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    • Mar 22, 2018by:   Larry Dorminy No Comments

      Bahamas Chatter: “Waterproof charts” plus 1 more

      Explorer Charts - the best charts for the Bahamas and Exumas

      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: ““Waterproof” charts” plus 1 more
      “Waterproof” charts

      Posted: 21 Mar 2018 06:53 AM PDT

      My Explorer charts get wet fairly often.

      Pages are ‘waterproof’ but the ink is definitely not.

      As a result, my northern Abaco charts are nearly useless, having overlays on one page and blank on the other, as the ink lifts from one to the other facing pages.

      Has anyone addressed this issue successfully in the past? Do Monty and Sarah sell replacement pages? It seems a real waste to have to buy another book for the sake of a few pages…

      ANCHORING FEE OPPOSITION; original letter by CHARISMA

      Posted: 20 Mar 2018 05:32 PM PDT

      Hello fellow crusiers:

      An unidentified boater from the Cruisers Net, well intentioned I’m sure, posted my letter below without my knowledge and moreover took the liberty of fictionalizing an opening paragraph. I believe many of you know that on 28 Feb, I was at my station as Net Controller in George Town…not in the land and sea park. Below is the original email letter to a friend, which I am totally happy to make public. Please feel free to copy and distribute, especially to BNT, BUT IN ITS COMPLETE AND ORIGINAL FORM. Thanks, Bill, sv CHARISM

      Good morning, Joe:

      Insofar as you may have a rapport with this man, perhaps you’d care to admonish him that there currently is NO mention of anchoring “fees” for vessels under ninety feet on the current park web site, Exumapark.org. I copied just now what is presented on that site and pasted it in at the conclusion of the Email.

      I put fees in quotes, insofar as this charge to anchor a boat within these boundaries is tantamount to extortion. In my opinion if I anchor for the night and do not go ashore, then my activity places no strain upon the Park’s services or environs. Were I even so to float in the water to view fish and coral, what rationale is there to prevent me from doing this when I have paid my entry money allowing me, as per the Commonwealth, to physically be in any Bahamian location I so choose? Any effort to extract additional money for a particular area indistinguishable from surrounding environs is extortion, plain and simple, by definition, not opinion, and I shall not support it. Moreover, I intend to publish and circulate the above as broadly as media and conversation permits within the cruising community. The response to you from Joe in Nassau reveals his selective assessment that cruiser response is favorable; he is merely promoting the sound of his choir to advance an agenda. To the contrary the vast number of folks I canvas objectively, feel as me. That without published presentation of need, financial transparency, proper notification, and responsible methods of collection, anchoring “fees” in open Bahamian waters is a sham, and the use of the Park’s good name is being exploited. Therefore, neither I nor others with whom I have spoken will continue to anchor within Park boundaries, thereby averting conflict and discrimination we feel as a result of these sad circumstances. Furthermore, some of us who have freely contributed to the Park financially shall cease doing so. This new anchoring policy is ironically exploiting the very gift of nature it seeks to protect. Myself and others like me, and there are many, shall not be a part of it.

      Please feel to forward this letter to anyone you do choose, including the Bahamas National Trust, and Exuma Land and Sea Park. I shall be doing so now to about one hundred fellow cruisers on my list.

      Very truly yours,
      Bill, s/v CHARISMA, Black Point, Exuma, 15 March, 2018
      Captain W. Tice, USCG MASTER 100 Ton

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    • Mar 21, 2018by:   Larry Dorminy No Comments

      Florida Keys Budget for Pumpouts Slashed

      Pumpout USA provides sewage pumpouts under a program to protect Florida Keys water quality. A shortfall in state funding this year could affect the program. Pumpout USA Pumpout USA

      State slashes Keys money for boat sewage pumpouts

      A state allocation of $500,000, matching last year’s state funding, to continue the free program for anchored liveaboards was cut to $277,650 in the newly approved Florida budget.

      CLICK HERE FOR THE FULL REPORT from FlKeysNews.com

       

       

      And notice how this budget cut was presented as “Good News”

      The free mobile pump-out for vessels was funded at $227,000.
      Legislative wrap: Good news for the Keys from Florida Keys Weekly

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    • Mar 17, 2018by:   Larry Dorminy No Comments

      Bahamas Chatter: Cheap fuel

      Explorer Charts - the best charts for the Bahamas and Exumas

      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: Cheap fuel
      Cheap fuel

      Posted: 16 Mar 2018 04:54 AM PDT

      I took on diesel today 3-15-18 at the St Georges Power Plant Russell Island outside of Spanish Wells. 200 gallons tax included was $3.65/gal. Mac, the fuel dock manager lost his cell. He got a new cell and the number is 242-557-7520. They pump fuel for the fishing fleet.

