Cruisers' Net | Cruisers Helping Cruisers

Aug 14, 2015by: Larry Dorminy No Comments
Concerned Citizens of Staniel Cay Ask Your Support!
The full-time residents of Staniel Cay are asking your support to have the Staniel Cay Airport repaired and re-opened. If you cruise to the Exumas, it is obviously in your interest to have the airport in useable condition. Follow the links below and register your support ASAP.
“Bahamas Chatter” is a newly launched feature of Lewis Offshore, LLC and Explorer Chartbooks, A SALTY SOUTHEAST CRUISERS’ NET SPONSOR! See /?p=148421.
Bahamas Chatter: Staniel Cay (Exumas) Airport
Posted: 13 Aug 2015 02:07 PM PDT
Dear Staniel Cay Supporter:
You can take action to help! On August 12, we delivered a petition letter to the Prime Minister of the Bahamas and other key officials, urging the Government to repair and reopen the Staniel Cay airport immediately. The hard copy petition is signed by 164 people ‘“ nearly all Staniel Cay residents (locals and foreign homeowners alike), business owners and every private island between here and the Exuma Park headquarters.
Of course, many more people and entities are affected by the airport closure as well. We now seek widespread signatures from the many other supporters of Staniel Cay: extended families of Staniel Cay locals; families and guests of homeowners; families and clients of business owners; private cay owners/operators/families/staff/guests; boaters and cruisers; SCYC and rental home guests; private pilots; charter companies; pilot organizations; fly-in tour groups; suppliers; tourism agencies; and any other person or entity who experiences the negative impact of the Staniel Cay airport closure and urges its immediate repair/reopening. We have established an online petition to reach as many affected persons as possible.
Please go to http://www.ipetitions.com/petition/staniel-airport to read the August 12th letter from Concerned Citizens of Staniel Cay & Vicinity and SIGN YOUR NAME IN SUPPORT. Please sign as soon as possible so we can cite a strong number of online signatures. (If you are seeing this belatedly, we still welcome your signature as we will continue to cite growing numbers in ongoing efforts with officials.) Please continue to visit the site for updates and any further calls to action.
PLEASE FORWARD this information to your own contacts and networks of Staniel Cay-related persons/businesses to encourage their online signatures as well. We sincerely apologize for duplicate emails you may receive as word of this important initiative spreads.
Huge thanks to all signers! To all of you who love Staniel Cay, thank you for your continued support of this special Cay, and let’s get our airport up and running again!
Thank you!
Dawn Spivey & Brooks Miller
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Aug 14, 2015by: Larry Dorminy 1 Comment
Near Tragedy Teaches: Always Wear Your Life Jacket!
Our thanks to Skippers Tony and Barbara Pozun for sharing this harrowing personal experience with a close brush with death.
An incident July 30 aboard a sailboat in Northport NY.
This is excellent training to all. Two things learned:
1 never ever hoist sails at mooring.
2 crew on deck should always wear PFD always, always, always – even at mooring.
6:40 PM at mooring on Capt Ken Graf’s sailboat, Steve Denniston, myself and 3 others - non experienced adult sailors aboard. Mainsail was up and luffing violently, boom moving. Steve went forward to release lines as boat was sailing back on forth on mooring. Steve had much difficulty releasing lines. He was not wearing a pfd. Graf engaged engine to push boat forward to release lines. Boat moving about violently. Steve finally released lines and while returning to cockpit boat took a violent jib down wind, boom came across violently striking Steve about head, throwing him into water.
As boat was sailing away from Steve I saw he was not swimming but appeared to be unconscious. As I was wearing a pfd I dove into water and swam against a strong current 20 yds to Steve. With an inflated pfd, a difficult task. By this time he was face down in water. I immediately turned him over gave him him CPR by hoisting him on my chest and inflated pfd…I WAS ABLE TO HAVE HIM EXPEL A LOT OF SEA WATER. I STARTED TO SWIM TOWARDS GRAF’S BOAT WHICH HAD
RETURNED. As I swam with him I stopped and gave him CPR the best I could. When reaching the ladder, I was physically exhausted and even with help on sailboat, could not get him onto boat.
As luck would have it a CG small boat was leaving Northport harbor and heard the call for help. As the boat got closer I swam with Steve in tow to the CG boat and screamed at the crew to hoist him aboard. With the crews assistance I was able to push Steve’s body onto the cg boat. I told them I was ok and that they should expedite
him to the nearest dock and transport to a hospital. At this time I swam back to the sailboat and managed to get aboard. I was later transported by NYC launch to the NYC dock where I collapsed on dock receiving a contusion to my right ankle.
PS: Steve was airlifted to Stony Brook hosp in critical condition. There he was treated for fractured skull, fractured orbital both sides, and salt water inhalation into his lungs. He was subsequently transferred to St Charles rehab center, Port Jefferson and released later to home where he is currently recovering.
Anthony Pozun, member/instructor, Northport Yacht Club, NYC. Adult sailor, instructor/retd Police Officer, det/sgt Nassau county police dept, 35 yrs – current NYS REG Nurse.
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Capt Norman Quinn - August 15, 2015 - 7:27 am

