Jul 19, 2018by: Larry Dorminy No Comments
Well Equipped or A Hoarder? by Bill Parlatore
Our thanks to Bill Parlatore for permitting Cruisers’ Net to post articles from his excellent blog, Following Seas.

Everyone has a tolerance for a certain amount of clutter. On the sometimes limited space of cruising boats, having spares for every contingency must be balanced with knowing where everything is while not sinking the boat with tons of spares, consumables, and items that somehow find their way aboard.
Are You Well Equipped or A Hoarder? from Following Seas by Bill Parlatore
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Jul 18, 2018by: Larry Dorminy 2 Comments 28.3339,-80.6619999
Banana River Marina Under New Ownership, near Cocoa Beach, FL off AICW Statute Mile 894

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Banana River Marina, off the Waterway via Canaveral Barge Canal, flanks the Banana River’s western banks near unlighted daybeacon #24 . Our thanks to Cap’n Parky for this news.
You might like to advise boaters:
Banana River Marina (just south of Cape Canaveral) has been acquired by one of these Developer / Building Contractor outfits. The new owner intends building houses and possibly also sell such buyers a boat slip. Thus we lose one of the lowest priced marinas on the ICW – $7.50 per ft per month. All boats (above 100) have been told to leave by the end of July.
Mind you the Banana River has problems for many boats.
The three bridges on the river have only 43 ft clearance – much too low for many sailing boats.
The river is full of unmarked shallows – less than 4ft. Any boat with a higher draft – or have their propellers below the keel – should go very slow with maximum caution . The channel markers also are very poor and depth of the channel is at best around 5 to 6ft. Bluewater ocean sailors with 6ft or more keels should not even try it.
I’m one of those leaving soon – bound for Savannah. Evading – I hope – hurricanes 😊
Best wishes,
Arnold Parkinson
Click Here To View the Eastern Florida Cruisers’ Net Marina Directory Listing For Banana River Marina
Click Here To Open A Chart View Window, Zoomed To the Location of Banana River Marina
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Huggy Teddy the Bear - August 16, 2018 - 10:12 am

BANNANA RIVER MARINA HAS CLOSED AUGUST 1 2018 ! TODAY AUGUST 15 , THERE A RE APPROXAMATLY 30 TO 40 BOATS THAT HAVE NOT LEFT THE CLOSED MARINA ! MOST BOAT CAPTAINS HAVE RECIEVED PAPERS REQUESTING THEY LEAVE AND NOT RETURN DUE TO HOUSES BEING BUILT ! IT YOU HAVE EMERGENCY THEY MAY LET YOU IN !
Huggy Teddy the Bear
Reply to Huggy

Bob McLeran - July 20, 2018 - 4:29 pm

It will be interesting to see how many boats the new owners of the marina will end up with (as in abandoned) and have to pay to have removed at great expense. I’d guess that more than 75% of the boats in that marina haven’t moved in the 16 years I’ve been familiar with the marina (and former boat yard).
Reply to Bob

Jul 17, 2018by: Larry Dorminy No Comments

Candidates Sought for Positions with Gray’s Reef Team

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.

GRNMS State Manager, Public Council Members and Student Internships – Apply Now!
Join the Gray’s Reef Team
Our team is growing and we are seeking capable candidates to fill a variety of positions at Gray’s Reef National Marine Sanctuary. Please consider the following opportunities:

Join the Gray’s Reef Team

Our team is growing and we are seeking capable candidates to fill a variety of positions at Gray’s Reef National Marine Sanctuary. Please consider the following opportunities:

State Program Manager

The State Program Manager supervises and manages state employees at Gray’s Reef National Marine Sanctuary and serves as a liaison to NOAA. In this role, your responsibilities would include promoting team building, undertaking innovative actions to fulfill staffing needs, and assisting with partnership development initiatives and outreach efforts to further the mission and vision of Gray’s Reef National Marine Sanctuary.

For more information on this position or to apply, please click here.

Student Intern

We are seeking a “virtual” intern—meaning that you could be located virtually anywhere—to help develop and implement a communications campaign that illuminates the importance of innovative technologies for ocean conservation. The Virtual Student Federal Service projects on USAJOBS offer eight-month, unpaid remote internships for U.S. citizen students, college-level and above, who would like to make a real difference in the work of the U.S. government. See all of the available VSFS opportunities or apply directly for this Gray’s Reef NMS internship here.

