Shared Photo: Money Cay, Bahamas by Greg Allard
Greg Allard is so kind to share his beautiful Bahamas photos with us.
One reason to go to the Bahamas. This photo was taken on Money Cay in the Berry Islands.
CRUISERS NET
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from Norfolk to the Northern Gulf and Bahamas.
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Atlantic Intracoastal Waterway Association Report
Cruisers Net is proud to be a member of the Atlantic Intracoastal Waterway Association whose lobbying work is crucial to keeping the Waterway navigable. Your membership dollars directly impact their vital work. Please join and encourage your boating neighbors to do likewise, regardless of their homeport.
Jekyll Creek, GA Thin-layer Placement Project Underway!Earlier this month, Cottrell Contracting Corporation began work on the $6 million Jekyll Creek Thin-layer Placement Project in coastal Georgia. The beneficial use project includes the removal of approximately 220,000 cubic yards of material from Jekyll Creek and is part of an overall $12.7 million contract that will include maintenance dredging of an additional 680,000 cubic yards in Buttermilk Sound, Hell’s Gate and Fields Cut. Brad Pickel, AIWA Executive Director, was invited to participate in a recent pre-construction meeting with representatives from the South Atlantic Division and Savannah District of the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers. We were welcomed by Devon Carlock of Cottrell Contracting to visit the thin-layer placement area for the project and learn more about the dredge Rockbridge. The project partners have established an on-site video to view the construction occurring within the thin-layer placement area including a video loop of all previous activity.
Click here for camera streaming. We also invite you to view this link to a recent story by News4Jax in Jacksonville, FL of a 01:45 video clip of the project. We will share information and photos as this pilot project is implemented along the AIWW!
ABOVE L to R: Dylan Davis, South Atlantic Division of USACE; Jonathan Brodie, Savannah District of USACE; Devon Carlock, Cottrell Contacting & AIWA Board Member; Mike Montone, Savannah District of USACE. Rockbridge dredge on Jekyll Creek. AIWA Advocacy Leads to Multi-State Congressional Support for Waterway FundingOne of the most significant goals of our advocacy work is building a coalition of support for waterway funding in Congress. Coalitions are more robust than individual efforts when requesting funding and we are grateful to partner annually with the Florida Inland Navigation District to target U.S. Representatives along the AIWW. This year we engaged with our new partner and AIWA member, the Marine Trades Association of New Jersey, to pursue support in New Jersey connecting the value of Marine Highway 95 extension along the northeastern U.S. We are pleased to announce our combined efforts were a success! Specifically, we asked Congressional Representatives to join together and request $60 million for three Additional Dredging Needs funding pots for the Corps of Engineers Operations and Maintenance budget that can be used to perform waterway maintenance by signing a bi-partisan delegation letter. We received sixteen signatories representing all five states along the AIWW and New Jersey! [A snapshot of the delegation letter is below, for a full version simply click on the image.] If you have the opportunity to personally thank any one of the Representatives, PLEASE do so. They are true champions for the waterway and the Nation’s maritime transportation system.
Maritime Administration Awards $6.7 Million
for Marine Highway ProjectsOn April 23rd, the U.S. Department of Transportation’s Maritime Administration (MARAD) announced $6,790,000 in grants to three Marine Highway projects. The funding will go towards enhancing existing services in Louisiana and Virginia as well as supporting the development of a new project in New York. “These grants will expand the use of our country’s waterways, which are essential to our economic growth and vitality,” said U.S. Secretary of Transportation Elaine L. Chao.
MARAD’s Marine Highway Program supports the increased use of the nation’s navigable waterways in order to relieve landside congestion, provide new and efficient transportation options, and increase the productivity of the surface transportation system. The program works with public and private stakeholders to achieve these goals. “America’s Marine Highway Program is dedicated to expanding freight movement on the water and this round of grant funding will go a long way towards ensuring that our nation’s waterways continue to be utilized as effectively as possible,” said Maritime Administrator Mark H. Buzby.
Two of the grant awards are for increased container-on-barge service from our deep water ports to inland areas. The AIWA has advocated for container-on-barge service to leverage the value of our waterborne transportation system and the AIWW (M-95) for a number of years. We are eager to see these services expanding! Learn more about the projects on the MARAD website. ©️Map courtesy of MARAD
SAVE THE DATE
AIWA’s 20th Anniversary!
2019 Annual Meeting
November 21—22
@The Desoto Hotel, Savannah, GA
Support AIWA ~ New Members Sign Up Here! Copyright © 2019. Atlantic Intracoastal Waterway Association. All rights reserved.
