The Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC) is reminding the public that it’s waterbird nesting season. Many Floridians and guests are returning to the state’s beaches to celebrate Memorial Day weekend but this is also a critical time for Florida’s vulnerable wading birds, shorebird and seabird populations. By respectfully sharing our beaches and waterways with these birds, people can help ensure their survival.
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Our most recent report on clearance at Wilkerson Creek Bridge is from experienced tall-master, Rick Dammeyer. Answers are needed for new questions from John Rahm. If you carry 64ft mast height and have passed under this bridge successfully (or not!?!), please let us hear from you.
Requesting insight on the Wilkerson Bridge at MM 125.9.
Are the clearance boards in tact?
What is the tidal range there?
Is there anyone close, that I can call, to check the clearance, before I leave Portsmouth?
Need the phone number of the closest house!
Thanks in advance. Moving a boat with a 63 foot mast.
Cheers, Captain John Rahm
Wondering about the height of the water at the Wilkerson Bridge and whether or not a boat with 64 ft mast will be able to get under the bridge.
Bill Combs
Click Here To Open A Chart View Window, Zoomed To the Location of Wilkerson Creek Bridge
We just passed under this bridge on June 4, 2021 at midtide. Tide board read 64 + barnacles. We require 63.5 and the VHF antenna whipped the top with our passage.
The nominal air draft at the Wilkerson Bridge is 64 ft. There is negligible lunar tide in this area, but water depths will vary depending on wind speed and direction. Strong westerly or northwesterly winds will lower the water levels by up to 2 ft. Conversely, strong east or southeasterly winds across the Pamlico Sound will raise the water level and reduce bridge clearance.
Since the water level varies from day to day, the best thing to do is contact an approaching sailboat that has recently passed under the bridge and ask about conditions. If you are southbound, do that when still in the Alligator River, since there is no place to anchor in the Alligator River Cut to wait for a wind shift. If northbound, ask someone in the Belhaven/Dowrey Creek area so you can anchor in the Pungo River anchorage just south of the Wilkerson Bridge, if needed. The folks at Dowrey Creek Marina can also give you information about the current water depths in the area.
We just passed under this bridge on Friday May 12th without issue. We require 63 1/2′ clearance and had approximately 6″ to spare. Height board showed 64′.
Key Lime Sailing Club, A CRUISERS NET SPONSOR, always has very special offers for their visitors! Key Lime Sailing Club is on the Inside Route side of Key Largo. Key Lime Sailing Club is a unique slice of KEYS ENJOYMENT…give it a try and let us hear about your experience.
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Click Here To Open A Chart View Window, Zoomed To the Location of Key Lime Sailing Club
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: Emergency Powers Orders Updates Announced on May 17, 2020
Emergency Powers Orders Updates Announced on May 17, 2020
Posted: 19 May 2020 10:54 AM PDT
On May 17, the Prime Minister announced modifications to the Emergency Powers Orders. Boaters on pleasure craft anchored offshore in Bahamian waters (who have effectively been social distancing for 14 days or longer) are now permitted to go ashore to conduct routine business, while maintaining appropriate social distancing protocols.
Bimini will be under a complete lockdown from Monday, May 18 at 9:00 p.m. until Saturday, May 30 at midnight.
The Prime Minister announced the re-opening of normal commercial activity on the following Family Islands: Cat Island, Long Island, Abaco and Andros, as of May 18. Mayaguana, Inagua, Crooked Island, Acklins, Long Cay, Rum Cay and Ragged Island, are open for normal commercial activity as of May 4. Notwithstanding the resumption of commercial activity, weekday curfews and weekend lockdown measures remain in place, as do physical distancing measures and the requirement to wear masks.
Modifications to the current ban on inter-island travel were also announced. The Ministry of Health has developed protocols to allow individuals presently in The Bahamas but not on one of the above listed Family Islands, to travel to those specific islands. This policy and protocol will require individuals to register with the Ministry of Health by emailing covid19travel@bahamas.gov.bs and submitting to an evaluation by a Ministry of Health-authorized physician. Individuals who are deemed low risk will be issued a COVID-19 Authorization Travel Card which will allow for travel to these specific Family Islands. Individuals may start this registration process on ?May 20.
