Our thanks to Bill Parlatore for permitting Cruisers Net to post articles from his excellent blog, Following Seas. In case you missed Part 1 and Part 2.
The Cost of Cruising – Part 3 – Some Thoughts on Living Expenses
In Part 3, we look at incidental and daily costs, and how to keep them from cutting your travels short.
Reports of shoaling south of Fernandina Beach have been coming in for several years prompting numerous comments. This shoaling and shifting channel lies c. two miles south of Fernandina Beach harbor just north of the Waterway’s turn into Kingsley Creek. Our thanks to Geologist Bill Aley for this permanent buoy update.
Following up on some conversations we were having this past April, we are happy to announce that the U.S. Coast Guard (USCG) has finally placed permanent navigation aids to mark the new channel alignment in the problematic navigation area of the Intracoastal Waterway just south of Fernandina, FL.
Attached is the notice from the USCG and a rough map showing existing and new permanent navigation aids in the area.
Unfortunately, they did not mark the shoal that is north-west of green marker #3. This shoal is still a potential hazard to any boaters who may navigate directly from marker 3 toward 1B, especially at lower tides.
Happy Thanksgiving.
Bill Aley, P.G. | Professional Geologist
Taylor Engineering, Inc.
10199 Southside Blvd., Suite 310, Jacksonville, FL 32256
Main: 904-731-7040 | Direct: 904-256-1313 | Cell: 904-545-1137
www.taylorengineering.com
Destin | Jacksonville | Sarasota | Tampa
R 061925Z NOV 18
FM USCGC HAMMER
TO COMCOGARD SECTOR JACKSONVILLE FL
INFO COGARD ANT JACKSONVILLE BEACH FL
CCGDSEVEN MIAMI FL
COGARD STA MAYPORT FL
BT
UNCLAS
PASS TO OFFICE CODES:
INFO CCGDSEVEN MIAMI FL//DPW//
SUBJ: ATON CHANGE/IATONIS UPDATE//
1. FERNANDINA BEACH BUOY 1A CONVERTED TO FERNANDINA BEACH DBN 1A POST
DREDGING PROJECT.
2. RECOVERED BUOY. ESTABLISHED (01) 50FT SPW IN 12FT. INSTALLED (02)
03 SG-SY.
3. POSN INFO: 30-39-46.403N 081-29-05.218W (30°39.7734N / 081°29.0870W, 30.662890 / -81.484783)
4. REQ MPP BECOME AP.
4. REQ BNM
BT
————————————————————————————————————————–
R 061914Z NOV 18
FM USCGC HAMMER
TO COMCOGARD SECTOR JACKSONVILLE FL
INFO COGARD ANT JACKSONVILLE BEACH FL
CCGDSEVEN MIAMI FL
COGARD STA MAYPORT FL
BT
UNCLAS
PASS TO OFFICE CODES:
INFO CCGDSEVEN MIAMI FL//DPW//
SUBJ: ATON CHANGE/IATONIS UPDATE//
1. FERNANDINA BEACH BUOY 1B CONVERTED TO FERNANDINA BEACH DBN 1B POST
DREDGING PROJECT.
2. RECOVERED BUOY. ESTABLISHED (01) 50FT SPW IN 20FT. INSTALLED (02)
03 SG-SY.
3. POSN INFO: 30-39-36.578N 081-29-09.609W (30°39.6097N / 081°29.1601W, 30.660161 / -81.486002)
4. REQ MPP BECOME AP.
4. REQ BNM
———————————————————————————————————————————-
R 061920Z NOV 18
FM USCGC HAMMER
TO COMCOGARD SECTOR JACKSONVILLE FL
INFO COGARD ANT JACKSONVILLE BEACH FL
CCGDSEVEN MIAMI FL
COGARD STA MAYPORT FL
BT
UNCLAS
PASS TO OFFICE CODES:
INFO CCGDSEVEN MIAMI FL//DPW//
SUBJ: ATON CHANGE/IATONIS UPDATE//
1. AMELIA RIVER BUOY 18A CONVERTED TO FERNANDINA BEACH DBN 18A POST
DREDGING PROJECT.
