Andree is correct about the history of this once popular anchorage, see /99799. And see /158819 for details on a new Florida law dealing with at-risk and derelict vessels. Thank you Andree for your perspective.
I was anchored out in Sunset Cove from 2001 to 2007 we tied our dinghies off the Bayside Resort pier. A chain link fence was put up and no trespassing sign a few years later. Thanks to some people who slept under the tree, drank , litter and trash the shore. It was a disgrace and bad image for the resort and tourists so they [authorities] did what they could to prevent it. That is why there are barely any boats there anymore. The anchorage has moved to Government center a few miles up the road. Andree J Hardy
Blue Ocean Sails (BOS) is a developing non-profit, educational organization, based in NE Florida, whose mission is to support, facilitate and assist students, educators, citizen and research scientists in all endeavors associated with marine science education and research. BOS is worthy of our interest and support.
Friends of Blue Ocean Sails – this is the first quarterly newsletter summarizing the ongoing development and activities of Blue Ocean Sails (BOS).
QUICK LOOK ASTERN – Blue Ocean Sails enjoyed a very successful Ocean Sampling Day 2016 in June coordinating with NOAA/AOML and the European OSD Consortium to bring OSD/MyOSD to NE Florida. The local area response was beyond enthusiastic at all levels and volunteer sampling groups from Flagler College, St Johns River State College, Sea Grant 4-H Marine Ecology Club and University of Florida, Whitney/Osborne Laboratory conducted ocean water sampling from both coastal and offshore sample sites, processed samples and shipped them to Europe for microbe DNA analysis. OSD 2016 was a great kickoff to the Blue Ocean Sails primary mission – support, assist and facilitate marine science research and education for students, educators, citizen and research scientists. Throw in a 6 hour offshore sail on Sea Breeze, our Irwin 43, and you see in OSD 2016 a perfect example of what Blue Ocean Sails strives to be. PRESENT POSITION – Blue Ocean Sails is currently in discussion with the St Johns County school district exploring options to bring the NOAA Global Drifter Buoy Program into the classroom for both elementary and secondary students. Blue Ocean Sails will set sail from St Augustine, FL this October and deploy a NOAA drifter buoy 75 to 100 miles offshore in the core of the Gulf Stream incorporating classroom lesson plans and STEM activities for students and teachers. Work continues to upgrade Sea Breeze’s systems to improve her offshore capability for hosting students, educators, citizen and research scientists onboard in local waters and for a 3 to 4 week cruise to the Abacos, Bahamas next year – hopefully supporting a yet to be developed survey/research project in support of deserving students, educators and/or scientists. ON THE HORIZON – Blue Ocean Sails seeks to develop an active Apex Predator Tagging program in association with the National Marine Fisheries Services ongoing program. Growing out of relationships formulated during OSD 2016, Blue Ocean Sails also seeks to begin discussions soon with Flagler College, Whitney Marine Science Laboratory and the Florida Microplastic Awareness Project exploring opportunities to support, assist and facilitate ongoing programs, projects and studies. As Blue Ocean Sails continues to gain significant operational traction, enthusiastic support is coming from all levels of the marine science community. I haven’t yet begun to outline the unending variety of programs on the drawing board designed to champion marine science at all levels; programs such as ScholarShips for Students, Dolphin Sails, Ocean Awareness Sails, Students – STEM – and the Ocean, Marine Baseline Studies, Extended Offshore/Inshore Research Sails, Ocean Literacy Sails, Skippers for Science and much more. CHARTING THE COURSE – Blue Ocean Sails is growing – and we need you! Please see the letter below requesting anyone interested in becoming actively involved with organizational and program development to please contact me ASAP. Options for active involvement include becoming an advisor to Blue Ocean Sails and even sitting as a member of the inaugural Board of Directors as we move towards formal incorporation and apply for 501(c)3 non profit status. Blue Ocean Sails is excited to get even more involved – supporting, assisting and facilitating marine science education and research! We offer free use of a 43′ offshore capable sailboat that can be your “research vessel”! Tell us how we can be of best use supporting your projects and programs and consider volunteering to help formalize the organization and its programs. BLUE OCEAN SAILS IS GROWING – and needs you! Are you interested in marine science, marine science education, sailing or the ocean? If you are that person, please contact me. I’m seeking discussion with individuals interested in contributing ideas, discussion points, thoughts and relevant input in order to help shape the continued development, direction and growth of Blue Ocean Sails. We now need the ideas and involvement of others who are passionate about marine science, education and research in order to continue the growth and development of Blue Ocean Sails as a viable, contributing educational organization. You don’t need to be a research scientist or tenured professor to provided valuable ideas, input and suggestions. You only need to have a passion for the ocean and a desire to volunteer to help steer the development of a non-profit, educational organization focusing on marine science education and research along with sailing and boating activities. Near term, I envision talking with interested individuals over the next couple months, discussing ideas and gauging interest levels. Then the next step will likely be a group meeting of interested individuals as we begin to discuss options for forming a board of directors and advisory committees. Formal incorporation of the organization will follow as appropriate. While BOS is initially St Augustine based, the vision is to develop an organization that serves the marine science community both far and wide. As such, Im casting this net far and wide. Please don’t think you can’t participate if you live outside NE Florida – it’s a big ocean; it touches us all. This is an opportunity with a wide range of involvement – from as little as tossing in a few ideas, all the way to sitting on the inaugural Blue Ocean Sails Board of Directors. You decide how interested you are, how you’d like to participate – there will certainly be something for every level of interest and involvement. Contact me if you’re interested in helping with the development of Blue Ocean Sails. I’ll answer your questions and provide an executive summary of our progress and plans thus far. Please get involved – I need your ideas – I need to talk with you! Best regards, Mike Alyea Blue Ocean Sails St Augustine, FL www.facebook.com/BlueOceanSails FMSEA/NMEA member since 2016 770.871.1770
SSECN hopes this law will never apply to you, but if your boat is frequently left unattended for any length of time, you should be aware of the new authority granted to FWC law enforcement.