The AIWA is a national non-profit organization with the mission of securing funding and support for the maintenance of the AIWW [Atlantic Intracoastal Waterway]. We are the only organization dedicated to ensuring the future of the AIWW and proudly represent all stakeholders of the waterway.
Contact:
5A Market * Beaufort, South Carolina 29906 * (843) 379-1151AIWA The Unified Voice of the Waterway ~ Celebrating 20 Years in 2019
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Sunrise over Riviera Dunes Marina by Coby Gaulien
Love these sunrise photos! Thank you Coby and thank you all!
Riviera Dunes Marina is A CRUISERS NET SPONSOR!
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USCG Rescue by Off-Duty Guardsman
The United States Coast Guard doing what they do best – even when off-duty! Well done Chief Matthew Hare!
Off-duty Coast Guardsman rescues boater from capsized vessel near Cumberland Island
JACKSONVILLE, Fla. — An off-duty Coast Guardsman rescued a boater from a capsized vessel Friday near Cumberland Island, Georgia.
The Coast Guardsman, Chief Matthew Hare of the cutter Hammer, notified Coast Guard Sector JacksonvilleCommand Center watchstanders he noticed one boater sitting on his capsized 16-foot boat at 7:30 p.m while on his personal boat. Hare retrieved the man from the water and transported him to Fernandina Harbor Marina.
“Even when we’re out of uniform, we as Coast Guardsman are always on duty,” said Hare. ” The maritime community is always there for each other.”
The boater was reported to be in good condition.
The owner of the vessel is coordinating salvage.
For more breaking news follow us on Twitter.
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Explore Your Ocean Treasures at Gray’s Reef National Marine Sanctuary
Gray’s Reef National Marine Sanctuary protects Georgia’s special live-bottom wildlife habitat in the Atlantic Ocean and along the southeastern U.S. coast, an area teeming with diversity and an abundance of marine life.
Explore your ocean treasures at Gray’s Reef National Marine Sanctuary
Upcoming public meeting, student robotics competition, and special volunteer recognition 
NOAA science diver Randy Rudd descending to the depths of Gray’s Reef National Marine Sanctuary. Photo credit: Dr. Peter Auster/UCONN
Gray’s Reef National Marine Sanctuary Advisory Council to meet
NOAA’s Gray’s Reef National Marine Sanctuary Advisory Council will hold a meeting on
April 30, 2019, from 10:00 a.m. to 4:15 p.m. at the Library Auditorium of the University of
Georgia’s Skidaway Institute of Oceanography. The public is invited to attend.Gray’s Reef Sanctuary Advisory Council holds two in-person meetings every year. The council will receive reports about science activities and results, including a presentation by NOAA research scientist Dr. Jenni Stanley about her work to characterize soundscapes in Gray’s Reef and three other national marine sanctuaries. Council member Bob Crimian from The Nature Conservancy will report on TNC’s recreational angler engagement project.
Public comment will be taken at approximately 4:00 p.m.
For updates including a final agenda, visit
https://graysreef.noaa.gov/management/sac/council_news. html 
Gray’s Reef Southeast MATE ROV Competition
Students from across the southeast will compete in Savannah, GA on Saturday, May 11th with their underwater robots (ROVs) in a mission involving habitat restoration, water quality monitoring, maritime archaeology, and structural maintenance of freshwater dams. Come learn about applied ocean sciences, operations, engineering and opportunities for student learning with Gray’s Reef National Marine Sanctuary Foundation at the Southeast MATE ROV Competition!
#graysreef #materov #graysreefnmsf
Gray’s Reef Volunteer of the Year – Katie Miller
Join us in congratulating Katie Miller for being Gray’s Reef National Marine Sanctuary’s Volunteer of the Year! Katie has acted as a dedicated and engaged outreach volunteer since 2015 and is being recognized for her outstanding service to the site in 2018. Katie is a stellar student, now in her first year at Dartmouth College, who is inspired by the ecology of coastal Georgia and seeks opportunities to learn about and protect our ocean planet. We wish her all the best and congratulate Katie on a job well done!
Gray’s Reef National Marine Sanctuary
graysreef.noaa.gov
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NO WAKE Reminders Needed at Linton Blvd Bridge, Delray Beach, FL AICW Statute Mile 1041
Lenny and Meryll’s frustration really isn’t with faded NO WAKE signs, but with the fact that too many boaters are not being good neighbors in this very crowded area though downtown Delray Beach. So…SLOW DOWN! With a closed vertical clearance of 27 ft, Linton Blvd bascule bridge crosses the Waterway at Statute Mile 1041.
