Jun 27, 2026by: Curtis Hoff No Comments 32.7735,-79.92189999
North Charleston and Patriots Point Fireworks Events, July 4, Charleston, SC

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SALTY SOUTHEAST CRUISERS’ NET SPONSOR, Charleston Harbor Marina, would be a great place to dock your boat to watch the Patriots Point fireworks. Charleston Harbor Marina sits on the Mount Pleasant side of Charleston Harbor, hard by Patriots Point between Horse Reach’s flashing buoys #34 and #36.
Good afternoon Charleston HSC,
Please find attached MSIB 09-26 for the North Charleston and Patriots Point Fireworks Events. The event details are as follows:
North Charleston Fireworks – On July 4, 2026 (or a rain date of July 5), from 9:00 p.m. to 9:30 p.m. all waters within a 100-yard radius of the barge, from which fireworks will be launched on the Cooper River near River Front Park in North Charleston, South Carolina.
Patriots Point Fireworks – On July 4, 2026 (or a rain date of July 5), from 8 p.m. to 10 p.m. all waters within a 500-yard radius of the barge, from which fireworks will be launched on the Cooper River near the USS YORKTOWN in Mount Pleasant, South Carolina.
These safety zones are necessary to protect vessels, spectators, and the general public during the events. During the enforcement periods listed above, no person or vessel may enter, transit through, anchor in, or remain within the designated area unless authorized by the COTP Charleston or a designated representative.
Waterway users are reminded to use caution while transiting Charleston Harbor, remaining mindful of dredging operations, commercial vessel traffic, and higher than normal recreational vessel traffic during this extended holiday weekend.
For questions or concerns regarding this MSIB, please contact the Sector Charleston 24-hour Command Center at (833) 453-1261.
Very respectfully,
LT Nicholas Jones
WWM Division Chief
USCG Sector Charleston
Nicholas.J.Jones@uscg.mil
O: 843-740-3184
C: 843-323-7761
https://cruisersnet.net/wp-content/uploads/2026/06/MSIB-09-26_North-Charleston-and-Patriots-Point-Fireworks_-Safety-Zones_2026.pdf

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Click Here To View the South Carolina Cruisers’ Net Marina Directory Listing For Charleston Harbor Marina
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Jun 26, 2026by: Curtis Hoff No Comments 33.3735,-79.28859999

Weather Alert – Tropics Quiet, Get Ready To Roast, SCDNR

Weather Alert – June 26, 2026

Tropics Quiet

The Atlantic tropics remain quiet today and are likely to stay that way for a while, at least through Independence Day. A few tropical waves are present: one over the western Caribbean Sea near 80° west, another east of the Lesser Antilles, slanted between 45° and 50° west, and the third over the eastern tropical Atlantic near 28° west.

A loop of visible satellite images from the GOES-East weather satellite

This loop of visible satellite images shows the weather features of interest
over the Atlantic Basin today.

Image Source: University of Wisconsin RealEarth

None of these waves shows any promise for development; strong westerly winds aloft are causing vertical shear over the entire Atlantic Main Development Region (the area between 10° north and 20° north), and sinking air is present over the Atlantic as well, thanks to the Madden-Julian Oscillation.

So, it’s no surprise that no computer models indicate a significant chance for any developments in the deep tropics over the next two weeks. If we were to see a tropical cyclone form, it would come from spins developing along stationary fronts off the East Coast over the Gulf. The odds of this happening are low.

We’re always happy to see tranquility in the Atlantic tropics, and we hope it stays that way. However, it’s a long hurricane season, and we just got started. It’s important to be ready for the risk we face from hurricanes, and if you need readiness advice, SCEMD has you covered at hurricane.sc.

SC Weather Highlights for the next week or so:

The big story for us, as well as our neighbors in this part of the country, will be the intense heat that we’re about to see. A strong upper-level ridge (a northward buckling of the jet stream) will form over this part of the country over the weekend and early next week; it will suppress thunderstorms and promote above-average temperatures until it breaks down about a week later.

Translation: It’s about to turn into Satan’s back porch ’round these here parts.

Today we’re under the influence of an upper-level disturbance that likely brings us widespread afternoon and evening showers and thunderstorms. The severe storm risk is low but not zero.

Temperatures tick upward on Saturday with sparse coverage of afternoon showers and thunderstorms. Highs will mainly be in the lower to middle 90s around the state.

Sunday looks even hotter, with 95-100° highs for most of the state, the Upstate looks slightly less hot; the heat index will peak at 105-110° across most of the state.

A weak cold front moves in Sunday night, becomes stationary, then fizzles out Monday into Monday night. That will generate a scattering of showers and thunderstorms. This results in a less-hot Monday, with highs mainly in the lower to middle 90s. Thunderstorm coverage will be lower on Tuesday; perhaps it’s slightly hotter as a result.

After that, the misery begins in earnest; the upper ridge will suppress thunderstorms and promote intense heat from Wednesday through at least Independence Day. Here’s the forecast highs for Thursday from the National Weather Service, which is as far out as their specific forecasts go:

The National Weather Service's high temperature forecast for Thursday, July 2.

