After seventeen years Watermakers Air was re-branded as Makers Air in 2019 and is the favorite air service to the Bahamas from Ft. Lauderdale, FL. Growing from its initial operations servicing Staniel Cay, Makers Air is today’s premier air service to and from the Out Islands of the Bahamas.
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Albemarle Plantation Marina, a port on the Albemarle Loop, both CRUISERS NET SPONSORs, is located just off the AICW on the northern shores of Albemarle Sound on Yeopim River/Creek.
Click Here To Open A Chart View Window, Zoomed To the Location of Albemarle Plantation Marina
At the intersection of the Atlantic Intracoastal Waterway and the Okeechobee Waterway, Martin County, A CRUISERS NET SPONSOR, is home to Marine Industries Association of the Treasure Coast and a hub of boating activity and events of interest to boaters.
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This is an absolitely foolhardy idea and the MIATC should know better. It has been shown over and over that people don't control themselves especially weekend party boaters. The closure of ramps and marinas in Miami, Broward and Palm Beach counties was due to the poor behaviour of boaters AFTER they had been asked to do the same thing without avail. It's sad to say but if you truly wanted to help stop this virus, you would be requesting the closures to help protect people from themselves.
Bahamas Chatter is produced by Explorer Chartbooks, A CRUISERS NET PARTNER, which has long been the standard navigational supplement for enjoyable, informative, and safe cruising through the beautiful Bahamian waters and island visits.
Bahamas Chatter: All ports of entry are closed to pleasure yachts
All ports of entry are closed to pleasure yachts
Posted: 24 Mar 2020 06:04 AM PDT
The Prime Minister of The Bahamas has declared that: “All seaports also will be closed to regional and international seafaring and private boating; and no visitor is permitted to enter and disembark for any reason, including transmitting through The Bahamas.”
In accordance with directives issued by Gov. Henry McMaster, the Department of Health and Environmental Control and the Center for Disease Control and Prevention, SCDNR has canceled, postponed or closed several programs and events.
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Restaurants across South Florida are allowed to remain open for takeout/delivery only, but it’s unclear if they’ll be able to sustain revenues and a workforce to keep going.
South Florida restaurants stay open for takeout and delivery, but how much longer can some last?
Sun Sentinel
Punta Gorda, on beautiful Charlotte Harbor on Florida’s West Coast, is home to Fishermen’s Village Marina, A CRUISERS NET SPONSOR! See Updated Hours.
Industry Update 3/34/2020: Resources, Assessment, and Information
Click Here To Open A Chart View Window, Zoomed To the Location of Fishermen’s Village
Monroe County and the city of Key West declared a state of emergency Sunday in response to the COVID-19 pandemic. Monroe County encompasses all the Keys. See Virus News for more local input.
3/24/20 The Florida Keys have been closed to tourists and visitors as part of coronavirus fight
Sun Sentinel
Click link for Florida Keys government declare state of emergency
Miami Herald
Monroe County, FL – Official Website
Future environmental concerns, such as coral collapse, lionfish, blue and green algae blooms, the impact of dredging, water levels in Lake Okeechobee and rising sea levels in general, all remain for our coastal waters after this past year of ecological and economic disasters of red tide and sargassum blooms in Florida.
Wikipedia
3/24/20 Stage Set For Battle Over Clean Water Rule
Coastal Review Online
3/12/20 Report Shows Results From Year Of Taking Trash Off Keys ReefWLRN
3/11/20 Beach Advisories Issued for St. Simons Island & Jekyll Island Beaches
GA DNR
3/11/20 Beach Advisories Issued on Tybee Island
GA DNR
2/29/20 Sargassum Plagues Atlantic Coast Communities and Anglers
Sport Fishing
2/27/20 The troubled reefs in the Keys just got some help. United Arab Emirates donates $3.5M.