Outstanding job…congratulations on your successful save and kudos for your bravery. Not always a great idea to jump into a moving current and risk your own life, even wearing a pfd, but we do what we have to. Glad the outcome was a good one.
EMS Div Chief Norman Quinn
Paramedic Firefighter, retired
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Aug 13, 2015by: Larry Dorminy No Comments
Marv’s Weather for Active Cruisers
For a number of years, Captains Marv and Carol Market have shared – as a free service via email – their off-shore daily virtual buoy reports and tropical weather reports with other boaters and non boaters. Graciously, Carol and Marv have now agreed to share these reports with our readers. It is an attractive and informative site (link below). Try it, you will like it! There is no charge for this service, but they do accept donations.

Click Here for their website, Marv’s Weather.
Click Here to subscribe.
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Aug 13, 2015by: Larry Dorminy No Comments 28.6204,-80.80929999
More Good Words for Titusville Municipal Marina, AICW Statute Mile 879

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Located south-southeast of AICW marker #27, Titusville Municipal Marina is one of the best medium-sized, municipal marinas on the Eastern Florida coastline. It is also only a short driving distance from Dixie Cross Roads Seafood Restaurant, one of the best in the south! Our thanks to Skipper Parker for this report.
Stayed a few enjoyable days at the Titusville Marina. The staff is very courteous and accommodating. The boatside pump out is a plus.
Susan Parker
Click Here To View the Eastern Florida Cruisers’ Net Marina Directory Listing For Titusville Municipal Marina
Click Here To Open A Chart View Window, Zoomed To the Location of Titusville Municipal Marina
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Aug 12, 2015by: Larry Dorminy 1 Comment
Advice Sought on 6ft Draft in Eastern Pamlico Sound, off the ICW
We like to think that Skipper Pozun is responding to recent postings extolling the virtues on Manteo, NC, especially a FOCUS ON – Manteo Waterfront Marina. If you sail with a 6ft draft and can offer advice on the areas mentioned, please let us hear from you! Thanks!
I am traveling south on the ICW to Fla this winter. After entering Albermarle sound N C, i plan to head east to Manteo, Roanoke is., and then south to Ocracoke harbor, Outer Banks NC. Afterwards i will head south to Oriental. I draw 6 feet (SAILBOAT) I want to know the difficulty of maneuvering the route and channels to, in and out, of the first two harbors.
tony pozun
Click Here To Open A Chart View Window, Zoomed To the Location of Manteo, NC
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Rick Brass 2/v Imzadi C&C 38 mk2 - August 14, 2015 - 6:03 pm

The trip from the Albemarle Sound around the north end of Roanoke Island to Manteo is pretty open, deep and well marked. It is nowhere near as challenging as the trip down Currituck Sound and into Coinjock that you will have taken just the day before. The entrance channel for the harbor in Manteo is a bit long and narrow, but well worth the trip because Manteo is such a great destination.
The channel leading south from Manteo to the Pamlico Sound is more challenging. It is deep enough and has a lot of boat traffic – particularly on weekends. But the channel is narow and there are lots of shallows just out of the channel, so pay close attention to the channel markers. They get moved regularly so take what is on your chart plotter with a grain of salt.
Pamlico Sound itself varies from around 14 feet to around 24 feet. There are a few shoals to look out for but they are well marked.
There are two channel into Ocracoke . The Nine Foot Shoal Channel is not my first choice because it is a long stretch between the daymarks and very easy to wander out of the channel as you cross the sand bank. Big Foot Slough is the channel used by the ferries and is regularly dredged to maintain 16 to 20 feet. The channel is pretty wide in most spots, though there are a couple of narrow spots marked by unlit floating marks that had not been dredged when I was there in late June. The unlit floating marks are the reason I would not try to go into Ocracoke at night. And remember you are headed TOWARD the ocean, so red markers to port.
Silver Lake, the harbor at Ocracoke, is about 15 feet deep with good protection and fairly good holding in soft mud. The anchorage can get crowded at time on busier weekends.The great news is that the US Park Service has docks next to the ferry terminal where you can stay pretty inexpensively – $.50 per foot per night IIRC if you are over 62 and have a Senior Pass you can purchase from the Park Service office for about $10.
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Aug 10, 2015by: Larry Dorminy No Comments 35.9095,-75.66869999
Good Comments for Manteo Waterfront Marina, Pamlico Sound, NC