Friday and Independence Day could be even hotter. The computer models show the hot weather pattern will break down after that, but disagree on when. Some say we’ll cool down starting next Sunday, some keep us searing on the grill through around next Tuesday. Either way, we’re all going to be well done by the time the upcoming heat wave ends.

A heat safety infographic from the NOAA

Frank Strait
Severe Weather Liaison
S.C. State Climate Office

South Carolina Department of Natural Resources
260 D. Epting Lane
West Columbia, SC, 29172

Department Phone Numbers

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Jun 26, 2026by: Curtis Hoff No Comments
Cruisers’ Net Weekly Newsletter – June 26, 2026
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Jun 26, 2026by: Curtis Hoff No Comments 32.7735,-79.92189999
SKYWORX Drone Show. Charleston SC250, TODAY, Charleston, SC

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SALTY SOUTHEAST CRUISERS’ NET SPONSOR, Charleston Harbor Marina, would be a great place to dock you boat to watch this Drone Show. Charleston Harbor Marina sits on the Mount Pleasant side of Charleston Harbor, hard by Patriots Point between Horse Reach’s flashing buoys #34 and #36.
Please find attached the Marine Safety Information Bulletin for the upcoming SKYWORX Drone Show. Charleston SC250 will host a drone show on June 26 and June 27, 2026. A safety zone, encompassing a 400’ by 700’ area around the drone show box will be enforced for the duration of the show, 7:00 p.m. to 10:00 p.m. on June 26th and from 9:00 p.m. to 9:45 p.m. on June 27^th.
During the enforcement period listed above, no person or vessel may enter, transit through, anchor in, or remain within the designated area unless authorized by the COTP Charleston or a designated representative.
Waterway users are reminded to use caution while transiting Charleston Harbor, remaining mindful of dredging operations, commercial vessel traffic, and higher than normal recreational vessel traffic during this holiday weekend.
For questions or concerns regarding this MSIB, please contact the Sector Charleston 24-hour Command Center at (833) 453-1261.
Very respectfully,
LT Nicholas Jones
WWM Division Chief
USCG Sector Charleston
Nicholas.J.Jones@uscg.mil
O: 843-740-3184
C: 843-323-7761

Click Here To View the South Carolina Cruisers’ Net Marina Directory Listing For Charleston Harbor Marina
Click Here To Open A Chart View Window, Zoomed To the Location of Charleston Harbor Marina
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Jun 26, 2026by: Curtis Hoff No Comments
Find your groove at this year’s Ocean City Jazz Festival – CoastalReview
https://coastalreview.org/2026/06/find-your-groove-at-this-years-ocean-city-jazz-festival/

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Jun 25, 2026by: Curtis Hoff No Comments
South Carolina Launches New Tools to Address ADVs – Marina Dock Age
http//www.marinadockage.com/south-carolina-launches-new-tools-to-address-advs/

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Jun 25, 2026by: Curtis Hoff No Comments 33.3639,-79.28239999
Equipment Arriving for Georgetown Harbor Dredging, Georgetown, SC

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Thanks to Chris Carroll of Harborwalk Marina for this information regarding the dredging of Georgetown Harbor.
Harborwalk Marina, A CRUISERS NET SPONSOR, is only a boardwalk stroll away from Georgetown’s Historic District for history, entertainment, great food, and shopping. Harborwalk Marina is the third marina on your starboard side as you enter the very protected waters of Georgetown.
Equipment Arriving for Georgetown Harbor Dredging
Scott Harper/GAB News•
23 hours ago

Expect to see dredging equipment start to arrive in the Georgetown Harbor by the end of the week as preparations get underway for the long awaited dredging project to begin.The goal of the project – the first of its kind in nearly two decades – is to restore the harbor to a depth of 12 feet.
Sonja Carter, Army Corps of Engineers project manager, addressed Georgetown County Council Tuesday night.
She said the dredging is needed so recreational and commercial vessels can get to the downtown area. She said the areas to be dredged will be along the Harborwalk and the steel mill channel.It is also needed as the redevelopment of the port and the steel mill properties takes place.Carter said a total of 560,000 cubic yards of material is expected to be removed during the project, which is expected to begin in mid-July and end by the end of August or early September.
“We expect it to take 6-8 weeks and then we will be out of your harbor,” she said.
She said the dredging will take place around the clock.
“You will hear noise and see the equipment,” she said, adding the channel is expected to be passable for boats during the entire project.
Carter said a study conducted showed there will be no significant impact to the environment as a result of the project.
“All environmental compliance will be followed,” Carter said.
The Army Corps has not maintained the harbor dredging since 2008. That has resulted in sediment buildup reducing the depth of the channel to around 2 feet in many areas.
Congress appropriated $6.5 million in 2024 for the harbor restoration project.
Click Here To View the Cruisers’ Net’s South Carolina Marina Directory Listing For Harborwalk Marina
Click Here To Open A Chart View Window, Zoomed To the Location of Harborwalk Marina
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Jun 25, 2026by: Curtis Hoff No Comments 26.0732,-80.15129999
6 summer must-seas: Top spots to swim & snorkel in South Florida – SunSentinel