Applications are due by July 31, 2018.

Public Council Members

The Gray’s Reef Sanctuary Advisory Council provides advice and recommendations on the management of Gray’s Reef National Marine Sanctuary. The council members include community members from fishing, diving, conservation, science, education, and citizens-at-large along with state and federal agencies.

We are currently accepting applications for the following seats:

Charter/Commercial Fishing
Sport Diving
Sport Fishing
Non-living Resources Research
University Education
Citizen-at-Large
Conservation (2 seats)

Click here for more information, or contact Council Coordinator Becky Shortland at: becky.shortland@noaa.gov or (912-598-2381)

Gray’s Reef National Marine Sanctuary

graysreef.noaa.gov

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Jul 17, 2018by: Larry Dorminy No Comments
LNM: NOAA Request for Coast Pilot Users
US COAST PILOT – SURVEY
NOAA’s Office of Coast Survey is conducting a review of the Coast Pilot publication and is looking for Coast Pilot users who are willing to take part of an upcoming survey. The purpose of this survey is to gain a better understanding of how the Coast Pilot is used by mariners and what information is most important to the user’s needs. The results of the survey will help guide improvements to the publication. Any interested company or individual wishing to provide comments or participate in this user survey should contact: NOAA Office of Coast Survey, Navigation Services Division, N/CS51, 315 East West Highway, Silver Spring, MD 20910. Attn: Tom Loeper, Phone: 240-533-0068; Fax: 301-713-4019; Email: coastpilot.survey@noaa.gov.
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Jul 16, 2018by: Larry Dorminy No Comments
Monday Minute – Getting Back into the Dinghy by Bill Parlatore
Our thanks to Bill Parlatore for permitting Cruisers’ Net to post articles from his excellent blog, Following Seas.

Here’s the newest post from FollowingSeas!
Monday Minute – Getting Back into the Dinghy
Being on the water sometimes means being in the water. It happened to me recently, and reminded me of a clever technique to get back aboard one’s dinghy, especially suited to older boaters. Practice it a couple of times and you’ll have another trick in your back pocket next time you need to get aboard without a swim platform or ladder.
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Jul 14, 2018by: Larry Dorminy 5 Comments
“Upper” or “Lower” St. Johns River Discussion
This week a reader, Jim Tracey, brought up an interesting topic of discussion: is the upstream portion of the St. Johns River, which flows south to north, properly called Lower St. Johns, due to its southern location or Upper St. Johns, due to being upstream of the mouth in northern Florida?
If you have cruised or are planning to cruise the St. Johns, and especially if you are a Floridian, we would invite you to weigh in on this “north versus south” topic. Keep it civil please!
CLICK HERE FOR:
Cruising the Upper St. Johns River – Palatka to Sanford (Lake Monroe) by Claiborne Young, February, 2013
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Comments from Cruisers (5)

Tom Hale -  July 15, 2018 - 11:17 am

The river does change in look and feel above (south of) Lake George. For us, that is how we draw the line, but truly such a distinction is probably not necessary.
Tom Hale
Reply to Tom

Sean Welsh -  July 15, 2018 - 11:15 am

The St. Johns is a single river with one set of mileposts. It does not have an “Upper” and a “Lower” the way, for example, the Mississippi does. So I don’t know why you need this terminology. Just say “south” and “north” (or “southern” and “northern”), or else say upriver and downriver. Confusion avoided. To say “upper” and “lower” is just going to breed confusion among an audience that has not agreed on that terminology in advance.
Sean Welsh
Reply to Sean

glenn -  July 19, 2018 - 5:55 pm

Lower St Johns typically means that area north of the fixed bridge at Palatka which restricts most sailboats. Upper St Johns is the segment from Palatka south to the head of navigation just east of Sanford.
Reply to glenn

Kearney Mason -  July 20, 2018 - 7:38 pm

I believe upriver and down river should only be used. Less confusing. The Shands bridge at Green Cove Spring has 45′ clearance while the Memorial bridge at Palaka has 65′ clearance.

