Shelley Island is off the southern tip of Cape Hatteras. See /165551 for an article and photos.
NC – CAPE HATTERAS – NEW ISLAND Dangerous rip currents have been reported around a newly formed island known as Shelley Island, off Cape Hatteras in approximate 35°12’50” N, 075°31’39”W. Swimming to and from the island is strongly discouraged. To report emergencies or if there are any questions or concerns, mariners should contact Coast Guard Sector North Carolina at (910) 343-3882. Chart 11555 LNM 27/17
From the description below, we assume that Hunky Dory was taking the direct Lake Route and not the Rim Route. Our thanks to Dan and Peggy for sharing their experience. See /165580 for advice given to Dan and Peggy by fellow Loopers.
For those that asked about Lake Okeechobee crossing….. In the Clewiston Channel heading East…. We hit rocks about 1 mile out from the lock. Apparently, the locals know which side of the channel to favor when you head out. We were definitely between the markers and were trying to stay right in the middle. According to Bill with Lake Tow, who got us safely back to the lock, you have to favor the green marker. Fortunately, the Roland Martin Marina is right inside the lock. The lock is open 24 hours a day right now. It’s a small marina with services, fuel, a restaurant and to top it off, The Tiki Bar. The restaurant and bar have very good southern comfort food, so all was not lost on this part of our adventure.
We’re not going to chance another try at the Lake. We are heading around through the Keys when we get all of the repairs completed. We were just the first to arrive at River Forest Yachting Center with damage from the Lake. Just as few hours later, a boat that was totally disabled arrived from hitting the bottom.
Very helpful information on the Keys. We were trying to plan out our stops from Fort Myers to Miami and realized that we will have to take the Hawk Channel because of the shallow water on the inside. The lack of anchorages and many miles from Marathon to Key Biscayne had us wondering what to do. Now we know that Channel 5 can be a stop over if we need it.
We are a 50′ Ocean Alexander with a 4.5′ draft, if this info will help anyone else.
Thanks to everyone from Dan and Peggy Stricklin, aboard Hunky Dory.
Dan and Peggy – Thanks for the report. It would be helpful if you could identify exactly where you struck the rocks by reference to the numbers and color of the nearest markers or buoys. If you have a chart plotter and it was recording your tracks, you should be able to see an interruption or a blip in the track at the place where it happened, which would also give the lat/lon. I didn’t see the date of your incident, or what the water level was reported to be on that day.
Jim Healy’s comments elsewhere on this site about Clewiston channel are quite accurate: there are no obstructions if you stay within the channel. That can be difficult sometimes, since some of the markers in the Clewiston channel are single marker poles, and we have seen some vessels not stay close enough to the single ones, in effect “splitting the distance” – swinging too wide -on the way to the next marker on the other side of the channel. Jim also correctly comments on the need to watch for the boat crabbing sideways in the channel, due to current or wind. If you aren’t looking aft every minute or so, to see how you are lined up, it’s easy to go off track.
I hope that you can provide the exact location for all of us who use the Okeechobee.
We crossed through the Clewiston cut on June 18th of this year. The Corp of Engineers reported the level of the lake to be 5.93′. Our draft is 4’7″, and the shallowest actual depth we recorded was 6’6″ in the Clewiston cut.
Sorry for your troubles. Enjoy the rest of your cruise, wherever it takes you.
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: Miami to Bimini to Great Harbor Cay (Berry) Miami to Bimini to Great Harbor Cay (Berry) Posted: 03 Jul 2017 03:25 PM PDT We are looking for a buddy to cruise from Miami to Bimini on July 15th and then to Great Harbor Cay on July 16th.
Oriental is home to two SALTY SOUTHEAST CRUISERS’ NET SPONSORS, Oriental Marina and Nautical Wheelers! Oriental Marina is on the eastern banks of inner Oriental Harbor.
7-2-17 . Last time here 7 1/2 years ago and just as great then as now!. Left Belhaven for Oriental. Tom and Joe helped us tie up. Tom owner. Pole docks with small finger slips. Tiki bar and Toucan grill still open and food great. Wifi strong as is Verizon. Great dog spots right off back of boat. Showers great- even provide towels. Very sheltered marina and Joe-dock hand- the best. Don’t know yet re the w/d or cable. Small grocery less than a mile away- nice for bicycle ride. Still one of our very favorites! Ice cream across is a must stop!! Charles Ridley
7/18/17 – We can confirm everything Charles said. I would add that they have no pump out facility at Oriental Marina, the free Oriental Town pump out was not functional when we visited and reportedly had recurring issues. We were able to slip over to on Whitaker creek into Deaton’s travel lift slip and self pump out for a nominal $5 charge.. very boater friendly community.
