Watts Cut is a straight, narrow AICW channel that connects the South Edisto River with the Dawho River south of Charleston. Our thanks to Heather Craven for this report.
Went through Watts cut at low tide and followed the center of the channel and the lowest depth was 8.1 feet. We draw 6.0 feet.
Heather Craven
“One and Only Anchorage” lies on the eastern shore of the Waterway, south of flashing green daybeacon 17, and just north of the San Pablo Bridge. It is considered the only safe anchorage in the Jacksonville Beach area, thus its unusual name. Our thanks to Greg Zarus for this excellent update.
10/27/2019 We anchored my my Catalina 36 here after several failed attempts to find good holding along the ICW for 7 mi further north. We surveyed the bottom in this area and found it more than sufficiently deep-30 ft in some areas and more than 12ft right up to shore. I believe there is room enough for 2 or 3 boats. Holding was strong as we pulled 3/4 throttle with the current to check.
Greg Zarus
Click Here To Open A Chart View Window, Zoomed To the Location of One and Only Anchorage
Our thanks to experienced cruiser and Cruisers Net friend, Tom Hale, for sharing information on his recent passage of Problem Stretch Lockwoods Folly. See also Local Notice 10/24.
October 30, we transited Lockwoods Folly. What I found may be useful new information for southbound cruisers. I notified Bob of my observations just after we cleared the area.
· The first important note is that the USCG moved G47A, on October 29. It does not show on any charts yet. I have drawn a blue cross on the attached screen shot at the approximate location I noted in passing.
· As you approach from the north you will now see that R46, and G47 and G47a are almost in a line.
· You can transit this area by leaving R 46, 50-60 feet to starboard, and then steer half-way between the greens and the shore. The shore is very steep don’t be afraid of it!
· After passing G 47a make a very slow turn turn toward R48 following Bob’s route. Then make a lazy turn at R48 as you head down the center of the channel.
· Both R46A & 46B were physically removed months ago but NOAA has not caught up.
· There is a route laid out on the Aqua Map charts by Bob423 following the USACE way points. I’d recommend that waypoint #2 be placed 60 feet south of R46. It will make the course through here much easier to follow as you will have visual aids to help you, and this route has acceptable depths of 8’+ at MLLW.
· You can probably get through here, even at low tide, just honoring the ATONs. I drove through here using Navionics Sonar Charts and the ATONs, but laid a track in Aqua Map at the same time which is the blue line you see below. It seems that either on of these apps will get you around this shoal.
Cheers,
Tom
Click Here To Open A Chart View Window, Zoomed To This AICW Problem Stretch
Several route options to navigate St Andrew Sound, especially in foul weather, have been posted on Cruisers Net. Type St Andrew Sound in our Homepage Search window for those reports. Experienced cruisers and frequent Cruisers Net contributors Jim and Peg Healy share their ships log and navigation watches as M/V Sanctuary travels south on the FL/GA Waterway. Thank you Jim and Peg!
Transited St Andrews Sound yesterday March 16. NE wind 20 to 25 knots. I followed the ICW route, it became terribly rough. Steep four to six foot waves with a period of 2 to 3 seconds. In a 31 foot sailboat it was nerve wracking. So of course today I see the alternate route. Lesson learned, check Cruisers Net and Bob 423.
I believe the correct link for Bob423 tracks and routes is at: http://bobicw.blogspot.com/
You meant fleetwing.blogpot.com
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: Status of Customs and Immigration in the Abacos
Status of Customs and Immigration in the Abacos
Posted: 31 Oct 2019 05:33 AM PDT
Can someone tell me the status of customs and immigration in the Abacos post Dorian. Also locations where we could find them.
thanks
Bob
Our thanks to this article by Bo Peterson and Chloe Johnson as appeared in Post and Courier.
Click here for How many hurricanes make landfall in November?
Post and Courier
Zero!
Seafood Festival, Boat Show and Flea Market – what more could you want?
Click here for Featured Upcoming Florida Marine Exhibitor and Vendor Events
The pilot on board the capsized car carrier Golden Ray deliberately took the vessel out of the channel and grounded her, according to a report in The Brunswick News. The 656-foot vessel capsized on September 8 in St. Simons Sound while heading out to sea with 4,200 vehicles onboard. See LNM Capsized Vessel.
