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.
A seminar on the topic of Crossing the Gulf Stream will be held on April 19, 2018, at Dania Beach, Florida in the IT Parker Center. Time to be announced.
The two-hour seminar will be led by Captain Chase Camacho, USCG Master for 27 years. Captain Chase has traveled to the Bahamas since 1991. Also about six other captains will be there to assist with any other questions. Special Guest will be the U.S. Coast Guard.
Topics include: Do’s and Don’t’s of crossing the Gulf Stream How to prepare What to bring Storage Important engine quick fixes
The fee is $795/boat up to 5 people and $100/pp for additional passengers.
For further information, please contact Captain Chase Camacho at chaseuone@gmail.com.
A new survey of dockage and fuel prices has been completed and posted showing most of the marinas offering these services in the Bahamas. Some we were unable to contact at the present time and they are shown in red. In general, fuel prices were up with a few exceptions.
Please go to our website www.explorercharts.com under Fuel and Dockage Prices to check our latest findings. We will be updating continuously as we get new information.
In FWC’s first application period for derelict vessel removal grants, $488, 550.00 was available and only $184,935.00 was requested. This leaves $303,615.00 still available for derelict vessel removal grants. Therefore this 2nd opportunity announcement is being advertised.
The Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC) is announcing the opportunity to apply for Derelict Vessel Removal Grants. The application period for the Bulk Derelict Vessel Removal Grant Program will begin on Monday March 26, 2018 at 8:00 AM (EST), and end on Wednesday May 9, 2018 at 5:00 PM (EST). Applications received after Wednesday May 9, 2018, will not be eligible for consideration. All removal applications must demonstrate proof that due process was provided for each vessel’s owner. At a minimum, this would include an opportunity for the vessel owner to challenge the derelict vessel determination, either in criminal court or in an administrative hearing. Vessel cases not demonstrating that these opportunities have been offered to the owners of the vessels will not be considered for state funding assistance. The grant guidelines and application form may be downloaded at: http://www.MyFWC.com/DVGrant.
You may also receive the guidelines and application by contacting Phil Horning at (850) 617-9540 or email DVGrant@MyFWC.com.
Applications that meet the requirements for the Rapid Removal Grant Program may be submitted at any time after the opportunity announcement start date, but no later than November 31, 2018 at 5:00pm (EST) (based on available funding). Rapid removal cases must also meet due process requirements. Total funding allocated for derelict vessel removal for fiscal year 2017/18 is $488,550. Applications may be mailed to the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission, Boating and Waterways Section, Derelict Vessel Grant Program Administrator, at 620 S. Meridian Street – Room 235, Tallahassee, Florida 32399-1600 or emailed to DVGrant@MyFWC.com.
For further information, please contact:
Phil Horning, Derelict Vessel Program Administrator, Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission, Division of Law Enforcement, Boating and Waterways Section, (850) 617-9540 or email Phil.Horning@MyFWC.com
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: New Anchoring fee for Exuma Land and Sea Park New Anchoring fee for Exuma Land and Sea Park
Posted: 02 Mar 2018 01:53 PM PST
This was posted in Bahamas Sailing and Cruising Facebook group. Big change is a $0.50/foot anchoring fee for vessels under 90′.
“Good morning cruisers; Park Warden at the ECLSP here. Below is some important info from our Administrator in regards to a new anchorage fee structure.
Attention ALL vessels:
New Anchorage Fees in effect as of today; March 1st, 2018.
Vessels 90’ and above will be required to pay $1 per foot for anchoring within the Park boundaries.
Vessels under 90’ will be required to pay $0.50 per foot for anchoring within the Park boundaries.
Please remember the park boundaries run from Wax Cay Cut in the North to Conch Cut in the South, and extend outward 4nm to the East and the West.
The Cape Coral Cruise Club is a group of dedicated cruisers who always provide unique reports from the marinas they visit. Pink Shell Beach Resort and Marina, A CRUISERS’ NET SPONSOR and voted Best Small Marina in 2017, overlooks the westerly banks of the Mantanzas Pass channel, west of marker #13.
