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    • May 12, 2015by:   Larry Dorminy No Comments 27.4136,-82.57429999

      Hazard: Missing Marker at Sara Bay Marina, off Sarasota Bay, near GICW Statute Mile 80


       View In Chartview

      Our thanks to Skipper Fort for sending us this warning and advice. Sara Bay Marina is at the eastern end of a narrow, shallow, multi-marked channel.

      Danger: marker #2 at the entrance to Sara Bay Marina has been knocked down.
      It is imperative that you stay west and north of this sign as water to the south of the piling is 8″ at low tide and even out of water at dead low tide even though the nautical chart shows 5 feet.
      Dudley Fort

      Click Here To View the Eastern Florida Cruisers’ Net Marina Directory Listing For

      Click Here To Open A Chart View Window, Zoomed To the Location of Sara Bay Marina

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    • May 11, 2015by:   Larry Dorminy No Comments

      BoatUS: Take the K.I.S.S. Principle Home for National Safe Boating Week

      Boat U.S.This is not the usual Keep It Simple Stupid acronym we use, but it still works for this boating safety message! BoatUS continues to be the nation’s leading advocate for boating safety and new ideas are always most welcome. SSECN is proud to have BoatUS as a SPONSOR!

       

       

       

      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

      Displaying

      National Safe Boating Week helps boaters look ahead to help plan for a safe summer of the water (credit: Maddy Roberts).

      Take the K.I.S.S. Principle Home for National Safe Boating Week

      ANNAPOLIS, Md., May 11, 2015 ‘“ May 16-22 is National Safe Boating week, reminding anyone who spends their time on the water to think about ways they’ll have a great summer and avoid any chance of becoming US Coast Guard statistic. The BoatUS Foundation for Boating Safety and Clean Water has four tips that follow the familiar K.I.S.S. principle ‘“ but with a bent for boating safety ‘“ that are near universal:

      Keep your life jackets handy: This means readily accessible within arms reach, not still in it’s plastic bag or behind compartment doors buried under junk. Better yet, wear it. You’d be surprised at how comfortable and slim today’s newest inflatable life jackets are.

      Instruct your passengers on where to sit and how to move about the boat safely. This applies to all boats, but the smallest ones can have biggest problems: swamping, large wakes and overloading can turn your day into one you’d rather forget.

      See that all passengers are briefed on where emergency equipment is kept and how to use it: don’t forget to show how to use the VHF radio, and what everyone needs to do in case someone falls overboard (designate a spotter).

      Share your float plan with someone ashore to let them know where you’re headed and expected to return. The simple act of telling someone has been demonstrated to greatly reduce a rescuer’s response time.

      For more information on boating safety or to take a no cost online boating safety course, go to BoatUS.org.

      About the BoatUS Foundation for Boating Safety and Clean Water:

      The BoatUS Foundation for Boating Safety and Clean Water is a national leader promoting safe, clean and responsible boating. Funded primarily by donations from the over half-million members of Boat Owners Association of The United States (BoatUS), the non-profit provides innovative educational outreach directly to boaters and anglers with the aim of reducing accidents and fatalities, increasing stewardship of America’s waterways and keeping boating safe for all. A range of boating safety courses ‘“ including 34 free state courses ‘“ can be found at BoatUS.org/courses.

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    • May 11, 2015by:   Larry Dorminy No Comments

      TowBoatUS On Water Towing Service Opens in Sodus Bay, NY

      Boat U.S.This is good news for you spring migrators voyaging on north. BoatUS continues to be the nation’s leading advocate for boating safety and this new service will be most welcome. SSECN is proud to have BoatUS as a SPONSOR!

       

       

       

      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

      Displaying

      TowBoatUS Sodus Bay safely wrangles a sailboat into its slip.