Residents of the Family Islands listed which are cleared for commercial activity may travel between those islands by plane or boat without a COVID-19 Travel Authorization Card. Those on the Family Islands cleared for commercial activity may also travel to New Providence and Grand Bahama, however in order to return to their respective islands they must complete the procedures and processes outlined above.
Except for the new protocol and the Family Islands described above, any other inter-island travel must be pre-approved by the Bahamas’ Civil Aviation Authority.
Emergency Powers Orders – Travel Restrictions, Curfew and Lockdown Information
All airports and seaports of The Bahamas remain closed to incoming international flights carrying visitors until at least May 30 (including private airports). In his May 17 national address, Prime Minister Hubert Minnis previewed that the Bahamian government is “looking at a possible opening date for commercial travel on or before July 1st,” but emphasized that it will “only be applied to those islands where the outbreak has been contained” and that these dates can change depending on changing circumstances.
The 24-hour curfew regulations continue throughout the month of May, with full lockdowns taking place each weekend in May from 9:00 p.m. on Fridays through 5:00 a.m. on Mondays. During the lockdown periods, only hospitals, hotels with guests, law enforcement and essential utility personnel are excepted from these around the clock shutdown restrictions. We urge all U.S. citizens still in The Bahamas and its territorial waters to shelter in place?or stay in your home and yard, on your vessel, or in your lodging during these lockdown periods, until the regular 24-hour curfew regulations resume at 5:00 a.m. on the following Monday.
Scheduled Commercial Airline Flights to the United States as of 1200 EDT May ?18
International scheduled commercial flights and private charter flight options, while limited, currently still exist in The Bahamas. All flights require the use of face masks. U.S. citizens who wish to return to the United States should make arrangements as soon as possible unless they are prepared to remain abroad for an indefinite period.
Nassau: JetBlue has scheduled flights from Nassau to Fort Lauderdale on Thursdays during the month of May. Please contact the airline directly.
Freeport: Silver Airways is currently offering flights on most Thursdays from Freeport to Fort Lauderdale, contingent upon demand. Please contact the airline directly.
Private Charter Flights to the United States
Some private charter companies have confirmed their ability to provide flights into the United States directly from The Bahamas. We encourage you to contact charter companies directly with questions regarding availability and cost.
· Air Care 1: aircareone.com, +1-502-242-7760
· All Bahamas Courier Services: +1-242-727-4165
· Aztec Airways:+1-954-351-9313
· Bahamas Charter Flights: +1-954-359-0320
· IBC Airways: +1-954-848-2370
· Island Air Charters: +1-954-359-9942
· Island Wings – USA: +1-954-617-8804
· Makers Air – FXE: +1-954-771-0330
· Noble Air Charter: +1-305-685-9634
· Silver Airways charter flights: +1-801-401-9103
· Trans Island Airways: sales@tia.aero
· Treasure Air Charters: 1-305-741-0489
· Tropic Air Charters – FXE: +1-954-267-0707
· Tropic Ocean Airways – FLL: +1-954-210-5569
· Tropix Air/Island Wings Ltd.: +1-242-424-4260
While operations resume at full capacity within the office, in-person transactions are not taking place at this time.
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Gray’s Reef National Marine Sanctuary protects Georgia’s special live-bottom wildlife habitat in the Atlantic Ocean and along the southeastern U.S. coast, an area teeming with diversity and an abundance of marine life.
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There is always plenty to do around Charlotte Harbor, especially with pandemic restrictions easing. While berthed at Fishermen’s Village Marina, A CRUISERS NET SPONSOR, you are certain to enjoy visiting Western Florida’s beautiful Charlotte Harbor/Peace River.
We are currently accepting transits and hours of operation are normal. 7:00am to 5:30pm 7 days a week.
Thank you!
Chris Frank
Harbor Master
Fishermen’s Village Marina
941-575-3000
Click Here To Open A Chart View Window, Zoomed To the Location of Fishermen’s Village
There are two operations involved at Fishville for boaters. One is the marina office. The other is the fuel dock.
The marina office has NEVER been open at 07h00, and is NEVER open past 16h00.