Miami Herald
2/26/20 Beaufort Board Backs Marine Debris Effort
Coastal Review Online
2/26/20 Five million secured for water quality
Florida Keys Weekly
2/20/20 Reefs under siege: Oceans could lose all their coral by 2100
NBC News
2/16/20 ‘Invisible oil’ from 2010 spill may have reached Florida Keys
Press Herald
Oil and dispersant on the water’s surface in the Gulf of Mexico on May 20, 2010, a month after the Deepwater Horizon oil spill began. James Edward Bates/Biloxi Sun Herald/TNS
2/12/20 Village to try once more to curb plastics
KeysNews.com
2/7/20 Not All In-Home Water Filters Equal: Study
Coastal Review Online
2/7/20 Harmful Algal Bloom Task Force Releases Initial Recommendations
Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission
2/6/20 Recycling Issues Compound Debris Problem
Coastal Review Online
2/5/20 Group: Lack of fresh water again threatening bay
KeysNews.com
2/5/20 Marine Debris Effort Adds Focus On Recycling
Coastal Review Online
1/30/20 Report Details Increasing Climate Threats
Coastal Review Online
1/9/20 Some Hopeful News About Florida’s Environment for A Change
coastalbreezenews.com
1/7/20 BTT committed to conservation and restoration of the Florida Keys marine environment
Florida Keys Weekly
1/7/20 ‘Fix the water, protect the habitat and pass on a pristine Florida Keys to future generations’
Florida Keys Weekly
1/3/20 Ocean Acidification Threatens the US Economy
Scientific American
1/3/20 Five environmental fights to watch in 2020
The Hill
1/3/20 How Will Climate Change Impact the Gulf Stream?
State of the Planet (press release) (blog)
1/2/20 Federation, Partners Focus on Water Quality
Coastal Review Online
1/1/20 Beach Advisories Issued for St. Simons Island & Jekyll Island Beaches
Coastal Review Online
1/1/20 Beach Advisories Issued on Tybee Island
Coastal Review Online
12/28/19 ‘Protecting Paradise’ features champions of the environment in the Keys
Miami Herald
12/26/19 Keys awash in water-related news during year
KeysNews.com
12/21/19 How Microbes Reflect the Health of Coral Reefs
Marine Technology News
12/18/19 A federal plan to save coral reefs
Grist
12/7/19 “There’s poison in our water.”
Florida Keys Weekly
12/6/19 Conservation groups locked in legal fight over seismic surveys off Atlantic coast
WTOC
12/6/19 Disease wastes South Florida’s corals, despite end of bleaching
Valliant News
12/4/19 Toxic Algae Bloom Closes 25 Beaches On Mississippi‘s Coast
Stock Daily Dish
11/22/19 Deadly coral disease has spread throughout Florida’s reefs
Florida Phoenix
11/19/2019 Submerged Vegetation Mirrors Coast’s Health
Coastal Review Online
11/1/19 FIU talk explains why sonar and seismic testing harm marine mammals
Florida Keys Weekly
10/31/19 While red tide persists in Collier, Sarasota-Manatee levels normal
Sarasota Herald-Tribune
10/30/19 Beach Advisory Issued for North Beach on Jekyll Island
GADNR/Coastal Resources Division
10/23/19 Dead Fish, Toxic Scent on Florida’s SW Beaches Could be Red Tide from Nestor
NBC 6 South Florida
10/23/19 Beach Advisory Issued for Driftwood Beach on Jekyll Island
GADNR/Coastal Resources
Division
10/15/19 King tides: South Florida’s had 4 straight days of record high tides
Palm Beach Post
10/14/19 New Study Shows Higher Levels of PFAS
Coastal Review Online
10/7/19 I am docked Norfolk at the Waterside Marina downtown. The high tide comes within a couple inches of flooding their inner docks. Over in Portsmouth it already does crest the public facedocks there.
Geoff Gardner
10/6/19 UN Climate Change Report Projects Bleak Future For Ocean Health
WLRN
10/6/19 Red tide counts growing along Southwest Florida coast, fish kills reported in Collier
The News-Press
10/6/19 Naples, Fort Myers, Bonita Springs report red tide; will it return to Florida east coast?
