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AIWA Newsletter, February 2026
Cruisers Net is proud to be a member of the Atlantic Intracoastal Waterway Association, whose lobbying work is crucial to keeping the Waterway navigable and safe. Your membership dollars directly support their vital work. Please join and encourage your boating neighbors to do the same, regardless of their home port.
On January 15, 2026, the President signed into law the mini-bus appropriations package that included Fiscal Year 2026 (FY2026) funding for Energy and Water Development, which included funding for the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (Corps). As expected, the bill included the following amounts for the Atlantic Intracoastal Waterway and our partners on the New Jersey Intracoastal Waterway. VA – Albemarle Chesapeake Canal – President’s Budget Request – $3.597M, Final Appropriations Bill Amount – $3.597M
VA – Dismal Swamp Canal – President’s Budget Request – $1.816M, Final Appropriations Bill Amount – $1.816M
NC – President’s Budget Request – $12.490M, Final Appropriations Bill Amount – $16.712M, an increase of $4.222M over the President’s Budget
SC – President’s Budget Request – $9.213M, Final Appropriations Bill Amount – $9.213M
GA – President’s Budget Request – $6.265M, Final Appropriations Bill Amount – $6.265M
FL – President’s Budget Request – $4.830M, Final Appropriations Bill Amount – $4.830M
Total for the AIWW/IWW – President’s Budget Request – $38.211 Million, Final Appropriations Bill Amount – $42.433 Million
Total for the New Jersey Intracoastal Waterway – President’s Budget Request – $1.715 Million, Final Appropriations Bill Amount – $1.715 MillionA highlight this year is that Congressman Greg Murphy’s Community Project Funding request for an additional $4.222 million for North Carolina was included in their final bill. This funding was an advocacy goal for the Association for FY2026, and we are grateful for Congressman Murphy’s support.
Allocation of Additional Dredging Needs Funding Pots
We also have the opportunity to secure additional funding through the Additional Dredging Needs funding pots included in the appropriations bill listed below:
General Navigation – $509.482 million
Inland Waterways – $47.243 million
Small, Remote or Subsistence Navigation – $300 millionThe Corps was directed to identify additional projects in these three categories and report back to Congress in April. With the funding received in the current bill, we have secured nearly $225 million in federal funding for operations and maintenance of Marine Highway 95 in the last four years. Projects have been planned or underway in every state along the waterway since 2017.
Looking ahead
Now that we know the final funding amounts for 2026, we are working on our funding requests for FY2027. We have contacted the Congressional members’ offices and AIWA board members and staff are planning to meet with them during the first week of March. We will be reporting on these efforts in our next newsletter.In addition, we are waiting to see what funding amounts are proposed for the Corps in the President’s budget for FY2027. This is generally the first step in the appropriations process and we hope to know these amounts prior to our meetings in March, but we anticipate that the release of the President’s budget will be delayed as Congress continues to complete the process on the remaining appropriations bill for Homeland Security. While this appropriations bill doesn’t include funding for the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, it does include our partners at the U.S. Coast Guard. Once all appropriations bills are finalized for FY2026, we expect the President’s budget to be released for FY2027.
Florida Boaters Can Now Take Free
State-Approved Boating Safety CourseA recent press release from our friends at BoatUSThe BoatUS Foundation for Boating Safety and Clean Water has launched the only free interactive boating safety course for
Florida recreational boaters. The course, which is approved by the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission and meets state boating safety education requirements, can be taken at the student’s own pace. After passing the exam, they can print their own certificate of completion for immediate use and will receive a lifetime card from the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission. The course provides video demonstrations and sample common boating situations for students to interact with to better understand how to evaluate real-world instances. The learning experience includes storylines where the student “boats” to various places and includes interactive learning tools like flashcards and drag-and-drop features to enhance learning and retention. Course-takers will be able to design and name the virtual boat that takes them through the course and map how far they’ve “traveled” within it.
In the state of Florida, anyone born on or after January 1, 1988, who operates a vessel powered by 10 horsepower or more must pass an approved boating safety course and have in his/her possession photographic identification and proof of boating safety education
completion issued by the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission. The online BoatUS Foundation boating safety course and exam are approved by the National Association of State Boating Law Administrators (NASBLA) and recognized by the U.S. Coast Guard as exceeding the minimum requirements for the National Recreational Boating Safety Program.
“NASBLA approval of our Florida Boating Safety Course is a meaningful investment in boater safety, said Lynne O’Hearn, Program Manager at BoatUS Foundation. “Boater education is one of the most effective ways to prevent accidents, and this course gives Florida boaters the opportunity to build their skills to better enjoy Florida waterways safely.”