We have been seasonal residents at Fishville for 11 years. There is a lot to like, but there are some weaknesses. When we departed this season (May 15th, 2020), the fuel dock was on "summer hours:" 08h00 to 16h00.
Call ahead to be sure whatever facility you need is open at the time you plan to be there.
Our thanks to Fred Braman for this excellent report and chart from Cumberland Island. Cumberland Island National Seashore is a National Park on the east shore of the Waterway’s passage through Cumberland Sound south of Jekyll Island. There are only dinghy docks on the island, which extends over 16 NM from St. Andrew Sound to the Georgia State Line. The Park’s website is https://www.nps.gov/cuis/index.htm. Anchorages may be restricted by Georgia legislation.
Just a note that may be of interest. I visited Cumberland Island last week. The island is as delightful as ever. Only open to private boaters who can get there. Dinghy docks are open at Sea Camp anchorage as are rest rooms and showers in the camping area. No ferries are operating and tour boats are prohibited. The Ranger Station is closed as are attractions like the Ice House Museum and Plum Orchard tours. But the beaches and trails are open, mostly why we go to this delightful place anyway. Happy to answer emailed questions at fredbraman@hotmail.com.
Here is a chart for the Cumberland Sea Camp anchorage. Note that on older chart packs and chart plotters (like mine), Red 34 is Red 40. This series of markers were renumbered years ago. As soon as you turn inside Red 34, look for a shoal marker to port heading in. It marks a sandbar that comes off the tip of the island to the north. Once you spot it, give it plenty of room to port and pick up the first dock complex on shore near a little white building. That’s Dungeness Dock. Head right for it and once near it, follow the shore up to Sea Camp. Don’t wander too far from Cumberland’s shore. There is a sandbar to the west of the main anchorage area. If it starts to get too shallow for comfort, turn towards the island where the deep water is. It sounds more complicated than it is. It’s really straight forward. Plenty of room for dozens of boats. I try to anchor a little to the north of Sea Camp Dock where it gets a little shallower. Depths in most places around 18 ft. Hope this helps.
Fred Braman
Photo by Sonny Reeves
Most marinas along the Intracoastal Waterway have now opened, though some may still have conditions, especially for transients. Please phone ahead to confirm the marina’s status. This list will be discontinued soon.
VA – NC
Atlantic Yacht Basin – 757- 482-2141 – fully open and operational – see Update
MANTEO WATERFRONT – 5/2/We are still closed to transients at the moment but hope we all break out in the near future.! 252-473-3320 See 5/6 Update
RE Mayo Seafood Docks 252-745-5331
Want those in and around our area to know that we are open and welcoming transients. We have fuel and food available while maintaining all the safety precautions necessary during the situation we are facing.”
Penny
McCotters (Washington, NC) is open and will help boaters. Store will deliver to your boat just trying to minimize in store contacts. 252-975-2174
Albemarle Plantation – open 252-426-4653
Morehead City Yacht Basin 252-7366862 open with reduced staff for fuel and essential needs, see 4/10 Update Transient docks are open for overnight stays but our showers/restrooms remain closed to all
Southport Marina – 919-481-3000 see Re-Opening April 22
From Dona Stewart, Director, Dismal Swamp Canal Welcome Center
**Updated 4/3/2020 at 2 pm
* Alligator River Marina (Columbia)~ 252-796-0333 (Normal Operations)
* Cypress Cove Marina (Columbia) ~ 252-796-0015 (Docking Available/Call for information on amenities)
* Coinjock Marina & Restaurant (Coinjock) ~ 252-453-3271 (Normal Operations)
* River Dunes – 252-249-4908 Open
* Atlantic Yacht Basin, Inc. (Chesapeake) ~ 757-482-2141(Normal operations)
* Lamb’s Marina & Market (Camden) ~ 252-338-1957 (Docking UNavailable)
* Pelican Marina (Camden) ~ 252-335-5108 (Fri-Sun) or Text the Dockmaster at 251-239-5108 to make reservations (Docking available)