2. RECOVERED BUOY. ESTABLISHED (01) 50FT SPW IN 13FT. INSTALLED (02)
04 TR-TY.
3. POSN INFO: 30-39-52.597N 081-29-07.909(30°39.8766N / 081°29.1318W, 30.664610 / -81.485530)
4. REQ MPP BECOME AP.
4. REQ BNM
—————————————————————————————————————————————-
R 061907Z NOV 18
FM USCGC HAMMER
TO COMCOGARD SECTOR JACKSONVILLE FL
INFO COGARD ANT JACKSONVILLE BEACH FL
CCGDSEVEN MIAMI FL
COGARD STA MAYPORT FL
BT
UNCLAS
PASS TO OFFICE CODES:
INFO CCGDSEVEN MIAMI FL//DPW//
SUBJ: ATON DISCREPANCY CORRECTION
A. COGARD ANT JACKSONVILLE BEACH
1. FERNANDINA BEACH DBN 2 (LLNR 37987 [30°38.9113N / 081°29.0580W, 30.648522 / -81.484300])
2. CAUSE: ALLISON. RECOVERED TRUB. REBUILT AID IN
18FT OF WATER USING (01) 50FT SPW. INSTALLED (02) 04 TR-TY.
3. POSN INFO: REBUILT ON AP.
4. REQ CANX BNM
BT
Click Here To Open A Chart View Window, Zoomed To the Location of Temporary Buoy 18A
Robert Sherer
Happy cruising everyone. Hopefully this area is now more clearly marked for your cruising pleasure. Please keep aware of the still dangerous shoal on the west bank, south of marker 1B and NW of marker 3. Plenty of deepwater exists on the outside of the bends in this area.
Fort Pierce City Marina, A CRUISERS NET SPONSOR and a public facility, is located west of the Waterway, just south of the Fort Pierce high-rise bridge and well north of unlighted daybeacon #188.
Many of us who enjoy cruising on coastal waters have probably heard that the “Sunset City” is San Francisco, CA.
But do you know what city is the “Sunrise City”?
It is ideally located on Florida’s eastern beautiful sandy shores and is …..
Fort Pierce City Marina at sunrise
Fort Pierce and San Francisco are actually “Sister Cities” with their acclaims as the Sunrise and the Sunset cities.
Cruising southern Florida and maybe on to the Keys or Bahamas, a visit to this slice of ole Florida charm and hospitality will be well worth your time.
The town of Fort Pierce is located on what is called Florida’s “Treasure Coast.”
The Treasure Coast refers to the tons of treasure reportedly left at the ocean’s bottom by ships sunk in this immediate area.
The major drawing card here is the Spanish “Silver” Fleet sunk in this area in 1715.
Here’s a map outlining the Treasure Coast area in red for you “treasure hunters.”
Who knows, it just might be able to help you find a Spanish coin or two!
The city got its name from an Army post that was in the area named for Benjamin Kendrick Pierce, a career US Army officer and brother of President Franklin Pierce, hence the name, Fort Pierce. As the town gradually built near by, it took the name in 1838.
Fort Pierce City Marina first opened in 1938, ideally located in the heart of the town’s business district and local parks.
Circa 1948 Ten years after opening
So much is within easy walking distance: excellent places to eat and one of our favorites is 12-A Buoy for excellent seafood. A nice stroll along Indian River Drive brings you by the Manatee Observation and Education Center, http://www.manateecenter.com and the A.E. Backus Museum and Gallery which is home to paintings by this local native of Ft. Pierce well known for his tropical landscape paintings, http://www.backusmuseum.com/.
Also nearby are many interesting places to visit such as:
National Navy SEAL Museum https://www.navysealmuseum.org/
Ft. Pierce Inlet State Park https://www.stateparks.com/fort_pierce_inlet_state_park_in_florida.html
which provide an abundance of recreational opportunities.