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    • Mar 14, 2018by:   Larry Dorminy No Comments

      Bahamas Chatter: “Exit clearance from states to enter Bahamas…??” plus 1 more

      Explorer Charts - the best charts for the Bahamas and Exumas

      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: “Exit clearance from states to enter Bahamas…??” plus 1 more
      Exit clearance from states to enter Bahamas…??

      Posted: 13 Mar 2018 04:56 AM PDT

      True or False…I just recently heard that Bahamian Customs is requiring U.S. Customs clearance from the states to enter the Bahamas. Is this just for Canadians or is it something new for US registered boats as well?

      Store in Current

      Posted: 12 Mar 2018 06:41 PM PDT

      Just visited the Current, Eleuthera and they now have a small store with limited goods, cans, frozen meat, onions etc. but the owner does bring in good fresh fish to sell. Nice friendly folks in town. Stop by. There is a public road off the north beach. Nice anchorage in E to SE wind.

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    • Mar 13, 2018by:   Larry Dorminy No Comments

      2017 Progress Report from Atlantic Intracoastal Waterway Association

      Cruisers’ Net is proud to be a supporting member of the Atlantic Intracoastal Waterway Association whose efforts toward improving navigation conditions in the Waterway are invaluable. See Brad Pickle and AIWA Recognized by BoatUS.
      If you are not aware of the achievements of AIWA, please read this report and consider joining AIWA to support their efforts on behalf of all Waterway boaters. See membership application below.

      Greetings from the Atlantic Intracoastal Waterway Association (AIWA).
      This year is going to be a very busy year for the AIWA in every state along the waterway and we are relying very heavily on the support of our members. Below is a list of some of our major accomplishments for 2017 and recent efforts in 2018.
      • Worked with Congress and the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (Corps) to increase funding for the dredging of the Atlantic Intracoastal Waterway (AIWW). As reported to our membership in June, our lobbying efforts led to over $15.6 million for AIWW funding for maintenance dredging in Fiscal Year 2017, which is an increase of almost 80% above the President’s budget for FY17. This is the highest amount the AIWW has received since the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009 (Stimulus Bill). We also worked with all Corps Districts along the waterway to secure additional funding to address impacts caused by Hurricane Matthew in 2016. The additional funding for the AIWW is more than $30 million for waterway dredging in every state and brings the total to over $47 million in 2017.
      • Looking forward to 2018 and 2019, we continue to receive increases in the amount of money included in the President’s Budget for the AIWW. In 2018, the President’s Budget included $14.455 million, and the recently released budget for FY19 has $19.139 million for the AIWW. These are much higher amounts than in the President’s Budget in FY17. Earlier this month, our Board of Directors met with sixteen Congressional Offices in Washington, D.C. to request funding for additional dredging needs for FY18 and FY19 and they are supportive
      of our efforts. We also met with staff at Headquarters of the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers during the visit to highlight the importance of the AIWW.
      • We presented our annual meeting to bring decision-makers and stakeholders together to discuss issues impacting the AIWW. This year’s annual meeting was on November 15-16, 2017 at the Blockade Runner Resort in Wrightsville Beach, North Carolina. Some of the topics included: State of the Waterway and ongoing maintenance efforts after Hurricane Matthew and Irma, beneficial use of dredge materials including a pilot project in Georgia,
      establishment of no-wake zones in the AIWW, waterway access, and real estate challenges and opportunities. We were also joined by Captain Bion Stewart, Wilmington Sector Commander for the U.S. Coast Guard, Kyle Ward of NOAA, and Amanda Rutherford of the U.S. Department of Transportation’s Maritime Administration in addition to many other stakeholder groups. The event was a major success and we look forward to being in Charleston, SC in 2018.
      • We are working with non-federal partners to establish non-federal funding for the dredging of the AIWW. Florida and North Carolina have established non-federal funding programs and we are raising awareness of the benefits of providing non-federal funding in South Carolina and Georgia. This will be critical in the long-term maintenance of Marine Highway 95.
      • Participated in regional and national coalitions to increase awareness of AIWW issues. We are an active board member and on the Executive Committee of the National Waterways Conference, Inc., and partner with numerous other national organizations. In 2017, we presented at the Local Government Meeting and Annual Meeting of N.C. Beach Inlet and Waterway Association; the Institute for Trade and Transportation Studies; the Smart Rivers Conference; and were invited to be on a panel briefing in Washington, D.C for the Congressional Boating Caucus which consists of Republicans and Democrats in the U.S. House of Representatives and Senate.
      • Continued outreach with other federal agencies such as the Maritime Administration of the U.S. Department of Transportation, NOAA and the U.S. Coast Guard to support many efforts including the Marine Highways program and chart mapping efforts, especially in areas where maintenance dredging is needed.
      • We published a newsletter of our efforts and distributed to the membership. Our most recent issue can be accessed from the News section on our website at https://atlanticintracoastal.org/news/. As you can see, we had a busy 2017 and are hitting the ground running in 2018. We want to thank you once again for the opportunity to partner with you as we advocate for waterway maintenance. We do not take our responsibilities lightly, and we hope that we can continue to work together to be the Voice of the Waterway into 2018 and beyond.
      Respectfully,
      Brad Pickel
      Executive Director
      5A Market Street Beaufort, SC 29906 (843) 379-1151


