It is always nice to get a pat on the back and the collective backs of the SSECN Team wish Leonardo God’s Speed as he continues his voyage south! And we never get tired of hearing praise such as that below from Skipper Dindore.
Hi, thanks a lot for your comments, I’m going from Cape Coral to Miami and your comments help me a lot, thanks again. Leonardo
I recently purchased a dream vessel in South Carolina and will be bringing her to a new home in Houston Texas. I have 40+ years of boating experience but they do not entail a journey of this magnitude. After talking to a fine Captain in Little River who directed me to this site I feel as though a light burst through a stormy sky. The planning of this was at first overwhelming with fuel, anchorage, charts, help if needed, and numerous other items but with your help I feel a great relief. I am now using your site along with a few friends to lay out the path home with confidence. Now this might seem like a thousand letters you have received I can promise before the voyage is over I will reveal something that will put a big smile on your face. I don’t want to give ya’ll to much info right now. Coming soon Part 2. Thank you Michael Dindore
BoatUS remains the premiere advocate for all boaters on any waterway and we are proud to have them as A SALTY SOUTHEAST CRUISERS’ NET SPONSOR!
NEWS From BoatUS
Boat Owners Association of The United States 880 S. Pickett St., Alexandria, VA 22304
Taking care of your dog’s waste will keep you off the `Worst Marina Guest’ list.
How To Be The Worst Marina Guest
ALEXANDRIA, Va., August 24, 2015 ‘“ It’s nearing the end of summer cruising season for recreational boaters, who are looking to fit in one more trip away from home. If you’re member of BoatUS, a marina may even give you a discount on fuel, transient dockage or repair work, but most importantly, transient boaters should recognize that they have responsibilities as marina guests. Ignore these duties and you risk earning the scorn of management and being asked to leave. What will get you in trouble? BoatUS worked with the Marina Recreation Association to find out some of the things that could make you a bad guest.
When strangers call: You’re approaching the gate to your dock, and there they are. Workmen with toolboxes, families with ice chests and water toys, other seemingly nice people all waiting for someone with a key to let them in the marina. It’s awkward, sometimes annoying, and always a pain. What do you do? A simple, `I am sorry, but I can’t let you in,’ will suffice. If you think that’s too harsh, you could also give the stranger neighborly advice on where to find the marina office, or tell them that the marina will shoot you at sunrise should you let unknown guests in, but either way, allowing strangers access is bad idea for a bunch of reasons.
You’ve got chocolate in my peanut butter: You like country music. The guy in the neighboring slip likes rock-n-roll. This won’t turn out as wonderful as a 1980’s Reese’s `you’ve got chocolate in my peanut butter’ TV commercial unless you’re considerate of each other. If you want to jam to loud music, do it out on the water away from others. Back at the marina dock, keep it reasonable, honor the marina’s posted quiet hours and you may find some invites to come aboard and make new friends.
The Fido Hypothesis: Dogs and boats go together, but did you know that a disease-causing bacteria in dog waste is an environmental pollutant? An early 1990’s study of the `Fido Hypothesis’ found that at some beaches, dogs helped to raise bacteria levels so high that swimming was prohibited. About the same time EPA placed dog poop in the same category as herbicides and insecticides. That’s right ‘“ your dog’s poop is bad stuff. Just like oil, grease and other toxic chemicals, you don’t want bad bacteria leaching into the water we swim in. Don’t be shunned as the `poopie’ boater ‘“ clean up after Fido.
It goes without saying that being considerate of others, like not hogging dock carts, keeping docks clear, or following all safety rules makes you a welcome guest. If you are a good marina mate and also a Boat Owners Association of The United States (BoatUS) member, give yourself a break by taking advantage of the savings offered on marina fuel, transient slip or repair discounts at www.BoatUS.com/map. To join, go to BoatUS.com/membership.
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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.
About the Marina Recreation Association (MRA):
The Marina Recreation Association is an activist organization of marina owners and operators located throughout the West Coast and Hawaii, in addition to members residing in Canada, Mexico and countries as far away as Australia. Originally founded to protect the interest of the marina and recreational boating industry at the California state level, the MRA has expanded to fill a much larger role. In the more than 40 years since its inception, the MRA continues to represent the recreational boating industry while providing educational seminars for marina owners and training sessions for their staff. For more information please visit marina.org.
Port City Marina, A SALTY SOUTHEAST CRUISERS’ NET SPONSOR and newly opened for business, is located along the eastern banks of the Cape Fear River, in the heart of downtown Wilmington, NC.
