Wind and tide play havoc with air clearances during flooding, so it is difficult to determine current heights at any fixed bridge between Virginia and FLorida. The Socastee Bridge at Mile 372 is improving, slowly returning to its full charted 64ft.
If you encounter less-than-charted heights, let us relay that information to your fellow tall-masted cruisers!
Bridge Clearances at high tide from Nixons Crossing through the cut in Myrtle Beach Cruising News. We have had bridge clearance issues all the way down to Southport, with clearances at 63- at high tide in most places. Hoping this does not continue… Can we get a report on this stretch from others who have gone through today or tomorrow morning? Thanks! Brad Geddes
The following questions, observations and advice come from our friends at America’s Great Loop Cruisers’ Association’s Forum. If you have local knowledge of depths in the discussed areas, please share! Venice Inlet intersects the Waterway at GICW statute mile 58 and Boca Grande Pass at statute mile 25 (see/155359).
We are in Clearwater preparing to head south early next week. We have heard reports of boats running aground in the ICW channel through Lemon Bay and have been advised to exit the ICW at Venice Pass, returning at Boca Grande Pass. We would prefer to stay in the ICW due to timing issues with the longer run offshore. But do not want to run aground with our 6′ draft. Has anyone passed through that area recently and noticed any additional shoaling issues beyond those already posted? Carolyn Chancellor
Be aware the a sustained east or west wind has a bigger effect along the coasts of Florida than the tide (moon effect). A sustained easterly wind will lower the water level along the Florida Gulf coast approximately 2′, and conversely. Be aware of the wind conditions even MORE than the tide tables. Also, much of the coast of Florida is sand, therefore moves substantially in every storm. John Harris
One thing you need to do if you go down the ICW is pay very careful attention to the markers and ensure that you do not drift out of the channel; keep looking backwards not just forward. We’ve seen lots of boat aground simply because they weren’t paying attention. It only takes a few feet in the wrong direction to find sand. Tim and Valerie O’Neil
Good point on the east wind. We cruised from the Bradenton area to Venice yesterday with a gusty ENE wind. Sarasota Bay was really choppy but we saw depths as charted along our course so long as we stayed carefully in the channel. The Blackburn (swing) Bridge (MM 63) is on a maintenance schedule – not sure how long – and is only opening every 4 hours. Someone added a note on the Active Captain bridge description a few days ago, which we had not seen. Fortunately we only had to wait about 20 minutes to pass. With a 9′ closed height, all looper boats need to time their arrival. Openings are at 8, noon, 4 and 8 only. Carolyn Chancellor
We are safely in Fort Myers at the City Yacht Basin. Thank you to all who offered their insight and recent information! In summary, we were very careful to stay in the channel and had no apparent bottom bumps or groundings. When we lost focus and strayed to the channel edge, the depths came up quickly. I would echo lots of the advice we received for others following our wake: STAY IN THE MARKED CHANNEL Look both ahead and behind to stay centered between the markers Make note of shoaling posts in Active Captain and other crowd-sourced resources for advice on which side to favor if you are centered in the channel and depths start getting shallow. Contact local tow services for recent updates on conditions. AGLCA Harbor Hosts can provide contact info. Talk with local boaters who have recently arrived at marinas along the route; they may have just transited the stretch you are beginning and can provide the most up-to-date depths, especially if they have similar draft to yours. Marina harbormasters may also be aware of shoaling issues nearby. Watch tides and wind. Check bridge schedules, especially maintenance schedules, to time your passage. Many of the bridges have limited deep water outside the channel to wait for an opening. Make sure you know your air draft and your comfort level in clearance above your air draft. Use binoculars to check clearance gauge at the starboard base of each bridge. This records the current clearance at the lowest point above the water. Maximum clearance will be 3′ – 4′ more at the center, but the bascule bridges arc sharply and, if your boat is wide, you need to plan accordingly. In narrow areas (lots of them), best to have two sets of eyes at the helm to monitor depths and course. Safe travels to all who follow in our wake! Touch base if you see us along the waterway. Carolyn & Robert Chancellor
You will also need to check information on the Blackburn Point swing Bridge. It is on a restricted opening of every four hours through the November time frame.
A timely reminder from Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission! Extra care is required following Matthew since a number Manatee Warning signs have been destroyed.
Manatee numbers are up and these bulky aquatic mammals are on the move this month! The annual migration of Florida manatees begins in November, as the weather cools and Manatee Awareness Month is celebrated.
Watch out for manatees swimming in Florida’s rivers, bays or coastal waters. Keep in mind this time of year manatees are searching for warmer waters to help them survive winter’s cold.
With the onset of the manatee migration, the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC) reminds people in boats and personal watercraft to slow down to avoid manatees, particularly in shallow areas. Many seasonal manatee protection zones also go into effect as of Nov. 15.
Adult manatees weigh about 1,000 pounds but can be difficult to see, especially when just below the water’s surface. Manatees are easier to spot if boaters wear polarized sunglasses and keep a lookout for signs of manatees such as the circular “footprints” they trace on the top of the water.
Manatee numbers are up. In February 2016, the FWC announced 6,250 manatees were counted in an aerial survey of Florida waters. While that is good news, there have been 91 manatee fatalities caused by boat strikes so far in 2016.