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    • Mar 13, 2018by:   Larry Dorminy 4 Comments 33.876,-78.00089999

      Avoiding Shallotte and Lockwoods Folly Problem Stretches, NC AICW


       View In Chartview

      910-457-7380

      Skipper Jim Lea offers an offshore route to avoid two Waterway Problem Stretches in NC. And Jim mentions Bald Head Island Marina, A CRUISERS’ NET SPONSOR!

      The best way to get through this area is to avoid it altogether by exiting the ICW via the Little River Inlet and enjoying a short relaxing sail across Long Bay to re-enter via the Cape Fear River. In eight trips up and down the ICW we have always done this outside hop. In addition, there is a beautiful anchorage off Bird Island at the mouth of the Little River Inlet, avoiding the usually crowded anchorage in Calabash Creek.
      At the mouth of the Cape Fear River, the marina at Bald Head Island is an excellent stop.
      Jim Lea

      Click Here To View the Cruisers’ Net’s “AICW Problem Stretches” Listing For the AICW/Shalotte Inlet Intersection

      Click Here To Open A Chart View Window, Zoomed To This AICW Problem Stretch

      Click Here To View the Cruisers’ Net’s “AICW Problem Stretches” Listing For the AICW/Lockwoods Folly Inlet Intersection

      Click Here To Open A Chart View Window, Zoomed To This AICW Problem Stretch

      Click Here To View the North Carolina Cruisers’ Net Marina Directory Listing For Bald Head Island Marina

      Click Here To Open A Chart View Window, Zoomed To the Location of Bald Head Island Marina

      2 Facebook Likes, 2 Facebook Reactions

      Comments from Cruisers (4)

      1. "Fire Dog" -  March 16, 2018 - 6:50 pm

        What is the distance on the outside run. Cape Fear to Little River.

        Reply to "Fire
      2. "Fire Dog" -  March 16, 2018 - 6:48 pm

        What is the distance on that outside run. Cape Fear to Little River.

        Reply to "Fire
      3. Pamela Douglas Webster -  March 15, 2018 - 5:44 pm

        These areas were recently dredged. We saw good depths when we passed through in December 2017. Just in case someone prefers not to duck out.

        Reply to Pamela
    • Mar 11, 2018by:   Larry Dorminy 1 Comment

      Bahamas Chatter: Crossing from St Lucie.

      Explorer Charts - the best charts for the Bahamas and Exumas

      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: Crossing from St Lucie.
      Crossing from St Lucie.

      Posted: 10 Mar 2018 11:57 AM PST

      Hey all!

      Departing Vero Sunday mid day and looking to make the crossing to West End. Anyone else making the jump from St Lucie?

      Any qualms with this weather window?

      Smooth Sailing!

      -SV Ruca

      Comments from Cruisers (1)

      1. "Fire Dog" -  March 16, 2018 - 7:02 pm

        Why not just do away with “Hell Gate”????

        Reply to "Fire
    • Mar 11, 2018by:   Larry Dorminy 7 Comments 33.8517,-78.65649999

      Little River Swing Bridge to be Renamed, N Myrtle Beach, SC, AICW Statute Mile 347


       View In Chartview

      With a closed vertical clearance of 7ft, Little River Swing Bridge crosses the Waterway at Statute Mile 347 and will soon be named “Captain Archie Neil ‘Poo’ McLauchlin Swing Bridge.”

      Why the Poo Crew is renaming a bridge after North Myrtle’s Captain Poo from Myrtle Beach Sun News

      Click Here To View the South Carolina Cruisers’ Net Bridge Directory Listing For Little River Swing Bridge

      Click Here To Open A Chart View Window, Zoomed To the Location of Little River Swing Bridge

      1 Facebook Likes, 1 Facebook Reactions

      Comments from Cruisers (7)

      1. Woody Cooper -  March 12, 2018 - 5:06 pm

        As long as they open on demand I’m OK with it. I have a soft spot for Socastee because heading South it means you’re officially finished with the Myrtle Beach ditch and entering the Waccamaw River.

        Reply to Woody
      2. Dale McGovern -  March 11, 2018 - 7:16 pm

        I live in Little River easy for someone traveling the ICW to say the bridge isn’t needed because you don’t live here. As far as the name is concerned it will always be the Little River swing bridge to me. Just as Ian’s waterway or whatever new name has been assigned will always be Poo’s to me.