Port City Marina
Truly in the `middle of it all’, the brand-new Port City Marina is your gateway to Historic Downtown Wilmington, North Carolina. We believe Wilmington is not just a stop on the way to your destination, Wilmington is THE destination. Don’t take our word for it, Wilmington was recently named the `Best American Riverfront in the Country’ USA Today’s 10Best Readers’ Choice.
Our Marina
Port City is a protected, deep-water Marina on the Northeast Cape Fear River, equipped with state-of-the-art floating concrete wet slips. We have over 6,000 feet of linear dock space covering 10 acres of water. Our amenities include a full-service fuel dock offering Gasoline & High-Speed Diesel, private & secure bathrooms / showers, metered electric (30, 50, & 100 amp / single & three phase), free wireless internet, pet walking areas, daily trash pick-up, complimentary pump-out services for guests, and a marina store. Have a large boat’¦no worries’¦Port City Marina can accommodate boats 250 feet +. We offer daily, weekly, monthly, seasonal & annual rates. We are in the process of installing a large amphitheater on our fixed pier where we will host a range of events from cookouts to live performances. Also coming soon are two new riverfront restaurants, opening in the spring of 2016.
Our Location
We can’t tell you about Port City Marina without bragging about our location. Our Marina is located in the heart of Downtown. Step off of your boat and onto the City’s Riverwalk which puts you within walking distance to all that Downtown Wilmington has to offer. You can eat at a variety of amazing restaurants, explore Wilmington’s scenic array of art and culture, peruse the locally owned shops and boutiques, enjoy some live music, or grab a drink at one of our rooftop bars’“ there is always plenty to do in Downtown Wilmington. Our marina is conveniently located just 3 miles from the ILM airport.
Attractions
No matter what you are into ‘“ Wilmington has something for you! Wilmington has a variety of area attractions including: Beaches ‘“ Relax at Wrightsville Beach, Carolina Beach or Kure Beach History‘“ Tour the USS North Carolina Battleship (visible from the marina), the Bellamy Mansion, and the Fort Fisher State Historic Site Family Friendly ‘“ Spend the day at the North Carolina Aquarium at Fort Fisher, visit the Cape Fear Serpentarium, or take a splash at the Jungle Rapids Waterpark. Parks ‘“ Enjoy one of the many parks in our area including Greenfield Lake, Carolina Beach State Park, Airlie Gardens, and the City’s new North Waterfront Park. Arts & Culture ‘“ Browse one of the many downtown art galleries, the Cameron Art Museum, or take a tour of Screen Gem Studios where over 400 projects in the area including `Iron Man 3’, `One Tree Hill’ and `Sleepy Hollow’ have been filmed. And tons more.
Plan your next stay at Port City Marina We realize your boat is a major investment and protecting your investment is just as important as maintaining it ‘“ that’s why you will find our friendly staff, well-secured marina, and ideal location makes Port City a great home away from home. Directions: Enter the Cape Fear River at Southport, North Carolina. We are located on the Northeast Cape Fear River, approximately 20 miles north of Southport. If you are coming from the North on the ICW, enter the River via Snow’s Cut. We are located approvimately 12 miles north of where Snow’s Cut meets the river. Follow the Cape Fear River north. Along the way you will pass the NC State Port Facility, the USS North Carolina and the scenic downtown Wilmington riverfront. You will pass under one bridge, the Cape Fear Memorial Bridge. Hail the Cape Fear Memorial Bridge on Channel 18. The bridge has a clearance of 65 feet when down and 138 feet when raised.
Planning your next trip? Think about Port City Marina. Call us at 910.251.6151 and we’ll save a spot for you!
Port City Marina | 10 Harnett Street | Wilmington, North Carolina 28401 Latitude/Longitude (34°14’39″N, 77°57’05″W) www.portcitymarina.com
This article by Prentiss Findlay in Charleston’s Post and Courier is a follow up to his earlier piece on much needed dredging in the Isle of Palms area of the Waterway, /?p=149544.
Army Corps: Crucial McClellanville, Breach Inlet dredging in works for Intracoastal Waterway Prentiss Findlay Aug 23 2015 12:01 am Jeremy Creek in McClellanville will likely be dredged after the Army Corps of Engineers announces the details of a contract in a few weeks.
The picturesque, historic village of McClellanville, which depends on Jeremy Creek for its commercial fishing livelihood, is facing a crisis because the tributary is in such bad shape.
`Our creek is just a disaster right now, frankly. Some of these extra low tides, the sides of the creek are almost touching. The bigger boats can hardly move at all except from half-tide up,’ Mayor Rutledge Leland said.
