Of special interest to our off-shore cruisers is this article from Tucson News Now by Dan Bronis.
The Gulf Stream is weakening, bad news for the East Coast Posted: Apr 05, 2015 8:04 PM EDT By Dan Bronis
TUCSON, AZ (Tucson News Now) – The mild climate in Europe may soon be getting colder, matching the climate of the northeast United States. The reasoning for this looks to be the Gulf Stream in the Atlantic Ocean.
The Gulf Stream brings milder winters to Europe than what other places at the same latitude experience, especially in winter. But this could all be changing as it appears the Gulf Stream of the Atlantic Ocean is getting weaker, allowing deeper lows to move over Europe.
The Gulf Stream is a “river” of water in the Atlantic Ocean that rides up the East Coast of the United States into the northern Atlantic Ocean. This “river” is warmer than the surrounding water and can help bring warmer weather to Europe in winter. The Gulf Stream over the last century has weakened, allowing Europe to experience colder winters. With most of the weakening occurring since 1970.
Credit: NASA. The Gulf Stream riding north along the East Coast.
The Gulf Stream is not the only ocean stream in the world. Every ocean has streams of warm and cold waters, all of these play a major role on the climate of the Earth. Climate change has been debated on whether it would have an impact on these ocean “rivers” but it is becoming more clear that climate change is weakening and strengthening some of these streams.
This is good information for all you beach-combers and wildlife lovers.
Gopher Tortoise
Gopher Tortoise Hatchlings
All turtles are not equal; the gopher tortoise lives on land so don’t ‘˜help’ it into water
Last month, the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC) received three known reports of well-intentioned good Samaritans incorrectly releasing gopher tortoise hatchlings into the ocean. Gopher tortoises cannot swim well and can easily drown. Because gopher tortoises often nest in dunes adjacent to sea turtle nesting beaches, correct identification of these terrestrial animals is important before deciding what action, if any, is necessary.
To distinguish gopher tortoises from sea turtles, simply inspect their limbs from a distance: Gopher tortoises have toes, with claws on each toe. Sea turtles have flippers with only one or two claws present on each foreflipper. Proper identification can be achieved without handling the animals. Please see our gopher tortoise photos at http://bit.ly/1ysPccM for help discerning gopher tortoises from sea turtles.
All five species of sea turtles found in Florida are federally endangered or threatened and managed under the Endangered Species Act as well as under Florida Statutes; the gopher tortoise is listed under state law. If you spot any of these species in danger on the beach, please do not disturb the animal. Instead, call the FWC’s Wildlife Alert Hotline at 888-404-FWCC (3922) or call #FWC or *FWC on your cell phone.
My family can second these recommendations on observing wildlife in South and North Carolina, as posted on AGLCA’s Forum. These sections are some of the prettiest passages in the Waterway. You can find charts to each the ICW miles given by using the “STATUTE MILE/LAT-LON WIDGET” at the top of our Homepage.
Going north on the ICW in South Carolina near mile 425 up through South Santee River keep your eyes peeled for several eagles who live in the area. Every single time we go through this area we see them. Next section is what I have deemed alligator alley is from North Santee River curve R16 through mile 416, one year in mid-May we spotted 18 on the banks and in the water. Also keep eyes open in the Waccamaw River from mile 385 to 377 we’ve spotted them in this section as well. Pam & Eric on Pier Pressure headed home to Beaufort, NC
Inlet Marina, A SALTY SOUTHEAST CRUISERS’ NET SPONSOR, borders the eastern banks of the Waterway, immediately south of the Vilano Beach high-rise bridge. We continue to hear good things about Inlet Marina and their personal service.
These people are fantastic!! We got our first fuel since we left home. Overnight on their dock. Wonderful restaurant. Phil and Sandy on board m/v Options
Here are a number of well worded essays from Florida residents, some opposing SB 1548, a Florida Senate bill restricting anchoring, from newspress.com and some explaining the need for such restrictions.