        Reply to Dale
      3. Tracy Hellman -  March 11, 2018 - 6:00 pm

        “Captain Archie Neil ‘Poo’ McLauchlin Swing Bridge.” That’s going to be difficult to say on the radio!

        Reply to Tracy
      4. Ron Widman -  March 11, 2018 - 4:26 pm

        It doesn’t matter what they name it, it should be named “gone”. It (and the Socastee bridge further south) are impediments to navigation. They were “replaced” by high rise bridges but then left in place

        Reply to Ron
        • Sid Clark -  March 11, 2018 - 6:28 pm

          If you lived here you’d understand why they were left in place. Impediments to navigation?? Have you been to the ICW in Florida?

          Reply to Sid
        • Tracy Hellman -  March 11, 2018 - 8:03 pm

          The big bridges were built to replace the swing bridge in LR and Socastee, but after they were completed the locals complained and convinced them to keep operating. I understand their plight, but it would make a whole lot of sense to keep the bridge open (meaning open for boat traffic that is) during non peak traffic periods. 9:00am -11:30, 1:30pm – 4:00pm and after 7:00pm would be my recommendation.

          Reply to Tracy
    • Mar 10, 2018by:   Larry Dorminy 1 Comment

      The Burnham Log 3/9/18: Palatka to St. Augustine, FL, St Johns River to AICW Statute Mile 770

      Cruisers’ Net is always glad to hear from experienced cruiser David Burnham, a true Cruiser Helping Cruisers and we look forward to the next log page of his current cruise. Be assured that David’s observations and advice can be trusted and passed along to your cruising colleagues. See Closures Ahead for the latest LNM on the FEC RR bridge in Jacksonville.

      I took a sailboat from Palatka, Florida (on the St. Johns River) around through Jacksonville and down to Saint Augustine today. Apart from the FEC railroad bridge problems in downtown Jacksonville, I have a few other items that may interest cruisers.
      In Green Cove Springs, Florida, the public dock has reopened and there is electricity available. However, the telephone contact number at the city office is no longer posted at the dock. I tied up our sailboat overnight and left again in the morning without any contact from the city.
      At the downtown “Jacksonville Landing”, only the downtown shuttle ferry is making a landing as the signs that the “dock is under repair and no docking is permitted” are still in place and there is no sign of any work in progress.
      This will make it a bit difficult for cruisers who arrive to find that the FEC railroad bridge is closed until the 18th of March.
      Heading south from Jacksonville on the AICW, green floating marker #7 is found just after turning south into the AICW from the St Johns River. However, it seems to have floated out of position as it was sighted a little outside, and on the wrong side, of the channel and to the southeast of red markers #6 and #8. Southbound Cruisers should not try to leave green #7 to port until it is returned to its proper position on the northeast side of the channel. Northbound cruisers should be able to see that green #7 is not on the correct side of the channel as they approach the St. Johns River crossing.
      Further south on the AICW near the St. Augustine Airport, green marker #41 is normally a lighted mark, but it was not lit after dark when I passed it today.
      David Burnham

      See also EF Local Notices to Mariners for other navigation issues

      Comments from Cruisers (1)

      1. Norman Mason -  April 23, 2018 - 8:02 pm

        This should be included in one of your frequent briefings.

        There is no diesel fuel available south of Doctor’s Lake Marina on the St. John’s River, including at Monroe Bay Marina in Sanford. Waterway Guide’s 2018 Southern edition shows it available at several places.

        Trout Creek Marina near Palatka is accessible if you can get under a 17 foot fixed bridge. This is the listed height on the NOAA chart, however some resources say the clearance is 14 feet. This marina told us their credit card machine was not working and they would only accept cash.

        We did not check with Mandarin Holiday Marina, but it is just across the river from Doctor’s Lake.

        Georgetown Marina, at the north end of Lake George, told us their diesel system was destroyed by the hurricane. Not sure which one, but no indication it would change.

        St. John’s Marina South, north of Hontoon Island, told us their diesel pump was not working, with no indication it was going to be fixed anytime soon.

        Sanford Boat Works, which is south of Sanford, nay have it available, but there was no answer when trying to contact them on a Saturday. Access to this facility is questionable for deeper draft cruising boats, according to several we talked to.

        Anyone cruising the St. John’s should know this, and be sure to fill at Doctor’s Lake Marina, before heading farther south.

        Norman Mason
        Peggy Sue, Monk 36
        California, MD

        Reply to Norman
    • Mar 9, 2018by:   Larry Dorminy No Comments

      Boat Trailer Maintenance Tips

      Boat Trailer Maintenance Tips

      A spare tire (if not two), lug nuts and wrench, marine grease, and even a spare hub should be in your trailer repair arsenal, especially when traveling long distances.

      CLICK HERE FOR THE FULL REPORT from Florida Sportsman Magazine

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