      New TowBoatUS On Water Towing Service Opens in Sodus Bay, NY

      SODUS POINT, NY, May 11, 2015 ‘“ Capt. Tim Maxam, the new owner of TowBoatUS Sodus Bay on Lake Ontario, an on water towing and assistance service for recreational boaters, describes himself as `back to basics boating guy,’ who loves to help other boaters. Last summer he realized that opening a TowBoatUS port in his home waters in Sodus Bay was the best way to do that.

      Maxam is no stranger to TowBoatUS operations. He worked as a captain for TowBoatUS Rochester for many years, including in 2012 when Jake VanReenen, the Rochester port’s owner, stationed a boat in Sodus Bay. After that boat moved back to Rochester, 35 miles to the west, Maxam did many long-distance tows. Now that he is retired, he realized he could bring TowBoatUS back to Sodus Bay full time. `VanReenen is my mentor,’ he said, `I couldn’t have set this up without his help.’

      With his own towboat docked at the same marina where he and his wife, Alisa, live aboard their 36-foot Carver cruising boat, he’ll be able to answer calls from boaters in need in a matter of minutes. If someone has a mechanical breakdown, a dead battery, a soft grounding or runs out of fuel on the lake, Maxam will be there to help 24-hours a day, seven days a week.

      Much like an auto club for boaters, TowBoatUS offers Unlimited on water towing plans for freshwater boaters and anglers for just $72 a year that includes BoatUS membership. Without a towing plan, boaters face costs that average $750 per incident nationally.

      Maxam, who holds USCG 100-ton Master License and is an active member of the Sodus Bay Maritime Captains Association, started boating at age 11. After 38 years working in the HVAC industry, he is excited about his new retirement project. `I am happiest when I am on the water,’ he said. He spent the winter buying dewatering pumps, battery jump packs, towing lines, radios, and more to get ready to outfit his new boat.

      Now everything is on the boat, a 22-foot aluminum SeaArk with a 300-horsepower inboard/outboard engine. The boat, which is painted with a distinctive white `TowBoatUS’ on the red hull, is fully equipped to render any kind of assistance. But the biggest asset is Maxam himself, a savvy boater and born troubleshooter. He remembers a frantic call from a boater who thought his craft was sinking. When Maxam got aboard to investigate the source of the in-coming water, he immediately noticed the water on the floor was warm, and realized the boat was not taking on water. A hose from the boat’s water heater had disconnected. As soon as he remedied the problem, the owner pumped out the boat and the problem was solved.

      TowBoatUS Sodus Bay is based at Katlynn Harbor Marina and can be hailed on VHF channel 16 or reached by calling Maxam directly at 585-738-2495 or by calling the BoatUS toll-free 24/7 Dispatch Center at 800-391-4869, and via smartphone with the free BoatUS Towing App. To see the location on a map go to BoatUS.com/sodusbay. BoatUS is also the only towing service that offers services with both SPOT and DeLorme inReach satellite communication devices. More information can be found at BoatUS.com/towing or call 800-888-4869.

      About BoatUS TowBoatUS and Vessel Assist:

      Boat Owners Association of The United States (BoatUS) is the nation’s leading advocate, services and safety group for recreational boaters. We provide our over half-million members with a wide array of helpful services, including 24-hour on water towing that gets you safely home when your boat won’t, will bring you fuel if you run out, jumpstart your dead battery, or provide a gentle pull after you’ve run aground. The TowBoatUS and Vessel Assist towing fleets are the North America’s largest network of towing ports with over 300 locations and over 600 towing assistance vessels, responding to over 70,000 requests for assistance each year. See more at BoatUS.com/towing.

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    • May 9, 2015by:   Larry Dorminy No Comments 26.0051,-81.7599999

      Shallow Water and Extinguished Light at Little Marco Pass, Southwestern Florida


       View In Chartview

      Little Marco Pass leads to the unofficial waterway stretching from Capri Pass and Marco Island north to Naples and to the popular Little Marco Island Anchorage. Our thanks to Skipper Forshier for this information.