The NO WAKE signs on the Intracoastal North of the Linton Blvd bridge in Delray Beach are faded and mostly ineffective. There is only one and it can barely be seen. Would you know who I could contact about this?
Thanks SO much!!
Lenny and MeryllClick Here To View the Eastern Florida Cruisers Net Bridge Directory Listing For Linton Blvd
Click Here To Open A Chart View Window Zoomed To the Location of Linton Blvd
Comments from Cruisers (1)
- Reply to Jake
Ridiculous … even big yachts will occasionally plow right by marina areas … they all know better!! Need signs between Linton and Atlantic Ave bridges.
-
Lake Okeechobee Crossing East to West, Stuart to Moore Haven, FL
Our thanks to Gene Faatz for this descriptive report and detailed information from his recent crossing of Lake Okeechobee.
Crossed the lake from Stuart Fl. to River Forest YC LaBelle in Moore Haven Fl. The St Lucie lock has a lift of about 15+ feet at this time but no issues locking through or in the canal all the way to Port Mayaca Lock. Did see the JFK Presidential yacht Honey Fitz tied up along the way. Mayaca Lock is open for pass through. Leaving the lock is shallow showing 4 – 5 ft for about a mile out of the lock,after which we were able to power up in 7 ft or more with plenty of water all the way to Clewiston. Never less the 7 ft in the channel. The canal from Clewiston to the Moore Haven lock is clear all the way with no work going on. Moore Haven lock has about a 1 ft drop at this time. Canal from there to River Forest is showing 18 to 25 feet all the way. Made the trip [about 75 miles] in under 5 hrs.
Gene Faatz
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Georgia’s Coast Given an A- on the Ecosystem Report Card
Georgia’s 105 mile coast has been given an A- for this year, the highest grade since the grading began in 2014. This is good news for everyone. See links below for the full story.
CRD: Coastal report card shows improved environmental health
The Coastal Resources Division of the Georgia Department of Natural Resources today announces the release of the 2018 Coastal Georgia Ecosystem Report Card. This annual snapshot of Georgia’s 105-mile coastline examines key indicators in human health, fisheries and wildlife.
This year, the report card’s metrics scored our coast at an “A-“, which is the highest score for the report card since its inception in 2014.
Here is a link to a press release, and the report can be downloaded directly by visiting https://coastalgadnr.org/sites/default/files/crd/PressRelease/Report%20Card%202018.pdf or clicking the link above.
Have a great day,
Tyler Jones
Communication Specialist
Coastal Resources Division
(912) 262-3140 | M: (912) 230-9709
Facebook • Twitter • Instagram
Buy a hunting or fishing license today!
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Praise for Palm Coast Marina, FL AICW Statute Mile 803
Palm Coast Marina, one of our newest CRUISERS NET SPONSORS, is located just west of the Intracoastal Waterway at Statute Mile 803 between St. Augustine and Daytona Beach. Our thanks to David Grimes for these kind words.
Kudos to Chris and staff. Great dockside help with lines. Protected setting immediately adjacent to ICW. Little current and only 1.5 foot tidal range. 120 V shore power, unlike some other local marinas with <100 V. Excellent dockage rates as well. David GrimesClick Here To View the Cruisers Net Eastern Florida Marina Directory Listing For Palm Coast Marina
Click Here To Open A Chart View Window, Zoomed To the Location of Palm Coast Marina
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Water News You Can Use
April is Water Conservation Month. This month is traditionally one of the driest of the year and marks the peak demand season for public water suppliers.
Celebrate Water Conservation Month
April is Water Conservation Month. This month is traditionally one of the driest of the year and marks the peak demand season for public water suppliers. The District especially encourages conservation throughout April on top of year-round conservation. District residents can participate by being mindful of water use in their everyday household activities. READ TO GET MORE TIPS ON SAVING WATER AROUND THE HOME.
Citrus Task Force Aims to Save Growers Time, Money
With the Citrus industry facing challenges such as hurricanes and greening, the District is working to improve services and business processes for citrus industry customers. Learn more.
Local City Wins Tastiest Tap Water Award for Region
Who has the tastiest tap water? The winner was recently decided at the Best Tasting Drinking Water Contest for Florida Section Region 4 of the American Water Works Association. Read who won.
Splash! Grant Funds Hands-On Learning with Water Quality
A group of Tampa middle school students are getting a hands-on look at evaluating water quality thanks to a District Splash! grant. Watch this video to learn more about their project.
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Comments from Cruisers (2)
Now that is what I call "Island tranquility".
"Mental Floss"…. "Heaven On Earth"…
Enter Allard in our Homepage Search window for more of Greg’s photo essays.
Larry