal Grant Program will begin on September 3, 2018, at 8:00 AM (EST), and end on October 17, 2018, at 5:00 PM (EST). Applications received after October 17, 2018, will not be eligible for consideration in round one. All removal applications must be complete and authorized for removal in the Statewide Derelict Vessel Database as well as demonstrate proof that due process was provided for each vessel’s owner. At a minimum, this would include an opportunity for the vessel owner to challenge the derelict vessel determination, either in criminal court or in an administrative hearing. Vessel cases not demonstrating that these opportunities have been offered to the owners of the vessels will not be considered for state funding assistance. A Letter of Authorization to remove and dispose of the vessel, issued by a law enforcement agency must be included in the application. Should funding be available for a second or subsequent round of applications, new announcements will be made. The grant guidelines and application form may be downloaded at: http://www.MyFWC.com/DVGrant.
You may also receive the guidelines and application by contacting Phil Horning at (850) 617-9540 or email DVGrant@MyFWC.com.
Applications that meet the requirements for the Rapid Removal Grant Program may be submitted at any time after the opportunity announcement start date, but no later than November 23,2019, at 5:00pm (EST) (based on available funding). Rapid removal cases must meet requirements of published guidelines as well as due process requirements. Total funding allocated for derelict vessel removal for fiscal year 2018-2019 was $1,000,000. Applications may be mailed to the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission, Boating and Waterways Section, Derelict Vessel Grant Program Administrator, at 620 S. Meridian Street – Room 235, Tallahassee, Florida 32399-1600 or emailed to DVGrant@MyFWC.com.
For further information, please contact:
Phil Horning, Derelict Vessel Program Administrator, Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission, Division of Law Enforcement, Boating and Waterways Section, (850) 617-9540 or email Phil.Horning@MyFWC.com
Toxic red tide is making Floridians sick — and angry Red tides in the Gulf of Mexico and toxic blue-green algae in inland waters are killing animals and stoking outrage in South Florida. by James Rainey / Aug.03.2018 / 3:13 PM ET
Sarasota grapples with red tide’s effects from YourObserver.com Sarasota beaches were inundated with the unpleasant sights and smells associated with red tide this weekend. How does the community deal with the fallout?
Twin Dolphin Marina, A CRUISERS’ NET SPONSOR, sits perched on the southern shores of Manatee River, just short of the Highway 41 Business bridge. We get lots of praise, like these good words from AGLCA member Kathy Anderson, for this fine marina and their commitment to facility upgrades, see FOCUS ON.
Twin Dolphins marina in Bradenton is in our top 5 marinas from our western 1/2 loop in 2014. Close to downtown which has a Saturday market, and it has a lovely restaurant onsite. It also abuts the river walk which is great for walkers and runners. Plus they have fun Christmas decorations and not far from Siesta Key/Sarasota (except for seasonal traffic). They have a pool, as well as the usual amenities. When we visited on our land vacation this past winter they were making some improvements to some of the docks. Kathy Anderson
Longboat Key Club Moorings, A CRUISERS’ NET SPONSOR, guards the western shores of Sarasota Bay, north of the city of Sarasota, and south of Longboat Pass. Our thanks to Tom and Julie of AGLCA Forum for allowing us to share their comments.
We have stayed at Longboat Key Club Moorings for 6-12 weeks for three winters now. Great resort facilities, beach across the street to walk, Publix and CVS across the golf course….I could go on. Great spot to have visitors and an easy bus ride or Uber into Sarasota. Great cruising grounds as well with St Pete/ Clearwater to North and Captiva/Boca Grande and Fort Myers to the south. Tom & Julie Van Hall Sum Escape
Twin Dolphin Marina, A CRUISERS’ NET SPONSOR, sits perched on the southern shores of Manatee River, just short of the Highway 41 Business bridge. We get lots of praise for this fine marina and their year-round community involvement.
TWIN DOLPHIN MARINA Making Improvements For Boaters’ Enjoyment
It is encouraging when we see destination marinas investing in the comfort and enjoyment of liveaboards and visiting cruisers alike.