      I do not know if this was reported but the outer markers on both gordon pass into Naples Fl and the marker into Marco Island ( little marco pass) were removed last year. This makes night entry trickier as they were lighted markers. ( so do not look for them) There are no plans to replace them.
      Also Gordon pass has shallowed on the north side and there are reports of only 5 feet depth at low tide in some areas. There are Multiple reports of bumping aground at low tide. although the permit to dredge is in place the funding is not. So we wait.
      Terry Forshier

      Click Here To View the Cruisers’ Net’s Western Florida Anchorage Directory Listing For The Little Marco Island Anchorage

      Click Here To Open A Chart View Window, Zoomed To the Location of Little Marco Pass

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    • May 9, 2015by:   Larry Dorminy No Comments 26.0923,-81.80189999

      Extinguished Lights and Shallow Depths at Gordon Pass, Southwestern Florida Coastline


       View In Chartview

      Gordon Pass is the primary inlet serving the Naples, Florida region and has to be dredged every so often, but, as Skipper Forshier points out, the permit to dredge is in place, but the funding isn’t. Haven’t we heard that lament before?

      I do not know if this was reported but the outer markers on both gordon pass into Naples Fl and the marker into Marco Island ( little marco pass) were removed last year. This makes night entry trickier as they were lighted markers. ( so do not look for them) There are no plans to replace them.
      Also Gordon pass has shallowed on the north side and there are reports of only 5 feet depth at low tide in some areas. There are Multiple reports of bumping aground at low tide. although the permit to dredge is in place the funding is not. So we wait.
      Terry Forshier

      Click Here To Open A Chart View Window, Zoomed To the Location of Gordon Pass

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    • May 8, 2015by:   Larry Dorminy 2 Comments

      Possible Tender Solution to “All Aboard Florida” Railway Bridge Closures

      Remember the many discussions among boaters last year concerning the proposed All Aboard Florida high speed trains? See /?p=143201. The addition of a full-time tender may be a solution, as reported in this article by Michael Turnbell in The Sun Sentinal.

      For the first time in years, boaters have a full-time tender to communicate with at the New River railroad bridge in downtown Fort Lauderdale.
      It’s part of a six-month test by the U.S. Coast Guard that, if successful, could ease boater concerns about All Aboard Florida, which plans to run 32 trains a day on the Florida East Coast Railway tracks.

      The marine industry insists All Aboard Florida’s trains will keep the bridge down too long, choking access for boats and damaging a key industry in an area known as the yachting capital of the world.
      A draft study by the Federal Railroad Administration found the new trains will have a negligible effect on boating. All Aboard Florida vowed to coordinate schedules with other trains, publish timetables and invest in new equipment to cut average crossing times from 18-20 minutes to 10-12 minutes.
      The test will determine if having a tender present will improve the speed of the bridge’s opening and closing. It also will see if improved communication will allay boater concerns over when the bridge will be closed and for how long.
      The Coast Guard said in a posted notice its new test “will promote equal usage of waterways and railroad for all parties involved.”
      The New River bridge, built in the 1970s, is currently kept open for boats and only closes when a freight train passes — up to 14 times a day. But when the new high-speed passenger service starts in late 2016, the bridge would be required to close 16 additional times a day.
      That is a problem for boaters because at high tide, the closed bridge sits about four feet above the water, making it hard for even a kayak to pass underneath.
      Under the test, which will run through October 16, the bridge will be closed for not more than 60 minutes in any two-hour period.
      “We’re excited to see how it works,” said Phil Purcell, executive director of the Marine Industries Association of South Florida. “It’s been unpredictable so this should add more reliability for people who use the river.”

      While the bridge is still controlled by operators in Jacksonville, Purcell said the new tender will be able to tell them to slow trains if a boat needs more time to make it through. Towboat operators hauling large yachts can be warned ahead of time when the bridge will be down. And the tender can tell dispatchers to more quickly raise the bridge once a train passes.
      “Sometimes the bridge is currently shut when there is no train, or after the train passes, the bridge isn’t raised right away,” Purcell said.

      Click Here for the full article.

