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    • Lightning Facts from BoatUS

      Boat U.S.BoatUS continues to be the nation’s leading advocate for boating safety, including the analysis of lightning and its effect on watercraft. 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
      Read this press release online at: http://goo.gl/yoqoA8

      FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
      Press Contact: D. Scott Croft, 703-461-2864, SCroft@BoatUS.com

      The jagged line in this sailboat's hull paint is a

      The jagged line in this sailboat’s hull paint is a “lightning track” that shows how the electrical charge passed from the bobstay to the jackstand to reach the ground.

       

      BoatUS: Lightning Facts
      Analysis of Decade of Lightning Strike Insurance Claims and What It Means

      ALEXANDRIA, Va., February 17, 2015 ‘“ The odds of getting struck by lightning are about one in a million. But if you own a boat, the odds of it being struck by lightning are significantly higher ‘“ about one in a thousand. However, not all boats are created equal when it comes to lightning. A just-released analysis of 10 years of insurance claims by Boat Owners Association of The United States (BoatUS) shows that certain boats are significantly more at risk than others. But which ones? And, what can you do if you’re caught on open water? BoatUS has some answers:

      Let’s first state the obvious: While even PWC’s can be hit, it’s a no brainer why monohull sailboats with their tall masts pointing to the sky have significantly more lightning claims than powerboats ‘“ 3.8 chances per 1,000 versus a 0.1 chance in 1,000 for bass boats-runabouts-pontoons. The national average for the probability of a boat lightning strike claim for all types of boats and sizes is 0.9 chance per 1,000.

      Size matters: It’s also not a stretch to understand why larger boats of all types ‘“ which present a larger target to the skies ‘“ are struck more often than smaller ones. A boat 40-65 feet in length has 6 chances per 1,000 while boats 16-25 feet have just a 0.2 chance per 1,000. Increasing the height of a sailboat mast from 35 to 45 feet nearly triples the odds of being hit.

      Location matters, too: Where boating populations are dense and lightning is common, strike insurance claims are high. Six of the top 10 states in terms of frequency of lightning claims ‘“ Florida, Mississippi, Louisiana, Alabama, South Carolina and North Carolina ‘“ all lay within the thunderstorm hotspot in the Southeast and midsection of the country. Heading west, the frequency of lightning claims falls to about 1 chance in 10,000 along the Pacific Coast, or about 1/10th the national average.

      The effect of two hulls: A multihull sailboat is almost twice as likely to have a lightning claim as a monohull. But this is true only for sailing craft ‘“ the frequency of pontoon boat lightning claims is well below average. Why sailing cats get hit more is unclear, although theories include lack of a keel, more wetted surface, larger footprint, the dockage of cats at the outside edges of a marina, and higher average mast height.

      What can you do to lessen the chance of a strike on open water? According to the University of Florida’s `Boating Lightning Protection’ by William Becker, it’s better to run for protection than remain in the open, so long as you can make it all the way back to shore and take shelter in your car or an enclosed building and are not caught at the shoreline.

      If that’s not possible, pull in the fishing lines or wakeboarders early as strikes can occur a mile in front of thunderstorm cloud. Listen to the weather reports and learn to read weather conditions. Lower antennas. In an open boat, stay low, keep arms and legs inside. If there’s an enclosed cabin go below to the center. If your boat has a lightning protection system, avoid touching anything connected to it such as a mast. Turn off any electronics and don’t touch them. That includes avoiding the VHF if possible. If you can, remove it and store down below.

      To view the full analysis online, `Striking Lightning Facts’, in the January 2015 issue of BoatUS Seaworthy Magazine, go to BoatUS.com/lightningfacts.

      About Boat Owners Association of The United States (BoatUS):

      BoatUS is the nation¹s 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 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.

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    • Good Report on St Augustine Inlet Buoys, near AICW Statute Mile 776


      Our thanks to Skipper Newsome for the link below showing the placement of markers in June of 2013. Since that date an additional red marker has been added, see /?p=145360. With other possible changes in mind, the report Buoy Assessment is a handsome report and still well worth the time to read.