Speeler & Associates, Inc., removed the older docks at Twin Dolphin Marina and then Gator Dredging did the dredging inside the marina basin.
Twin Dolphin Marina is located about five miles east of Tampa Bay up the Manatee River in the heart of Bradenton, Florida. The marina is in the final stages of making investments in its facilities to enhance its role in serving boaters and the community as Bradenton’s “anchor marina.” It is ideally located within very short walking distance to the historical area, great restaurants, the South Florida Museum and Bishop Planetarium, Village of the Arts, and area shopping. Twin Dolphin Marina is at the western edge of Bradenton’s beautiful Riverwalk with its amphitheater, all adding to a visitors enjoyment. Want to get off your boat for a few days and be just across the street from your vessel, a new hotel is going up close by that will provide additional rooms for visitors coming by land or sea.
East Basin where new docks are being installed.
The marina basin is divided by the historic Memorial Pier, where the popular and on-site PIER-22 restaurant is located. The marina offers 225 slips with floating docks. In order to serve current customers, the marina management is doing the renovations in specific sections to keep disruptions to a minimum. The improvement efforts currently underway involve replacing 144 older slips with new aluminum docks and durable composite non-corrosive decking. The reconfigured east basin will be able to host larger vessels as they will be increasing several slip sizes up to 110 feet. Additionally, modern electrical service for 30, 50, and 100 amps will be in place along with slip pump-outs, potable water and fire suppression protection.
For sure, Twin Dolphin Marina is one of those marinas with the facilities to offer their customers a full experience while visiting for a few days, several weeks, or making it their home-port.
As Marina Manager, Cynthia Belfatto, says, “We are so proud of how these improvements will serve our guests and full time residents who enjoy our resort life-style amenities, on-site award winning restaurant, marina pool and captain’s lounge, and beautiful setting along the Manatee River.”
Whatever criteria you use in choosing ports to visit, Twin Dolphin Marina most likely meets them all and is one destination port-of-call you will want to include in your cruise plans.
PHOTO GALLERY – Click image to enlarge
View of PIER 22 restaurant across the east basin where new docks are being installed
Floating dock posts installation
Wave attenuation barrier protects the marina
Street Entrance to Twin Dolphin Marina
Entrance to Pier 22 and West Basin of Marina
Canopied entrance to PIER 22.
Museum Expansion
Street entrance to South Florida Museum with Planetarium and Aquarium
Manatee Riverwalk goes right by Twin Dolphin Marina
Good news for Sarasota boaters! Big Sarasota Pass which, with its frequent channel shifts and shoals, connects the Gulf with the Gulf Waterway and the southern tip of Sarasota Bay. No time line is given for the dredging project.
The Florida Department of Environmental Protection has granted a permit to dredge Big Pass as part of a Lido Key shoreline re-nourishment project. State grants permit for proposed Big Pass dredge from YourObserver.com
Longboat Key Club Moorings, A CRUISERS’ NET SPONSOR, guards the western shores of Sarasota Bay, north of the city of Sarasota, and south of Longboat Pass. The Yacht Group offers boat owners a sophisticated in-house sales and marketing resource.
Welcome to The Yacht Group at Longboat Key Club Moorings
If you are considering the sale of your yacht, our Worldwide marine marketing system is a powerful tool. We advertise extensively in key media nationally as well as locally, and we can professionally manage the sale of your boat from concept to closing.
With the release of the 2017 Boating Accident Statistical Report, the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC) encourages boaters to focus on simple, effective steps that make boating safer.
See Legal Battle over the dredging of Big Sarasota Pass which, with its frequent channel shifts and shoals, connects the Gulf with the Gulf Waterway and the southern tip of Sarasota Bay.
Siesta, Lido sides prepare for Big Pass court hearing
Judge recommends approving Big Pass dredge permit
An administrative judge says the state should permit the proposed Lido Key renourishment project if some time and scope restraints are put in place.
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