Cruisers' Net | Cruisers Helping Cruisers

Oct 7, 2016by: Larry Dorminy No Comments
Bahamas Chatter: “Report from Staniel Cay, Exumas” plus 1 more
This is the first news we’ve had from our friends at Explorer Chartbooks – long the standard navigational supplement for enjoyable, informative, and safe cruising through the beautiful Bahamian waters and island visits – and we are delighted that they have survived Matthew. Explorer Chartbooks is A SALTY SOUTHEAST CRUISERS’ NET PARTNER!
Bahamas Chatter: “Report from Staniel Cay, Exumas” plus 1 more
Report from Staniel Cay, Exumas
Posted: 06 Oct 2016 10:33 AM PDT
Thursday morning:
Good morning! – and it is a GOOD one. The worst is past, and there have been no VHF reports of extreme or emergency situations. It is still raining on and off; winds are still high, approx 70, but apparently ALL have made it OK. Nobody slept, the howling was even louder than the thunder, with branches and debris hitting the roof. The eye stayed 40 miles or so offshore, and that help keep the wind speed down a bit. Also was worst at mid – low tide. A few are braving the wind and doing a quick check. Some shingles off their houses, trees, branches, debris everywhere. More later. They will have their hands full with clean-up. Power still off, but has had internet! Another amazement!! We are all very grateful!
Hurricane Matthew Pounds Bahamas
Posted: 06 Oct 2016 07:55 AM PDT
Excerpt from Weather Underground blog by Dr. Jeff Masters with reports from Great Exuma and Staniel Cay.
Read the full article here:
https://www.wunderground.com/blog/JeffMasters/comment.html?entrynum=3467
Excerpt: [expand title =”Read More”]
The Bahamas getting pounded
At 2:19 am EDT Thursday, winds at a personal weather station (PWS) on Staniel Cay, Exumas, located in the strong right eyewall of Matthew, about 30 miles east-northeast of hurricane’s center, peaked at 92 mph, gusting to 101 mph. The pressure bottomed out at 984 mb at that time, and 12.95” of rain fell in the 7-hour period midnight to 7 am EDT.
WU member ExumaMET reported this from the island of Exuma, which Matthew sideswiped on Wednesday evening: Morning all. It was an intense night here. I recorded Sustained winds over 100 and gusts way into category 4 strength with one gust hitting 153mph before something took out my instrument. We’re still in tropical storm force and it should be interesting to see what the island looks like as the sun comes up.
The dangerous right front quadrant with Matthew’s highest winds began pounding the most populous island in The Bahamas, New Providence, on Thursday morning around 8 am EDT. Winds at 9 am EDT at the Nassau airportwere 58 mph, gusting to 85 mph, and the pressure was falling rapidly. Extreme winds are the main danger on New Providence, though a storm surge of up to ten feet is possible. Fortunately, the capital of Nassau is on the more protected north side of the island, which is less vulnerable to storm surge. High tide is at 11:46 am EDT, and the highest storm surge will likely arrive shortly before then. Tidal range between low tide and high tide is about two feet, so the timing of the high tide relative to a possible ten-foot storm surge can contribute up to a 20% increase in the observed storm tide (the height of the water above ground.)
The weaker left-side eyewall of Matthew will be punishing Andros Island late Thursday morning and into Thursday afternoon. Late Thursday afternoon, it will be Grand Bahama Island’s turn to receive a beating.