The breathtakingly beautiful half-mile beach welcomes visitors for swimming, snorkeling, surfing, and scuba diving. Beachcombing, picnicking, or just relaxing on the sand are also popular activities, and a slightly longer walk or short bike ride will take you to Heathcote Botanical Gardens, https://www.heathcotebotanicalgardens.org/.
Provisioning for your crew is rather special as each Saturday, Fort Pierce boasts one of the best farmer’s markets in all of Florida and it is ranked in the top five nationally, https://www.fortpiercefarmersmarket.com/.
Now that has to be some kind of Farmers Market.
Fresh baked bread
Over seventy vendors
And then on Wednesdays, the “Green Market” also takes place, so every skipper should be able to have some of Florida’s freshest produce aboard for all to enjoy.
On the social side, weather permitting, the first Friday of each month there is a “Street Party” with live music where you may meet new friends, and we are sure you will have some good ole fashioned enjoyment.
Going offshore for the Bahamas, one of Florida’s best east coast inlets is the Fort Pierce Inlet, known to be the “best all weather inlet on the east coast.”
Fort Pierce Inlet
The inlet and surrounding Indian River Lagoon provides many spoil islands to enjoy on day trips with the family, or kayaking, or enjoying a picnic, but also easy access to the Atlantic and world-class fishing waters…and between us “friends,” maybe find a Spanish silver coin or two.
Spoil islands anchorage
Fort Pierce City Marina is eighty years young as this is being published. This first-class marine facility has not only stood the test of time, but this marina continues to lead with improvements, such as their $32.8 million dollar waterfront Island protection project, new floating docks, their “first in the state” eco-friendly Storm Protection System and improved yacht friendly navigation.
| Fort Pierce City Marina in 2007… | and here’s the marina in 2016 … |
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You have to visit and see first hand how this marina management team has worked hard and smart to develop something very unique that not only protects its marina slips but contributes to the local sea habitat, both fish and fowl.
Also provided for the cruising community is a new dinghy dock so cruisers can have easy and comfortable access to the town.
Ft. Pierce City Marina provides all the amenities of home: clean comfortable facilities, free wifi, two fueling stations, complementary pump-outs, two restaurants on site, pet friendly, supply store, etc… (see marina features below).
Fort Pierce City Marina is just south of South Bridge on the Atlantic ICW at Statute Mile 966.5. The entrance channel is relatively new, a couple years old now, just be sure your charts are current.
Contact them on VHF #16 or #17, or
Call via your cell phone to 800.619.1780 or local 772.464.1245.
Web site – http://www.fortpiercecitymarina.org/
Enjoy your stay with this team of professional marina providers. They are truly a skipper’s resource and excellent host for you as you enjoy your trip through this part of Florida. Many have come for a visit and, well, now Ft. Pierce City Marina is their home port. Let your team here at Cruisers Net know about your visit to Fort Pierce City Marina.
Marina Features
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Click Here To Open A Chart View Window, Zoomed To the Location of Fort Pierce City Marina
Our thanks to Bill Parlatore for permitting Cruisers Net to post articles from his excellent blog, Following Seas.
I went along on what will likely be the last sail of the year. Boats that have not gone south are being winterized and properly stored. This past Saturday we brought a Hallberg-Rassy to its winter yard at Herrington Harbour North in Deale, MD. And today I help bring a Selene 40 trawler over to Jabin Yacht Yard in Annapolis for hauling and shrink wrap. It’s that time of year.
Monday Minute – Last Sail of 2018
Our thanks to good friend and frequent contributor to Cruisers Net, Greg Allard, for sharing this Facebook video.
Those of you who have cruised in the Bahamas, or are lucky enough to live there, and have enjoyed the extraordinary Exuma Land and Sea Park, will find this interesting. Don’t miss the video.
-Greg Allard
M/V Meander
Click here for Metal Shark in the Bahamas
Hank Pomeranz of Coastal Yacht Care and host of navigation/weather briefings at Southport Marina reports this missing ICW marker. Hank had discussed marker 48A in his Oct 30 Pomeranz Report. The intersection of Wright River and Northern Fields cut is a Cruisers Net Problem Stretch noted for shoaling and channel shifting.