Insane bill proposes to strangle Florida cruising W. DeHaven Porter 2:48 p.m. EDT March 29, 2015 Oh, the ignominy of it! Me, a lifelong Republican, about to take up pen and castigate a sitting member of the Florida Republican Party. The subject of my discontent? It is Florida SB1548, a proposed draconian bill that would absolutely destroy the reputation of my home state as a cruising mecca for thousands of boaters who relish the freedom to anchor their vessels in a wide choice of beautiful and convenient anchorages. The unintended byproduct of which, I am sure, will be their departure to more welcoming cruising destinations such as the Bahamas or, if opened, the crystal clear waters of Cuba. Loss of their patronage at Florida businesses and marine facilities will certainly exacerbate already tough times and result in layoffs and countless job losses in Florida’s multimillion-dollar marine industries. State Sen. Charles S. Dean’s spiteful bill would remove thousands of Florida’s finest anchorages from cruisers’ itineraries. He obviously means to placate self-absorbed coastal residents who get upset when they awake to see a boat anchored anywhere within their range of vision. Indeed, the bill restricts boaters from anchoring overnight within 200 feet of developed waterfront property (single family, multifamily, townhouse or condo.) 200 feet! Good grief, when did God reserve enjoyment rights for thousands of miles of Florida coastline for fat cats living in waterfront gated communities? Ah, but you say surely if cruisers are denied anchorages, they will flock to the marinas and thus inflate the pocketbooks of marina operators and local businesses. Not so my friend. It may be so in the landlocked brain of the Republican Dean, a career politician who hails from landlocked Inverness. But most cruisers will simply go elsewhere. It is Sen. Dean who has launched this monstrosity of a bill. Of course, he lives too far inland to smell salt air, so perhaps he should be excused for his ignorance of the thousands upon thousands of U.S. and Canadian boaters who annually enjoy the coastal waterways of our gorgeous state. Anyone who lives near a coast is well aware of cruisers’ presence and the millions they contribute to local economies. Having been among their numbers for over seven years of cruising life, I hasten to point out that most cruisers not only patronize Florida marinas, but also alternate between renting a slip and hanging overnight on the hook (anchoring for you landlubbers). Indeed, my fondest memories are of many enjoyable anchorages and other congenial boaters enjoying a quiet spot in space and time. Empirical evidence indicates that most cruisers do the same. Local water Nazis will ticket offenders. The miscreants are then ordered to physically report to the county court for fining (up to $250). When? Put yourself in the position of a cruiser who must put off your well-planned cruising expectations, rent a car and find the county courthouse at some future specified date, not to mention finding a marina slip in which to leave your vessel. Of course you could just pick up the hook and depart, but that would mean a second-degree misdemeanor charge and a fine of $500. Government out of control? You bet. Sen. Dean’s misguided bill is filed under the heading of water safety. It has nothing to do with safety and everything to do with stroking wealthy campaign contributors who think their purchase of waterfront property has granted them exclusive rights to the enjoyment of water views and sunsets. Write, email or call your Florida senator and demand equal rights for boaters by defeating SB 1548. I am. W. DeHaven Porter lives in Fort Myers.
From AGLCA’s Forum: In the interest of trying to present both sides of an argument, let me try to explain why the Florida anchoring ban surfaced again in this year’s Florida legislature. First of all let me begin by saying I am a jet skier that has completed over half the great loop. As a member of both the Coast Guard Auxiliary and the U S Power Squadron, I have been teaching boating safety over 30 years. In my boating safety classes I always say “There is no such thing as a bad jet ski. . . . There are only bad Jet skiers”. You know, the jet skiers who don’t take a boating safety course, don’t obey the rules of the road and leave wakes everywhere they go. As a current owner of three waterfront properties and former owner of two others, I definitely see the land owner’s desire to restrict the area adjacent and directly behind their waterfront property. Public waters are held in the public trust but, unfortunately, there are a few (only a few) “bad” boaters who anchor out, play loud music, throw trash into the water and party hardy into the wee hours and abuse their public trust. You are welcome to come by my dock any Saturday night and spend the night. I will let you listen and experience what it is like to live on waterfront property with a live band and bar that plays loud music 1/2 mile away. It is because of these “few” bad boaters (or bad bar owners) that waterfront property owners want them banned after normal quiet time hours. Not banned all the time just after “reasonable” quiet hours. Several members in this forum believe this is a “rich land baron” issue. This is not a “have” verses the “have nots” clash. This is about restoring peace and quiet to public waters after the sun goes down. Just like most marinas have “quiet” hours, land owners are asking for similar civil rules. I hope responsible boaters like the members of AGLCA will find a way to help the waterfront owners restore civil behavior and tranquility to the public waters we all love and respect. Douglas Townes Atlanta, GA