      The link below to a power point presentation title STA Inlet Buoy Assessment 01-Jun-2013 seems to correlate to the April 16, 2013 meeting notes and provides a good visual and reference to the buoy positions and inlet in general.

      http://www.staugustineport.com/projects/04JUN2013_InletAssessment.pdf

      James Newsome

      Click Here To Open A Chart View Window, Zoomed To the Location of St. Augustine Inlet

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    • Praise for ARGUS Bathymetry


      SSECN is glad that Skipper Ed agrees with us about the value of ARGUS on our Chart View pages. All of our ICW Problem Stretches have ARGUS readings to assist your passage through the thin waters. Simply click the ARGUS button at the top of the chart and the latest, updated depth readings will appear. If you haven’t used the ARGUS feature, try it on the attached Full Sized Chart View.
      For more about ARGUS, see /?p=146154

      Love that Cruisers net has Argus plotting. Significantly more reliable than other crowd sourced info. The only time we’ve run aground is when we took posted advice from one of those other crowd sourced websites
      Ed Starboard on Facebook

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    • Report from Problem Stretch Little Mud River, AICW Statute Mile 655


      This AICW Problem Stretch lies some 21 statute miles north of Brunswick, GA and SSECN recommends navigating this stretch at mid to high tide only. By turning on the ARGUS feature of the attached chart, the thinnest water shows around Mile 655, just north of where Little Mud joins the Altamaha. As you plan for your northward migration, please remember to use ARGUS to guide your through these Problem Stretches. Our thanks to Slipper Wilreker for this report.

      Is there a description on transiting the Little Mud River. When I went through the on the 6th I was following a trawler that had a draft of 4.5 feet (same as my sailboat) and there were a few times I thought I was plowing and not boating. Good thing the bottom is loose mud. It was close to low tide at the time. We both made it through ‘“ just a little tense. BTW, that river is well named. The mud looked thick enough that my boat may have been sitting higher in the water because of the change in the water’s density!
      Vic and Elaine Wilreker

      Click Here To View the Cruisers’ Net’s “AICW Problem Stretches” Listing For Little Mud River

      Click Here To Open A Chart View Window, Zoomed To This AICW Problem Stretch

      Comments from Cruisers (1)

      1. Chuck Baier -  February 14, 2015 - 9:27 pm

        Larry, Some of those Argus tracks are from Beach House. We transited most of the problem areas on the ICW at or near low tide so we are sure we had an accurate depth readings. We transited the Little Mud at 2 hours before low tide and on a falling tide. Based on this the following, depths would be at low tide. At Red “192″ depth of 5 feet. At Crooked Creek, depth of 4 1/2 feet. Approaching Green “193″ 4 feet, then 3 feet very near “193″. Just past Green “193″ 3 1/2 feet. At Red “194″ 3 1/2 feet and just past Red “194″ 3 feet. From Red “194″ to the turn onto the Altamaha is all about 4 feet. Fortunately there were no other fools except us transiting at this low of a tide. We hope this will help others STAY AWAY at anything less than 2 to 3 extra feet of tides. Chuck and Susan, Trawler Beach House

        Reply to Chuck
    • SSCA’s Position on FWC Anchoring Summary Released

      The Seven Seas Cruising Association has long been a strong advocate for boaters’ rights, especially the right to anchor without undue restrictions. SSECN applauds SSCA’s publication of their position on FWC’s recent summary of anchoring rights, see /?p=146797, and urges Florida boaters to contact their respective legislators asking for support for anchoring rights.

      PRESS RELEASE
      For More Information Contact: For Immediate Release
      Barbara Theisen, Editor 2/12/2015
      Seven Seas Cruising Association, Inc.
      2501 East Commercial Blvd., Suite 203
      Fort Lauderdale, FL 33308
      954-771-5662 ‘“ Home Base
      editor@ssca.org
      SEVEN SEAS CRUISING ASSOCIATION RELEASES
      FLORIDA ANCHORING RIGHTS POSITION
      The Seven Seas Cruising Association (SSCA) has published its position on the new Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission’s (FWC) Anchoring Survey results. The FWC will propose legislative changes to anchoring rights. Some are positive, but some will prevent Florida boaters from anchoring, only to preserve the waterfront view of a very few landowners. Every Florida Boater needs to contact their elected representatives to preserve their Florida anchoring rights.
      SSCA approves the following FWC proposal: (Numbering preserved from the FWC Executive Summary. )

      3. The storing of vessels on the water in deteriorating condition would be prohibited. (However, SSCA’s position is that Florida legislators must approve funding for the regulation and removal of these `derelict’ boats).

      However, SSCA does not approve of the following FWC anchoring rights proposals as reasonable concepts:

      2. A setback distance where anchoring of vessels overnight in close proximity to waterfront residential property would be prohibited.

      5. If authority was granted to local governments to regulate anchoring in their jurisdiction, an allowance could be created for other anchoring regulations where need is demonstrated.