Cruisers' Net -  July 15, 2018 - 11:18 am

Excellent suggestion. How completely understandable. Thanks Sean.
Reply to Cruisers'
Jul 13, 2018by: Larry Dorminy No Comments 35.2048,-75.73199999
LNM: Buoy Light 12A Relocated, Hatteras Inlet, Pamlico Sound, NC

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A pin in has been inserted in our Chartview for the new location of this charted inlet channel buoy light which is north, northeast of the inlet.

1. THE FOLLOWING AID TO NAVIGATION HAS BEEN RELOCATED.
A. HATTERAS INLET CHANNEL LIGHTED BUOY 12A (LLNR 28732.1 [35°12.3290N / 075°43.8856W, 35.205484 / -75.731426]) TO APPROX POSIT 35-12-17.277N, 075-43-54.739W (35°12.2879N / 075°43.9123W, 35.204799 / -75.731872) .
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Jul 12, 2018by: Larry Dorminy 3 Comments 36.7584,-76.30869999
Deep Creek Cove Now Posted as NO TRESPASSING, Northern Entrance to Dismal Swamp Canal

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Our thanks to William Spaur for bringing this to our attention. Deep Creek Basin is on the south shore of the Dismal Swamp Route east of Deep Creek Lock.
The COVE on Deep Creek, the Deep Creek Basin, is now being developed by RYAN HOMES and has been named BRYAN’S COVE. The land and the water are now NO TRESPASSING.

Deep Creek Cove is near the junction of the Southern Branch of the Elizabeth River and Deep Creek waterway, Chesapeake VA. It has always been a favorite anchorage for boats transiting the Dismal Swamp Canal. It is a borrow pit vintage 1962 to develop Interstate 64. It is the size of a city block and connected to Deep Creek by a narrow channel.
William Spaur
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Wally Moran -  September 8, 2018 - 2:53 pm

I thought I truly hated lawyers until it became a photo… Then I realized I hate a developers far more.
I would be very surprised to find out that this is a legal restriction.
Reply to Wally

Chuck Stires -  July 27, 2018 - 8:02 am

I believe all navigable water in NC is public…not restrictions. Is Deep Creek Basin in VA or NC?
Chuck
Editor’s note: Deep Creek Basin is in Virginia
Reply to Chuck

Wallace Gouk -  July 13, 2018 - 12:47 pm

Is this legitimate or just another case of a landowner overstepping his bounds ?
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Jul 11, 2018by: Larry Dorminy 2 Comments 32.2246,-80.8599999
Information Sought on May River Anchorage, Bluffton, SC, off AICW Statute Mile 560

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This non-ICW anchorage and unlisted in Cruisers’ Net’s Anchorage Directories has been mentioned here in the past, see https://cruisersnet.net/34459. Gearry and Stacey are hoping you might have recent experience to share re anchoring there.
We’re considering stopping at Bluffton on our way back to Savannah from Beaufort in a couple of weeks. Any updates/additional information on this anchorage? I’m assuming the public dinghy dock mentioned is the Calhoun Street Dock. Planning to give it a try.
Gearry and Stacey
Click Here To Open A Chart View Window, Zoomed To the Location of Bluffton, SC
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Roger Long - July 13, 2018 - 4:53 am

I have anchored many times just past the shrimp boats docked at the Bluffton Oyster Company. Plenty of room for our 43 foot trawler. You can leave a dinghy on the beach next to the boat ramp or at the dinghy dock. One of our favorite spots and well worth the run up from the ICW. Anchoring further down the creek could be tight if a shrimper is going in or out.
Reply to Roger

Gearry & Stacey (SV Blew Bayou) - July 16, 2018 - 8:57 pm

Thank you so much for the response! We look forward to checking it out next week.
Reply to Gearry
Jul 10, 2018by: Larry Dorminy No Comments 27.5,-82.57229999
FOCUS ON Twin Dolphin Marina, off Tampa Bay on the Manatee River

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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

