Our thanks to Jim Standing for this report of a recent group voyage to the Albemarle Loop, A CRUISERS NET SPONSOR, in Albemarle Sound. Along the way they encountered two more of Cruisers Net’s finest sponsors, Dismal Swamp Welcome Center and Albemarle Plantation Marina. The Albemarle Loop is also home to historic Edenton, another CRUISERS NET SPONSOR.
See FOCUS ON – The Albemarle Loop, Albemarle Sound, NC .
The age old issue of converting popular ICW anchorages, such as North and South Lakes in Hollywood, into mooring fields has in the past been associated with municipal waterfronts like St. Augustine. The mooring fields are considered to be a way to prevent derelicts and long term, unattended anchored vessels. See Anchoring Hassels in Hollywood, Florida and Sewage in Waterway Blamed on Boaters, Hollywood, FL.
Click here for Boat buoys could sink sailing on Hollywood lakes
Sun Sentinel
Our sincerest thanks to Greg and Barbara Allard for sharing their thoughts and beautiful photography from their Bahamas cruises. These photos and descriptions will have you aching to follow in the Allard’s wake! For more this excellent photography, type Allard in our Homepage search window for letters from previous cruises.
“People who live on continents get into the habit of regarding the ocean as journey’s end, the full stop at the end of the trek. For people who live on islands, the sea is always the beginning. It’s the ferry to the mainland, the escape route from the boredom and narrowness of home.”
― Jonathan Raban, Coasting: A Private Voyage
A rock cairn, a decorative pile of rocks which has been used for centuries. Former boy and girl scouts will remember this is a way to mark a trail. It has also been used to delineate property lines This one was erected on the beach by visitors.
This young man was enjoying his ice slush. He’s thinking: “Don’t even try to take this from me.” Love the hair.
Peermon’s granddaughter, and great granddaughter.
The next day, Peermon showed Barbara and Ellen how to use the strips of plait, and the techniques for fastening them together.
This seagull was lucky. It’s likely he lost his leg to a shark.
A green sea turtle, in one of the creeks at Shroud Cay.
A blue Tang.
Just south of Warderick Wells. There are no other words needed for this photo.
This derelict boat washed up on the beach in front of David Copperfield’s house on Musha Cay. Usually boats like this are difficult to get rid of, but we suspect that David will make it disappear.
The end of the day, with the sun melting into the ocean.
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This will be our last Letter from the Bahamas. Later this week, weather permitting, we will cross the Florida Straits (the Gulf Stream) back to the U.S. It has been another excellent cruise through this beautiful sea-based country, with its stunning vistas and warm, friendly people.
We are happy you could come along with us.
Goodbye for now and warmest regards.
Greg and Barbara
Copyright Greg Allard, 2019
Hello,
I enjoyed reading your articles on Cruisers Net. We are looking for another couple to cruise with, going from FL to the Bahamas in May/June 2020. We have a 48' Searay Sedan Bridge. It would be our first time there, so we'd like to go with someone who has been there before.
I've put my contact information [email] below. We live in St. Petersburg FL.
Our thanks to James Newsome for sending this column by Jack White in Bryan County News.
Click here for A follow up on HB201 from a boater
Bennett Brothers Yachts/Cape Fear Marina, A CRUISERS NET SPONSOR, is located on the eastern banks of the northeast Cape Fear River, just north of the Isabel Holmes – Highway 133 bascule bridge, and only a few steps from the downtown Wilmington waterfront.
Click here for Engine Service, Propeller Repair, AwlGrip…all day!
Bennett Brothers Yachts/Cape Fear Marina, A CRUISERS NET SPONSOR, is located on the eastern banks of the northeast Cape Fear River, just north of the Isabel Holmes – Highway 133 bascule bridge, and only a few steps from the downtown Wilmington waterfront. Bennett Brothers has graciously extended their complimentary week of dockage through July 31.
BENNETT BROTHERS YACHTS is offering a complimentary week of dockage at the Cape Fear Marina in Wilmington, NC. Located on the Northeast Cape Fear River just steps from historic Wilmington, it is a great stop for those traveling north this spring. BENNETT BROTHERS YACHTS is a full service repair facility located at the Cape Fear Marina with full departments in all aspects of yacht repair and restoration. Please call BENNETT BROTHERS YACHTS for details – 910-772-9277. We hope to see you around the docks!
COMPLIMENTARY WEEK OF DOCKAGE IN MAY
Call for Details!
910-772-9277
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
Our thanks to experienced cruiser Ben Matthews for this review of the marina and the town. 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 Trent River highway and railroad bridges.