      Florida anchoring rights are important to all boaters. Florida is a bellwether state for water rights, and if
      Florida restricts federal rights of boats to travel and anchor on public waters, just to preserve the view of a
      few landowners (residential setback), other states may follow. Also, proposal 5 (approval of local regulation) would create an impossible patchwork of differing regulations across the state, subject to the whims and enforcement of local cities and counties. This is what the current mooring field regulations were enacted to eliminate. But SSCA agrees with FWC’s proposal to define and remove derelict boats, if funding is also approved for this regulation and removal.
      Seven Seas Cruising Association, Inc. is the oldest and largest non-profit organization of voyaging cruisers
      in the world. SSCA has nearly 8,000 members sharing the dream of sailing the seas as a lifestyle. The goals of the original founders are still the goals of SSCA today: sharing cruising information, camaraderie, and leaving a clean wake. For more information, go to www.ssca.org

      See: Executive Summary of FWC Anchoring Survey Results at:
      http://myfwc.com/media/2981012/Anchoring-Survey-Executive-Summary.pdf

      sscassca2

      Comments from Cruisers (1)

      1. John Kettlewell -  February 16, 2015 - 1:01 pm

        The arguments around so-called “derelict” vessels are disingenuous. The FWC already has a detailed and effective plan in place for identifying and dealing with truly derelict vessels. There is even funding available for this, but it is often used up with several really expensive problem vessels each year–sometimes commercial vessels that are abandoned. It is not a problem of lack of laws and regulations, but a lack of will and enforcement. Unfortunately, the smoke screen of derelict vessels has been used to negatively impact cruising boaters who locals don’t like the look of for one reason or another. By the way, Seven Seas was a strong supporter of the trial anchoring and mooring program which has been used to essentially outlaw anchoring in communities that install mooring fields. This was exactly the result that some of us predicted when the anchoring and mooring plan was hatched. It had nothing to do with improving access to waterways, and everything to do with outlawing anchoring.

        Reply to John
    • Heeling Help Needed, Okeechobee Waterway


      This is certainly one of the most unusual, but very legitimate, requests that I can remember posting. If you can supply Skipper Parish with a name or phone number, please reply to his email below. Port Mayaca Railway Lift Bridge with a vertical clearance of 49ft when fully open crosses the Okeechobee Waterway at Statute Mile 38, near the tiny (charted) village of Port Mayaca.

      Years ago I travelled the Okeechobee Waterway and was able to get under the 49′ Port Mayaca RR bridge by hiring a marina operator to help heel my boat over so my 53′ mast would pass under the bridge. Does anyone know if this “heeling” service is still being provided by a marina along the waterway? If so, contact me directly at seabreeze384@hotmail.com. Thank you
      Rick Parish

      Larry
      I received two replies today. Both sources provide the same information. One source was Kim Brown, captain of s/v Trust Me. The other source was from Indiantown Marina. Contact – Billy Owens his phone number is 561-262-5200.
      Best regards
      Rick

      Click Here To View the Okeechobee Waterway Cruisers’ Net Bridge Directory Listing For Port Mayaca RR Bridge

      Click Here To Open A Chart View Window, Zoomed To the Location of Port Mayaca RR Bridge

      Comments from Cruisers (1)

      1. Sue ward -  February 11, 2015 - 10:58 am

        Try Indiantown marina. #772 597 2455.

        Reply to Sue
    • Good Review of Mangrove Marina, Florida Keys Inside Route, Key Largo, Statute Mile 1150


      Mangrove Marina is one of only a very few facilities offering transient dockage on the Florida Keys Inside Route between a point south of Jewfish Creek, and Snake Creek. To access Mangrove Marina, depart the Inside Route just northeast of the Tavernier Creek intersection, between markers #64A and #65. Note that Mangrove Marina also features a full service repair yard! Skipper Foster’s review comes from the AGLCA Forum.

