Cruisers' Net | Cruisers Helping Cruisers

Jul 20, 2015by: Larry Dorminy No Comments 35.5365,-76.62249999
More Good Words for Spoon River Restaurant, Belhaven, NC, AICW Statute Mile 136

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Spoon River Restaurant has only been in business for two years and is open seven days a week. They are located just off the waterfront and are listed as:
Spoon River Artworks and Market
263 Pamlico St, Belhaven, NC ‘Ž
(252) 945-3899
And their Facebook address is:
https://www.facebook.com/pages/Spoon-River-Artworks-and-Market/471584979558789
There are several opportunities for dockage near Spoon River: Belhaven Waterway Marina, Belhaven Town Dock and Belhaven/Pantego Creek Anchorage. Our thanks to Skipper Whitehead for reminding us of this excellent restaurant!
We had dinner at Spoon River last night and it was undoubtedly the best meal we have ever enjoyed. The menu choices and the food are excellent. The waitstaff are excellent and well trained. All in all a very pleasant evening. I would give them five stars!
Carol Whitehead
Click Here To View the North Carolina Cruisers’ Net Marina Directory Listing For Belhaven Waterway Marina
Click Here To View the North Carolina Cruisers’ Net Marina Directory Listing For Belhaven Town Dock
Click Here To Open A Chart View Window, Zoomed To the Location of Belhaven Waterway Marina and Belhaven Town Dock
Click Here To View the North Carolina Cruisers’ Net Anchorage Directory Listing For Belhaven/Pantego Creek Anchorage
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Jul 19, 2015by: Larry Dorminy 1 Comment 26.803,-80.78999999
Question Regarding Lake Level in Lake Okeechobee

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Those of you who are frequent Lake Okeechobee Waterway cruisers are certain to have answers for Skipper Bill’s questions. Let us hear from you! USACE daily lake level reports can be found at http://w3.saj.usace.army.mil/h2o/currentLL.shtml. However, Bill’s questions refer to ARGUS soundings for Lake Okeechobee. See /?p=148612. ARGUS soundings are shown on all SSECN Chartview pages by clicking the ARGUS button at the top of the chart.
What lake level are the soundings in Lake Okeechobee corrected to, or what lake level were they observed? Since there is no `MLLW’ the lake level at observation or correction to the standard lake level is essential.
Thanks,
Bill
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John Hersey - July 20, 2015 - 2:43 pm

Hi Bill,
For Lake Okeechobee we get the daily lake level reports from the Corps of Engineers and refer that to the 12.5 foot average as used for the NOAA charts. Then we apply that difference to the soundings for each day. Please let us know if you see anything that looks odd though, so we can investigate and make adjustments to the process if possible.
Thank you,
John Hersey
SURVICE Engineering
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Jul 19, 2015by: Larry Dorminy No Comments 25.1238,-80.40669999
Advice Sought on John Pennekamp Coral Reef State Park and Largo Sound, Key Largo, FL

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The entrance channel to John Pennekamp Coral Reef State Park Marina is found off Hawk Channel, on the east side of Key Largo, at flashing red marker #2 which lies west, northwest of Hawk Channel marker #35 off Mosquito Bank. Largo Sound Mooring Field is managed by the State Park marina. The most last report we have (/?p=136094) seems to indicate that Skipper Joe will be fine with a 4’3″ draft, but if you have more recent experience entering Largo Sound, let us hear from you.
I get a mixed bag of comments regarding entrance to Largo Sound’¦I will be arriving in Leopard 43 which draws 4’3’ Is it possible to enter into the Sound’¦would love to experience the park from inside??? I appreciate the help.
Joe
Click Here To View the Cruisers’ Net’s Florida Keys Marina Directory Listing For John Pennekamp Marina
Click Here To View the Florida Keys Cruisers’ Net Anchorage Directory Listing For Largo Sound Mooring Field
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Jul 19, 2015by: Larry Dorminy No Comments
418ft National Security Cutter Coming to Charleston, SC
South Carolina is proud to have the National Security Cutter James make Charleston her home port. NSC 5 is named to honor Capt. Joshua James, one of the world’s most celebrated lifesavers.
USCG’s New Cutter Sails from Ingalls
Posted by Eric Haun
Thursday, July 16, 2015
The National Security Cutter James (WMSL 754) sails away from Ingalls Shipbuilding. (Photo: Lance Davis/HII)
The National Security Cutter James (WMSL 754) sailed away from Huntington Ingalls Industries’ (HII) Ingalls Shipbuilding division on Sunday, July 12, one month after being delivered to the U.S. Coast Guard, HII announced.
The new built vessel James will be commissioned on August 8 in Boston before heading to Charleston, S.C., where she will be stationed alongside Ingalls’ fourth NSC, Hamilton (WMSL 753).
“James is an excellent ship and another example of the outstanding work accomplished by our shipbuilders,” said NSC Program Manager Derek Murphy. “Through serial production in this program, each successive ship continues to come down the learning curve. The quality remains world-class, as proven by the substantial reduction in the number of trial cards with each successive ship in the class. Ingalls shipbuilders have once again delivered an NSC that will continue to protect our nation for the next 40 years.”
CLICK HERE for the full story from MarineLink.com
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Jul 18, 2015by: Larry Dorminy 1 Comment 33.6873,-79.00459999
Openings Questioned at Socastee Swing Bridge, AICW Statute Mile 371