“Boaters who slow down and keep a lookout for Florida manatees are an important reason the overall population of this species is doing better,” said Carol Knox, leader of the FWC’s Imperiled Species Management section. “Remember, it is especially important to watch out for manatees during Manatee Awareness Month in November, as they begin their annual migration to warmer waters.”
The FWC spends about $2 million a year on manatee conservation, including research, rescue, management and public education efforts, and works in partnership with agencies such as the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service on manatee issues. Floridians contribute to manatee conservation when they purchase the “Save the Manatee” license plate at BuyaPlate.com or donate $5 for the manatee decal.
For information about manatee protection zones by county, including the seasonal changes, go to MyFWC.com/Manatee and click on “Data and Maps.” At the bottom of that same page, there also is information on FWC Manatee COLD-weather changes to speed zones. FWC law enforcement officers will be on the water enforcing these seasonal rules to protect manatees in busy boating areas.
Report sightings of injured, sick or dead manatees to the FWC’s Wildlife Alert Hotline at 888-404-3922, #FWC and *FWC on a cell phone, or with a text to Tip@MyFWC.com.
Want to see a manatee? Go to MyFWC.com/Manatee and click on “Where can I see Manatees?”
If you haven’t visited Fort Pierce City Marina since their renovations and expansion, you are in for a treat – it is one super marina! The entrance channel leading to Fort Pierce City Marina, a SALTY SOUTHEAST CRUISERS’ NET SPONSOR!, runs to the west, just south of the Fort Pierce high-rise bridge, and well north of unlighted daybeacon #188.
JUST IN TIME FOR FOOTBALL SUNDAY!!!!!!!
The new meeting room for tenants has opened!!!! The new location is upstairs above where the old one was, and the old marina office. You now can look out from the balcony and oversee the events going on at the Marina, play cards, meet with your fellow boaters, make new friends, have a pot luck, the events are endless!!!
ALSO…
They will be replacing the coils in the transformers on the floating docks on Tuesday November 1. Each dock will be worked on individually. The power on the dock will be off for 3 to 4 hours. We don’t know which dock they will start on so please be patient and I apologize for any inconvenience.
NEW VETERANS PARK
Take a stroll down the street from the Marina and see the newly remodeled Veterans Park. While you are there go inside and see what classes are available in the Riverwalk Center. This is going to be a great Season!!!
These photos are from a recent food festival enjoyed at SALTY SOUTHEAST CRUISERS’ NET SPONSOR, Port City Marina. All proceeds went to Food Bank. There is also a photo of ROCKIT, a 200ft Fed Ship recently docked at Port City Marina, located along the eastern banks of the Cape Fear River, in the heart of downtown Wilmington, NC.
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: Gulfstream navigation Gulfstream navigation Posted: 27 Oct 2016 04:22 AM PDT While not a navigation school, the Coconut Grove Sailing Club, in Coconut Grove Florida does offer informational sessions as we prepare for our annual “Adventure Rendezvous” which will be coming up in the spring of 2017. We generally have sessions that address Gulf Stream navigation, vessel preparation and safety, local knowledge – customs etc. In the past we have circumnavigated the Florida Keys, gone to Bimini, and the Abacos. For spring of 2017 we are considering the Exumas or Cuba. Please contact lauren simpson at manager@cgsc.org and ask to be put on our cruising and rendezvous email list for future invites to meetings.
Northern Fields Cut is always an area to approach cautiously and at mid to high tide. Our thanks to Captain Hospodar for this update.
My wife Pat and I traveled through Fields Cut on 10/26/16 one hour after low water favoring the outside of each curve and found no less than 12 feet of water from the Wright River to the Savannah River. Captain George Hospodar
The waterway south of McClellanville has been shoaling for years and as this LNM reports: /159671. Even with Captain Hospodar’s favorable experience, SSECN still recommends mid to high tide for passage through this section.
My wife Pat and I traveled from Mile 430 to 435 on 10/24/16 one hour after low water, staying in the middle we found no less than 6 feet of water throughout the area. Captain George Hospodar
I agree with George, we came through here yesterday at dead low tide and found no less than 5 foot of water under the boat. We draw 3 1/2 feet. The larger problem are the crab traps. They are everywhere, shore to shore and the channel is no exception. Took us a lot of “S” turns, but we managed to miss them all. You have to really pay attention to the depth finder and out the window in this stretch.
Our thanks to Captain Hospodar for this report which is good news for all 5ft+ keels through this Problem Stretch. However, last year, depths of less than 5ft were reported via ARGUS readings at the south end of the Cut. Tidal range is 5-7ft here and is certainly a factor in deciding to take the Cutoff or use the longer alternate route, see /?p=141157. Be sure to click the ARGUS option at the top of the ChartView page.
My wife Pat and I traveled through the Ashepoo Coosaw Cutoff into the Coosaw River on 10/25/16 one hour and 40 minutes after low water, staying wide of G “177” then traveling through the middle of the waterway and then slightly favoring the northwestern side of the channel between R “184” and G “185”, we found no less than 7 ½ feet of water throughout the area. Captain George Hospodar
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