North Carolina State Parks announced this week that trails and restrooms at its parks statewide will open Saturday, including Carolina Beach State Park, Click Here To View the North Carolina Cruisers Net’s Marina Directory Listing For the Camden TDA/Dismal Swamp Canal Welcome Center“>Dismal Swamp State Park, Fort Fisher State Recreation Area, Fort Macon State Park, Goose Creek State Park, Hammocks Beach State Park, Jockey’s Ridge State Park and Pettigrew State Park. This is good news for cruisers wanting to experience the Dismal Swamp Canal Welcome Center, A CRUISERS NET SPONSOR!
Our thanks to Gene Faatz for sharing his navigation of Lake Okeechobee. Few of us cruisers ever get to see 26kts, so it is interesting to read his report.
Other than a couple of canoes and crew boats we saw very, very little boat traffic on the St. Lucie River to the St. Lucie Lock. After locking through with a 10 ft. lift it was smooth cruising at 26 kts. all the way to the Port Mayaca Lock which was open for pass through. When clearing the lock and entering Lake “O” it is VERY shallow with depths going down to about 4 ft. and you MUST favor the green markers and idle for about 3/4 of a mile to deeper water. The lake has plenty of water even though it was officially at 11.3 ft. all the way to Clewiston at 26 kts., but at the junction of the rim canal it has shoaled on the NW corner but all was good to the Moore Haven Lock which at this time is about a 1 ft. drop. Gene Faatz
As you can tell from the comments of Charlie and Jackie, Church Creek is a long-time favorite anchorage. Church Creek anchorage lies 18 miles south of Charleston. Church Creek, with 13-22 ft. depths, indents the eastern flank of the AICW’s hard by marker #77.
3-27-2020- back in one of our favorite anchorages- Church Crk, about mm 486.8. We always go farther into crk than most- quieter! Anchor held first time- never dragged here before. Great Verizon, 19 over air TV, normal tidal current, no shopping or dog walking. Plenty of swing room for many large boats. Beautiful view is worth the stop. Some protection from southerly wind- more of a moderate weather anchorage. This is in top 5 of our favorites- been here well over 12 times- and will be back in future. Charlie and Jackie on Traveler.
Visitor restrictions will be lifted beginning at 12:01 a.m. Saturday, May 16, for Dare, Hyde and Currituck counties, including Manteo, home to Manteo Waterfront Marina, A CRUISERS NET SPONSOR.
Dare County Board of Commissioners Chairman Bob Woodard announces entry for visitors.
Visitor restrictions will be lifted beginning at 12:01 a.m. Saturday, May 16, for Dare, Hyde and Currituck counties.
Visitors will be permitted entry to Duck, Southern Shores, Kitty Hawk, Kill Devil Hills, Nags Head, Manteo, Hatteras Island, Roanoke Island, Dare County mainland, Currituck County Outer Banks and Ocracoke Island. Visitors are encouraged to contact their accommodations provider to confirm reservation and arrival plans.
Allowing visitors on May 16 will allow seven days for local businesses, attractions, and accommodations providers to prepare for the arrival of visitors following the new business operating requirements put in place by the governor’s order, according to the counties.
Entry restrictions for visitors to mainland Hyde County were lifted at 5 a.m. Wednesday, Hyde announced. Ocracoke nonresident property owners will be allowed entry May 11. All nonresident property owners should bring their own supplies to sustain themselves in their homes as much as possible such as groceries, medication, paper products and other essentials.
Officials reminded visitors that the pandemic is not over and state and local restrictions are in effect including:
Social distancing guidelines.
Gatherings limited to 10 people or less.
Restaurants operating on a takeout or delivery basis only.
Limits on the number of people allowed into stores.
Continued closure of personal care and grooming businesses and entertainment businesses without retail or dining.
Visitors are encouraged to wear a mask or cloth face covering in public settings where other social distancing measures are difficult to maintain. Officials stressed CDC recommendations to not travel if you are sick or were exposed within 14 days to COVID-19.