I can certainly understand your frustrations. HOWEVER, there are laws and ordinances already in affect that that address ALL of these issues. As a homeowner, why are you not outraged that local law enforcement is not doing their job to enforce these regulations? Instead of taking a negative statewide stand against all boaters. If cars speed up and down the street in front of your house, will you push for a law forbidding cars from using your street? I doubt it, yet you advocate the same treatment for boaters. The obvious answer would be for the police to enforce the speed limit. And there in lies the problem with both these regulations and the “excuses” used to push them forward. Chuck Baier and Susan Landry AGLCA Forum
April 13, 2015 First, as a member of the MTOA which doesn’t seem to want to get in the fight over FL anchoring, I applaud and thank you for picking up the slack. I am already a member of BoatUS and will be joining AGLCA shortly. Second, I have made my donation to help you in this cause. I’d like it to be more, but as you know a boat is an expensive hobby, lifestyle. Third, I don’t know if SSCA is a membership organization and if so I have looked all over your site for the ability to join and couldn’t find anywhere to do so. Please advise. Thanks again and keep up the fight. Charles Williamson April 14 I am pleased to say the MTOA has sent their letter to the politicos voicing the power of MTOA membership (5000+) and it’s opposition to the anchoring debacle in FL. Charles Williamson
Editor’s Note: You may join Seven Seas Cruising Association by going to their Homepage and scrolling down the left hand column to SSCA MEMBERSHIP JOIN TODAY
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Comments from Cruisers (11)
Gary- April 3, 2015 - 7:39 pm
The 200 foot rule from shore makes sense, anchoring closer than 200 feet just plain lacks manners. I see people dumping human waste in the 200 foot range and because some people just give old junk boats away they have become far too common for bums to use with Antique registrations it is like a free place to stay and most are non boaters. I have no problem with boaters that moor at a safe yet respectable distance from shore.
I’ve been fighting anchoring and live aboard laws for over 40 yrs, For every complaint there is another solution other than banning anchoring. But let’s be honest: who anchors overnight within 200′ ?
Mr. Townes, if noise is the problem, why not a tightened up noise regulation instead? Frankly, in 35 years of cruising up and down the coast I can’t ever recall being disturbed by a noisy group of sailors, so why not simply outlaw powerboats? Of course that is absurd, but I am just trying to point out how the remedy proposed here is absurd too. Regulate the offensive activity. Don’t ban all boaters because a very few make too much noise and party all night. In fact, there are already laws on the books that regulate pollution, excess noise, boats in unsafe conditions, etc. It is not a lack of laws but a lack of commonsense enforcement. A bill requiring better education and training for marine law enforcement would make a lot more sense and would actually do something useful, while still leaving the public waters of the state available to all responsible boaters.
After our discussion captured in a recent AGLCA podcast Kim was kind enough to invite me to participate in this forum. Seven Seas Cruising Association, a small volunteer-driven organization, is leading the charge against restrictions on the rights of cruisers to anchor in Florida. We have been working on this issue for many years. We work closely with BoatUS and NMMA and now with AGLCA to carry the voice of boaters to Tallahassee (as we have on similar issues in Maryland, Connecticut, and California). SSCA publishes updates on the evolving situation on our website, our own Forum, and on our Facebook page. I’ll do my best to keep the AGLCA up to date through this forum as well, although Kim may be faster than I – she is now on our distribution list. It was great for our team on the ground in Tallahassee for Kim to join us at the Senate hearing on Tuesday this week. regards, dave Dave Skolnick S/V Auspicious SSCA Immediate Past President SSCA Concerned Cruisers’ Committee
I am wholly against the proposed regulations and think the cruising public should be more emphatic in our response. My family and I have been cruising Florida for more than 30 years and avoid shoreline residences wherever possible feeling that they are the ones who are degraded our enjoyment of anchoring in quiet coves surrounded by nature. One of the comments to the FWC survey was “If they want to share my view, let them pay for it”. Since many of us started cruising before the mansions were built, perhaps we should consider seeking compensation from them for the damage they have wrought. We were there first!!!
The proposal that anchoring be prohibited near docks is even more absurd. Many mega-mansions somehow (I wonder how?) convinced regulators to permit the construction of docks extending hundreds of feet from the shore to deeper water for their boats and now want us to stay 200′ from those docks. Perhaps actions should be taken against agencies for their lax enforcement of environmental regulations and allowing the destruction of ecosystems they are charged with protecting
The Florida legislature should be embarrassed to be wasting tax payers time on such an absurd bill. How many of those shorline residents really support more government regulations? Any Tea Party members among them?
