Aug 25, 2017by: Larry Dorminy No Comments
Cruisers’ Net – and Your Fellow Cruisers – Needs You!
In keeping with Cruisers’ Net’s motto of “Cruisers Helping Cruisers,” we want to remind you that we need your input via comments and article contributions: navigation issues, safety concerns, Problem Stretch reports, marina and anchorage reviews, event promos, etc.
As cruisers, we are all too aware of the time, and often the aggravation of getting online, at the end of a long day on the water, that it requires to take smart phone in hand or laptop in lap to send information you have observed that day. Of course, we try to post all Navigation Alerts via USCG Local Notices as soon as they are received, but those are often several days old and might well refer to navigation and safety issues that you yourself have observed prior to the LNM. So…let us hear from you!
And as you wander the docks after a tie-up, suggest to those you meet that they try Cruisers’ Net. Still free, still packed with information and still an “open-and-use” website with free mobile apps!
And thank you, our faithful readers, for being Cruisers’ Net users!
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Aug 24, 2017by: Larry Dorminy No Comments

Dive Into Gray’s Reef, National Marine Sanctuary, Savannah, GA

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.

Volunteer to be a steward of your sanctuary!

Gray’s Reef National Marine Sanctuary protects a vibrant hard-bottom reef habitat in the Atlantic Ocean just off the Georgia Coast. This 22-square-mile protected area is teeming with numerous species of fish, such as black sea bass, groupers, and mackerels. Loggerhead sea turtles forage and rest year-round at Gray’s Reef, and the sanctuary is within the critical habitat of the highly endangered North Atlantic right whale.

Learn more by visiting:

Are You Ready to Make A Deeper Dive into Gray’s Reef?

Volunteers are integral to the success of Gray’s Reef operations. If you’d like to dive deeper into your local marine sanctuary, please consider the following opportunities to join our outstanding team of volunteers.

Top banner photos: Greg McFall/NOAA

Speakers Bureau

If you would like to share your enthusiasm about Gray’s Reef with organizations throughout the region, consider joining our speakers bureau. We will schedule the presentations and supply you with a comprehensive slide kit and the training you’ll need to get started. Our speakers are in high demand for K-12 education, recreation and general audiences. This is a great opportunity for retired professionals and recent grads looking for public speaking experience. Register your interest here. Or, if you are interested in booking a presentation for your organization, please complete our online request form.

Social Science Internship

Gray’s Reef has a number of internships available throughout the year. We are currently looking for an intern to assist us in conducting a socioeconomic survey in our local area (Jan-Mar). For more information about this project, please click here. Candidates interested in this part-time, unpaid internship can submit their cover letter and resumes here through 12/1/17 for consideration.

Public Events Team

Would you like a front-row seat to the Gray’s Reef Film Festival? Want to march in Savannah’s famed St. Patrick’s Day Parade? How about a fish-eyed view of our underwater robotics competition? We need you and a few friends to help us bring the remote reef to the street through rolling art installations, creature features and education simulations. Volunteers are needed at these and other events coming up this fall, like Coastfest and Skidaway Marine Science Day. Register your interest here.

Sanctuary Advisory Council

Welcome to Monique Gordon who now serves as the K-12 Education representative on the Gray’s Reef Advisory Council, and welcome back Dr. Peter Auster who serves as the Living Resources Research representative. This all-volunteer advisory group consists of individuals from various user groups, government agencies and the public-at-large and provides advice on the operation and management of the sanctuary.

Learn more about the Gray’s Reef Advisory Council by joining us for the next meeting on September 22, 2017 at the Skidaway Institute of Oceanography library auditorium.

2017 Volunteer of the Year

Each year we recognize one outstanding volunteer as our Volunteer of the Year. Our honoree, recognized for her extraordinary efforts in 2016, is Mandy Harvey.

“I really enjoy volunteering at Gray’s Reef because it gives me the opportunity to use my existing skills in news ways to support an organization devoted to something I care deeply about—the health of our oceans. And, I get to have a great time doing it!”

Mandy’s dedication, along with that of the honorees from the other 14 marine sanctuaries and monuments, was recognized by NOAA’s Office of National Marine Sanctuaries and National Marine Sanctuaries Foundation during Capitol Hill Ocean Week in Washington, DC this past June.

Congratulations and Thank you, Mandy!