Florida Fish & Wildlife Conservation Commission sent this bulletin at 07/29/2016 11:00 AM EDT For immediate release: July 29, 2016 Photos available on the FWC’s Flickr site: https://flic.kr/s/aHsjEz2hj2
New at-risk vessel law helps FWC officials manage Florida waterways
A new Florida law, approved by the Legislature and Governor during the 2016 Session, will enable county and local authorities along with the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC) to more effectively manage the state’s waterways. The new law (F.S. 327.4107) allows law enforcement officers to issue non-criminal citations to owners who allow their boats to become “at risk” of becoming derelict.
“This law allows officers to take action before a vessel crosses that line between at-risk and derelict, and hopefully prompts the owner to rectify any issues with the vessel before it reaches a state of disrepair,” said Phil Horning, FWC’s derelict vessel program administrator. “Prior to this law being enacted, officers had to wait until a vessel met the legal criteria for a derelict vessel before beginning any sort of official interaction with the owner.”
Under the new law, a vessel is deemed to be “at-risk” if any of the following conditions is observed: The vessel is taking on or has taken on water without an effective means to dewater. Spaces on the vessel that are designed to be enclosed are incapable of being sealed off or remain open to the elements for extended periods of time. The vessel has broken loose or is in danger of breaking loose from its anchor. The vessel is left or stored aground unattended in such a state that would prevent the vessel from getting underway, is listing due to water intrusion, or is sunk or partially sunk. If an officer observes a vessel with one or more of these criteria, a non-criminal citation may be issued that requires the owner to correct the problem or face stronger penalties after 30 days have passed. If problems are not fixed, non-compliant vessel owners can face additional fines issued every 30 days until they are.
Officials expect that this new law will decrease the number of vessels becoming derelict, a problem which continues to burden the state’s public waterways.
“Our goal is to keep Florida’s waterways safe and protect their environmental stability,” said Horning. “We are committed to protecting this valuable resource for the people of Florida and its visitors.”
Vessel owners are also reminded to sell their vessels properly.
“Many owners don’t realize that not only is the buyer required to get the vessel retitled in their name, but the seller is also required to notify the Department of Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles within 30 days that they have sold their vessel,” said Horning.
Failure to do so is a violation and may cause the prior owner of record legal troubles should the vessel become derelict at a later date. The FWC will be assisting state and local governments with derelict vessel removal grants that will be available soon. The grant funding was also approved by the Legislature and Governor during the 2016 Session. Interested applicants may contact the FWC Derelict Vessel Program office at 850-617-9540 or email DVGrant@MyFWC.com for more information.
Assuming David is talking about the AICW intersection, this is good news for this Problem Spot. However, it is definitely wise to follow the advice David gives below and SSECN has been giving for some time: follow the markers and do NOT follow the Magenta Line in this stretch of the ICW!
McCotters Marina and Repair Yard, A SALTY SOUTHEAST CRUISERS’ NET SPONSOR, is located on Broad Creek, off the Pamlico River, a few miles downstream of the Washington, NC waterfront. McCotters is one of the largest marinas in North Carolina and its repair capabilities are impressive.
McCotter’s seems to be a laid-back, easy to just relax environment. Good price, reasonable cleanliness, reasonable repair on the docks. Only problem, which is a significant concern for the younger boaters, is the Wi-Fi notoriously goes down on the weekend just when we need it most. Scott
BoatUS remains the premiere advocate for boaters and boating safety on all waters and SSECN is proud to present BoatUS News.