PINK SHELL CRUISE FEBRUARY 20th – 23rd 2018 By Captain John Queen, Past Commodore, Cape Coral Cruise Club
The Cape Coral Cruise Club has monthly cruises to a variety of destinations in Southwest Florida. For the month of February 2018, that destination was the popular Pink Shell Resort and Marina on Fort Myers Beach. There was a super turnout with 17 club boats making the trip, ranging in size from 30 to 50 feet. Most boats arrived Tuesday, February 20th with fairly decent weather on their bow. Many boats waited until slack tide before arriving, as we know how tricky docking can be at Pink Shell marina in strong tidal currents. Dock master Dave and his assistant Craig did an excellent job getting boats into slips safe and sound. Tuesday afternoon was a time for relaxing and catching up with other club members. Walking down the marina dock it was great seeing a fleet of white fiberglass boats sporting the yellow Club burgee.
At 4:30 PM, the members gathered at the marina deck for our traditional Docktail hour with chips, pretzels and the like. The marina accommodated our need to have seating for 34 club members as they already had set up tables and chairs on the marina lawn. Club members converged at 6:00 PM for our scheduled dinner of hamburgers, hot dogs and plenty of side dishes. It’s always amazing how much love goes into the preparation of food in this club – members never go home hungry. After dinner, club members anxiously waited for me to describe the fun and games portion of the evening. I had told them previously that we were going to play “The Pathetic Peanut Game”. As club members watched, 50 shelled peanuts and 50 Styrofoam packing peanuts were placed in the center of a large round table. Two large plastic Dixie cups sat opposite each other on the table. I explained that the object of the game was to get as many peanuts into their team’s cup within a two minute period. Simple enough, eh?
Of course, my silly made-up games are never that simple. “Oh by the way”, “you must keep your hands behind your back and only use a straw to lift the peanuts!!” I demonstrated how using suction with a straw would allow players to move the peanuts. Each team had two minutes to lift as many peanuts to its cup, the team with the most points would win. (Styrofoam peanuts were worth 1 point each, shelled peanuts were worth 5 points each, and two specially painted peanuts were worth 25 points each.) Let the fun begin! It was a wild sight watching these seasoned boaters trying to move peanuts via the suction of a straw. I wouldn’t have it any other way! Each team worked feverishly to beat the score of the previous team. When it was all over, the winning team prevailed with a score of 158 points. Prizes were awarded to the top three teams and everyone had a good time. A special ring in the shape of a peanut was also awarded to the top finisher.
The next morning, we prepared breakfast on our boat for 30 people consisting of scrambled eggs, sausage, fresh fruit, and juice at the tables on the marina lawn. After breakfast, the next fun game began. Everyone learned it we would be a scavenger hunt. There were 10 questions or riddles to solve, all based on objects found in and around Pink Shell marina and resort property. The winner would be based on accuracy and speed. The weather was perfect, and after receiving their list of questions, couples scattered in every direction.
I thought it would be a while before anyone returned with their answer sheets, so I was surprised when some of them were being returned within half an hour. Within an hour or so, every couple had turned in their answer sheets for ‘grading’. All were advised that results and winners would be announced just prior to dinner that night. The rest of the day was spent by club members at the pool, shelling at the beach, shopping at Times Square, or simply ‘chillaxing’ on their boat. Just prior to dinner the results of the scavenger hunt were revealed with prizes awarded to the 1st, 2nd and 3rd place teams.
We usually have a group dinner on our cruises where other club members will join us by land yacht. This outing was no exception as we had 38 club members dine at Jack’s Farm to Fork restaurant just across the street in the resort. Everyone had a great dining experience and left will full stomachs.
Thursday morning, we prepared another breakfast for the boaters, and again carted everything out to the tables set up on marina lawn. We could not have had better winter Florida weather. The rest of the day was spent shopping, shelling, swimming, playing card games, or just plain relaxing.