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https://www.sun-sentinel.com/2026/06/24/6-summer-must-seas-top-spots-to-swim-snorkel-in-south-florida/

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Jun 25, 2026by: Curtis Hoff No Comments
Shark depredation isn’t new, but widely seen as modern issue – CoastalReview
https://coastalreview.org/2026/06/shark-depredation-isnt-new-but-widely-seen-as-modern-issue/

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Jun 22, 2026by: Curtis Hoff No Comments

Get Ready for a Rougher Ride in the Bahamas This Winter – Loose Cannon

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Get Ready for a Rougher Ride in the Bahamas This Winter

El Niño Diminishes Hurricane Risk But Promotes ‘Northers’

Crown Weather Services

Jun 14

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Guest post

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This actually was a screenshot from a Corey Smith video of a storm at Cape Cod, but it was the only image *Loose Cannon* could find that evoked his worst “norther” memory from several years of cruising the Bahamas, as well as how crowded the best anchorages became. Credit Smith with having the presence of mind to record this.

Rob Lightbown founded Crown Weather Services in 1994 to provide personalized weather forecasting and has tracked tropical storms and hurricanes for customers ever since. On Thursday, NOAA announced that the El Niño weather phenomenon had formed in the tropical Pacific Ocean.

A very strong El Niño is going to disrupt the atmosphere for the next several months. This weather phenomenon will shape winter conditions across the Bahamas, likely making cruising there a somewhat more stressful undertaking. Foreign sailors may find themselves more likely to have to alter plans because of severe weather than during previous visits.

Yes, El Niño winters can be particularly harsh across the Bahamas. This is due to the development of a particularly strong sub-tropical jet stream that often leads to a very active storm track that moves near or just north of the Northern Bahamas.

This active storm track during winter months leads to frequent bouts of significant severe weather, heavy rain and frequent squalls across the Central and Northern Bahamas. El Niño winters are wet, cool and very stormy across the central and northern Bahamas. For the Southern Bahamas and Turks & Caicos, bouts of gusty winds with swells will occur during the winter as strong fronts pass by just to the north.

Best Bahamas Weather Happens After Most Cruisers Leave

Peter Swanson

1:39 PM

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All of this will lead to frequent unfavorable conditions for cruising across much of the Bahamas due to frequent frontal passages and an overall stormy winter. Cruisers may be need to find protective shelter from the weather for longer than usual—sometimes for several days at a time. Competition among cruisers will likely be strong for those spots with all-around protection from clocking winds.

What Is El Niño?

El Niño is a global phenomenon that’s centered in the central and eastern Pacific when the ocean water temperatures become much warmer than average. This phenomenon oftentimes leads to a large disruption to the weather patterns across the globe.

The El Niño that we are currently moving in is expected to be one of, if not the strongest on record. El Niño conditions usually peak in the late fall and winter months. I want to point out that the previous strongest El Niños on record were in 1997 and 1982, and I do think that we will surpass both of those in terms of the amount of heat that’ll be present in the eastern and central Pacific.

What About the 2026 Hurricane Season?

The rapid transition into El Niño conditions is likely to lead to much lower-than-average activity in the Atlantic Basin this hurricane season. The abnormally warm waters in the tropical eastern Pacific during a strong El Niño will increase the amount of wind shear over the Caribbean and the tropical Atlantic. High degrees of windshear can lead to tropical systems that are unable to organize and develop into tropical storms and hurricanes across the Atlantic.

Back in late March, I issued our annual hurricane season forecast, in which I forecasted 11 named storms, five of those storms becoming hurricanes and two of those hurricanes becoming major hurricanes due to the expectation of strong El Niño conditions. I still think that this forecast is still valid due to the expectation of the strong El Niño conditions.

While it is expected to be “quiet” in terms of the number of storms, it does not mean that there won’t be a impactful tropical storm or hurricane this season. In fact, a number of the past strong El Niño years did bear a impactful tropical storm or hurricane. They include 1957’s Hurricane Audrey, 1965’s Hurricane Betsy, 1997’s Hurricane Danny and 2015’s Hurricane Joaquin.

There are a few areas of concern this hurricane season that we should be aware of.

While the strong El Niño conditions will probably shut down hurricanes in the Caribbean and the tropical Atlantic, it can lead to lower than average wind shear conditions north of 20 North Latitude. Because of this, it’s possible that any tropical storms or hurricanes will either curve towards the Bahamaa, the East Coast of the United States and Atlantic Canada or be directed north and northeastward near Bermuda.

Another area that I have some concerns with in terms of possible impacts from any tropical storms or hurricanes will be along the U.S. Gulf Coast and especially the central and eastern Gulf Coast from Louisiana to Florida. The reason why I think this is that I can foresee a scenario in which any westward traveling tropical disturbances moving through the Caribbean wait to develop until they reach the Southern and Central Gulf.

Across the rest of the U.S. South—as in the Bahamas—El Nino winters are very often stormy. We can expect a pattern in which winter weather extends quite far into the the south, including heavy rain and frequent squalls. Ice and snowy conditions could happen as far south as the Gulf coast.

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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