Northern Gulf ICW Partially Reopens Between Panama City/West Bay and Choctawhatchee Bay (near Statute Mile 265)
On July 7, 2013, the SSECN published an extensive posting, inspired by information received from Captain Rich Gano, to the effect that the Northern Gulf ICW (a. k. a. the GIWW) had been closed between Panama City and Choctawhatchee Bay/Fort Walton Beach, due to the almost 20 inches of rain dumped along the Gulf Coast, [which] collapsed a levee alongside the cut. We are pleased to report that two dredges are now on-site, working 24/7 to return the channel to normal width and depth, and as of 7/24/13, the Waterway has been “partially” reopened.
How can a Waterway be “partially reopened,” you may ask, as did we. Well, seems that some sort of narrow channel has already been restored by dredging operations, BUT, we strongly advise one and all (see below) to follow the USCG’s advice, and contact the dredge operators via VHF, for advice on how best to bypass their operations, while still maintaining the best depths. Hopefully, within another week or so, the dredges will have finished their work, and this “closure” will be only a bad, short-lived memory!
The 11 July 2013 Mobile COE Nav note states the dredge Integrity will be on site and expected a week to clear the blockage.
Now I have word from Stan Reynolds, who intends to move his trawler from Panama City to Destin, that the USCG says via a phone call that the “ditch” is partially opened to pleasure vessels. Just contact the dredge for passing instructions.
Rich Gano
Calypso (GB42 Hull # 295)
Panama City area, FL
Stan Reynolds got Morning Star through the ongoing dredging operation yesterday. He had previously called the USCG and had been told that the area was partially open for pleasure vessels. He was instructed to call the dredge for passing instructions. However, when he got there at about 11 AM, he found two dredges with both operators at lunch and no communications. He successfully eased on through and also found a significant shoal area on the south side of the canal at mile 270.
The last update of the COE Mobile District’s Navigation Notes page is the 11 July comment that there is a dredge working the area.
Rich Gano
Calypso (GB42 Hull # 295)
Panama City area, FL
And, here’s some less welcome news just received from Captain Gano on 7/24/13:
Local news reporting tonight reports the Corps of Engineers has cleared the mile marker 265 bank collapse enough to allow a barge to pass, but there is not enough money in the remaining fiscal year budget to completely clear all debris. They may be having to wait until November to complete repairs.
Begging to be answered is the question of how the canal will fare through the rest of hurricane season. Significant rainfall in a short period of time could easily exacerbate the current problem.
Rich Gano
Calypso (GB42 Hull # 295)
Panama City area, FL
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