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Skipper Lattimer poses questions that have asked many, many times over the years. See /?p=89755 and /?p=143206 for comments from other boaters. As to precedents for openings, emergency vehicles and vessels get priority. On weekends, it is normally water traffic that is heavy and the On Demand must restricted to openings every 15 minutes. During weekday rush hours, the opposite is true. And, as I understand from conversations with the bridge tenders, the old swing bridge roadway still serves a nearby school zone, requiring that waterway traffic be restricted for school buses. It is a tough job for the tenders who must rely on their on-the-spot judgement to apply restrictions.
Re: Socastee swing bridg . What do you mean `Opens on Demand’ Demand from who? Also, how many boats are considered heavy vessel traffic? It’s not unusual to have a hundred, probably a lot more, cars and trucks tied up when the bridge is open to `some’ boats. Which should take precedence?
Ed Lattimer
Click Here To View the Cruisers’ Net’s South Carolina Directory Listing For Socastee Bridge
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Jim Healy - July 24, 2015 - 2:32 pm

What should take precedence, Ed, is the USCG-approved status of the bridge. The Socastee Bridge is NOT restricted, so by definition, it is “on request”/”on demand.” The “requestor”/”demander” is the pilot of the boat. Having transited the ICW on many fall/spring migrations, I have experienced all of the ICW bridges. At Socastee, I have had excellent service and terrible, disrespectful service. The bridge is unreliable, at best. The bridge operations staff is made up of people who believe in serving the needs of boaters and people who do not. The argument of emergency vehicle traffic or school bus traffic applies to every bridge everywhere. There is absolutely nothing unique to Socastee. The bridge – and the city that owns the bridge – should honor it’s commitments to waterway users. Honor them or change them, but none of this, “it’ll be about 15 minutes or so before I can open” nonsensical stuff.
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Jul 18, 2015by: Larry Dorminy No Comments
Photo of the Week
Key Biscayne Light
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Jul 17, 2015by: Larry Dorminy No Comments 27.7313,-82.7069999
Boca Ciega Bay Community Group Forms to Clear Derelict Boats, near GICW Statute Mile 115

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Boca Ciega Bay is home to Gulfport Municipal Marina, A SALTY SOUTHEAST CRUISERS’ NET SPONSOR, and a very popular stopping point on the West Florida Waterway. The marina and mooring field are found on the northern shores of Boca Ciega Bay, just north of Tampa Bay. Our thanks to Mike Ahart for this report in Waterway Guide Latest News.

Grassroots movement hopes to rid Boca Ciega Bay of derelict boats
Date Reported: Jul 15, 2015
Reported By: Mike Ahart, News Editor
A grassroots movement has started up around Boca Ciega Bay to help rid the area of its growing derelict boat problem.

How has your community solved or reduced its derelict boat problem? Citizens Against Derelict and Illegal Boats (CADIB) wants to know ‘“ and wants others in their own communty to help. CADIB’s mission statement: “To protect our waterways from the environmental and navigational hazards that arise from derelict and illegal vessels.”
According to Grant Bond, one of the organizers of CADIB, “We would like to learn from and help other areas that have been affected by this problem. We (know) our current situation in Gulfport Florida…about 30-50 vessels dragging anchors, half of them have no registration or no current registration. I have lived on the water for 3 years and have seen 6 boats wash up on residential seawalls, 5 sunken vessels sitting on top of protected mangroves in Clam Bayou and at least 2 have caused damage to city property.”
So far, CADIB has been keeping track of boats and registration, and members have attended city council meetings to help keep the issue in the forefront. If you would like to help CADIB on the water or with ideas, contact by email CADIBgulfport@gmail.com
“Join us in the fight to keep our waterways to their natural beauty.” Visit the brand-new CADIB website for updates.
CLICK HERE for the full story.
Click Here To View the Cruisers’ Net’s Western Florida Marina Directory Listing For Gulfport Municipal Marina
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Click Here To View the Western Florida Cruisers’ Net Anchorage Directory Listing For Gulfport Anchorage/Mooring Field
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Jul 17, 2015by: Larry Dorminy 1 Comment
Update: Stolen Yacht Recovered, East Coast of Florida, near Fort Lauderdale
Our thanks to Mike Ahart, Editor of Waterway Guide for this news:
Waterway News Updates
Florida East Coast
Has anyone seen this stolen yacht?