The Breach Inlet bridge links Sullivan’s Island (right) and the Isle of Palms. Enlarge’ƒThe Breach Inlet bridge links Sullivan’s Island (right) and the Isle of Palms. File/Staff `Beyond critical’ was how he described creek conditions.
`It’s reached an emergency situation,’ he said.
But help could be on the way, he said.
Leland said he came away from a recent meeting with Army Corps of Engineers officials optimistic that the town would see its share of $2.4 million recently awarded to the Corps Charleston District for Intracoastal Waterway dredging. The creek is considered part of the waterway.
`It was very good news. I left there feeling very good. It sounds like we are going to be a part of the package and it will just be a matter of time before they (Corps) are here. Probably November or December before we see a dredge here,’ Leland said.
The Corps’ top priority for waterway dredging in this area has been identified as the stretch from Isle of Palms Connector to Ben Sawyer Bridge, particularly in the area of Breach Inlet between IOP and Sullivan’s Island.
The waterway condition in that area has caused the IOP Marina to take a big hit financially. Boaters go offshore and re-enter the waterway at Charleston Harbor because the local stretch has acquired a reputation as one of the worst areas of the Intracoastal from Virginia to Florida, officials said.
In 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. In the emergency room, doctors determined she had a fractured vertebrae, a concussion and a broken rib. She spent two nights in the hospital, officials said.
On Thursday, Corps officials said that McClellanville could benefit from the latest round of federal funding for waterway dredging in this area. Charleston County has agreed to contribute another $500,000 to the cause, which would bring the total available for waterway channel maintenance to about $3 million. First, though, the federal government must agree to accept the county funds, officials said.
Corps officials said two companies bid for Intracoastal dredging here, and there is an apparent low bidder. Corps Charleston District spokeswoman Glenn Jeffries said she could not discuss specifics of the project without putting it in jeopardy. Details will be finalized in the first week or two of September, officials said.
`Until the contract is awarded, we really can’t say the price, we really can’t say exactly what work will be accomplished, but based on the (bid) opening, there is a better than average chance that we will get to do something in McClellanville,’ said Brian Williams, who is the Corps district chief for programs and civil projects.
Leland said the creek was last dredged about 10 years ago. The tributary was created from mud flats as part of the original waterway project, he said.
When the tide comes in, the mile-long creek that leads to McClellanville’s two seafood processing plants is passable for the big boats, but even then conditions are not ideal.
`It pretty much has to be on the (high) tide, but it’s getting to be more of a struggle every day,’ Leland said.
How much the problem is costing the town has not been determined, he said, but one study showed that McClellanville-based commercial fishing pumps millions into the economy, he said.
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.
For now, trawlers push their way through shallow water in Jeremy Creek. At low tide, the creek is a muddy mess that idles many boats for long stretches of the day, Leland said.
`The only thing that is keeping it (creek) open now is the (boat) traffic. They’re stirring the mud up. The (Army) Corps calls it ‘˜agitation dredging.’ That’s the only reason we have any water at all right now,’ he said.
Reach Prentiss Findlay at 937-5711 or Twitter.com/prentissfindlay.
Port City Marina, A SALTY SOUTHEAST CRUISERS’ NET SPONSOR and newly opened for business, is located along the eastern banks of the Cape Fear River, in the heart of downtown Wilmington, NC. Skippers Mike and Carol provide our inaugural review of this excellent new marina and we are sure there will be many more to follow!
Larry, Port City Marina We recently had the opportunity to spend a couple of nights at Port City Marina on the Wilmington Waterfront and would recommend this marina to anyone who is traveling to Wilmington by water and wanting to stay in a brand-new and well-managed marina. We saw their ad in the banner section of Salty Southeast Cruisers Net and decided to give them a call. We also planned our trip around a tour of El Galeon, a 170 foot, 495 ton authentic wooden replica of a galleon that was part of Spain’s West Indies fleet in the 16th century. El Galeon was also docked at Port City Marina, so our slip was perfect. Port City Marina is conveniently located within easy walking distance of downtown Wilmington restaurants and shops. The River Walk which provides a waterfront walkway to the heart of downtown is easily accessed right outside the marina gates. Another plus we found was that the Wilmington free trolley (WAVE) stops right in front of the marina gates. This surprise transportation really came in handy with the rain showers and thunderstorms we experienced for one of our days. The Marina has state of the art concrete floating docks, 30-50 and 100 amp service, can handle boats up to 250 feet in length and most important, a knowledgeable and helpful staff. Dock Master Josh Alther and his staff made us feel welcome and went out of their way to make our trip there enjoyable. One other note; we noticed that we had little, if any of the effects of the Cape Fear River tidal currents which sometimes brings debris from the river. We would recommend Port City Marina to anyone traveling to the Wilmington waterfront. Mike and Carolyn Hattitude
In June we posted a reminder of the dangers of flesh-eating bacteria, /?p=148991. Our thanks to Skipper Len Krauss who forwards this warning link from CNN:
Author Sherer responds to a reader who feels that printed descriptions of shoaling areas have little value, see Comments at /?p=150181. SSECN strongly believes in a combination of printed descriptions, paper charts and electronic charts. Even in ever changing shoaled areas, printed descriptions serve to forewarn the savy skipper.