Figure 2. Enhanced infrared image of Matthew as of 8:37 am EDT Thursday, October 6, 2016.
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Oct 5, 2016by: Larry Dorminy No Comments
NC State Student Requests Your Knowledge about Bridges
Here is another survey for you to take – after you have completed the FWC Survey! – while you are holed up waiting for Matthew to pass. Kevin’s email is ksorn@ncsu.edu and his phone is 704-582-3859.
Hello,
I am a NC State University student seeking assistance for my senior design project. I am looking for a few minutes of your time to answer a few questions regarding bridges to help get a better understanding of our idea’s feasibility and general knowledge of bridges/ships in general. It would be greatly appreciated!
Please feel free to reach me at 704-582-3859 if you would like to help or reply back to this e-mail. If instead you have contact information of someone that might be interested in helping me out, please let me know as well!
Below are the interview questions:
1. How often do cruisers have to pass through city bridges?
2. Do most cruisers meet clearance requirements to fit under the majority of city bridges without opening?
3. Are most cruisers fully aware of their height clearance?
4. Do cruisers rely on bridge operators to determine if their height meets clearance specifications?
5. How do cruisers contact bridge operators to open a bridge?
6. How much time is consumed in this process?
7. Do any cruisers have a method for determining if they meet clearance requirements for an incoming bridge?
8. Can you recall any recent cruiser collisions with bridges?
9. How often do these collisions occur?
10. If there was a dynamic sensor for clearance with a heads up display letting the cruiser know they are clear to pass without disrupting the bridge, would you be interested?
11. Why would you/would you not be interested?
12. What do you think is a major problem with bridges over water currently?
Thank you so much for your time,
—
Kevin Sorn
North Carolina State University
Senior in Electrical and Computer Engineering
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Oct 4, 2016by: Larry Dorminy No Comments
South Carolina Orders Coastal Evacuation, 10/4
10/4, 3:00 PM, SC has ordered the evacuation of all coastal communities and has closed coastal schools in all the coastal counties. The Governor’s office has asked that evacuees move at least 100 miles inland.
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Sep 30, 2016by: Larry Dorminy 1 Comment
Online Survey on Florida Anchoring and Mooring Available, October 1-9, 2016
This is one very important survey that cruisers definitely will want to take. We can only keep our fingers crossed that the right questions will be asked and that our answers, observations and suggestions will be heeded, unlike past conversations with the FWC.

FWC seeks public input on anchoring and mooring rules, pilot program
The Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC) is seeking feedback from cruising boaters, local boaters and other residents in evaluating the state’s Anchoring and Mooring Pilot Program and related ordinances.
The FWC has posted a brief online survey to accept this feedback. It should take approximately five to 10 minutes to complete and will be available to the public Oct. 1-9. Survey

Any input is greatly appreciated in evaluating and improving boating in Florida.
The Florida Legislature established the Anchoring and Mooring Pilot Program in 2009. The intent was to explore potential options for regulating the anchoring or mooring of non-live-aboard vessels outside the marked boundaries of public mooring fields throughout the state.
After public input, the FWC selected the cities of St. Augustine, St. Petersburg, Sarasota, Stuart (in conjunction with Martin County) and the cities of Key West and Marathon (in conjunction with Monroe County) as five sites for the pilot program. They were granted temporary authority to regulate mooring in their jurisdictional waters through local ordinances.
All ordinances enacted under authority of the pilot program will expire on July 1, 2017, and will be inoperative and unenforceable thereafter, unless re-enacted by the Legislature.
Participation in the survey will help determine the effectiveness of the program, developed ordinances, and a variety of concepts related to specific restrictions on anchoring of vessels which may be considered in the future.
To access the survey and for more information, go to MyFWC.com/Boating.
And this from Glen Moore on the AGLCA Forum:
The Florida anchoring issue will be with us every year. This survey is part of the planning for next year’s legislative session and more legislation limiting anchoring. More communities will be vying to be included in the anchoring bans that were granted in two south Florida counties last year.
As a life-long resident of Florida, I have watched the law-making process over many decades. It is ironic that a state legislature with the majority of its members being elected on the platform of less government continue to issue laws regulating all forms of personal choice, including where one might anchor. Sorry if this sounds political, but this is a political issue and I have attempted to craft words in a benign manner.
If any of you are Floridians, and have decided to provide input through this survey, please take your time in studying each question (and there are many, particularly if you have anchored in a pilot project area since 2011) before answering. As an example, some of the questions refer to the appropriate distance to be anchored from residences or marine structures such as boat ramps. While you might have a great opinion of how far you believe is appropriate, any answer of a distance could result in laws regulating how far you must anchor. Any distance required could be difficult to follow given how large your swing circle could be. You could anchor at the appropriate distance, the wind direction change resulting in your boat swinging into an illegal spot. In many areas, laws regulating how far one can anchor from a residence will create overlapping illegal areas that essentially bans anchoring.
Last year, I wrote my State Senator questioning the proposed, and eventually passed law for south Florida. He responded that the anchoring law was needed for safety – that people water skied in the area and boats at anchor are a safety issue. I responded that they law did not prohibit anchoring in the day time, when there were people water skiing, only at night when people did not water ski – so the proposed law had no impact on the safety of skiers. He did not respond and voted for the anchoring prohibition.
We have some tough battles ahead. Our fight in Florida is not just for reasonable anchoring laws in Florida. Legislatures tend to copy laws from other states. As anchoring laws in Florida get legislated, other states will soon follow – Georgia, South Carolina, North Carolina . . .
My recommendation on the survey is to use the comment box at the end of the survey to build your case that no additional anchoring laws/restrictions are needed in Florida.
Be aware that waterfront homeowners will also be responding to the survey.
Glen Moore
Last Dance, DeFever Passagemaker 40
Flagler Beach, FL
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Comments from Cruisers (1)