To take the course, visit BoatUS.org/Florida. For more information about Florida boating safety education, visit myfwc.com/boating/
safety-education. 
Copyright © 2026. 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 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:
Atlantic Intracoastal Waterway Association
5a Market | Beaufort, SC 29906
(843) 379-1151 | atlanticintracoastal.org
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Hurricane Force Wind Warning: West Atlantic – Fred Pickhardt
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A 1000 mb low at 36N 72W is moving NE at 25 knots with winds up to 45 knots and 5-meter seas. Within the next 30 hours the storm center will intensify significantly, with central pressure dropping to 966 mb. Winds will reach 55 to 70 knots with seas building 8 to 13 meters (approx. 26 to 43 feet) within 180 nm south of the low center.
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Florida Boaters Now Have Access to Free State-Approved Online Boating Safety Course – BoatUS
BoatUS is the leading advocate for boating safety in the US and A CRUISERS NET SPONSOR.
Press Contact:
Alisha Sheth, BoatUS PR Manager
Florida Boaters Can Now Take Free
State-Approved Boating Safety CourseAt-home learning helps Florida boaters prepare for the water easily and conveniently
FORT LAUDERDALE, Fla. – February 4, 2026 – The BoatUS Foundation for Boating Safety and Clean Water has launched the only free interactive boating safety course for Florida recreational boaters.
The course, which is approved by the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission and meets state boating safety education requirements, can be taken at the student’s own pace. After passing the exam, they can print their own certificate of completion for immediate use and will receive a lifetime card from the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission.
The course provides video demonstrations and sample common boating situations for students to interact with to better understand how to evaluate real-world instances. The learning experience includes storylines where the student “boats” to various places and includes interactive learning tools like flashcards and drag-and-drop features to enhance learning and retention. Course-takers will be able to design and name the virtual boat that takes them through the course and map how far they’ve “traveled” within it.
In the state of Florida, anyone born on or after January 1, 1988, who operates a vessel powered by 10 horsepower or more must pass an approved boating safety course and have in his/her possession photographic identification and proof of boating safety education
completion issued by the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission. The online BoatUS Foundation boating safety course and exam are approved by the National Association of State Boating Law Administrators (NASBLA) and recognized by the U.S. Coast Guard as exceeding the minimum requirements for the National Recreational Boating Safety Program.
“NASBLA approval of our Florida Boating Safety Course is a meaningful investment in boater safety, said Lynne O’Hearn, Program Manager at BoatUS Foundation. “Boater education is one of the most effective ways to prevent accidents, and this course gives Florida boaters the opportunity to build their skills to better enjoy Florida waterways safely.”
To take the course, visit BoatUS.org/Florida. For more information about Florida boating safety education, visit myfwc.com/boating/
safety-education. About BoatUS Foundation for Boating Safety and Clean Water:
The BoatUS Foundation for Boating Safety and Clean Water is a national leader promoting safe, clean and responsible boating. Funded primarily by donations from the more than 740,000 members of Boat Owners Association of The United States (BoatUS), the nonprofit provides innovative educational outreach directly to boaters and anglers with the aim of reducing accidents and fatalities, increasing stewardship of America’s waterways, and keeping boating safe for all. A range of safe and clean boating courses – including the nation’s only free online boating safety course – can be found at BoatUS.org/Courses.
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Severe Weather Risk For Southeast Update – Fred Pickhardt
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There is a risk for severe weather across the Southeast through Sunday due to severe thunderstorms with potentially damaging gusty winds and a few possible tornadoes, particularly across northern Florida and Georgia, including the adjacent coastal waters.
There is a 5 to 15% risk for wind gusts in thunderstorms to exceed 50 knots producing Hazardous sea conditions over the coastal waters of parts of Florida and Georgia.
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Fishermen’s Village February 2026 Calendars, Punta Gorda, FL
There is always plenty to do around Charlotte Harbor. While berthed at Fishermen’s Village Marina, A CRUISERS NET SPONSOR, you are certain to enjoy visiting Western Florida’s beautiful Charlotte Harbor/Peace River.