Hi all, I had two on scene reports yesterday that R”48A” is missing at the northern entrance to Fields Cut. I have photos from within the last 10 days that it was there. It was not mentioned in the 46/18 LNM. As you know, this mark forces you towards the green shore for deeper water.
Bob, I downloaded your GPX track through there and have attached a screen shot- which may help show them the deepest path. Navionics also has a good handle on it and I just drew a faux track to make the point. Perhaps an announcement something to the effect that if R48A is not on station, suggest closely following the green (port southbound) shore for deepest water.
This is basically how I started briefing it last night.
Best Regards
hank
Sherer GPX Track
Navionics
Click Here To Open A Chart View Window, Zoomed To Northern Fields Cut
NOAA makes it easier to submit a comment or report a nautical chart error.
November 16, 2018
Contact:
Kristen Crossett, 301-325-2113
NOAA makes it easier to submit a comment or report a nautical chart error
On November 16, 2018, NOAA released ASSIST, a new system for submitting questions and reporting nautical chart errors to NOAA’s Office of Coast Survey. ASSIST has a mobile-friendly design and improved user interface that allows customers to access the system conveniently from any device. This new tool replaces Coast Survey’s Inquiry and Discrepancy Management System (IDMS), a database that collected nearly 20,000 comments, inquiries, and discrepancy reports since 2008.
ASSIST offers new features including the ability to:
Tag your submission on a NOAA chart, map, or satellite imagery
Enter reports from a cell phone or other mobile device
Comment or report an error using a single form
These improvements streamline the internal Coast Survey workflow, allowing faster, more efficient responses to customers. ASSIST is available from: https://www.nauticalcharts.noaa.gov/customer-service/assist/
NOAA Office of Coast Survey is the nation’s nautical chartmaker. Originally formed by President Thomas Jefferson in 1807, Coast Survey updates charts, surveys the coastal seafloor, responds to maritime emergencies, and searches for underwater obstructions that pose a danger to navigation.
For years, Cruisers Net has admonished its readers to not blindly follow the magenta line on their chart plotters. Now experienced sailor and frequent contributor, Hank Pomeranz of Carolina Yacht Care and daily navigation/weather briefs at Southport Marina, affirms that advice with “get your head out of the cockpit.” Thank you Hank! Lockwoods Folly, a Cruisers Net Problem Stretch, is notorious for shoaling and channel shifting with almost every tide change.
Hi all,
I think it’s a good time to reiterate that visually following the marks across Lockwoods Folly Inlet is critical to safe passage. I am seeing in my nightly briefs that many people are depending on Bob’s posted track (mostly my waypoints), which they are plotting on various apps – primarily AquaMap and Navionics. The track is valid but these two apps (and I suspect others) have 3 issues with buoys: R48, G47A are both incorrectly plotted and R46A, while shown in the apps does not exist.
A key issue is that our Lockwoods Folly track plots on the wrong side of R48 and points to a G47A that isn’t where shown. The questions I’m getting from cruisers who are looking ahead is: Do I follow the track despite the fact that it goes on the wrong side of the red? I tell them that the buoys are misplotted and the track is good and to make sure they follow the marks. I wonder about the cruisers who may be looking at the image on the screen and assuming they should take R48 on the wrong side.
When I was learning to fly, I did what a lot of nuggets do and that is to focus on the gauges. My flight instructor told me to get my “head out of the cockpit”! Good advice up there and good advice down here. I think it’s time to instill in our new cruisers that, unless you have a reason to believe otherwise (mark reported offstation, destroyed, etc) it is best to assume they’re correct and follow them. Where they are shown on the many apps is not enough reason to trust that the plotted positions are accurate, as the Lockwoods Folly Inlet so aptly demonstrates.
We will do the cruising community a service by reminding them to get their heads out of the cockpit and trust their eyeballs.