NEWS From BoatUS Boat Owners Association of The United States 880 S. Pickett St., Alexandria, VA 22304 FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE Press Contact: D. Scott Croft, 703-461-2864, SCroft@BoatUS.com
Boaters need to be prepared for summer thunderstorms.
Three Tips for Any Boater Facing A Powerful Summer Thunderstorm Lessons Learned from Rescue of Four Kayak Anglers HILLSBORO INLET, Fla., July 27, 2016 – Recreational boaters and paddlers understand that late afternoon thunderstorms are common during the summer boating season. A recent incident involving two TowBoatUS Fort Lauderdale captains and their rescue of four kayakers pre-fishing a local tournament offers some lessons learned on how to survive an afternoon storm. Just before 2 p.m. on Friday, June 24, under severe thunderstorm watch, Captains Eric Laury and Steve Reuss ran for cover as a large, fast-moving storm approached. Safe in a marina close to Hillsboro Inlet, they began to “wait out Armageddon,” as Reuss described the strong storm. Minutes later the US Coast Guard reported three overturned kayakers in the water about two miles south of the inlet. With 3-foot chop, 40-knot winds and near constant lightning, both captains immediately headed out to provide Good Samaritan aid. Normally the response boats, which have red hulls and white “TowBoatUS” letters on the side, are used for towing disabled recreational boats. After a short search Captain Reuss quickly located and safely took aboard two kayakers in the near zero-visibility conditions. Captain Laury, reporting severe wind gusts “trying to lift” the boat beneath his feet, soon found and retrieved two other paddlers with overturned kayaks. It was later learned that these two paddlers had hailed the original mayday with no knowledge of the other two distressed kayakers, and the slightly erroneous report of three distressed kayakers yielded the safe return of all four. To share some lessons learned, BoatUS has three safety tips for any mariner or angler facing a powerful, summer thunderstorm: 1. Don’t let your guard down: “Sometimes during the summer we see boaters lulled into a sense that calm seas always prevail, but these kayakers were prepared,” says TowBoatUS Ft. Lauderdale spokesman Barney Hauf. “They had life jackets on, carried a handheld VHF radio and a Personal Locator Beacon.”
2. Don’t leave the boat: While caught out on the open water and unable to seek cover, the paddlers stayed with their overturned vessels. “They fastened themselves to each other and to their equipment to stay together,” said Captain Reuss. Staying with an overturned boat gives rescuers a larger target to find.
3. Watch your weight: Small craft are most prone to overloading. Says BoatUS Foundation Assistant Director of Boating Safety Ted Sensenbrenner, “Kayaks weighted with a lot of gear can loose buoyancy. No matter what kind of boat, know your vessel’s capacity rating.”
For more information on boating safety, go to BoatUS.org.
About Boat Owners Association of The United States (BoatUS): Celebrating 50 years in 2016, BoatUS is the nation’s largest organization of recreational boaters with over a half million members. We are the boat owners’ voice on Capitol Hill and fight for their rights. We help ensure a roadside breakdown doesn’t end a boating or fishing trip before it begins, and on the water, we bring boaters safely back to the launch ramp or dock when their boat won’t, day or night. The BoatUS Marine Insurance Program gives boat owners the specialized coverage and superior service they need, and we help keep boaters safe and our waters clean with assistance from the non-profit BoatUS Foundation for Boating Safety and Clean Water. Visit BoatUS.com.
BoatUS remains the premiere advocate for boaters and boating safety on all waters and SSECN is proud to present BoatUS News.
NEWS From BoatUS Boat Owners Association of The United States 880 S. Pickett St., Alexandria, VA 22304 FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE Press Contact: D. Scott Croft, 703-461-2864, SCroft@BoatUS.com
8 Ways To Avoid Problems at the Boat Repair Shop
ALEXANDRIA, Va. July 25, 2016 – For over 25 years the BoatUS Consumer Protection department has helped Boat Owners Association of The United States members resolve disputes with repair facilities. The vast majority of shops do the job right, but sometimes they – or boat owners – make mistakes. To see what went wrong and to possibly learn from others, BoatUS has surveyed its BoatUS Dispute Resolution files to identify eight trouble spots that boaters needing work done should know:
Finding a shop: Word of mouth is still king. Having American Boat & Yacht Council (ABYC) and Better Business Bureau (BBB) certifications are also two good signs. Boaters can also check out the BoatUS Consumer Protection Database for complaints filed by BoatUS members.