Fishermen’s Village February Calendars of Entertainment/Events
February 2026 Sunset Beach Club Calendar
February 2026 Fisherman’s Village Calendar
Special Events & Community Relations941.639.8721
Click Here To View the Western Florida Cruisers Net Marina Directory Listing For Fishermen’s Village
Click Here To Open A Chart View Window Zoomed To the Location of Fishermen’s Village
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The Sea Pines Resort – February 2026 Events Calendar, Harbour Town Yacht Basin, SC AICW MM 565
Harbour Town Yacht Basin, A CRUISERS NET SPONSOR, is ready for your reservation with newly renovated docks, upgraded electrical service and onSpot WiFi, also a CRUISERS NET SPONSOR. And, as always, numerous activities at the Sea Pines Resort are offered for your enjoyment, as you will see in the Event Schedule below. Hilton Head Island is absolutely marvelous any time of year.
Kerry Maveus
kmaveus@hunter-pr.com | www.hunter-pr.com
mobile: 831-917-2878
P.O. Box 1049 | Pebble Beach, CA | 93953
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Carrying a Tug and Towing a Barge, Ship Grounds at Caribbean Cruiser Harbor (Videos) – Loose Cannon
Cruisers Net publishes Loose Cannon articles with Captain Swanson’s permission in hopes that mariners with saltwater in their veins will subscribe. $7 per month or $56 for the year; you may cancel at any time.
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When all else fails, try journalism.
Carrying a Tug and Towing a Barge, Ship Grounds at Caribbean Cruiser Harbor (Videos)
Engine Problems En Route From Louisiana to Puerto Plata in the D.R.
ENE Vision was pushed up against the rocky shore at the entrance to Luperon Harbor in the Dominican Republic. Before her plight had become this extreme, the barge she was towing was detached and towed inside by local boats. (Photo by Davy Ashcroft) Spanish chatter over the VHF was the first sign. Shortly after dawn a ship with a barge in tow was headed toward Luperon Bay’s tricky entrance. Although witnesses didn’t know it yet, the ENE Vision was experiencing engine problems, and her captain was seeking help from harbor authorities.
Indeed, the barge she was towing was disconnected and maneuvered into the harbor by local boats, which benefitted from calm conditions. Despite assistance from officers of the local Navy base, the mothership ended up anchored on short scope and grounded on a reef on an ebbing tide.
Rising wind and waves throughout the day pushed ENE Vision right up against the craggy shoreline.
Luperon is a cynched purse of an anchorage, with reefs on either side of the entrance. Plenty of boats have gone a ground hereabouts over the years, but this one may well be the biggest to have ever done so. Drawing about 12 feet, ENE Vision was never a candidate to enter the bay itself, which will only accept up to 10 feet of draft on a high tide.
ENE Vision’s skipper may have hoped to drop a hook just outside the narrow entrance to the bay—call it the outer harbor—a stone’s throw from where Columbus caught up with the Pinta during voyage No. 1. Captain Martin Pinzon had anchored her there in January 1493 after his unauthorized expedition to the Turks & Caicos seeking gold.
From Damien Christie of SV Suzie Manuela
Somebody Else Should Take Credit for This Video
According to witnesses, two tugboats arrived and tried to tow ENE Vision into deeper water, but that didn’t work; the ropes broke. A RoRo vessel also arrived to help, but it’s not clear what went on with that. ENE Vision was still on the rocks at the end of the day yesterday.
At first, it was thought that the 190-foot multi-purpose support vessel was the HOS Crossfire because apparently the MarineTraffic AIS website hadn’t gotten the memo. According to a spokesman, Hornbeck Offshore Services of Louisiana had sold Crossfire “years ago,” despite her AIS ping having been identified as belonging to Crossfire.
She was now registered in the Dominican Republic as ENE Vision and is displayed as such by MarineTraffic, but only when one digs deeper into the vessel’s information and photo gallery, for example:
Here is an image on MarineTraffic showing ENE Vision leaving the Amelia Shipyard in Louisiana earlier this month with a tug on her aft deck. The current owner has not been confirmed but the “ENE” in ENE Vision might hold a clue. It’s customary for three-initials in the front of a name to stand for the corporate owner, as, for example, the “HOS” in HOS Crossfire stood for Hornbeck Offshore Services.
It happens that ENE Shipping and Trade in the Turks & Caicos owns vessels, though no mention of ENE Vision itself could be found on its website. ENE Shipping is a subsidiary of Olympic Group, possibly the biggest builder in the Turks & Caicos. Most construction material used in that desert island nation, all the cement and blocks, comes from the D.R. by ship.
ENE Shipping did not reply to an email.
A yola with harbor personnel rushes to the grounded ship. (Photo by David Herrera of SV Oniwa) LOOSE CANNON covers hard news, technical issues and nautical history. Every so often he tries to be funny. Subscribe for free to support the work. If you’ve been reading for a while—and you like it—consider upgrading to paid.
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