Michael Koverman - September 30, 2016 - 3:59 pm

I think the pilot program is dead! Miami Beach did not conform, Martin County/Stuart doesn’t enforce.
Reply to Michael
Sep 30, 2016by: Larry Dorminy No Comments 36.5054,-76.35519999
Dismal Swamp Canal Re-Opening Today, 9/30, AICW Alternate Route

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Dismal Swamp Canal AICW Alternate Route and the State Park have been closed since 9/23 due to high water. Our thanks to Donna Stewart, Director of the Dismal Swamp Welcome Center, A SALTY SOUTHEAST CRUISERS’ NET SPONSOR, for this update. Please note the caution re debris in the canal.
The ACOE has relayed they will resume normal lock operations at 11am today. We appreciate everyone’s understanding and patience during this closure due to high waters. The Elizabeth is heading north as we speak, she just went past my window! We look forward to seeing all of our boaters again for a busy fall boating season.

Some reminders: the ACOE has patrolled to make sure we are clear for passage. The Canal is a no wake zone. Do not follow other boats closely, debris may be stirred up from the bottom. The Canal has a controlling depth of 6 foot. If you do encounter any problems, please note your coordinates as well as the mile marker to help US Facilities in addressing any issues, and report this to our Lock Masters or share with us to forward. Your input helps.
We are excited to see boats at our dock again!
Donna
Donna Stewart, Director
Dismal Swamp Welcome Center
Click Here To View the North Carolina Cruisers’ Net Marina Directory Listing For the Camden TDA/Dismal Swamp Canal Welcome Center
Click Here To Open A Chart View Window, Zoomed To the Location of the Dismal Swamp Canal Welcome Center
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Sep 30, 2016by: Larry Dorminy No Comments
BoatUS President to Step Down Today
Margaret Bonds Podlich
Salty Southeast Cruisers’ Net and BoatUS have always had a cordial working relationship and we will miss President Podlich’s support and friendship. We wish her the very best in the next phase of her life.