Get it in writing: Get a written estimate before work begins, and remember that it is based on an approximation of how much the job will cost. If work may go beyond the estimated price, you can always direct the shop to obtain your authorization before proceeding with unforeseen repairs. Remember, if it’s not in writing, there’s no way to confirm the work was requested.
Is there a guarantee for the work? 30-, 60-, or 90-days are all typical. Ask if parts and labor are included. Don’t wait until after the warranty expires to check the repairs.
Remove valuables: Bring small electronics, personal items and fishing gear home.
Take photos: It’s always good to take a few “before” time-stamped photos of your boat in the shop (your smart phone may have this feature built-in or there are Apps available). Accidents do sometimes happen, and you may need before and after damage photos to show the shop damage took place and possibly file an insurance claim.
Languish at your peril: Avoid having your job pushed to the back burner by staying frequently informed about ongoing repairs. While there are often legitimate delays due to seasonality, parts sourcing, weather, and personnel, if you think you are getting put off, you probably are. Cut losses and find another shop. (Tip: For larger jobs, ask the shop to periodically email you pictures of work in progress. It may help keep the job on schedule.)
Inspect, inspect, and inspect: When picking up the boat after completion of repairs, ensure each bit of repair work matches the actual invoice. If you do have a dispute with the final bill, you’re in better legal shape if you pay it in full, preferably on a credit card, and then file a complaint with the shop and/or your credit card company.
A note about end of season repairs: Sea trials must take place during the warranty period, which has sometimes caused problems for BoatUS members who put their boats away for the winter before ensuring the repairs are satisfactory. Any open issues found in the springtime will likely come out of the boat owner’s wallet.
About Boat Owners Association of The United States (BoatUS): Celebrating 50 years in 2016, BoatUS is the nation’s largest organization of recreational boaters with over a half million members. We are the boat owners’ voice on Capitol Hill and fight for their rights. We help ensure a roadside breakdown doesn’t end a boating or fishing trip before it begins, and on the water, we bring boaters safely back to the launch ramp or dock when their boat won’t, day or night. The BoatUS Marine Insurance Program gives boat owners the specialized coverage and superior service they need, and we help keep boaters safe and our waters clean with assistance from the non-profit BoatUS Foundation for Boating Safety and Clean Water. Visit BoatUS.com.
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: Winding Bay, Abaco, Update Winding Bay, Abaco, Update Posted: 24 Jul 2016 12:08 PM PDT Just wanted to give you an update on Winding Bay’s latest shenanigans.
RDA (Responsible Development for Abaco), with a lot of help from Fred Smith, filed for a Judicial Review against 9 government departments for “lack of consultation”. As a result, BEST posted the EIA, EMP, latest site plan, and a couple of cover-your-ass letters on their website (www.best.gov.bs). They also called a town meeting in Cherokee Sound on June 27th. At the meeting, the developers announced that the marina was critical to the survival of the Abaco Club, and would generate 1000 construction jobs. A ludicrous number, any way you look at it. They said that 6 moorings would have to be moved, but couldn’t say where to, or whose moorings they are.
They also said that WSC (Water and Sewerage Corp.) had tested the water in LH and found it “unswimmable”, full of E. coli and fecal matter, and that their marina would actually clean up the harbour by installing a pump out station. Please see below a couple of quotes along these lines, and also WSC’s response to our queries about the tests. There’s a big difference between “unswimmable” and “undrinkable”.
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: Disney looking at developing Egg Island Disney looking at developing Egg Island Posted: 22 Jul 2016 04:19 AM PDT Disney is moving ahead with plans to build a cruise ship pier on Egg Island, North Eleuthera. Among many concerns is that Egg Island’s natural beauty and ecology will be destroyed if Disney proceeds with its plans to develop the island.
Click here for full article on Disney possibly developing on Egg Island as a new cruise ship destination.
15 Jul 2016 Bertram acquires refit facility on Florida’s Tampa Bay By Bryony McCabe
American boat builder Bertram has announced the acquisition of a waterfront facility on Florida’s Gulf Coast where it not only intends to build new Bertram yachts, but also fulfill clients’ service and refit needs. The new Bertram headquarters is an existing 120,000-sq. ft shipyard and marine service facility located in Tampa, immediately south of the Gandy Bridge on Tampa Bay, and is capable of hauling yachts up to 120ft in length.
“This plant, which already has been operating as a full-service marine facility for decades, is perfect for Bertram in so many ways,” explains CEO Peter Truslow.
“It will allow us to create a complete Bertram manufacturing and service center in one of America’s most popular year-round boating destinations. The facility has a great layout, with 40-foot-high buildings and high-tech fibreglass construction equipment already in place that we can utilise to build our new Bertram 35’ and larger models.”
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