TCPalm
10/6/19 Red Tide is back in southwest Florida
Tampa Bay Times
10/6/19 Red tide returns: Harmful algae appears again in parts of Florida
WTSP.com
10/6/19 Beachgoers in some counties — among them Broward — are likely being exposed to harmful bacteria
SunSentinel
10/2/19 NOAA Awards $10.2 Million for Harmful Algal Bloom Research
SRQ Magazine
10/2/19 FSU Researchers: Multifactor models reveal worse picture of climate change impact on marine life
Florida State News
10/2/19 Florida is in for more dead corals, sea rise and floods, says new UN climate report
Phys.Org
10/2/19 In Florida, Flushing the Toilet Is Threatened by Rising Sea Levels for Tens of Thousands of …
The Weather Channel
10/1/19 Look for ‘Climate Change’ to Be Referenced in Florida’s Blue-Green Algae Report
News Talk Florida
9/28/19 Gulf Stream slowing down; that could mean rising seas, hotter Florida
Walton Sun
Threatened by Mysterious Disease Compared to Ebola
Newsweek
9/26/19 Fort Myers Beach new mini reefs to keep marine life healthy, fight red tide
Wink News
9/25/19 Seaweed is gobbling up Mexican beaches
CNET
Any info on the east coast?
Patti – I think this report addresses thru title only, so E. Coast not as sever as Gulf. In fact we see very little on that side except around St Lucie area “maybe”
New Bern Grand Marina, A CRUISERS NET SPONSOR, lies in the heart of downtown New Bern, North Carolina, along Trent River’s northern banks between Trent River highway and railroad bridges. See Updates for recent news from New Bern Grand Marina.
It has been a beautiful winter in the lovely historic district of New Bern, NC. Mild, temperate weather has offered temperatures recently in the 70’s & 80’s. Our mild winter has refreshed the souls of many and we are looking forward to wonderful new year.
3/23/20 We are seeing an increase in reservation requests as the cruisers begin to head north, however, we are now operating on a wait list into April. We are adding folks to the reservation log and asking them to call ahead to confirm availability. As you are probably aware, we have to monitor and pay close attention to any updates governing port laws and boating. As of right now, we are able to assist boaters and can take reservations.
As for fuel, the Galley marina is the closest marina with fuel. Last I heard, all was good with fuel supply.
Millissa
Long Term Boat Slip Rentals Available—Boat Slip Ownership Program
Ask About The Marina’s Come, Stay & Play Promo-Save $150 or 12%!
Discover Boating in historic New Bern. We have a number of boat slips available for purchase during our renovation phase.
· Come see the marina and NC’s original capital city!
· Restaurants, shopping, dining—all within minutes of the marina!
· 10 minutes from EWN Regional Airport!
· Home of Hatteras Yachts!
Meet Our Team – New Bern Grand Marina Yacht Club
Click Here To Open A Chart View Window, Zoomed To the Location of New Bern Grand Marina
Bahamas Chatter is produced by Explorer Chartbooks, A CRUISERS NET PARTNER, which has long been the standard navigational supplement for enjoyable, informative, and safe cruising through the beautiful Bahamian waters and island visits.
Bahamas Chatter: plus 1 more
Posted: 20 Mar 2020 06:08 AM PDT
It has just come to our attention that there are a number of boats heading north from the Caribbean with no Explorer hard-copy charts aboard and no way to get them before coming back through The Bahamas. We are happy to say that we have a number of choices for such a time as this. Here are some options to look into before leaving the Caribbean for northern ports.
EXPLORER ELECTRONIC PARTNERS
CHARTPLOTTERS
NAVICO/C-MAP
SIMRAD/LOWRANCE/RAYMARINE
SOFTWARE
MAPMEDIA/MAXSEA/TIMEZERO/NOBELTEC
FURUNO
ROSE POINT/ COASTAL EXPLORER
APPS
AQUAMAP
EMBARK (C-MAP)
iNavX
TZ iBoat (Time Zero)
Wising you safe passage,
Monty and Sara Lewis
Posted: 19 Mar 2020 03:49 PM PDT
Global Health Advisory
March 19, 2020
Level 4: Do Not Travel
The Department of State advises U.S. citizens to avoid all international travel due to the global impact of COVID-19. In countries where commercial departure options remain available, U.S. citizens who live in the United States should arrange for immediate return to the United States, unless they are prepared to remain abroad for an indefinite period. U.S. citizens who live abroad should avoid all international travel. Many countries are experiencing COVID-19 outbreaks and implementing travel restrictions and mandatory quarantines, closing borders, and prohibiting non-citizens from entry with little advance notice. Airlines have cancelled many international flights and several cruise operators have suspended operations or cancelled trips. If you choose to travel internationally, your travel plans may be severely disrupted, and you may be forced to remain outside of the United States for an indefinite timeframe.