North Carolina takes care of their part of the ICW with frequent dredging. Florida does the same but only for the ICW south of St Augustine, everywhere else the ICW is seldom dredged. Georgia and South Carolina haven’t dredged in years showing shameful stewardship of the ICW passing through their states.
Even so there are some areas where there is a deep water passage at low tide if you know the path. One example is Fields Cut in South Carolina just before Savannah River where there is 8.4 ft MLW all the way but if you split the buoys you would have run aground until 2 years ago when the Coast Guard finally provided a new red buoy way over on the green side at the northern entrance. Those that knew used to hug the green side, far outside the channel for 10 ft MLW, now it’s marked by a red buoy which appears off station since it’s so far to the green side but you must honor it or run aground. Strangely, the Coast Guard did not put a green buoy at the southern exit where you must hug the red side for deep water, maybe next year. The deep water route through here has not changed in five years.
Likewise at the shallows just south of Fernandina, there is a 8 ft MLW path but you would never know it looking at the chart or following the buoys. The 8 ft MLW route has been constant for the last five years but never marked by the Coast Guard. `Helpfully’, on the most recent charts the entire area of the shallows was marked as `Shoaling to 3 ft’. It would have been more helpful to add buoys to direct boaters along the 8 ft MLW path which is still there.
There are many more examples of deep water paths that have not changed in the last five years where if you follow the buoys, you will run into trouble. It’s also true that some shallows have been dredged and are no longer a problem, mostly in North Carolina. As of a few weeks ago, South Carolina committed to dredging the Isle of Palms shallows just north of the Ben Sawyer Bridge starting in October, a first for SC!! Way to go! Unfortunately, all the other famous shallows will go untouched (Hell Gate, Mud River, Ashepoo, McClellanville, Dawho River, etc.) Even through these tight spots, there are ways to find the best path although it may only be 4.5 to 5.5 ft MLW but much shallower outside that narrow route. In fact, of all the shallows on the ICW, the only one being addressed (so far) for the fall migration is the Isle of Palms dredging. The vast majority of issues are not addressed with either buoy repositioning or dredging.
By all means, do not rely on just a printed copy of what worked in the spring of 2015, double check other sources but it’s helpful to have a chart of the problem areas in front of you arranged in a north to south sequence so you don’t miss any. In the vast majority of cases (but not all!), the safe routes remain the same from year to year as in the two examples at the top. As we all know, you can never just rely on one source for navigation, use all inputs and decide on the best route for your boat and crew.
Holden Beach is immediately south of Lockwoods Folly Inlet. This warning comes in an article by Adam Wagner of StarNewsOnline in Wilmington, NC. The affected area is small and should be lifted within a day or two.
Swimming advisory issued for part of waterway By Adam Wagner StarNews Staff Published: Thursday, August 20, 2015 at 4:29 p.m. Last Modified: Thursday, August 20, 2015 at 4:29 p.m. HOLDEN BEACH — State officials Thursday issued an advisory against swimming in the Intracoastal Waterway at the end of Sand Dollar Drive, according to a NC Division of Marine Fisheries release.
Water samples taken Wednesday showed a higher presence of bacteria than normal.
Enterococci, the bacteria that was found in higher-than-normal levels, won’t make swimmers sick directly, but could indicate other organisms in the water. Swimmers there have a higher likelihood of gastrointestinal illness or skin infections.
The advisory only affects a 200-feet area around the sign. It is not a beach closing and won’t affect the rest of Holden Beach.
Thursday’s advisory is the second issued for the Sand Dollar Drive area this summer. The previous advisory was issued on June 4 and canceled one day later.
The Sand Dollar Drive site is one of 204 that is sampled on a weekly basis between April and October, according to the release. Including Thursday’s advisory, there have been 19 in North Carolina in 2015.