Thursday night, club members headed off in different directions for dinner. On our club cruises, we usually designate Thursday night as ‘on your own’. Most of the boaters ended up at a handful of different restaurants along Estero Blvd.
Friday morning came too soon, and everyone got underway for the journey home. Some boaters left early in the morning while others were in no hurry to depart. The Pink Shell cruise was another great boating experience for members of the Cape Coral Cruise Club.
The Cape Coral Cruise Club is open to new members who own a boat with overnight accommodations and reside in the Cape Coral / Ft. Myers area. For membership information please contact Phil Kryger at 239-541-0236. Read additional Club information on its website, www.c-c-c-c.org Like us on Facebook.
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.
In our monthly fuel survey,for several months we have been unable to get a response to our calls to Exuma Yacht Club. Now we can give a first-hand report on fuel in Elizabeth Harbour. The marina was severely damaged by hurricanes last year and has not been rebuilt. There is no fuel (or water) at the dock. Gasoline can be obtained by jerry-jugging from the filling station.The Harbour Master reports that delivery of diesel can be made to the rough concrete government dock, where the mailboat and freight boats come in. Arrangements can be made through the filling station in town.
The nearest fuel stations are the Marina at Emerald Bay on Great Exuma and Long Island Petroleum in Salt Pond.
Additional information on the harbour: The moorings in Hole #1 have been reduced to just a handful and there is no pumpout boat operational. It is wise to be aware of the possible harbour pollution with the large number of vessels there.
As rapidly as critical intersections, such as the many Problem Stretches listed on Cruisers’ Net, can change due to storms and flooding, you have to wonder how useful this program will be for navigation. Still, it will be fun to use in making your float plan.
Harborwalk Marina, A CRUISERS’ NET SPONSORS, is only a boardwalk away from Georgetown’s Historic District for history, entertainment, great food and shopping. Harborwalk Marina is the third marina on your starboard side as you enter the protected waters of Georgetown, also A CRUISERS’ NET SPONSOR! And OnSpotWifi is also A CRUISERS’ NET SPONSOR!
RE: Harborwalk Marina Expansion, Georgetown SC. Despite this winter’s frigid temperatures and construction issues, we are working to complete the planned upgrades, and despite a slight setback in our time frame, the delay will not keep us from using our current floating docks or our new 200’ floating fuel dock. During the winter months we have also installed “OnSpot Wifi” and have had nothing but great feedback. We hope to see everyone headed north soon!
Chris Carroll, Operations Manager Harborwalk Marina Evening Post Industries P.O. Box 274 525 Front Street Georgetown SC 29440 843-546-4250 843-240-2318 (Cell) www.harborwalkmarina.com ccarroll@harborwalkmarina.com
Johns Pass connects the Gulf with the Waterway at Mile 123 north of St. Petersburg. See https://cruisersnet.net/168527 for a earlier off-station buoy report. And note this LNM and observations about buoy placement in our chartlet and on the full chart. Our recommendation is to keep the Green markers on your port side when entering. Our thanks to Torie Cannon for this report.
Friends of ours were coming Johns Pass this weekend and went hard aground causing serious damage to their 39’ Gulfstar Sailmaster. They were taking on water and beached the boat just inside the pass to prevent her from totally sinking. Then hailed SeaTow or Boat US to assist. They did manage to get hauled this weekend but not before a lot of water was in the boat. The towing company quickly showed up with pumps and manage to get them afloat at towed them to a near by yard for haul out. When I heard about the other boat going aground I thought old boat and newbies are a bad combination. But our friends have been in and out of the pass enough to know it. I think last time was about 6 months ago. Something is not marked in that pass. Torie Cannon
The Charleston City Boatyard, a subsidiary of Charleston City Marina, A CRUISERS’ NET SPONSOR, is found on the northern reaches of the Wando River north of red marker #40.
Don’t Sweat Out Another Summer on the Docks
Air Conditioning Descaling Service from The City Boatyard!
Scale buildup is the number one reason water cooled systems malfunction on your vessel. Let The City Boatyard’s ABYC Certified Techs free your hoses, coils, and overall system of troublesome deposits with our Air Conditioning Descaling Service.