* Maritime Ministries (Elizabeth City) ~ 336-681-0575 (Docking available/ No restrooms or laundry facilities)
* Jennette Brothers (Elizabeth City) ~ 252-338-2187 Ext. 0 (Docking available)
*Mariners’ Wharf & Waterfront Park Marinas (Elizabeth City) ~ 252-337-6864 (Docking UNavailable)
* Waterside Marina (Norfolk) ~ 757-625-3625 (Normal Operations)
*Douglas Road Dock (VA), Elizabeth’s Dock (Deep Creek, VA), Great Bridge Park Dock (All managed by Chesapeake Parks, Recreation and Tourism ) ~ 757-382-6411 (Docking Available/ Port-a-Jons available)
* Dismal Swamp Welcome Center (South Mills) ~ 252-771-8333 (Docking Available/ Rest Area Restrooms Open; Visitor Center-closed to public)
* Friends of Dismal Swamp State Park ~ 252-771-6593 (Visitor Center, Restrooms & trails closed to the public)
Donna Stewart, Director www.DismalSwampWelcomeCenter.com
SC
Windmill Harbour 4/27 OPEN 843-681-9235 See 5/6 Update
GA
Delegal Creek Marina Savannah GA has re-opened for fuel, 9-4
Hampton River – new hours, Wednesday-Monday open 7-5,Tuesday-open 8-5
Jekyll Harbor Marina – 912-635-3137 Fully operational 7 am to 5 pm
EF
Camachee Cove Marina, 904-8295676 in St. Augustine, FL is open for business following COVID-19 protocols.
Marineland Marina – 904-814-9886 – open; practicing all distancing protocols. Marine store is partially open. Call ahead for transient reservations to make sure space is available
Westland Boatyard and Marina, 321-267-1667 see Update
Palm Coast Marina – 386-446-6370 – open and selling fuel. Marina store closed. Food deliveries available from nearby groceries and Grub-Hub; walking trails open also
Ft Pierce City Marina, 772-464-1245 – open for transient slips, we offer daily, monthly and annual slips.
Halifax Harbor in Daytona ‘temporarily closed’ yesterday, 17 March. No fuel. SEE 3/18 COMMENT BELOW
WF
Gulf Harbour Marina, 239-437-0881 open for ValvTect Marine Fuel sales and offering Boat US discount, see Update.
Long Boat Key Club Moorings, 941-383-8383 is open but not accepting transients until April 30. Please check our Facebook page for updates.
Fishermen’s Village Marina, 941-575-3056 is open: currently accepting transits and hours of operation are normal. 7:00am to 5:30pm 7 days a week.
Riviera Dunes: 941-981-5330 See COVID-19 Update of 4/2
Snead Island Boatworks – The Snead Island Boat Works is deemed an essential business by Homeland Security regulations and we are open for your yachting needs.
Recently Cuomo closed all marinas in NY State.
The governors of New York, New Jersey, and Connecticut implemented a common policy about marina access and recreational boating around May 1st. All three states are open and marinas are available, with guidelines for operation, social distancing, etc. See the respective state websites for details, and be sure to call ahead to your target destinations to see what local rules or practices are in effect at specific marinas.
We've been monitoring this because we have 3 boats in our marina waiting to head north.
Rick Brass
Dockmaster
Washington Waterfront Docks
Washington, NC
St. Johns Yacht Harbor is open with reduced hours and manpower. Management office is manned by reduced staff. The store is closed for walk-in sales until further notice. The fuel dock is open from 10AM-4PM daily. Transient and long term slips are still available. For reservations, call 843-557-1027, use Contact/Reservation page on our newly revised website (www.sjyh.com).
I had bought a boat in Chicago so I am verifying about lock closures in the Illinois River and marina available fuel along the way south to Mobile, AL.
Halifax Harbor in Daytona said they were 'temporarily closed' yesterday, 17 March. No fuel. Didn't ask for the reason.
Just confirmed on 18 March 2020 at 1255 that Halifax Harbor Marina is open for business as usual – both fuel and transient dockage. Yesterday's short fuel dock closure was a temporary technical/mechanical issue.
A CRUISERS NET SPONSOR, Staniel Cay Yacht Club, a favorite destination for cruisers in the Exumas has always been most accommodating to its visitors. This is your chance to return the support for this fine community through these Care Packages via Makers Air in Fort Lauderdale.
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