For more information please visit:

graysreef.noaa.gov

Gray’s Reef National Marine Sanctuary
10 Ocean Science Circle, Savannah, GA 31411 912-598-2345
Volunteer Inquires: jody.patterson@noaa.gov

Stay Connected with NOAA’s National Ocean Service

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Aug 24, 2017by: Larry Dorminy No Comments 35.1006,-77.03729999
Update on Alfred A. Cunningham Bridge, Trent/Neuse Rivers, New Bern, NC

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With a closed vertical clearance of 14ft, the Alfred Cunningham Bridge connects New Bern and James City crossing the intersection of the Trent and Neuse Rivers. New Bern is home to SALTY SOUTHEAST CRUISERS’ NET SPONSOR, New Bern Grand Marina on the northern banks of the Trent River. Our thanks to Millissa True of New Bern Grand Marina for sharing this update.
From the ICW, follow the river up to the high rise N.C. 55/U.S. 17 bridge. Immediately to port you will approach the Cunningham bascule bridge separating the Neuse and Trent Rivers. The approach depth is over 10 feet, but do consider 2.0 foot tide when approaching. Bridge clearance is 17ft [? charted as 14ft]. It opens on demand. Bridge contact is VHF channel 13; phone 252-633-4799, all year. May 25th-Sept. 8th M-Fri. closed 6:30 a.m. – 8:30 a.m. Courtesy opening during these hours 7:30 a.m. sharp. Closed 4-6 p.m. with courtesy opening 5 p.m. Summer Hours Saturday and Sunday – Saturday on demand all day Sunday closed 2-7 p.m. courtesy opening 4 p.m. and 6 p.m sharp. Sept. 9th – May 24th Winter hours Mon – Fri. same as summer. Changes to w/e Saturday on demand all day, Sunday opened on demand through 6:30 a.m. Monday a.m. Federal Holidays closed from 2-7 p.m. *Schedule subject to change please call to verify.
Click Here To Open A Chart View Window, Zoomed To the Location of Cunningham Bridge
Click Here To View the Cruisers’ Net’s North Carolina Marina Directory Listing For New Bern Grand Marina
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Aug 23, 2017by: Larry Dorminy 6 Comments
Editorial: No Wake and No-Wake Zones
We regularly hear of the discomfort and danger caused by inconsiderate or untrained skippers who seem totally unaware of the effect of their vessel’s wake. Obviously, the real issue is “destructive wake” as from sports fishermen and hurricanes. Sailing vessels and trawlers, except maybe the newer fast trawlers, are rarely guilty of wake that endangers lives, disrupts navigation or destroys property. High powered, short waterline vessels designed to get to fishing grounds 60 miles offshore as quickly as possible are the usual suspects. Even smaller pleasure craft that slow down, then plow through an anchorage with bow up in the air, can be almost as dangerous and destructive. No wake speed adds very little time to the trip and teaches what boating is all about: patience!
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Comments from Cruisers (6)

Jim Persson -  August 29, 2017 - 9:12 am

we were recently cruising along in our 25 foot Rosborough in the Great South Bay off Long Island, NY. Going about 6 knots, when a LARGE sportfish blew by us. He was dangerously close; if I had suddenly turned to port I don’t think he could have avoided us. I just has enough time to turn my bow into his wake; we went up and over and all loose items crashed about the boat. I yelled at him on the VHF; and I rarely do that. A Coast Guard inflatable either heard me, or saw the whole thing, and pulled him over. Finally a little justice for one careless and obnoxious SOB.
Reply to Jim

John Pholeric -  August 25, 2017 - 1:25 pm

Not having no wake zones is a reciepe for even worse damage. The only way to truly enforce no wake is enforcement and law suites. Depressing, but I think it is true. Cost clueless people time and money.
Reply to John

Wade Ehlen -  August 25, 2017 - 10:06 am

Nov. 2016. Docked at New River (NC) fuel dock on the ICW. A 42′ southbound Sea Ray came blasting through, creating a very large wake that threw my 36′ trawler against the dock; I was on the deck fueling by boat at the time. Fortunately dock hands and my crew were able to get the boat’s name and called them on the radio. The Sea Ray came back, offered the excuse that he didn’t see us because he was looking at his chart or GPS, and gave me his insurance company. The insurance company was very helpful and in the end paid $9,500 in damage repairs. BTW, earlier that day the very same boat came roaring up behind us as we were slowly navigating around a shoal at Browns Inlet. He stopped on a dime when he hit the shoal.
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Maggie Ceili -  August 23, 2017 - 4:00 pm

Let’s be perfectly honest â€“ they do not exist in Southwest Florida waters. I feel like starting a website with photos of the 2-4 foot wakes our sailboat has been subjected to with careless, self absorbed, untrained and idiotic powerboaters. Don’t get me started! Stand by and I’ll post the web address.
Reply to Maggie

James Greaver -  August 23, 2017 - 3:25 pm

Having observed this problem for quite a while, especially with large sport fishing boats, I have a theory as to the root of the problem, and it is simply time (or more accurately, the lack thereof). What many of these owners of these large sport fish boats, for example, have is a lot of money. What they don’t have, is a lot of time, having the same 24 hours a day that any bum on the street has. Most of the rich people I know view this as unbelievably unfair and most will spend any amount of money (or fuel, in this case) and are willing to cause any amount off compensable damage, in their never ending attempt to somehow increase their daily allotment of time to 25 hours.
Ten minutes saved by pushing a three foot wake down ten miles of the ICW, and swamping small boaters, and rocking larger boaters, in their path, is an eminently reasonable trade off in their minds. I watched one leave our marina the other day, and he couldn’t even wait to get past the piers in our marina before pushing it up on half plane. Even the dockmaster yelling at him as he went by their office, rocking the boats pulled in to get pump outs and fuel, had no effect.
I have even heard one of these captains that I know say that he would rather write a check for damage he caused than slow down and lose the little time he has before he has to get back to his 60 hour work week to make more money to finance this endless and futile circle. They really think that way. And, I have quit going deep sea fishing with one of my friends because I just couldn’t take the embarrassment of being given the finger over and over again, while knowing we richly deserved it.
Good luck on fixing that mentality. It would take actual jail sentences to even slow it down. And, these are the least likely people to be held criminally responsible for anything in the first place.
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Winston Fowler -  August 25, 2017 - 12:10 pm