Sir or Madam, The boating public heaves yet another collective sigh as our protective government ponders yet another theft of the public trust. You seldom hear the boating public cry out in anguish as low vertical clearance bridges close off navigable waters to commerce except for the smallest craft, nor do they protest when private property owners fill in Florida wetlands and destroy the native habitat so that they can have a private view of what was previously enjoyed by the boating public only. Private property owners are allowed to build permanent structures out over navigable public trust waters so that they can have private access to the waterway and then some will insist that they also purchased the water under their dock and the view above the water as well. If private property owners do not want to have the public anchoring a boat near their private property, do not buy waterfront property. I am a waterfront property owner in Florida with private access to the public’s navigable waterway and reject the idea that most of the public’s safe anchorages are being considered off limits to boaters because the shoreline has been polluted by turning wetlands into private property and I expect my views to be represented by my elected officials who will reject SB 1548.
Sincerely,
David Burnham s/v Morning Star…Synergy…Sweet Life
In addition: banning boaters because of a few noisy after hours problems in your back yard will not bring you peace. Move to the mountains…there you will find peace.
I attended a town council meeting a few years back, the meeting was in reference to anchoring rights adjacent to the town, Gulfport, FL. One of the property owners stood up to say, “I pay thousands in taxes every year, so when I wake up in the morning, fix my cup of coffee, and sit down to relax on my back porch, I don’t want to look out over the water and see boats.”
Evidently this is the crux of this entire issue. Sen. Charles Dean, has crony’d up to please his donors, who believe that where ever they plant their fat bottoms, they’re entitled to control the entire line of sight. They want to make the world their masterpiece, at the expense of everyone else.
Not one consideration was paid to those that have enjoyed Florida waters for generations. Not one consideration was given to the boating public. Not one consideration was given to Florida tradition and the huge marine industry that keeps Florida, afloat, so to speak.
Isn’t it so predictable? As soon as someone takes the helm of their own little patch, they are eager and ready to control everything else to force-fit their own little vision.
Frankly, I am sick and tired of government mandating every-single-matter of life. And it does so by taking things away from anyone it wants to, only to please a cherished few.
And, frankly, I am a born native of Florida, and you’re taking away my State!
Mr. Townes might just as well be annoyed by bad neighbors, or bad people using the street in front of his house. WIll he ask for a 200 foot buffer zone around all sides of his property, not just the waterfront side?
It is clear that Mr. Townes point about inconsiderate boaters is valid. There are some inconsiderate boaters. It is equally clear that confiscation of public trust waters is not a proportional corrective action. Most communities have noise ordinances; certainly that’s true in Florida. Local landowners barraged by nose can call local authorities and expect a remedy in local justice courts. A statewide ban on anchoring is simply not an appropriate remedy.
I think Douglas Townes misses the point. If the problem is noise, ban noise. If he can hear the bar half a mile away, it is obvious that keeping loud boats 200 feet from his dock won’t help him. We who anchor out don’t like the noise any more than he does.
This anchoring rights issue matters to us. Right now we are deciding whether to spend another winter in Florida, or to ship our boat back to the Caribbean where we have spent 13 winters. Anchoring rights are just one factor in our decision, but we have spent a lot of money on Florida marinas, marine services and restaurants this year. If we go, we would be a good example of lost business for the state.
Redington Shores Anchorage is found on the charted cove south of unlighted daybeacon #1 off the northwestern tip of Boca Ciega Bay. Our thanks to Laura for this thorough description of this Gulf Waterway anchorage.
We stayed at this anchorage for 2 nights week of March 23rd and it was SUPER nice. We were guided in by the instructions in Claiborne’s Cruising Guide and he was spot on. It is very shallow in the middle of this anchorage, so hugging the Southern shoreline it was plenty deep. There are two restaurants nearby, Seabreeze and Wahoo’s – we ate at Seabreeze one night and the food was good. There is Happy Hour all day every day $2 drafts and they have some inexpensive bar food items ($4.99 grouper cheeks, and some other tasty items as well) There is a public park with a dock to get off and walk across the street to the beach. There is a 7-Eleven within walking distance for ice ($2.99 a bag) and whatnot. There’s a trolley that runs the whole length of the beach as well, if you really want to go exploring, it’s very reasonable. The water was deepest just off the fishing boat fleet, we had no problems. There is a bank of high rise condos to the South but they didn’t bother us, and most people were nice. We even had one guy track us down at the bar as he admired our boat out there, and we met some nice folks. We will definitely be back to this anchorage. Laura
The introduction of a senate bill restricting anchoring rights has raised many voices in opposition. See /?p=147397. This report on yesterday’s committee hearing in Tallahassee by Kim Russo was posted on AGLCA’s Forum, www.greatloop.org.