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.
A REPORT FROM EYEWITNESS NEWS, BAHAMAS– The bridge from Spanish Wells to Russell Island has collapsed, cutting off access to the islands and cutting off the community’s access to its main water supply.
Progressive Liberal Party Senator Clay Sweeting told Eyewitness News a cement truck and golf cart were on the bridge when it collapsed shortly before 2 p.m.
Sweeting said the government signed a contract to replace the bridge in July 2019.
“It’s been deteriorating for some time,” he said.
“The new bridge is in containers on Russell Island waiting to be installed, so right now it’s not too much that can be done. There are a lot of residents on Russell Island that cannot transport themselves to Spanish Wells and vice versa.
“Also the water main is attached to the bridge and that also has collapsed. So now the community over there will be without water for the most part.”
Sweeting added: “Right now we are trying to assess the situation not much we can do. We need to get some heavy equipment in.”
Dataw Island Marina, a former Cruisers Net sponsor, was completely destroyed by Hurricane Matthew, but has now rebuilt and is open for business (temporarily restricted to day-time only transients and outside dining.) The marina is located just a short distance south off the Waterway via Parrot Creek, then Morgan River, west of marker #6, along the southern banks of the Morgan River. A wonderful, intimate marina and a great stopover!
We are happy to report that the Dataw Island Marina is once again fully operational with fuel, wet slips, dry stack, a restaurant, and a full-service boatyard. The Dataw Island Marina has rebuilt their wetslips and has a fuel once again. Gone are the days of being limited to dry stack. Hooray!!! Laura McCarthy
Bahamas Chatter is produced by A CRUISERS NET PARTNER, Explorer Chartbooks, which has long been the standard navigational supplement for enjoyable, informative, and safe cruising through the beautiful Bahamian waters and island visits.
CRUISING PERMIT UPDATE – from the Bahamas Customs Department:
“Because of the Emergency Orders that are in place, any vessel in Bahamian waters whose Cruising Permit expires will not be penalized. Once the E/O has been lifted, the renewal process will be resumed.” Regards, Geannine R. Moss, Ed.D, MBA, MPA Comptroller of Customs Bahamas Customs Department (242) 604-3021, (242) 604-3116 (242) 322-6223 (fax)
Windmill Harbour Marina, A CRUISERS NET SPONSOR, is located on Skull Creek, on the shores of Hilton Head Island. As of 5/6 transients are welcome.
EFFECTIVE 5/6/20
MARINA LOCK HOURS OF OPERATION BACK TO NORMAL!
Daylight Savings time hours: 8am – 7pm every day
As usual, Fuel Dock closes 1 hour before the Lock.
Marina office will remain closed until further notice.
Please note the Lock will be closed tomorrow 5/6/20 from 2pm to 3pm for pressure washing and routine maintenance.
Dear Boaters,
I hope this email finds everyone happy and healthy. We have had lots of folks out enjoying these beautiful spring days on the water. Let’s hope this weather continues for a while before the humidity and temperature goes up.
According to the latest updates given by Governor McMaster, he has lifted the “stay at home or work” order. We now feel that it is safe to switch back to normal working hours and start allowing transients back, taking into account the most recent health and safety precautions. We will utilize electronic document signing and take payments over the telephone to continue social distancing guidelines. We are still encouraging self service at the fuel dock for fuel and pump outs. PPE (Personal Protection Equipment) will be utilized by our staff, and we will increase the sanitation of our common areas such as bathrooms and Lock controls. We look forward to serving all of our regular slip owners, slip renters, and transients who love Windmill Harbour as much as we do.
We are hopeful that we have “flattened the curve” as they say, but we should still remain vigilant and abide by proper social distancing measures.
Please do not hesitate to contact me if you have any questions.
Please be advised that there may be a substantial wait time to be Locked back in on each afternoon. Please have patience and understand we are doing our best to get you safely in within a timely manner.
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