BoatUS president will step down on Friday
After 23 years at BoatUS, Margaret Bonds Podlich said today that she is stepping down as president, effective Friday.
A search has been initiated for a permanent replacement to lead the national boating advocacy, services and safety group.
“We want to thank Margaret for her many years of service and dedication to America’s recreational boat owners,” BoatUS CEO Kirk La said in a statement.
“She made boating better by making government more accountable to boat owners, ensuring that their voice was heard when unfair legislation was being debated. She’s been a strong environmental advocate and played a big role in successfully growing BoatUS into the more than half-a-million-member association that we are today.”
Podlich began her career at BoatUS in 1993 as director of the Clean Water Trust, now part of the 501(c)(3) non-profit BoatUS Foundation for Boating Safety and Clean Water. Under her direction, the trust (and later the foundation) grew to play a national role in clean water issues that affect recreational boaters. Many of today’s Clean Marina programs were developed under Podlich’s vision and leadership, and now these efforts are accepted as an essential part of managing a boating facility.
A 2014 honoree of the Darlene Briggs Marine Industry Woman of the Year award, Podlich also worked to promote boating safety initiatives and participated on the prestigious Coast Guard National Boating Safety Advisory Committee.
As former BoatUS vice president of government affairs, Podlich supported realistic, boating-friendly policies and helped successfully pass the 2008 Federal Clean Boating Act, which freed boaters from a new state operating permit.
Podlich is also credited with leading BoatUS to work with the recreational boating industry, working on policy and programs mutually beneficial to boat owners, manufacturers and service providers, such as combating the spread of ethanol fuels and saving the GPS system.
In 2012 she received the NASBLA Award from the National Association of State Boating Law Administrators, its highest recognition, for notable contributions to the betterment of boating.
Along the way, Podlich campaigned her Laser sailboat in national championships, most recently taking the top women’s radial trophy at the 2014 U.S. Laser Masters Championships and the Atlantic Coast Championship. She was also a crewmember on the 2006/2007 U.S. Sailing Team, campaigning the three-woman Yngling while vying for a slot in the 2008 Beijing Olympics.
BoatUS said Podlich made it her mission to be a “president of the people,” taking great effort to address BoatUS members’ concerns. When boating on her family’s small fleet of both sail and power watercraft, she was known for approaching other vessels flying the BoatUS flag, eager to talk boating.
From Soundings’ Trade Only Today
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Sep 30, 2016by: Larry Dorminy No Comments
Bahamas Chatter: Dockage rates at Cave Cay, 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: Dockage rates at Cave Cay, Exumas
Dockage rates at Cave Cay, Exumas
Posted: 29 Sep 2016 07:27 AM PDT
Does anyone know what the rates for dockage is at Cave Cay? Daily, weekly, and monthly?
Thanks DenO
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Sep 29, 2016by: Larry Dorminy No Comments 32.7783,-79.9529999
Charleston City Marina Wins 2016 Charleston’s Choice Awards, AICW Statute Mile 469

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Charleston City Marina, A SALTY SOUTHEAST CRUISERS’ NET SPONSOR, is located along the Ashley River’s northeastern banks, northeast of marker #5, and only a hop, skip and jump from the path of the AICW!
The City Marina was the winner in the Marina category of the Post & Courier’s 2016 Charleston’s Choice Awards. It is a well-deserved honor.

Click Here To View the South Carolina Cruisers’ Net Marina Directory Listing For Charleston City Marina
Click Here To Open A Chart View Window, Zoomed To the Location of Charleston City Marina
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Sep 29, 2016by: Larry Dorminy No Comments
Shared Photo

Porpoise show at Passage Key Channel
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Sep 29, 2016by: Larry Dorminy No Comments 27.2001,-80.25869999
Praise For Sunset Bay Marina, Okeechobee Waterway Statute Mile 7.5

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Sunset Bay Marina lies directly on the patch of the Okeechobee Waterway, only a few miles off the AICW via the St. Lucie River. Our thanks to Peyton Yon for this report.
Convenient and easy location to get in and out of. Well maintained, good Wifi, water and electric above average, very clean restrooms and showers, crew lounge and bicycles are provided for. Dockage rates are high for short term and transit accommodations please note they charge an additional nightly fee for electric. Free pump out service for your holding tanks offer once per week dockside or at the main fuel docks on demand. Water pressure is very high please use caution. Our dockage was for a 60ft MY on B Dock.
Peyton Yon
Click Here To View the Cruisers’ Net’s Eastern Florida Marina Directory Listing For Sunset Bay Marina and Moorings
Click Here To Open A Chart View Window, Zoomed To the Location of Sunset Bay Marina and Moorings
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