Golden Ray: Rock Operations Commence
Maritime Executive
Inside Golden Ray – A cargo assessment has taken place on the ninth deck
Maritime Executive
Rocks to be Placed Around Golden Ray
Maritime Executive
White Smoke Coming from Golden Ray
Maritime Executive
Golden Ray to be Disassembled on Location
Maritime Executive
Overturned cargo ship to be disassembled in St. Simons Sound
WTOC via Chip Plyler on Save Georgia’s Anchorages
Pilot Deliberately Grounded Golden Ray
Maritime Executive Newsletter
I went to the wreckage area in my boat and observed that the Golden Ray was lying perpendicular to the edge of the channel. To me, that adds credence to the intentional grounding theory.
Cruisers Net is not privy to any more details than mentioned in this report and cannot confirm or deny the accuracy of the report. We post this only because of the recent issues revolving around freedom to anchor. Further information should arrive soon.
Click here for Key West: FWC CAPTAIN SHOOTS LIVEABOARD ON HIS HOUSEBOAT
Once again, Jim Healy graciously imparts his experience in response to a Looper’s questions on AGLCA’s Forum with an excellent description of the Okeechobee Waterway. Jim is a true cruiser helping cruisers! Thank you Jim.
1) How many days should we anticipate to cross Florida going west at 9 knots. Currently thinking 1 day to Pt Mayaca, day 2 to Clewiston or Moore Haven, then day 3 and 4 from Moore Haven to Alva, FL (WP Franklin Lock).
“It all depends.” This trip is “Old Florida.” This is orange grove and sugar cane country. On the St. Lucie Canal, there are marinas at Stuart and Indiantown. There is a Corp Of Engineers dock at St. Lucie Lock with is $15/day with a Golden Age Pass. There’s not much/nothing to see at these stops, so one night overnights are typical for cruisers. A place to shower and sleep. So, typically, what we do is stop at the anchorage in Stuart. Then, Stuart to Clewiston. Then, Clewiston to Ft. Myers. I recognize that is a longer day than some people may want, but we do this trip twice a year, and as I said, very little to see. We stay at Roland Martin’s in Clewiston. Very nice Tiki Bar, and a relaxing place. Sammy the dockmaster is a wonder to enjoy. There are nice public docks in Moore Haven with power and water for $1.00 per foot. There are public docks at the library in Labelle. First come, first serve; Med Moorings. Good wifi. It’s the only place in the canal system to actually see a town. There is also a COE dock at the WP Franklin Lock; also $15/day with power and water. There are two locks on the St. Lucie Canal and three on the Caloosahatchee end. The highest lick is St. Lucie; around 16 feet vertical lift.
2) Where best to dock/anchor along the route?
You are permitted to anchor in the canal after closing at 1700. No one does [anchor] on the St. Lucie end except at the lock, on the north side.. You cannot anchor in the canals during the daytime hours of lock operation.
3) Is it better to cross the lake (route 1) or go the rim route (route 2)? What criteria to decide?
DO NOT TAKE THE RIM ROUTE WITH A 5′ DRAFT. PERIOD. We have never taken the Rim Route. The cross lake route is shallow enough, and even more so this year. The Southwest Water Management District has been holding the lake level down to avoid large water releases of the vile Lake O water into the canals. Not sure it’s doing any good, but check the Route 1 water depths. In the spring, we crossed when there was only 5′ of water, and the place that will affect you is the 5-mile channel from the lake into Clewiston.
4) What water level reading do we need from COE for our 5′ draft?
Five feet, of course. There are two places where the control depth is measured. One is in the channel out into the lake at Port Mayaca, the other is the channel from the lake into Clewiston. STAY IN THE CLEWISTON CHANNEL. The lake bottom is limestone, not sand. The Clewiston channel is dug, so the edges are rock. Much like the “Rock Pile” in South Carolina. There is no tide in the lake, but winds can change water levels at the north and south by as much as a foot or more. Watch winds that have been blowing for many days…
Bonus Question: What the current status of the Red Tide?
Yes. Red Tide is a problem on the gulf, not in the lake. IT IS A NATURAL PHENOMENA, NOT RELATED TO POLLUTION. It’s blue/green algae that you have to worry about in the canals and lake. Both conditions are problems in Florida. DO NOT SWIM IN THESE WATERS. They do contain nasty bacteria, but there are larger reptile hazards here, too. Big lizzagators live here. We wear nitrile exam gloves when handling lock lines.
Heading East to West consider 1) sunset bay marina & mooring field @ Stuart ( 2) transient docks at Indiantown Marina (3) Clewiston Roland Martins transient docks or Clewiston City Docks (4) Moore HAven City & (5) stop at Ft Myers City Marina at downtown There might be newer facilities since I have not crossed in many years. Enjoy.
Loved Franklin locks Campground and docks!
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