Will this be a permanent addition to the Outer Banks or just a visitor until the next hurricane?
A new island has emerged off North Carolina’s Cape Hatteras, with speed that has surprised observers and tourists alike. PHOTOGRAPH BY CHAD KOCZERA
New Island Appears Off U.S. Coast It appeared out of nowhere in April just off North Carolina’s Outer Banks—a new land mass poking through the surf, a brand new Atlantic Ocean island.
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: “Looking for a buddy cruiser Bimini to Chub” plus 1 more Looking for a buddy cruiser Bimini to Chub Posted: 30 Jun 2017 04:13 AM PDT We are leaving the Bimini Big Game on Tuesday July 11th. We cruise at 10kts. We would love to cruise with another boat.
Thanks Dynamic Duo Plus
Bimini’s downward spiral continues. Posted: 30 Jun 2017 04:11 AM PDT We rarely go to Bimini anymore as for the last 10 years or so it seems the island has been in a downward spiral. I am so glad I got to experience the real Bimini, a pretty, welcoming and unmolested island just across the Stream.
We went back a couple of weeks ago and it looks like Bimini has hit a new low in just one year since our last visit. Overall the island is dirty, smelly, with junk is everywhere from rusty golf carts to trash and unfinished structure.
Anyone remember the trail running along the beach under the pines on the north west side? All gone all is left is the beach on the north east side, which is very nice and a good spot to anchor in light winds but I wonder how far will Resort Workd continue to expand. Will this last stretch of natural shoreline disappear too?
The destruction of Bimini’s natural beauty continues at resort world with constant bulldozing, dredging, filling and expansion.
Mother Nature hasn’t helped with currents and wave action continuing to erode the beach at honeymoon harbor on Gun Cay. Most of it is gone now…
All that remains of the Bimini of old days is the fishing and the wreck of the Sapona, still visible for miles and still worth a snorkeling stop. Ironic how a wreck is the symbol of this wrecked island.
This report might be of interest to those of you who have left a number of your hard earned $$ with West Marine.
West Marine acquired by private-equity firm Posted on June 29th, 2017 West Marine is being acquired by New York-based private-equity firm Monomoy Capital Partners for $12.97 per share and will be privately-held following the transaction.
Popular Banks Channel has two anchorages, Northside Anchorage and Southside Anchorage which is located south of the Banks Channel’s flashing daybeacon #15.
Good anchorage at N34 degrees 12.149′, W077 degrees 48.250′ Room for 5-7 boats and MLW is about 12′. 2 knot current. Quiet at night. Charles Hagen
Some of the very best spots to be to watch fireworks are often on the water. But please remember that the hour following the display is one of the most dangerous times for boaters, especially if alcohol has been enjoyed during the display. As boats weigh anchor and get underway in the darkness, speed must be kept in check and all hands must be on watch for other boats. Enjoy the fireworks, but be a responsible captain and get your guests safely back to the dock. Florida saw a 20 percent increase in deaths from boating accidents in 2016.
FWC urges Fourth of July boaters to be careful, use beacons and enjoy Florida’s waterways
During the Fourth of July holiday, many people take to the water to celebrate Independence Day. The warm, sunny days of summer combined with viewing fireworks puts many more boats and people on the water in close proximity to one another.
The Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC) urges boaters to use caution while boating on this busy holiday. Many boating accidents are caused by inattentiveness or improper lookout.
“Boat operators have a personal responsibility to make sure their passengers are safe and they are not creating a hazard for other boaters,” said Capt. Gary Klein, Florida’s boating law administrator. “We all expect to have a good time when we celebrate the Fourth of July. No one expects anything to go wrong, but that can all change in an instant if someone is not paying attention or is operating under the influence of alcohol or drugs.”
During this weekend, boaters can expect to see an enhanced law enforcement presence and increased messaging about safe boating practices.
Beginning July 1, Floridians have another great reason to purchase and register an emergency locator beacon. Gov. Rick Scott and the Florida Legislature have instituted discounted vessel registration fees for anyone who owns a recreational vessel equipped with an Emergency Position Indicating Radio Beacon or a Personal Locator Beacon.
“For many boaters an EPRIB or PLB can make a big difference if an emergency occurs,” said Klein. “These devices send a signal via satellite to search-and-rescue agencies so rescuers can more quickly locate the boaters in need.”
More information on EPIRBs is available at MyFWC.com/Boating by clicking on “Safety and Education.”
More information on the new discounted vessel registration law can be found at the Department of Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles’ website.
Be the first to comment!