James – all I can add to your comments is “AMEN”
All we can do is HOPE and ACT when ever we have the opportunity.
Reply to Winston
Aug 22, 2017by: Larry Dorminy No Comments
September is National Preparedness Month
While these NPM suggestions and advice are not aimed specially at boating, much of what is offered can be applied to marine storm preparation. Regular review of your plans for dealing with any disaster is essential and the links below will assist you in that process.
CLICK HERE FOR NPM’S WEBSITE
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Aug 21, 2017by: Larry Dorminy No Comments
Annual Celebration of Marine Conservation, 9/28 – 10/1, Key Largo, FL
The REEF Fest seminars are open to the general public and will be held at the Murray Nelson Government Centre, 102050 Overseas Highway, Key Largo, FL 33037. Pre-registration via schedule link below is recommended. This notice comes from DeeperBlue.
Marine conservation is being celebrated in Key Largo, Florida from September 28 to October 1, 2017 at REEF Fest 2017.
The annual celebration of the positive impact marine conservation has had on the Florida Keys promises to provide a weekend packed with fun and engaging activities. The celebration hosted by the Reef Environmental Education Foundation has organised a series of events, seminars, diving activities, and a banquet to increase awareness of conservation in the area.
CLICK HERE FOR THE FULL SCHEDULE AND MORE INFORMATION
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Aug 21, 2017by: Larry Dorminy No Comments
Bahamas Chatter: “Air Freight in the Bahamas” plus 1 more
Explorer Chartbooks, A SALTY SOUTHEAST 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: “Air Freight in the Bahamas” plus 1 more
Air Freight in the Bahamas
Posted: 20 Aug 2017 04:15 AM PDT
Hello Everyone! I still am flying ( a little more limited with a land plane) taking light freight & spare parts or a couple of souls to Out-Island airports nearest your anchorage within the Bahamas. Drop me a text on 242-557-1813 Email: seaplanepilots@gmail.com
Exuma Land and Sea Park Wish list
Posted: 20 Aug 2017 04:12 AM PDT
As you prepare for another great season in the Exumas lets try and help out the land and sea park.
Here is the wish list for material and supplies they could use.
http://exumapark.org/Portals/0/Wish%20List%209-10.pdf
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Aug 20, 2017by: Larry Dorminy No Comments
Bahamas Chatter: New Adventure Story from the Bahamas
Explorer Chartbooks, A SALTY SOUTHEAST 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 Adventure Story from the Bahamas
New Adventure Story from the Bahamas
Posted: 19 Aug 2017 06:13 AM PDT
Sharks in the Runway, by Paul Harding, is a newly released story of a life of travel and adventure. It is a memoir of perseverance and survival in the Bahamas by a seaplane pilot, photographer, and SCUBA expert. It will be available on Amazon as well as other online retailers. Check it out!
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Aug 19, 2017by: Larry Dorminy No Comments 31.0648,-81.42869999
Sherer Report: Survey of Problem Stretch Jekyll Creek, AICW Statute Mile 683

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The channel through Jekyll Creek seems to shift with each tide and Cruisers’ Net recommends mid to high tide passage. Fortunately, Bob and Ann Sherer, authors of 2017 ICW Cruising Guide, graciously share their 2017 survey of this Problem Stretch, complete with charts of the most treacherous segments, to assist your low tide passage through this fickle channel. Jekyll Creek is home to SALTY SOUTHEAST CRUISERS’ NET SPONSOR, Jekyll Harbor Marina.
CLICK HERE for Charting Differences at Jekyll Island
Click Here To View the Cruisers’ Net’s “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’s 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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Aug 18, 2017by: Larry Dorminy No Comments
Bahamas Chatter: New Novel Set in Exumas
Explorer Chartbooks, A SALTY SOUTHEAST 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 Novel Set in Exumas
New Novel Set in Exumas
Posted: 17 Aug 2017 01:03 PM PDT
A Bahamas cruiser has written a novel that takes place on a catamaran in the Exumas. It’s a mystery with some romance and is a lot of fun to read especially knowing the area where it takes place and with the characters as cruisers. Tomorrow is the publish date and it is available now on Amazon. https://www.amazon.com/Look-Other-Way-Kristina-Stanley-ebook/dp/B073QHLZSB/ref=sr_1_3?tag=geolinker-20&ie=UTF8
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Dive Into Gray’s Reef, National Marine Sanctuary, Savannah, GA