Hi All –
I stayed there in May 2019. Real quick:
1. Docks/electric/water were in great shape for me. Many boaters there and some live-aboards.
2. Amenities – Shower/bath/laundry has to be offsite with an agreement with the local YMCA.
3. Notables:
The hotel is still closed from Hurricane Florence. This was a surprise.
I was told by a Lyft driver that the convention center was closed and planning to reopen in September. This makes sense as the MS-150 bike ride ( a big New Bern event) occurs then.
I understood also from local information there were disputes about the hotel with insurance and sale options were being pursued. New Bern the town appeared to be in great shape in the tourist/downtown area. Many restaurants full inside and on street tables.
New Bern Grande has many friendly and helpful boaters there. I really like the vibe and the folks. Be aware the staff do close up and leave promptly at 5pm most days. I was helped into my slip by kindness of other boaters.
Ben Matthews
Click Here To Open A Chart View Window, Zoomed To the Location of New Bern Grand Marina
AGLCA’s director, Kim Russo, has been very involved with the suggested wording process for HB 201 sent to GA DNR and attended the 6/17 meeting with the GA DNR in Brunswick. This is her report to the AGLCA membership.
The hearing held by DNR in Georgia last night was well-attend, with more than 50 people taking part in the meeting and more than 25 taking the mic to comment. The news is mostly positive, but there is still a lot of time left in the process.
DNR began by giving details of the new law slated to take effect January 1st. During the DNR presentation, they did agree with our stance that all coastal waterways should be allowable anchorages with limited exceptions for shellfish beds, navigation channels, and a limited distance from marine infrastructure such as marinas and boat ramps. This is a win. AGLCA and our coalition (made up of SSCA, MTOA, and DeFever Cruisers) suggested that 150 feet is an appropriate set-back from marine infrastructure. The group we worked with to craft consensus comments (which included GAMBA, Waterway Guide, Cruisers’ Net, Tom Hale, and Roger Long) also agreed to 150 feet. However, DNR has not yet determined what that distance for this setback should be and is continuing to assess the options. DNR also included private residences in the list of shore-side development where an anchoring setback might be put in place. The addition of residential property to that list is something we will have to consider, but I believe it will be a problem for our members and for our coalition. This could potentially put the wants of individual homeowners in front of the rights of boaters. As a reminder, the waterways are in the public trust and are not owned by individuals. That said, there may be a reasonable distance from private docks that boats should not be allowed to anchor. I’m interested in hearing members’ thoughts on that issue.
I was pleased to have the opportunity to reiterate our previously submitted comments on behalf of our members and our coalition. Representatives from BoatUS, National Marina Manufacturers Association, GAMBA, and Waterway Guide also spoke in support of the right of boaters to anchor. Current and former Georgia legislators addressed the group and agreed that there are problems with the law as written. Many individual boat owners expressed frustration with the law, a primary theme being a lack of evidence that there is a need for these new restrictions, and the lack of enforcement of existing laws that could help solve the problems (if these problems exist in Georgia) of dumping raw sewage into the waterways and abandoning vessels.
There was no information provided by DNR on where they may be headed with the permit issue. You have until July 15th to submit written comments. Revised rules will then be presented by DNR to the Board of Natural Resources in August. DNR has agreed to open another public comment period to gather feedback on the revised rules. This will most likely take place in October.
If you haven’t yet submitted written comments to DNR, please send them to:
Kelly Hill
Coastal Resources Division
One Conservation Way
Brunswick, GA 31520
Kelly.Hill@dnr.ga.gov
Simply, state who you are, why you’re interested in this issue, and what you’d like DNR to do. If you are in agreement with AGLCA’s proposal, then you’d like DNR to amend the proposed rules so that:
-Permits are not required for anchoring 60 days or less
-All coastal waterways are open to anchoring with the exception of shellfish beds, navigation channels, and within 150 feet of marine infrastructure including marinas, boat ramps, boatyards, or other vessel launching or loading facilities.
Please consider sharing this information with four boating friends and asking them to submit comments as well.
If you have any questions about all of this, please don’t hesitate to ask!
Kim Russo
Director
America’s Great Loop Cruisers’ Association
Our thanks to James Newsome for this USACE report on dredging in Jekyll Creek which has been a Cruisers Net Problem Stretch for years. The on-going dredging is more than welcome, it is essential! Jekyll Creek is home to CRUISERS NET SPONSOR, Jekyll Harbor Marina.
Click here for Dredging pilot project could be a game-changer for Georgia coast
Click Here To View the Cruisers Net AICW Problem Stretches Listing For Jekyll Creek
Click Here To Open A Chart View Window, Zoomed To This AICW Problem Stretch
Click Here To View the Cruisers Net Georgia Marina Directory Listing For Jekyll Harbor Marina
Click Here To Open A Chart View Window, Zoomed To the Location of Jekyll Harbor Marina
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