      Comments from Cruisers (2)

      1. Rick Emerson -  May 8, 2015 - 11:32 pm

        I’m confused. If a bridge, with a vertical clearance of less than 65 feet is closed, it has no impact on boat traffic? If a bridge is closed for no more than 60 minutes out of two hours, is this not closing a bridge for an hour. and for 50% of two hours? And this, too, means no impact on boat traffic?

        The notion of a tender “slow[ing] trains”, “[t]owboat operators hauling large yachts [being] warned ahead of time when the bridge will be down” by a tender, and tenders telling trains to slow down or hurry up… who, in their right mind, can believe this? “Big choo-choo” will be OK because of posting bridge tenders? Nevermind there will still 30+ bridge closures daily. And FEC plans additional freight trains in addition to their present schedule.

        In the end, this is all more smoke and mirrors for a rail plan that many people view as unneeded, unwanted, and unnecessary. Talk of railroad bridge tenders is nothing more than an attempt to put lipstick on a particularly ugly pig.

        Reply to Rick
      2. Kevin Koehl -  May 8, 2015 - 4:53 pm

        Railroad bridge tenders are a definite improvement. I cruised eastbound through Stuart in March. I approached the Roosevelt bridge requesting an opening. The FEC railroad bridge immediately behind was open. The Roosevelt bridge responded saying they would open in 5 to 10 minutes. No problem, right? While waiting the siren sounded on the railway bridge and the Roosevelt Bridge indicated they would not open with the railway bridge preparing to cycle. We waited the about 20 more minutes with the FEC railway bridge remaining open with its red light on and the Roosevelt bridge refusing to open. With no railroad bridge tender we had no clue why the railroad bridge was not closing but showing a red light. Finally, after 30 minutes total wait time, the railroad bridge closed and a train passed. It took about an hour in total to finally make it through the railroad bridge. As I passed under the FEC railroad bridge I thought “They want to do this another 16 times a day?” At least with a tender, we might have had someone to talk to understand timing and maybe they wouldn’t have had to take so long to cycle. I remain a skeptic.

        Reply to Kevin
    • May 7, 2015by:   Larry Dorminy 1 Comment 29.9879,-81.629999

      Question re Possible New Shands Bridge over the St. Johns River


       View In Chartview

      The fixed Shands Bridge, lying southeast of Green Cove Springs and marker #20, sets the vertical clearance limit for the upper St. Johns River with its height of 45 feet. Sailcraft that cannot clear this span must forego exploration of what is to our collective minds, the most beautiful section of this lovely stream. Many a sailor has shaken a fist and employed colorful language while coming about at the Shands Bridge! Perhaps even Skipper Bosque? Our thanks to Skipper McDonald for the official response.

      Any updates on the construction of a new Shands Bridge? Are they building one with a 65′ clearance?
      Raul Bosque

      Approved, but not funded. Where have we heard this before?!?

      May 11, 2015
      Larry
      This is a recent reply I received about the FDOT plans to replace the Shands Bridge on the St Johns river in Green Cove Springs. Unfortunately, for those of us with a mast height in excess of 45′ we will remain restricted from traversing the river.
      Perry McDonald

      The Florida Department of Transportation’s (FDOT) current plan is to replace the existing Shands Bridge with a new bridge that will have 65 feet of vertical clearance. However, the project is not funded in FDOT’s Five Year Work Program and will likely not be replaced for ten or more years. Replacing the bridge is a high priority to FDOT and the replacement could be advanced if funding were to become available.
      Thank you for your interest in the First Coast Expressway project. If you have any questions or comments, please call or email.
      James M. Knight, P.E.
      Urban Planning and Modal Administrator

      Florida Department of Transportation District 2
      2198 Edison Avenue
      Jacksonville, FL 32204

      Click Here To Open A Chart View Window, Zoomed To the Location of Shands Bridge

      Comments from Cruisers (1)