Date Reported: Jul 15, 2015
Reported by: Kevin Crago
Changes-Of-Latitude.jpgHas anyone seen me? My name is Change of Latitude. I am a 2002 Ocean Alexander 60′ Pilothouse Motor Yacht. I was stolen Sunday at 1:30AM from Harbour Towne Marina in Dania Beach FL. I am most likely in the Bahamas.
Please notify Kevin Crago, the Bahamas Defence Force, US Coast Guard, US Customs, US Marshals, or Broward County Sheriff if you see me.
Ed. note: WG has verified that this yacht has indeed been stolen. Information has been posted elsewhere on the internet suggesting that the boat is missing due to a repossession. The boat had been repossessed a few months ago.
View location on the Waterway Explorer
Source: Cruising Boater
CLICK HERE for the full story from Waterway Guide Latest News
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Mike Ahart - July 20, 2015 - 11:10 am

UPDATE: The yacht has been located, no details are currently available. BOLO (Be On the LookOut) has been canceled.
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Jul 17, 2015by: Larry Dorminy No Comments 26.4632,-81.96549999
Pink Shell Beach Resort & Marina Recognized As One Of The Best in Florida

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Pink Shell Beach Resort and Marina, A SALTY SOUTHEAST CRUISERS’ NET SPONSOR!, overlooks the westerly banks of the Mantanzas Pass channel, west of marker #13.
Pink Shell Beach Resort & Marina has been named to the 17 Best Resorts in Florida list by Traveluto, a rapidly growing travel blog. The resort was praised for its idyllic location, lagoon-style pool and waterfall, on-site marina, spa and tropical surroundings.
Pink Shell Beach Resort & Marina Recognized As One Of The 17 Best Resorts in Florida
FORT MYERS BEACH, Fla., July 9, 2015
Travelers heading to the Sunshine State this summer will find one more exciting reason to stay at Pink Shell Beach Resort & Marina.
One of the premier resorts on Fort Myers Beach recently made the list of 17 Best Resorts in Florida by Traveluto. A rapidly growing travel blog covering exciting destinations all over the world in addition to other travel-related topics, Traveluto searched the Sunshine State’s most popular resorts ‘“ from the Panhandle to the Florida Keys to the infamous home of Walt Disney World ‘“ to honor 17 must-visit hotel destinations in the state.
Situated on the beautiful tip of Estero Island, the full-service Fort Myers Beach hotel was praised for its lagoon-style pool and large waterfall, convenient on-site marina, spa and tropical restaurants, making it the ideal setting for spurring romance or making memories with the whole family.
In addition to the resort’s on-site amenities, the travel blog referenced its outstanding reviews on TripAdvisor, the world’s largest travel website. Pink Shell received numerous guest reviews raving about “amazing rooms with lanais,” “incredible views,” the “luxurious spa” and “friendly and accommodating staff.”
On top of making the list of 17 Best Resorts in Florida, the renowned Fort Myers Beach resort has been recognized with numerous awards including the 2014 Best of Weddings by The Knot, 2015 TripAdvisor Certificate of Excellence and Hall of Fame Award. Pink Shell also was voted the “Best Resort and Hotel of Fort Myers Beach” by Fort Myers Beach Observer and “Top 25 Best Places to Tie Up in North America” by the editors and readers of Power and Motoryacht magazine.
Starting off with a single cottage in 1953, Pink Shell has expanded across 12 lush acres and features 213 one- and two-bedroom condos, each offering sweeping ocean views from sunrise to sunset. Though it has grown, been renovated and rebranded since the original beachfront property that first sat on the sun-kissed sand, the resort celebrates the memories that were once made on Fort Myers Beach while providing all the amenities necessary for friends and families to make new ones.
About Pink Shell Beach Resort & Marina
Pink Shell Beach Resort & Marina at 275 Estero Blvd. in Fort Myers Beach, FL is on 12 lush acres of sugary white sand facing the Gulf of Mexico. The full-service destination resort features 213 one- and two-bedroom condos, all offering sweeping ocean views. Additional amenities include a 41-slip marina, full-service spa, 3 heated outdoor pools, 2 restaurants, 2 ballrooms, on-site sailing school and water sports. For information, visit www.PinkShell.com or call 1-888-222-7465. Like Pink Shell Beach Resort & Marina on Facebook, follow the resort on Twitter and add it to a circle on Google Plus.
About Boykin Management Company
Boykin Management Company, a leading hospitality management company with offices in Charlotte, NC and Fort Myers Beach, FL, is consistently recognized for excellence in delivering value-added lodging operations. Since 1958, BMC has been developing, managing and operating hotels, resorts, condominium hotels and conference centers. In addition to BMC’s long-standing relationships with the industry’s leading hotel brands including Marriott, Hilton, DoubleTree, Embassy Suites, Radisson, Crowne Plaza, Hampton Inn and Holiday Inn, BMC has operated numerous independent and resort hotels. BMC has managed more than 20,000 rooms in 23 states since its inception. For information, visit www.Boykin.com.
PRESS CONTACT
Ellis Etter
1-239-463-6181
eetter@pinkshell.com
SOURCE Pink Shell Beach Resort & Marina
Click Here To View the Western Florida Cruisers’ Net Marina Directory Listing For Pink Shell Beach Resort and Marina
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Jul 17, 2015by: Larry Dorminy No Comments 32.785,-79.819999
Dredging Funded for Isle of Palms Problem Stretch, AICW Statute Mile 459