Statue on Manatee Riverwalk

Manatee Riverwalk

Manatee Riverwalk

Click Here To View the Western Florida Cruisers’ Net Marina Directory Listing For Twin Dolphin Marina
Click Here To Open A Chart View Window, Zoomed To the Location of Twin Dolphin Marina
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Jul 10, 2018by: Larry Dorminy No Comments
Bahamas Chatter: Staniel Cay News
Explorer Chartbooks, A CRUISERS’ NET PARTNER, has long been the standard navigational supplement for enjoyable, informative, and safe cruising through the beautiful Bahamian waters and island visits. Staniel Cay Yacht Club, A CRUISERS’ NET SPONSOR and a favorite destination for cruisers in the Exumas, has always been most accommodating for its guests.
Bahamas Chatter: Staniel Cay News
Staniel Cay News
Posted: 09 Jul 2018 08:54 AM PDT
1. “Pigs of Paradise” – pre-launch book party at SCYC, on August 31st.
On August 31, join T.R. Todd, the author of “Pigs of Paradise: The Story of the World-Famous Swimming Pigs”, aboard Impulse Yacht at the Staniel Cay Yacht Club to celebrate the global success of the swimming pigs of Exuma, Bahamas. T.R. Todd will have the first advance copies of the book on hand.
Impulse Yacht Charter will be serving food, drinks & shuttling people over to see the Swimming Pigs on August 31, 2018. There will also be a party inside the Club!
During the event, author Jeff Todd will present a donation cheque to the Original Swimming Pigs Association!
Here is a link to the Event Invitation page where you or our readers may RSVP (so we may get a general head-count).
https://www.impulseyachtcharter.com/lpl2/
Here is a link to our Facebook Event page:
https://www.facebook.com/events/209247856539487/?active_tab=about
This will be a fun event for anyone in the area! Please ask readers to RSVP in the links above if possible.Thank you!
2. October, 2018 Closure.
SCYC will be closing most of our facilities in October 2018, for our yearly scheduled maintenance. Please see the schedule below for further information.
Marina Docks and Fuel Dock will remain open for the month, from 8am-5pm daily, except for one day, Oct. 2nd, when everything will be closed. Available Marina services will still include dockage, power, water, ice, fuel, and bait.
Schedule:
Oct. 1st – Hotel, Bar, and Restaurant will close
Oct. 19th – Bar/Clubhouse reopens, 8am – 10pm (drinks only, no bar food)
Nov. 1st – Hotel and Restaurant reopen
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Jul 9, 2018by: Larry Dorminy No Comments 36.5054,-76.35519999
Comments and Descriptions of Great Dismal Swamp Canal, AICW Alternate Route, NC

