South Carolina Department of Natural Resources continues to monitor COVID-19. 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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From My Georgia Coast by Bobby Cary as shared on Save Georgia’s Anchorages by Ted Arisaka.
Jerico River in Midway, GA
Our thanks to Ted Arisaka of Save Georgia’s Anchorages for passing along this Facebook 5/28 post from Jayne Salvo Gorham. Turner Creek which intersects the Waterway south of Thunderbolt is a small low-traffic area with two small marinas allowing access to Wilmington Island and Savannah.
Well, today we ran afoul of Georgia’s new anchoring law. We went to anchor in Turner Creek near Thunderbolt and anchored in one of the spots recommended in the cruising guides near the town and marinas. We anchored well clear of any of the marinas but apparently one of the marina operators immediately made a call to the Georgia DNR to complain and an officer came out in her car and raised us on her bull horn. We talked to her on the telephone and she told us we were definitely not allowed to Anchor within 1000 feet of any dock of any kind which pretty much eliminates all of the creek. There was one spot way up the creek under the bridge where we could be a thousand feet away from anything and it turns out it was a relatively nice place after all.
Although the officer was very professional and polite, it is quite clear that Georgia is very hostile towards Cruisers who dare to Anchor in sight of their dock
We were planning to go ashore and spend some money in the town, but not anymore.
Jayne Salvo Gorham
One idea, would be to establish anchoring reciprocity agreements from state to state, like with so many other things. That way, if you lived in a state that prohibited anchoring, you could expect the same treatment, when you went somewhere else. Because, you know a lot of the people in Georgia who support these anchoring regulations, probably like anchoring in other states. They just don't want you to do it in their state.
If the poster's push pin locator is correctly placed, she was indeed in violation of the regulations. We just had our boat hauled at that marina / yard…Sail Harbor…with excellent results I might add…and her locator pin is right off the end of the Sail Harbor's docks. And the Creek is very narrow. The Aqua Map icon should be removed from that location. There is another anchoring icon a bit further up the creek toward the bridge where there is bigger water. Sorry she got flagged, but she should have been more courteous to Sail Harbor's facilities.
Hi Kent:
The marker shown on this cruisersnet post is not where they were anchored. I contacted the OP and she messaged me her GPS coordinates both before and after she was asked to move by the GA DNR. It appears they were in compliance with the 300ft setback required in "Marina Zones". My colleague, James Newsome, in our grassroots group "Save Georgia's Anchorages" contacted GA DNR and posted this positive outcome over on our facebook page.
[James H. Newsome] "As a follow up on this incident, I forwarded 2 charts to DNR along with a brief summary opinion of why we thought the DNR officer and marina owner were wrong.
"Assuming the boater's accounting of the incident is correct, and it certainly appears credible, we believe she was inaccurately advised by the DNR officer to abandon her anchored position. Additionally, the officer stated that the boater could not anchor within 1000' of any dock. This is not correct. The marina zone allows boaters to dock closer than 1000' but not within 300' of a marina."
Pictures of the chart by Ted Arisaka will be included in replies to this comment.
I discussed this situation with the Deputy Commissioner for GA DNR yesterday and he agrees with our assessment of the incident. He also commented that the officer has been contacted and the Commissoiner's AO, which established the setbacks, has been reviewed with her in an effort to prevent a future occurrence. He also said that the marina owner was contacted and informed that the boater was legally anchored and should not have been made to move.
Deputy Commission Rabon and I agreed that while a mistake was made it was encouraging that all parties involved were cordial and acted in a responsible manner. I acknowledged that our boating organizations are working to educate cruisers and advise them of the current situation with the anchoring laws in GA.
As a further update, we are hopeful that GA's HB833, legislation to replace HB201, will pass the Senate in the final phase of the General Assembly which will reconvene mid-June. DNR and our coalition of boating groups strongly support this legislation."
AICW Statute Mile 858.5 is not in Georgia:
Georgia’s New Anchoring Regulations Claim a Victim in Turner Creek, GA AICW Statute Mile 858.5
Editor: Jim is correct, it should read 585.5. My bad!
We took the opportunity in April 2020 to just skip the entire state of GA when coming south by going outside to Jacksonville from the last passable inlet in SC.
What is unfortunate is that the DNR Officer apparently only cited the 1000ft setback from structures requirement and seemingly not aware of the 300ft-1000ft "marina zones" that allow anchoring and take precedence. Our group Save Georgia's Anchorages intends to provide some feedback to the DNR on this matter. Thanks Cruisers'Net for broadcasting this story.
Our thanks to Bill King for confirming the success of last year’s dredging of this Problem Stretch, which, for the time being at least, seems not such a Problem Stretch.
BTW…on the north-bound transit, came through Hell Gate (GA) last week at dead low tide. I know it was dredged but I did not expect to see 9’-plus all the way through following the USACE survey route.
Bill King
Stuart, Florida
Click Here To View the Cruisers’ Net’s AICW Problem Stretches Listing For Hell Gate
Click Here To Open A Chart View Window, Zoomed To This AICW Problem Stretch
Went thru the Gate on 1/9/21 at low tide. Lowest observed depth was 7.6 ft.
Caladesi Island State Park is a Florida State Park located on Caladesi Island in the Gulf of Mexico, across St. Joseph Sound to the west of Dunedin, Florida, and north of Clearwater Beach. See Report from Caledesi Island by Claiborne Young from 2012. If you have an answer for Jon, let us hear from you. Currently the State Park has limited facilities dues to the COVID-19 pandemic.
Can you tell me what happened to the sign for CALADESI ISLAND that was on Marker 14? WHY is it gone? Can it be replaced?
Jon
The Care Package initiative was a huge success and the appeal for donations has ended. Good for you readers!
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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
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