Thanks
Hank
P.S. I am getting positive reports from experienced cruisers that they are doing well following Bob’s tracks. My concern here is not that group, but rather the ones who don’t understand that blind and complete reliance on one source and a lack of trust in one’s own observations does not make for a good mariner.
This Navionics chart received 11/16/18
And Robert Sherer, editor for Waterway Guides, adds this:
Hank,
Just to add, I had one report a day ago that a cruiser bumped bottom between G47A and R48A. We had an exchange of notes to clarify whether he followed my track or eyeballed it using the two buoys (I was concerned further shoaling had occurred). His reply was that he eyeballed it to be midchannel between the two buoys when he should have favored the green side per my track.
I also had notes back to me about the missing buoy and miss located buoy. I tell them that one is not there and the other one had been moved and to honor all buoys but follow the track – to prevent touching bottom between G47A and R48A.
I’ve had good reports back on the tracks with two provisions. The turn southward into Sawpit creek swings too wide. It’s a good track if you follow it exactly but there’s no room for error if you swing a little wider than I did. That’s complicated by the usual swift currents there (which caught me, the reason for the wide turn). I am going to edit that track to fix that problem. The second provision is that I have not posted a track from Jacksonville to St Augustine. I found shallows when I went too far to the green side of the new channel (not on any charts) after crossing St Johns River. All charts showed plenty of water including SonarChart, they are all wrong. Just follow the new buoys which are far to the right side when going south (The channel used to be on the left side there) They are small and not easy to see. I get a lot of complaints about not posting that route! I do plan on editing that route too and it will be posted soon. In the meantime, I would favor the red side some, the building shoal is on the green side of the new channel.
Robert Sherer, aka Bob423
Waterway Guide On-The-Water Editor
Click Here To Open A Chart View Window, Zoomed To This AICW Problem Stretch
Few Floridian communities are as welcoming to the cruising community as CRUISERS NET SPONSOR, Fort Myers Beach! This is a town that knows how to treat cruisers and invite them back time and time again! Our thanks to Torie Cannon for this excellent report.
Excellent stop off on your way south or north. Easy in and easy out. Run by the Mantanzas Inn on the Bay. Office staff much better informed and less hassle at registration this time around! Austin on the Pump out boat comes on Monday-Wednesday-Friday between 10:00 and 14:00. Must be aboard for pump out. Ice availability a little tough but you can dinghy into Diversified for ice and fuel. They also have an excellent parts department on the second floor. Moss docks have a closed sign on them across the channel. Showers clean, four washing machines and dryers. Beach trolley is .75 one way and you can take it to the Publix south on the beach side. Had to get a #4 wire to rewrite the new alternator to the house battery and went into Olson Marine next to Diversified marine, Doc Ford restaurant and Olson put the wire together for us in a jiffy for a reasonable price. Excellent experience over all!
Torie Cannon
Click Here To Open A Chart View Window, Zoomed To the Location of the Fort Myers Beach Mooring Field
Camachee Cove Yacht Harbor, A CRUISERS NET SPONSOR, continues to receive words of praise for its facility and staff. Camachee Cove Yacht Harbor is located just off the Waterway’s western shoreline, south of unlighted daybeacon #7 and north of the Vilano Beach Bridge.
A failing battery brought me back to Camachee Cove Yacht Harbor on our cruise south. The staff at the Yacht Yard were helpful, friendly, and prompt. Technician quickly diagnosed the problem, rounded up four new 8D batteries, and replaced my old ones within a few hours. For anyone needing help in north Florida, Camachee Yacht Yard is a great resource.
David Grimes
Click Here To Open A Chart View Window, Zoomed To the Location of Camachee Cove Yacht Harbor
We really enjoyed our time at Camachee Cove last time we passed through St. Augustine and will be back! Plenty of pictures and hopefully some helpful info on the approach to the marina can be found here: https://myoloh.com/southbound-17-travel-day-25-amelia-island-fl-to-st-augustine-fl/
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