There were no surprises at today’s Florida Senate Committee hearing on this issue. Testimony was kept to an absolute minimum because votes on six bills were scheduled for a two hour time period, and the bill with the provision to prohibit overnight anchoring was the last on the agenda. The committee voted unanimously in favor of the bill. But AGLCA’s voice was heard, as was that of SCCA and Boat U.S., who had lobbyists and representatives there. Chairman Dean’s comments during the hearing, and in a brief conversation afterward, suggest that he is willing to work to find a compromise that meets all parties’ needs. Senator Dean has been a proponent of maintaining the rights of boaters to anchor in the public waterways in the past, so the next step is to work with him to make sure he understands our opposition to anchoring restrictions. The next step in the process for the bill is a vote before another committee, which is likely to happen next week. I’ll keep you posted. Kim Kim Russo Director America’s Great Loop Cruisers’ Association
Claiborne’s Comments: The Seafood Shack Marina and Restaurant guard the eastern flanks of the Western Florida ICW, only a few miles south of the Waterway’s entrance into Tampa Bay, hard by the Cortez Bridge. The marina part of this operation has always seemed a bit “casual” to me over the years, but our dining experience here has always been good.
Just spent two nights at the Seafood Shack and can confirm the comments above from 2012. Darryl the dock master was very helpful and friendly, and the docks were still old and beat up, but both the marina and restaurant are under new management and renovations are underway. There were some new finger piers and replacement of the main docks and electric service were both ongoing while were there. The shore heads are also slated for a much needed facelift. Pretty good food at the restaurant, and several other good choices within walking distance. When renovations are complete, this will be a good choice. Jonathan Gorham
I just spent a week at Seafood Shack! Had a great time, Staff was helpful, fun, supportive. Put it on your “places to visit”. Rent a car and enjoy the whole area! Upgrades are happening every week! Bruce Franz Dickerson 41
Good to know! Thanks for the update. We passed by that way over Xmas and thought about stopping, but didn’t. Will definitely put that on our “places to visit” list.
This free pumpout service was initiated in 2012 and has been a real blessing for visiting cruisers. The program has been renewed for two years, but its future beyond this extension is uncertain as outlined in this article from KeyNews.com sent to us by good friends Chuck Baier and Susan Landry . See /?p=144790 for news on other pumpout service in the Keys.
Long-term future of pumpout program remains uncertain BY BRIAN BOWDEN Free Press Staff bbowden@keysnews.com KEY LARGO — The county commission gave the OK on a new two-year agreement with the contractor tasked with providing a free Keys-wide mobile vessel sewage disposal service for liveaboards at its most recent meeting, but following expiration boat owners could start incurring fees.
The county currently contributes $380,000 to the program which comes at no cost to individual vessel owners. The dollars used to offset the cost of the program are pulled from boating improvement funds generated via annual vessel registrations.
The commission previously gave county officials direction to develop a new program that would begin to charge customers on a per pumpout basis come 2017.
“It’s going to be hard to start charging people,” County Administrator Roman Gastesi told commissioners at the March 18 meeting.
Gastesi said his staff was still looking at funding the program through state dollars or elsewhere before the agreement expires.
“There are a lot of people who do not agree with that position,” Mayor Danny Kolhage told Gastesi.
Kolhage and Commissioner Sylvia Murphy seemed to be in agreement that a new program charging individuals at least a nominal fee would be preferable. Kolhage pointed out that the funding spent offsetting the cost of the program could be put toward the removal of several derelict vessels the county has had on its radar for some time.
Pumpout USA Inc. has had the contract with the county since 2012. It pumps out up to 1,500 vessels a month under the new agreement.
The commission also unanimously approved acceptance of a Florida Department of Transportation easement in regards to a pedestrian bridge planned for construction over Marvin D. Adams Waterway at mile marker 103. The easement, at no cost the county, will give it jurisdiction over the bridge. Construction of the bridge is expected to begin in the fall.
A design outlining a boardwalk and other amenities, including a parking lot and bathroom facilities, at the Rowell’s Marina property at mile marker 104 was unanimously approved by the commission as well.
The commission’s next meeting is scheduled for 9 a.m. Wednesday, April 15, at the Harvey Government Center in Key West.
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