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A SALTY SOUTHEAST CRUISERS’ NET SPONSOR, Manteo Waterfront Marina is located on the western shores of Doughs Creek, northwest of marker #10. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HNIMU1Uspqg">Click Here for a video on the entrance channel.
Visited here recently twice. A great stop and stay for at least two days. Rent car from local Ford dealer is best. The channel while challenging for first timers is actually easy. This channel is a good example of fear of unknown.
John Winter
Also see FOCUS ON – Manteo Waterfront Marina
Click Here To View the Cruisers’ Net’s North Carolina Marina Directory Listing For Manteo Waterfront Marina
Click Here To Open A Chart View Window, Zoomed To the Location of Manteo Waterfront Marina
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Aug 10, 2015by: Larry Dorminy No Comments 26.4912,-82.04899999
Report from Picnic Island Anchorage, GICW Statute Mile 0.5

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Picnic Island Anchorage is found off the eastern and northeastern shores of Picnic Island, which itself lies just south, southeast of the ICW/Miserable Mile’s unlighted daybeacon #8.
Good for a lunch hook but it is hard to hold here as the current will rip through here. Better holding and less wave action (boats navigating the miserable mile wake) is to the north. I have used the Merwin key anchorage many times and for week long anchoring . 26Â°30.184’N,82Â°2.867’W safe journey fair winds 2 U.
RJ Schwandner
Click Here To View the Eastern Florida Cruisers’ Net Anchorage Directory Listing For Picnic Island Anchorage
Click Here To Open A Chart View Window, Zoomed To the Location of Picnic Island Anchorage
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Aug 10, 2015by: Larry Dorminy No Comments 26.5045,-82.01099999
Report from Punta Rassa Cove Anchorage, Statute Mile 0, Western Florida Waterway

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Punta Rassa Cove Anchorage will be found on the deep water east of the gap between flashing daybeacons #13 and #14, bordering on the western reaches of shallow Punta Rassa Cove, north of the Sanibel Island Causeway Bridge.
Same as Donn Brown (above [see /?p=4920]), if you’re tired or want an early start to sail south, great spot to drop the hook. The alternative is on the back side of Kitchel Key little more protective. Safe journey fair winds 2 U.
RJ Schwandner
Click Here To View the Western Florida Cruisers’ Net Anchorage Directory Listing For Punta Rassa Cove Anchorage
Click Here To Open A Chart View Window, Zoomed To the Location of Punta Rassa Cove Anchorage
265045166667
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Aug 10, 2015by: Larry Dorminy 2 Comments 35.9095,-75.66869999
FOCUS ON – Manteo Waterfront Marina, Pamlico Sound

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We heartily recommend a visit to Manteo, NC, with its really good restaurants, plentiful shopping and access to multiple historical attractions. And, you simply can’t do better than to coil your lines at SALTY SOUTHEAST CRUISERS’ NET SPONSOR, Manteo Waterfront Marina. Tell Captain Carl we sent you!!!
Cruisers who have not visited Manteo in the past fifteen years will hardly recognize the waterfront or the downtown district. The city docks have been completely rebuilt and expanded and the downtown is filled with interesting shops, restaurants, shoreside businesses of all descriptions with classical-style buildings that await exploration by visiting cruisers.

The Manteo Waterfront Marina was constructed as part of Manteo’s redevelopment for the celebration of America’s 400th Anniversary, but its history starts long before the pleasure boats and boardwalk. The waterfront in Manteo acted as the hub of industry and commerce in Dare County for many years. There were oil tanks and fishing boats dotting the old wharfs and fish houses. There was an ice plant to package fish for transport, where Roanoke Island Festival Park now hosts concerts and performances. What was once the center of life in Dare County with busy court days and mail arriving by ship is now host to a quiet marina, maritime history center, and a replica of the Roanoke Marshes Lighthouse.

The Manteo Waterfront Marina, situated on Doughs Creek, is one of three marinas in Shallowbag Bay and the best escape from a hard northeast wind on the north end of Roanoke Island. A short pleasurable cruise following the alternate route Manteo Waterfront Marina is approximately five miles off the ICW. Numerous boatyards and service providers are close by and can be contacted with information provided by Dockmaster, Carl Jordan. It needs to be noted, that Carl runs a `tight ship’ for Manteo Waterfront Marina and is a wealth of local knowledge as to what is happening in the area. Visiting cruisers’ can rest assured they are in excellent hands while staying in his marina.

Manteo Waterfront Marina welcomes transient cruisers. This quaint marina has 53 slips and can accommodate vessels up to 150′. Power (30, 50, and 100 amp) service is available along with water, cable and wifi. There is a well-kept comfort station with laundry services, shower facilities, and boater’s library with varied titles. A pump station is available with fuel docks close by. The amenities at Manteo Waterfront Marina are complemented by colorful landscaping set against idyllic Doughs Creek. Few will find a visit here to be anything less than appealing. There is over a mile of public boardwalk with on ground grilling facilities and dining area set up to host clubs.