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Our thanks to AGLCA members for this nice thread regarding their recent experiences navigating the Great Dismal Swamp Canal and visiting Elizabeth City, both CRUISERS’ NET SPONSORS! The Dismal Swamp Canal Welcome Center Docks and information are provided at the Dismal Swamp Canal Welcome Center, a NC DOT Rest Area facility, located adjacent to the Dismal Swamp State Park, offering trails, exhibits and ongoing programs in Camden County, NC. Elizabeth City and Mariners Wharf is located on the Pasquotank River off the northeast corner of Albemarle Sound and at the southern end of the Dismal Swamp Canal Route.
We came thru Dismal 10 days ago…water was less beautiful as lots of pollen on water then. Also additional risk to prop hitting submerged snags, but you are seeing history on rivers & canal trip. You also get to soend a couple minutes with Bob at the North Lock! BOB is a HERO to boaters. At North end of locks if you are there early you can tie up to landing before draw bridge before lock and do a quick shop in the Supermarket a block east or run over to Pizza + for an exceptional lunch.
Ed Kelly
The dismal swamp is used by slow boats with no schedule. The is a six Stm per Hour speed limit, and the dockmaster will enforce that. It is shallow, but a 6′ draft boat without exposed running gear can easily do it without issues. I recommend that boats not follow another boat at less than 1/2 to 3/4 mile. That way, if the first boat does pick up debris off the bottom, that debris will have time too settle back down before the following boat arrives.
We came through the Dismal Swamp a month ago. It’s our preferred route for the reasons cited by Ben and Brenda. We had no issues.
There are locks at Deep Creek (the lockmaster at Deep Creek is ROBERT Peek, not Bob.) and South Mills. The locks operate four times per day, at 08h30, 11h00, 13h30 and 15h30. The distance between the locks is 22 miles. There is no good place to hold station at either end, so the strategy is to travel at 5 StM per Hour to avoid getting there early. There are no wakes. The Dismal Swamp canal is narrow, and in general, passing is probably inappropriate. Fast boats do not use the Dismal Swamp.
The Albemarle and Chesapeake route is used by go-fast boat with no courtesy for slower vessels. Two of the drawbridges have been replaced, but there are still several bridges that operate on 1/2 hour or 1 hour schedules. The is one lock, at Great Beidge. It operates on an hourly schedule. You will get waked by go fast boats. Secure for that stretch as if you are going offshore in nasty weather conditions.
Hope this is useful,
Jim Healy
Hands down, Dismal Swamp Canal. Only recrational boats, and not many, in Our experience. Beautiful, serene, lots of birds, turtles, deer. Don’t miss it! The Virginia Cut (which includes Coinjock) is fine, but lots of commercial traffic and sports fisherman.
Gena Olson
To add to our original post, if you are opting for the swamp canal and plan to stay at the city’s free Mariner’s Wharf, I think it has a 48 or 72 hour limit. That in mind, the 4th of July and Independence Day festivities are approaching so you might want to scurry in. There are a couple of marinas but have never used them. We happened to be in Elizabeth City on the 4th several years ago and the fireworks were launched off a barge a 100 yards or so behind the docks towards the sound so pull bow in. There will also be festivities on the lawn adjoining to waterfront. Haven’t been there for two years and the only concern was the old crooked mooring pilings but they may have replaced them by now when the new bridge was built.
I Stand corrected… I think the Rose Buddy welcome crew was re-birthed. The lady of the boat was welcomed with a fresh cut rose grown on sight.
Brenda Sanderson
Went through 3 days ago. Beautiful narrow and shallow. Bumped something 8 to 10 times. Have 3 ft draf and protected props. Stayed overnight at welcome center. Have plenty bug spray and fly swatter the green flies are terrible and hurt. We enjoyed the slow beautiful trip.
Elwyn & Carol Segres
We came through yesterday and today and overnighted at the visitors centre. Lowest water we saw was 6.5 ft but we smacked a couple of large logs, the worst of which was 1.5 miles north of the visitors Center. We sat on idle for most of the trip so we don’t think we stirred them up but we do draw 5ft.
Great trip but we will go the Virginia Cut on the way south.
Paul Lewis
We came through in April and anchored off Goat Island because the southern lock was down for the day. Then rafted with 5 other boats at the Visitor Center and waited out a severe storm for two nights. Dodged a bit of flotsam along the way. But would not have missed this part of the journey for all the steak in the world – the trip through the swamp is simply magical.
AND Lockmaster Bob is a skilled musician with a conch shell – if you have one on board, pass it up and ask for a tune or two.
Breandon and Kathleen
When traveling down the Dismal Swamp, stay to the center of the channel OR drop your VHF antenna if it has an air draft of >=22ft. We wandered to the side and tore ours off 3 years ago. Forgot about the overhead clearance of the tree branches! Otherwise, it was a very nice trip.
Joyce Truthan

Click Here To View the North Carolina Cruisers’ Net Marina Directory Listing For the Camden TDA/Dismal Swamp Canal Welcome Center
Click Here To Open A Chart View Window, Zoomed To the Location of the Dismal Swamp Canal Welcome Center
Click Here To View the North Carolina Cruisers’ Net Marina Directory Listing For the Mariner’s Wharf Elizabeth City Docks
Click Here To Open A Chart View Window, Zoomed To the Location of the Mariner’s Wharf Elizabeth City Docks
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Jul 4, 2018by: Larry Dorminy No Comments
Bahamas Chatter: CBP form 1303 ‘Ship’s stores declaration’
Explorer Chartbooks, A CRUISERS’ NET PARTNER, has long been the standard navigational supplement for enjoyable, informative, and safe cruising through the beautiful Bahamian waters and island visits.
Bahamas Chatter: CBP form 1303 ‘Ship’s stores declaration’
CBP form 1303 ‘Ship’s stores declaration’
Posted: 02 Jul 2018 03:21 PM PDT
Hi All,
We are onboard a UK flagged vessel in the Bahamas and plan to cross over to the US in the next couple of days.
One of the forms that we need to fill in is the CBP Form 1303 Ship’s stores declaration.
I can’t find any help or examples for this online.
Has anyone filled it before? How specific do we need to be? Do we need to list every single item on the boat?
Thanks in advance.
Regards,
Sabina.
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