We can typically flush up to 5 air conditioning units at a time using safe and environmentally friendly Hammer Head Marine Descaler. Our experts allow this solution to reverse circulate for 4 hours, flush with fresh water, then restart the system. The process removes marine growth and other mineral deposits.
As you are looking to save money on slip rental, these are good deals to consider and some of the offers have been extended! The New Bern Grand Marina, A CRUISERS’ NET SPONSOR, lies in the heart of downtown New Bern, North Carolina, along Trent River’s northern banks between the low-level Trent River highway and railroad bridges.
New Bern Grand Marina has several very attractive new offers to save boaters lots of money!
Thank you! Millissa True New Bern Grand Marina Yacht Club Marketing and Customer Relations
Notice of membership solicitation for Hydrographic Services Review Panel, due May 25, 2018
Dear colleague, Can you please share this announcement with your organization and any other suggestions for possible candidates for membership on NOAA’s Hydrographic Services Review Panel (Federal Advisory Committee).
This is a request and call for nominations on behalf of NOAA’s Hydrographic Services Review Panel (HSRP). NOAA and Rear Admiral Shepard Smith, the Designated Federal Officer, and the Director, Office of Coast Survey, and NOAA seek 5 new (and /or renewing) members for a four year term that starts January 1, 2019, and runs through 2022.
If you have a very well qualified recommendation for an HSRP nomination for 2019, can you please share this information and encourage their nomination? NOAA is accepting nominations on a rolling basis at any time and no later than May 25, 2018. If selected, the term starts January 1, 2019. There are 2 public meetings each year as well as informational administrative meetings monthly.
The Federal Register Notice (FRN) with information and instructions about how to apply, including a list of short answer questions, is attached and at https://www.federalregister.gov/documents/2018/02/14/2018-02969/hydrographic-services-review-panel . The nominee should make sure to satisfy the 5 questions and to submit a complete application with a short bio of no more than 350 words.
The NOAA Administrator seeks and encourages individuals with expertise in marine navigation and technology, port administration, marine shipping or other intermodal transportation industries, cartography and geographic information systems, geodesy, physical oceanography, coastal resource management, including coastal preparedness and emergency response, and other related fields.
To apply for membership on the Panel, nominees are requested to submit the following five items and respond to five questions. The entire package should be a maximum length of eight pages or fewer. NOAA is an equal opportunity employer. 1) A cover letter that responds to the five questions listed below and serves as a statement of interest to serve on the panel. Please see “Short Response Questions” below. 2) Highlight the nominee’s specific area(s) of expertise relevant to the purpose of the Panel from the list in the Federal Register Notice. 3) A current resume. 4) A short biography of no more than 350 words. 5) The nominee’s full name, title, institutional affiliation, mailing address, email, phone, fax and contact information.
Short Response Questions: 1) List the area(s) of expertise, as listed above, which you would best represent on this Panel. 2) List the geographic region(s) of the country with which you primarily associate your expertise. 3) Describe your leadership or professional experiences which you believe will contribute to the effectiveness of this panel. 4) Describe your familiarity and experience with NOAA navigation data, products, and services. 5) Generally describe the breadth and scope of stakeholders, users, or other groups whose views and input you believe you can share with the panel.
The nominee will receive an acknowledgement response after submitting the package. I am happy to answer questions or chat with possible candidates on the process, timing, and requirements. The process can take 6 months or more from the closing date of May 25 and applicants can expect to hear back in Fall 2018.
Sincerely, Lynne
Lynne Mersfelder-Lewis Program Manager, Hydrographic Services Review Panel, Federal Advisory Committee Office of Coast Survey, National Ocean Service, NOAA Cell: 240-691-6106; Work 240-533-0064 Fax: 301-713-4019 Lynne.Mersfelder@noaa.gov HSRP public meetings http://www.nauticalcharts.noaa.gov/ocs/hsrp/meetings.htm The Nation’s Chartmaker
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