      While the boat has been here over a two months, we’ve just been here a month. if you are looking for a marina on the bay side of the keys I’d highly recommend Mangrove Marina in Tavernier. Docks are combo of fixed concrete and wood. There isn’t a tidal swing, but the wind does push water in and out of the cove, total swing is about 18″.
      Water depth coming in is ok if you are 4′ or less. Call the marina office and get a route if you draw 5′
      Within a 10 minute walk: Win-Dixy, movies, post office, McDonalds, hospital, 6 restaurants, hardware store and liquor store. A bike ride will add three more places to eat, a beach and a marine parts store. There is a lunch truck on site that has Breakfast / Lunch Sat and Sun, and a special dinner (Prime Rib, stuffed pork tenderloin, etc. ) on Wednesday night.
      Gas, diesel, ice, pumpouts. If you are staying, there are weekly pumpouts on the docks. Lots of liveaboards here made us feel welcome. There is the only Marching Conch Band in the Keys here! Nightly docktails at sunset.
      Lots of good fishing locations a 5-10 min dink ride away.
      Location is Keys MI 92. Car rental across the road will match Enterprise rates. By car you are 1 HR from Miami, 45 mins to Marathon, 2 hours to Key West.
      Rates include water and electric, no liveaboard fee.
      Mangrove Marina
      200 Florida Avenue, Tavernier, FL 33070
      (305) 852-8380

      Quo Vadimus
      Nowhere OK
      1993 Bayliner 4588

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

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

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    • Keys White Reef Lights Being Replaced


      As reported by Adam Linhardt in KeysNews.com, Alligator Reef Light (Islamorada), American Shoal Reef Light (Big Pine Key), Carysfort Reef Light (Key Largo), Sand Key Reef Light (Key West) and Sombrero Key Reef Light (Marathon)are scheduled to be replaced by brighter, more powerful LED lights.

      New reef lights being installed
      BY ADAM LINHARDT Citizen Staff
      alinhardt@keysnews.com

      Saturday, February 7, 2015
      Florida Keys maritime historians can breathe a sigh of relief as the Coast Guard has no plans to remove the historic reef lights throughout the island chain.
      But they are scheduled to go dark this year.
      The Coast Guard Sector Key West Aids to Navigation Team (ANT) is in the process of installing new, more powerful LED lights on single steel pilings near every historic reef light in the Keys. The cost to taxpayers will be about $100,000.
      That cost should be negligible in the coming years as the ANT crews have been spending about $2 million the last few years repairing and maintaining the existing lights at Alligator Reef Light (Islamorada), American Shoal Reef Light (Big Pine Key), Carysfort Reef Light (Key Largo), Sand Key Reef Light (Key West) and Sombrero Key Reef Light (Marathon).
      The problem has been the ANT crews have had to contract out the work needed to be done to the old historic lights to keep them up to Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) standards at a high cost. The new, modern lights will be much more efficient in terms not only cost, but also operationally, said Coast Guard ANT Chief Jeff Hunter.
      The old historic light structures are not going to be taken down, but they will go dark when the new lights are installed.
      The new lights are going up very close to the old structures, Hunter said. They will leave a smaller environmental footprint and were approved by National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) as per the Florida Keys National Marine Sanctuary.
      “The old lights project about nine miles out to sea and, in our opinion, we just don’t need them to project that far anymore,” Hunter said. “Things like modern GPS and navigational tools make that possible. The new lights will project about seven to eight miles out, just past the marine sanctuary.”
      Ships larger than 164 feet (or 50 meters) cannot legally transit sanctuary waters outside of the main shipping channel, and the reef (warning) lights are intended for those vessels more than smaller recreational boats, Hunter said.
      The white reef lights are not to be confused with green and red navigational lights more commonly seen throughout the island chain.
      “That’s really what our reef lights are for — to keep the big ships out there and let them know there’s a hazardous reef nearby,” Hunter said. “As long as the light is projected past the boundary, those ships know they need to avoid the area.”
      The ANT crews have put up new lights at Carysfort and Sand Key reef lights. The rest are scheduled to be completed by the end of this year, Hunter said.
      “Obviously, weather is always a concern when working out on the water,” Hunter said.
      Hunter stressed that the old reef lights — some are 100 years old or more and as much as 80 feet tall — aren’t going anywhere.
      “Don’t think we’re abandoning them or that they’re going to fall into the reef anytime soon,” Hunter said. “They’re just not up to our structural standards when we have to work on them. I would add that the historical lenses were removed on the old lights years ago and what’s up there now is just a traditional beacon and not the historic light.”
      Meanwhile, a system of offshore weather stations previously attached to the historic reef lights that once provided information to mariners, anglers and scientists has been defunded, said Florida Keys National Marine Sanctuary Superintendent Sean Morton.
      The program was called Sustained Ecological Research Related to the Management of the Florida Keys Seascape, or SEAKEYS. The station once provided real-time weather, tide and current data to the public free of charge via the Internet, but those days appear over.
      “Funding for that program came through a grant and (it) ran out,” Morton said.
      Whether the program will come back remains dim.
      “I doubt it,” Morton said. “We tried and basically the message we got was that it most likely will not be funded. Attempts were made to a different part of NOAA in Miami collecting some information, but not like we had at each of the lights.”
      Hunter added the Coast Guard has been having problems with people climbing the old reef lights, which is a federal trespassing offense.
      “The Alligator Reef Light (Islamorada) is the worst,” Hunter said.
      Residents need to know that they will be arrested and forced to appear in federal court if seen climbing the lights, Hunter said.
      alinhardt@keysnews.com