On March 14, the Department of State authorized the departure of U.S. personnel and family members from any diplomatic or consular post in the world who have determined they are at higher risk of a poor outcome if exposed to COVID-19 or who have requested departure based on a commensurate justification. These departures may limit the ability of U.S. Embassies and consulates to provide services to U.S. citizens.
For the latest information regarding COVID-19, please visit the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s (CDC) website.
You are encouraged to visit travel.state.gov to view individual Travel Advisories for the most urgent threats to safety and security. Please also visit the website of the relevant U.S. embassy or consulate to see information on entry restrictions, foreign quarantine policies, and urgent health information provided by local governments.
Travelers are urged to enroll in the Smart Traveler Enrollment Program (STEP) to receive Alerts and make it easier to locate you in an emergency. The Department uses these Alerts to convey information about terrorist threats, security incidents, planned demonstrations, natural disasters, etc. In an emergency, please contact the nearest U.S. Embassy or Consulate or call the following numbers: 1(888) 407-4747 (toll-free in the United States and Canada) or 1 (202) 501-4444 from other countries or jurisdictions.
If you decide to travel abroad or are already outside the United States:
Consider returning to your country of residence immediately using whatever commercial means are available.
Have a travel plan that does not rely on the U.S. Government for assistance.
Review and follow the
CDC’s guidelines for the prevention of coronavirus.
Check with your airline, cruise lines, or travel operators regarding any updated information about your travel plans and/or restrictions.
Visit state.gov to view individual Travel Advisories for the most urgent threats to safety and security.
Visit our Embassy webpages on COVID-19 for information on conditions in each country or jurisdiction.
Visit theDepartment of Homeland Security’s website on the latest travel restrictions to the United States
As more and more businesses, including restaurant dining rooms, are closed, a number of restaurants along the Waterway are offering take-out orders, some even offering delivery service. The CDC has declared take-out orders to be safe, especially meals that require re-heating.
If you take advantage of a restaurant’s take-out offers, please let us hear from you.
Bahamas Chatter is produced by Explorer Chartbooks, A CRUISERS NET PARTNER, which has long been the standard navigational supplement for enjoyable, informative, and safe cruising through the beautiful Bahamian waters and island visits.
Bahamas Chatter: “Proclamation by Bahamas Governor General (Virus)” plus 1 more
Proclamation by Bahamas Governor General (Virus)
Posted: 19 Mar 2020 08:20 AM PDT
From the Nassau Guardian, March 18, 2020
Governor General C.A. Smith will declare a state of public emergency in The Bahamas today due to the presence of COVID-19 in the country, documents obtained by The Nassau Guardian show.
The declaration will be made in an emergency proclamation, which is expected to be tabled in Parliament today, and allows the governor general, under the Emergency Powers Act, to make regulations for securing public safety and the defense of The Bahamas, among other things.
The Nassau Guardian understands that the government will also table the Emergency Powers (COVID 19) Regulations, 2020, today.
The regulations grant wide-ranging powers to the prime minister that will allow for, among other things, the detention of people infected with COVID-19 or those who traveled to infected places; the possible prohibition of assembly of two or more people in any specific area; the requisition of any building, ship or aircraft; a curfew; social distancing and isolation orders; restricted access to specified areas; and the prohibition of publishing or re-posting false stories.
The regulations state that any person who contravenes the provisions commits an offense and is liable to a fine not exceeding $10,000 or a term of imprisonment not exceeding 18 months or both.
Proclamation
The proclamation reads in part: “…I am satisfied that due to the confirmation of the presence of COVID-19 in The Bahamas, a state of public emergency exists in The Bahamas as a result of the aforementioned circumstances.
“Now, therefore, I, the Most Honourable Cornelius Alvin Smith, governor general of the Commonwealth of The Bahamas, in exercise of the powers conferred upon me by Article 29 of the Constitution of the Commonwealth of The Bahamas, hereby declare that: with effect from the 17th day of March 2020, a state of public emergency exists in The Bahamas.