      1. Kevin Koehl -  May 8, 2015 - 6:04 pm

        The portion of the First Coast Expressway that includes a new 65ft. bridge across the St. Johns River south of Green Cove Springs is currently in the design phase. The bad new is the funding and construction of this outer belt which will connect I-10 to I-95 in a connector well west and south of the current I-295 has been limited to the northwest portion of the project and the bridge is in the southeast part of the project. The good news is this bridge is being built to relieve I-95 congestion as it passes through St. Johns County, the fastest growing county of Florida. This one of several highway projects designed to handle current and future growth. The state has been funding many new highway projects in this area, so hopefully, this will be funded as the design phase is completed. I live in the heart of this growth and about 10 miles from the proposed bridge. The housing growth and highway construction is at a very rapid pace. You can follow the project at http://www.firstcoastexpressway.com.

        Reply to Kevin
    • May 7, 2015by:   Larry Dorminy 2 Comments

      Bridge Height Question in the Grand Lucayan Waterway, Bahamas

      This request for bridge clearance by Skipper Charles was prompted by a discussion of the Grand Lucayan Waterway back in 2010, /?p=31487. If you have recent experience dealing with bridge height in the Waterway, let us hear from you! The Grand Lucayan Waterway is a north/south passage that allows boaters to travel from Dover Sound, which is on the north side of Grand Bahama, to the Northwest Providence Channel on the southern side of the island. The Casuarina Bridge crosses the waterway with a charted 27-foot fixed vertical clearance.

      What is the real clearance of the bridge on the Lucaya waterway?
      Charles

      Comments from Cruisers (2)

      1. Monty Lewis -  May 8, 2015 - 8:24 am

        Yes, the Casuarina Bridge has a clearance of 8.3 meters (27 feet). See Explorer Chart GB 3, page 49, Explorer Chartbook Near Bahamas, Seventh Edition.

        Reply to Monty
      2. Winston Fowler -  May 7, 2015 - 3:02 pm

        Hi Charles,
        I have not used this waterway, but looking at my Explorer Charts for Grand Bahama Island, I see one bridge that shows as being “Fixed” with a clearance of 8.3 meters or 27.23 feet. These charts also show that the low water depth is one meter or 3’feet 3″ inches….skinny. Hope this is helpful.
        Skipper CW Fower

        Reply to Winston
    • May 7, 2015by:   Larry Dorminy 1 Comment 26.8709,-82.31119999

      Good Words for Palm Island Marina, GICW Statute Mile 38


       View In Chartview

      Palm Island Marina is located near the southern foot of Lemon Bay, northwest of unlighted daybeacon #7.

      Very helpful dock master and assistants.
      Well protected docks.
      Showers are some of the best we have seen between Venice and Marco Island.
      Nice swimming pool, and a fantastic restaurant right in the marina.
      Laundry is complimentary.
      Definitely a place to come back to in the future.
      Manuel Farinas

      Click Here To View the Western Florida Cruisers’ Net Marina Directory Listing For Palm Island Marina

      Click Here To Open A Chart View Window, Zoomed To the Location of Palm Island Marina

      Comments from Cruisers (1)

      1. Whit Sibley -  May 8, 2015 - 4:39 pm

        Palm Island Marina is one of our favorite stops. Great facility and a great and welcoming staff. Pool is top notch and on-site restaurant offers good fare.

        Reply to Whit
    • May 7, 2015by:   Larry Dorminy 2 Comments

      A Conclusion to Florida Anchoring Rights Issue?

      The anchoring rights issues raised in Florida Senate Bill 1548 have thankfully been laid to rest, for now at least, as reported below by Kim Russo, Director of America’s Great Loop Cruising Association. See /?p=147397 for background information on SB 1548.
      A belated Bravo to all individuals and organizations that facilitated the non-passage of any bill with anchoring restrictions. Keep your collective fingers crossed for a future non-passage!