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Finally!! But, sadly, not until October in the middle of the Fall Migration, as explained in this article by Prentiss Findlay in Charleston’s Post and Courier. A reminder that the tidal range in this area is 5+ feet, so high tide would give you 7+ feet. And, as in the past, we recommend HIGH TIDE ONLY through this stretch.
Corps has $2.4 million for Waterway dredging at IOP, Sullivan’s
A boat is shown stranded on a shoal in the Intracoastal Waterway. A local section of the waterway between Isle of Palms Connector and Ben Sawyer Bridge will be dredged to make marine travel easier. The federal government has appropriated $2.4 million for the project.
Some $2.4 million in federal funds has been authorized for dredging the Intracoastal Waterway between Ben Sawyer Bridge and the Isle of Palms Connector, officials said Thursday.
The section at Breach Inlet between Isle of Palms and Sullivan’s Island is only two feet deep at low tide. `It’s bad. It’s definitely bad,’ said Brian Berrigan, president of Isle of Palms Marina.
Work to dredge the channel is expected to begin in October, said Sean McBride, spokesman for the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers Charleston District.
`It’s our No. 1 priority,’ McBride said.
The waterway near Breach Inlet has been nearly dry at low tide because of shoaling, a condition in which sand builds up and blocks the channel. The authorized channel depth is 12 feet and the width is 90 feet.
Berrigan said word of the dredging is good news but only a temporary solution for a condition that is sure to happen again.
`We definitely need a long-term fix,’ he said.
Berrigan said transient boaters avoid the area because of the shoaling problem.
`It’s changing people’s schedules for sure,’ he said.
As a result, the marina has taken a tremendous hit financially. Diesel fuel sales are off 30 percent from last year, he said.
The City of Isle of Palms said the condition of the waterway has created safety concerns for boaters, particularly at low tide. `Boaters should use caution in this area until the dredging project can deepen the ICW,’ the city said.
The dredging is expected to be completed by the end of the year, the city said.
In the fall of 2013, a Mount Pleasant woman was injured on the waterway near the inlet when a 44-foot trawler drawing 3 feet 10 inches of water hit bottom. The impact caused her to fall backward and hit her head. In the emergency room, doctors determined she had a fractured vertebrae, a concussion and a broken rib. She spent two nights in the hospital.
Because of the low water, some boaters go offshore and re-enter the waterway at Charleston Harbor. The section of waterway has acquired a reputation as one of the worst areas from Virginia to Florida.
The last substantial funding the Army Corps received for waterway dredging was in 2009 through the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act.
Some states, such as Florida and North Carolina, have dedicated funding for waterway maintenance. The Florida Inland Navigation District collects about $20 million annually to pay for waterway maintenance in 12 counties. North Carolina funds waterway maintenance through boater registration fees and the gas tax.
Reach Prentiss Findlay at 937-5711 or Twitter.com/prentissfindlay.
Click Here To View the Cruisers’ Net’s “AICW Problem Stretches” Listing For the AICW North of Ben Sawyer Bridge to Isle of Palms Bridge
Click Here To Open A Chart View Window, Zoomed To This AICW Problem Stretch
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