“This proclamation of emergency shall cease to be in force at the expiration of a period of fourteen days from the date hereof, or such longer period as may be provided for by a resolution passed by each House of Parliament approving its continuance in force for a further period, not exceeding six months, beginning on the date on which it would otherwise expire, the proclamation shall if not sooner revoked, continue in force for that further period.”
Curfew and assembly
According to the regulations, the prime minister may, by order, “require every person within any area specified in the order to remain within doors between such hours as may be specified in the order, and any person who within any area so specified is or remains outdoors between such hours without a permit in writing from the competent authority, or some person duly authorized by the competent authority, commits an offense”.
The regulations also empower the prime minister to, by an order, prohibit the assembly of two or more persons in a public space in any area specified, in the interest of public health safety.
Fake news
Under the regulations, no person shall publish or cause to be published, posted or re-posted, over any media platform inclusive of social media, any purported news or report, or purported statement of fact, knowing or having reasonable cause to suspect that the statement is untrue or false or may incite public fear, panic or ethnic hatred.
Quarantine
The prime minister may also, by order, impose isolation on all individuals within a particular area, island or the entire country in the interest of public health, the regulations state.
“Where isolation has been imposed, the competent authority may: require the closure of all educational or religious institutions in the area specified; require the closure of any business or organization that caters to the general public in the areas so specified, unless permitted otherwise by the order; prohibit the visitation by persons at all residential care establishments; prohibit the visitation by persons at all correctional facilities; require every person to confine himself at his place of residence, unless otherwise specified by the order; permit the travel of persons to a grocery store, gas station, pharmacy, doctor, hospital or such other place as may be specified in the order,” according to the regulations.
It adds that any order regarding isolation and social distancing will not prohibit a person from going outdoors within the enclosed yard or space of that person’s residence.
Essential services
The regulations will also empower the governor general to requisition any essential service.
The regulations state that such services include those maintained or operated by the government, or by any public or private enterprise including: the storage, purification or distribution of water for public use; the storage, collection and treatment and disposal of sewage, garbage or refuse; the manufacture, storage or distribution of gas for use by the public; the removal, handling or burial of deceased persons or disposal of dead animals.
Under the regulations, the governor general may appoint a controller of any essential service. That person will be entitled to “take possession of all premises and assets of every description (other than money or securities of money)…”
Goods and services
The prime minister may also, by order, in consultation with the minister of finance, waive the application of any rules or law governing the procurement of goods and services.
The regulations require that the minister of finance will, within six weeks of the expiration of the proclamation of emergency, lay a report before the House of Assembly detailing: the total expenditure of the goods and services procured; the suppliers of the goods and services procured; and the reasons for the use of the suppliers of the goods and the providers of the services.
The prime minister may also waive or vary the payment of any fees for the testing and medical services rendered at any public hospital or healthcare facility in relation to COVID-19.
Finally, the regulations also empower the governor general, if need be, to authorize international or regional military or police forces as may be requested by the government, to serve as peace officers and assist in the storage, safe keeping or distribution of relief supplies; the provision of any essential services and the maintenance of public order.
The move comes after The Bahamas confirmed its first case of COVID-19 over the weekend.
The patient is a 61-year-old woman with no relevant travel history. At last report she was in stable condition.
The virus has spread throughout the globe, ravaging economies in the process.
COVID-19, which originated in Wuhan, China, late last year, causes cough, fever and in severe cases pneumonia. The virus has killed more than 7,300 people worldwide. There are over 185,000 cases and over 80,000 people have recovered from the virus.
During a national address on Sunday, Prime Minister Dr. Hubert Minnis announced the closure of all schools until April 14.
He also announced that foreign nationals who have traveled within the last 20 days from the United Kingdom, Ireland and Europe, will be prohibited entry into The Bahamas.
Travel restrictions were already in place for Italy, Iran, South Korea and China.
As major cruise lines from the U.S. announced that cruises will be suspended for one month, Minnis said that COVID-19 will have a tremendous and widespread economic impact on the country.
“Even as we prepare and pray that few Bahamians are harmed by this virus, the economic impact of this crisis will be widespread,” he said.
“We are fighting for our health and economic well-being at the same time.”
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