      The Florida Legislature adjourned today without making anchoring restrictions law in Florida! So anchorages in Florida, for now, remain open to overnight cruisers. Following is a release from Phil Johnson, the Chair of Seven Seas Cruising Association’s Concerned Cruisers’ Committee:

      Release: 28 April 2015, Tallahassee Florida
      The 2015 Florida Regular Legislative Session has come to a close. It occurred 3 days earlier than scheduled by way of the House adjourning. We are elated to report that the freedom to anchor in Coastal Florida waters remains intact. Not one bill was adopted that includes any bans on anchoring.

      We applaud the way that the cruising and boating family came together this session, became organized, developed a clear strategy and then implemented it in a methodical, controlled way. We are proud of our association with
      the Lobbing firm Capitol Access and Lobbyist Jerry Paul, Robert Shave, and Jamie Miller. We are also appreciative of our team mates at Boat US and especially Bonnie Basham.

      Special thanks to the crew that worked so hard on this by attending the hearings and working the rigging from off-shore via their keyboards. At the risk of leaving someone out, We especially applaud the efforts of Judy Mkam, Kim Russo, Jim Neff, Mike Bodin, Phil Werndli, Jackie Werndli, G.W. `Casey’ Jones, Bob Burns, Sue Ross, Kingsley Ross, Sally Marcinek, Becky DeVillier, Eric Eiscle, Brian Davidson, Brian Schaefer, Glenn and Eddie Tuttle, Scott Berg, Ken Chumley, Jay Campbell, Dave Skolnick, Wally Moran, Mike Ahart, Mark Doyle. These, and so many others in the extended online community, are true Salt Water Heroes.

      Remember, of course, that this annual process begins again tomorrow. There is an ongoing need to work through some of the problems raised by proponents of anchoring legislation. We will need to formulate a position on this and come to a reasonably amicable resolution so that this issue does not continue to a recurring threat. We are confident that we can do this in a way that does not eliminate the freedom to anchor throughout Florida’s coast. There will be a host of workshops held this summer and we will want our boating community to actively participate through their
      visible attendance. Also, we will need to continue building our political strength and this will require that we provide some support for our growing list of legislative champions. If you have not donated to the Fund Me drive, now is the time to help us pay the bills for this effort.
      http://www.Gofundme.com/Right2Anchor

      It is safe to celebrate. To all those captains and sailors at anchor in Florida today (or contemplating it), raise a glass to toast Maritime Freedom!
      Kim Russo
      Director
      America’s Great Loop Cruisers’ Association

      Larry, In my opinion, the declaration that we have won regarding the Florida anchoring restriction Bill is a bit premature. The Bill was not passed because the Florida Legislature decided to close down early and go home. This Bill and many others are just sitting and waiting for the Legislature to reconvene. Once they return, the Bill could very well come up for immediate vote or the compromise House Bill could be adopted. So we shouldn’t crack the champagne corks just yet. The Bill was not defeated, it has simply not been voted on…YET?
      Chuck Baier and Susan Landry
      The Great Book Of Anchorages
      Navigation Notices
      Our Blogs
      Trawler Beach House
      Voyages of Sea Trek

      Comments from Cruisers (2)

      1. Chris -  May 8, 2015 - 4:31 pm

        I agree. I have been working with legislative affairs through out my careers. When a Bill is reported out of committee 6-0 that tells me no one convinced anyone to put political capital on the line, and that no one was successful in illuminating the fundamental flaw in the bill. The committee punted, and the house simply didn’t get a chance to. The argument may have been more articulate this time, I will give you that, but there is scant evidence it was more suasive. A better showing? Yes a victory of any sort? I think not.

        Reply to Chris
      2. Perry -  May 8, 2015 - 4:24 pm

        Chuck and Susan are spot on. I have attempted several times to get an answer from my Senator-Travis Hutson and he refused to answer me on this bill. Needless to say I will remember him and vigorously lead the way to his defeat when he comes up for re-election. In the meantime I continue to reach out to all who will listen along the ICW here in Saint Johns and Flagler County Florida

        Reply to Perry

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