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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 6, 2015by:   Larry Dorminy 1 Comment 27.9763,-82.82549999

      Report from Clearwater Municipal Marina, GICW Statute Mile 136


       View In Chartview

      Each year the Cape Coral Cruise Club makes an extended cruise and, after visiting several marinas on the Gulf Coast, sends us their reports. This report is one of eight marinas they visited in April. Clearwater Municipal Marina flanks the well-marked Clearwater Beach Channel just southwest of the high-rise Clearwater Memorial Causeway Bridge

      Our first stop on the return trip was a single night at Clearwater Beach Marina. The dock master was alone, and overwhelmed with our arrival, so it was up to the members to help get all our boats secured up in the slips. A short walk had several members taking in the fabulous Clearwater beach along with its several bars and restaurants.

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

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

      Comments from Cruisers (1)

      1. Carl Schultz -  May 11, 2015 - 6:16 pm

        I would like to echo the statement made earlier about the dockmaster being overwhelmed. 10 boats from our yacht club arrived on Friday, March 13th (we should have known) with a stiff wind out of the east. The dockmaster, who was alone, did not answer his radio, or the telephone. I had to telephone the cityside marina, only to be told the dockmaster might not respond. Between the wind and the current, we were lucky to back in, but many of the other larger boats were nearly overwhelmed. Even the giant excursion boat was blown into shallow water and grounded. If not for other boaters in the marina, and our fellow yachters who’d previously gotten in, it could have been a real disaster. When asked why he didn’t request additional help on a busy weekend he said he did, but was denied. That still doesn’t explain why he wouldn’t answer the radio. To me, this is an example of a bad city government employee, and a city government that just doesn’t care. And because they are civil servants instead of privately employed, it will never improve. I wouldn’t return.

        Reply to Carl
    • May 6, 2015by:   Larry Dorminy No Comments 26.835,-82.26069999

      A Visit to Gasparilla Marina, GICW Statute Mile 34


       View In Chartview

      Each year the Cape Coral Cruise Club makes an extended cruise and, after visiting several marinas on the Gulf Coast, sends us their reports. This report is one of eight marinas they visited in April. In spite of its name, Gasparilla Marina is not located on Gasparilla Island, but rather it is to be found along the northeastern banks of the GICW, just south of the Gasparilla Island Causeway/Bridge. The entrance to Gasparilla Marina cuts east off the Western Florida ICW. This facility features a well sheltered harbor and offers superior services.

      The final stop before heading back to Cape Coral was Gasparilla Marina. A final happy hour under a huge canopy by the docks gave the cruising members the opportunity to express their thanks to the cruise leaders for arranging a great itinerary, and or course assuring that the winds were calm and the weather outstanding.
      The Cape Coral Cruise Club is open to new members who own a boat with overnight accommodations and reside in the Cape Coral / Ft. Myers area. For membership information please contact Phil Kryger at 239-541-0236. View a short picture video of recent Club activities and read additional Club information on its website, www.c-c-c-c.org Like us on Facebook.

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

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

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    • May 6, 2015by:   Larry Dorminy 1 Comment 27.3327,-82.54639999

      Visit to Marina Jacks, Sarasota, FL, Statute Mile 73


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      Each year the Cape Coral Cruise Club makes an extended cruise and, after visiting several marinas on the Gulf Coast, sends us their reports. This report is one of eight marinas they visited in April. Everyone refers to the large, downtown Sarasota, Florida “city marina” as “Marina Jacks” but, in reality, that is the name of the on-site restaurant, and the maritime part of the operation is officially known as “Marina Operations.”

      The next to last stop on our trip was the always popular Marina Jacks in downtown Sarasota. After breakfast by the cruise leaders, several members hopped on the shuttle to visit the Ringling Circus and Art Museum and the John Ringling Mansion. Others opted for the great shops and restaurants in downtown Sarasota.
      The Cape Coral Cruise Club is open to new members who own a boat with overnight accommodations and reside in the Cape Coral / Ft. Myers area. For membership information please contact Phil Kryger at 239-541-0236. View a short picture video of recent Club activities and read additional Club information on its website, www.c-c-c-c.org Like us on Facebook.

      Click Here To View the Cruisers’ Net’s Western Florida Marina Directory Listing For Marina Operations/Marina Jacks

      Click Here To Open A Chart View Window, Zoomed To the Location of Marina Operations/Marina Jacks

      Comments from Cruisers (1)

      1. Joe Vizzini -  May 9, 2015 - 11:12 am

        we were part of the Cape Coral Cruise Club recent visit to Marina Jacks and this was our third visit this year by boat. we are always impressed with this operation, the staff, the facilities, the restaurants. one of our favorite stops along with Florida west coat

        Reply to Joe
    • May 6, 2015by:   Larry Dorminy No Comments 28.1593,-82.76289999

      Report from Turtle Cove Marina, Tarpon Springs, FL on the Anclote River


       View In Chartview

      Each year the Cape Coral Cruise Club makes an extended cruise and, after visiting several marinas on the Gulf Coast, sends us their reports. This report is one of eight marinas they visited in April. Claiborne’s Comments: Anclote Key, Anclote River and the charming community of Tarpon Springs lies astride the northern terminus of the Western Florida ICW. So, this is either the jumping off point when headed north across the waterwayless Big Bend region of Western Florida, or the first possible stop when cruising south from Carrabelle, Dog Island or Apalachicola.
      Turtle Cove is one of the newest marinas in Tarpon Springs. We had occasion to visit here in February of 2012, and were favorably impressed. Most of the dockage for transient craft is located on an artificial island jutting out into the creek, and connected to the mainland by a narrow, but auto accessible neck. Neat concept!
      I might also add that all the downtown Tarpon Springs attractions, including the MANY superb Greek style restaurants are within easy walking distance, and there is a fresh seafood market literally next door to Turtle Cove.!

      Turtle Cove Marina in Tarpon Springs was our northern most stop for three nights. On our first night the town was celebrating “Night in the Islands”; a very romantic Greek food themed evening where several restaurants filled the street with long tables and strung up small overhead lights. Odyssey, one of the best Greek bands in Florida, supplied soothing, sensual, traditional Greek music. While some people danced in the streets, others formed a large circle where local ladies instructed them on traditional Greek dances. All this, while the wait staff continually delivered tasty Greek food and wine to the large crowd made this a truly memorable evening. Over the next two days members were on their own to explore the town. One night, we gathered at Hellas Restaurant and Bakery. Everyone was able to select a Greek dish to suit their desire. Several dishes of Saganaki (flaming cheese) were delivered to our tables as shouts of Opa made the meal festive.
      Turtle Cove Marina was very accommodating to our club, dock hands were prompt, helpful, and attentive. One night, with a threat of rain, the marina opened the lounge for us as Phil and Gary prepared their famous fish bites. We also used the lounge the next morning where the cruise leaders prepared a pancake breakfast. One note here: a guest on a member boat slipped on the ramp of the dock, and fell, injuring his leg. An ambulance was called, and he was transported to a local hospital for x-rays. Fortunately there was just severe bruising with nothing broken.
      The Cape Coral Cruise Club is open to new members who own a boat with overnight accommodations and reside in the Cape Coral / Ft. Myers area. For membership information please contact Phil Kryger at 239-541-0236. View a short picture video of recent Club activities and read additional Club information on its website, www.c-c-c-c.org Like us on Facebook.

      Click Here To View the Western Florida Cruisers’ Net Marina Directory Listing For Turtle Cove Marina

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

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