Testing will continue on a daily basis, according to the release, until bacteria levels return to normal. At that point, the advisory sign will be removed.
Old Port Cove is located on the western shore of the northern Lake Worth channel, near unlighted daybeacon #7.
Ahoy Boaters!
September is right around the corner and it will not be long before the search for warmer waters, coconut palms, rum libation, and sea food dining will be the driving forces for the courses we set each day. One of our seasoned sponsors, the Old Port Cove marinas, and yes there are three, North Palm Beach Marina, New Port Cove Marina and Old Port Cove Marina are all ready to add to your full pleasure, comfort and enjoyment. Old Port Cove Marinas are encouraging skippers and or first mates to make advance reservation for slips. After a sell-out season last winter, they don’t want their boating friends to be disappointed!
Old Port Cove Marina is located off the I.C.W. (Intracoastal Waterway) at Coast Guard Channel Marker #27, four miles north of the Lake Worth (Palm Beach) Inlet. No waiting for bridges and just minutes from the finest cruising grounds in Florida make this location the perfect jumping off spot for the blue waters of the Atlantic Ocean and the Bahamas. Marina features include: Proudly 5 Star Boater Rated, State of the Art Floating Docks, Casual Waterfront Restaurant On-Site, Fitness Room, Complimentary Shuttle to Publix and West Marine, BoatUS Member Discount.
Please make reservations today, we are waiting to welcome you in with a bottle of wine! Old Port Cove Marina certainly is an elegant alternative to the hustle and bustle of the marinas to the south. Latitude: 26°49.937’N Longitude: 080°03.248’W Call 561-626-1760 or go on line to www.opch.com
Stand up paddle boards are a great way to explore an anchorage and, instead of kayaks, more and more we are seeing paddle boards strapped on the decks of cruising vessels. Offering good advice for paddle boarders, BoatUS remains the premiere advocate for boater safety on any waterway and we are proud to have them as SPONSORS!
Using a stand up paddleboard in a congested harbor requires an increased focus on safety.
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
Paddle vs. Prop:
Three Safety Tips for Stand Up Paddlers When Boats are Around
ANNAPOLIS, Md. August 19, 2015 ‘“ When it comes to enjoying the outdoors, stand up paddleboarding (SUP) has led the nation in growth with a 38 percent increase in participation from 2013 to 2014, according to the Outdoor Foundation’s 2015 Outdoor Recreation Participation Topline Report. But as these human-powered watercraft become more common in crowded harbors, busy waterfronts and other navigable waterways, sharing the water with both recreational boats and commercial vessels requires paddlers to up their safety game. With many of its half-million members owning both boats and paddlecraft, BoatUS offers its unique look at the issue with three easy to remember safety rules for stand up paddlers.
When is a paddleboard a boat? According to the US Coast Guard an SUP is considered a `vessel,’ so it’s important to understand certain boating responsibilities. Follow all local navigation rules and use common sense when paddling around other vessels that may not be as maneuverable or are restricted by their draft or size. Generally, a paddleboard is more easily able to turn and stop whereas larger craft take time and distance to stop. Typically, it is safest to pass astern of other vessels and let them cross in front of you. Try to avoid heavy boat traffic and pick a route away from congestion.
Practice defensive paddling: Defensive paddling is preventing collisions and mishaps in spite of the actions of others around you. Remember boats may travel faster than you do and can carry a large wake. Some boats have awkward blind spots that prevent good visibility at certain trim angles so don’t assume a boater can always see you, especially at dawn or dusk. Wear bright colors and wear your life jacket with a whistle attached. Falling in, or swimming in heavily trafficked areas can lead to the start of a bad chain of events. In narrow channels stay as far right as possible and avoid crossing busy lanes. If you must, cross perpendicular to the lane so you get across quickly. If in a group, cross as a compact group ‘“ spreading out in a line like a bunch of baby ducks hinders traffic and increases the chance for a collision.
Don’t leave home without it: A life jacket is the minimum gear ‘“ but it only works if you wear it so don’t leave it strapped to the board. If you’re concerned about comfort, take a look at high-tech, low-maintenance belt-pack inflatables or the newest vest designs that offer complete freedom of movement. Add a whistle – it will always beat yelling at the top of your lungs. Avoid paddling at night, but if you must, you’ll have to show a white light in sufficient time to avoid a collision. A flashlight or headlamp meets this requirement; a glow stick does not. And finally, a safety leash is most helpful in preventing an awkward and potentially dangerous separation from your board.
If you’d like to learn more about boating safely, visit the BoatUS Foundation for Boating Safety and Clean Water at www.BoatUS.org.
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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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