       

      Comments from Cruisers (1)

      1. jules robinson -  March 3, 2015 - 4:44 pm

        On hot summer nights I would sleep in the cockpit at Carysfort. Last summer I spent a night there and had a hard time sleeping with that bright flashing light down close to the water. Night time was more pleasant with the old light up high.

        Reply to jules
    • Daytona Marina and Boatworks, AICW Statute Mile 831


      This excellent report by Skippers Valentine comes to us via the AGLCA Forum. The entrance channel to Daytona Marina runs west-southwest from the Waterway south of marker #39A and the southerly entrance cut for Halifax Harbor Marina.

      I would like to report excellent service that we received at Daytona Marina and Boatworks (http://www.thedaytonamarina.com). After an unplanned meeting with the bottom we limped into their yard with damaged running gear. Both Kevin Mooney, the manager at Daytona Boatworks and Mark, the owner of Tomoka Propeller were very responsive and efficient. They were also considerate of our status as transients, and went out of their way to keep us floating while work progressed, including a couple of short hauls. We can’t say enough about how pleased we were with this facility and with the entire staff. If you are a cruiser needing some maintenance do yourself a favor and consider having it done here. They did what they said, when they said, and, even with a couple of surprises, stayed pretty darn close to the estimate. The transient docks are in great condition- fixed wooden lay alongs, the laundry and showers are clean and the dockmasters are efficient and helpful. If you need repairs or maintenance consider this your stop. If you just want a nice stop, with a restaurant on the premises and a short walk from the downtown area, give them a try.
      Larry & Theresa Valentine m/v Lauren Grace

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

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

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    • Praise for Gulfport Municipal Marina, Boca Ciega Bay, near GICW Statute Mile 115


      These good words for Gulfport Municipal Marina were found on the AGLCA Forum. A SALTY SOUTHEAST CRUISERS’ NET SPONSOR, Gulfport Municipal Marina has recently undergone renovations and also has a nearby mooring field. The marina and harbor are found on the northern shores of Boca Ciega Bay and are easily accessible from the Western Florida ICW, just north of Tampa Bay.

      We left our boat for a month around Thanksgiving at Gulfport Municipal Marina. We also spent several days there on either side of our trip home. We had a great time in the town and were well taken care of at the marina. We walked into town a couple of times. There is also a free taxi service, the Swoop Taxi. You just tip them. This is a quirky little town with a lovely independent spirit.
      Martha and George Alexander
      Aunt Aggie

      Click Here To View the Cruisers’ Net’s Western Florida Marina Directory Listing For Gulfport Municipal Marina

      Click Here To Open A Chart View Window, Zoomed To the Location of Gulfport Municipal Marina

      Click Here To View the Western Florida Cruisers’ Net Anchorage Directory Listing For Gulfport Anchorage/Mooring Field

      Click Here To Open A Chart View Window, Zoomed To the Location of Gulfport Anchorage/Mooring Field

      Comments from Cruisers (2)

      1. Mike Liles -  February 8, 2015 - 11:32 am

        We have stayed in Gulfport MM several times. The staff are always helpful and pleasant. It is a bit of a walk to Gulfport but if you have a car, parking is next to your boat in most cases. The last time we stayed (2012) a planned expansion was being considered for the shower area. The best part is Boca Ciaga Bay just outside the marina and a great place to anchor and dinghy in to see the art community, visit the shops or have a great mean [sic].
        Gulfport is my favorite stop around Tampa Bay. There is also a nature park next to the marina and a sailing Yacht Club next door. Don’t miss it.
        Mike Liles
        Gold Flag 2011-2012
        AGLCA Forum

        Reply to Mike
      2. Martha and George Alexander -  February 5, 2015 - 1:07 pm

        We left our boat for a month around Thanksgiving at Gulfport Municipal Marina. We also spent several days there on either side of our trip home. We had a great time in the town and were well taken care of at the marina. We walked into town a couple of times. There is also a free taxi service, the Swoop Taxi. You just tip them. This is a quirky little town with a lovely independent spirit.
        Martha and George Alexander
        Aunt Aggie

        Reply to Martha

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