There are restaurants and shops steps from the marina and the grocery store is a quarter of a mile away. Roanoke Island is also host to numerous attractions. The Lost Colony, the longest running outdoor drama in the country, plays nightly from May through August. North Carolina Aquarium on Roanoke Island is open daily and features numerous exhibits. Also on Roanoke Island are Fort Raleigh National Historic Site, the Elizabethan Gardens and the Alligator River National Wildlife Visitors Center. See where your seafood really comes from by visiting the very southern end of Roanoke Island and pick up todays catch straight from the docks.
A quick drive over the Washington Baum Bridge and you are at the beaches of the northern Outer Banks. There are many sites to visit and restaurants. Be sure to catch the sunset from Jockey’s Ridge State Park and don’t miss the opportunity to walk in the footsteps of the Wright Brothers at the Wright Brothers National Memorial.
For more information please visit: http://www.townofmanteo.com/marina
Or contact Dockmaster, Carl Jordan at 252-305-4800
The Marina monitors channel 16 and uses Channel 9 as their working channel
Already on your way? Check this video for helpful tip to approach the marina:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HNIMU1Uspqg
Still contemplating a trip? This should seal the deal.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9VKRALDBaOY
Click Here To View the Cruisers’ Net’s North Carolina Marina Directory Listing For Manteo Waterfront Marina
Click Here To Open A Chart View Window, Zoomed To the Location of Manteo Waterfront Marina
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Curtis Hoff - December 11, 2018 - 9:28 am

We had the privilege to stay here for a week a couple years ago. Wonderful town and excellent marina staff. The Lost Colony Brewery is not to be missed if you like craft beer. One of our favorite stops in 8 years of cruising along the east coast. We had absolutely no issue with the entrance channel and neither will you if you follow the well-documented instructions and watch the video (5 ft draft).
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Carol Naughton - August 15, 2015 - 5:18 pm

Manteo Waterfront Marina is, by far, my favorite marina! I always try to plan 2 trips there per year, and Carl and George take great care of their customers. The whole charming town is right there at your doorstep, and within mere minutes you can be enjoying a world class cappucino, replenishing your supplies at the ship’s store or just browsing the wonderful shops. Lunch at the Full Moon Cafe has incredible food and fabulous home brewery beers. Don’t miss this special town and very special marina. Captain Carol, Big Kahuna
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Aug 9, 2015by: Larry Dorminy 1 Comment 30.153,-85.6589999
Wild Crime on the Waters in Panama City, Northern Gulf ICW Statute Mile 287

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Our thanks to Rich Gano for sending this note-worthy news item. We are grateful that the FWC officer survived the shootout, which occurred on the waters of St. Andrews Bay and not in a marina. Panama City is home to two SALTY SOUTHEAST CRUISERS’ NET SPONSORS, St. Andrews Marina and Panama City Marina.
You can read the basics here http://tinyurl.com/pwed56z and http://www.mypanhandle.com/news/more-information-released-about-fwc-officer-shooting
It appears that the FWC officer was responding to a disturbance of some sort on the boat the two criminals were aboard, and when he pulled up, one of them disappeared into the boat’s cabin and then reappeared with a gun. Seems he may have had a drug-related warrant out on him in a northern tier state and knew that an identity check would land him in jail. So, of course, murder was the right choice for him, duh. Seems to me that if you want to remain below the radar, you don’t create disturbances on the water. A Panama City Beach police officer was killed (first ever) by a criminal on the run from a northern tier state 11 years ago during what the cop thought was a routine traffic stop.
In the current case, a gun battle ensued during which the officer ended up in the water, and even reloaded while in the soup firing at the criminals as they hijacked his patrol boat and tried to run him down before running the boat ashore and briefly escaping into a residential area where at least one resident confronted them with a gun.
Don’t be surprised if FWC guys are a bit cautious when they pull you over these days.
Rich Gano
Click Here To View the Northern Gulf Cruisers’ Net Marina Directory Listing For St. Andrews Marina
Click Here To Open A Chart View Window, Zoomed To the Location of St. Andrews Marina
Click Here To View the Northern Gulf Cruisers’ Net Marina Directory Listing For Panama City Marina
Click Here To Open A Chart View Window, Zoomed To the Location of Panama City Marina
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David Boone - August 9, 2015 - 11:50 am

Rich,
Thank you for sharing the article on the FWC officer shooting in Panama City. Goodness, what a life we are living.
To me, the article confirms that we are all living in this world together. For those T&T of us, we are blessed to be on the water doing what we love but we need to be mindful of events which surround us. Us likeminded T&T folks need to stay in communication, be vigilant and become proactive when we see something of concern.
Best to all and safe Trawlering!
D Boone
MY Ramaela
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