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    • Jan 7, 2014by:   Larry Dorminy No Comments

      Watch for Crab Pots in Florida Bay, Marathon to Cape Sable

      The passage from East Cape on Cape Sable eastward across Florida Bay to Marathon in the Florida Keys requires a sharp lookout at best and the presence of crab pot floats only adds to that necessity.

      Florida Bay from Cape Sable to within 2-3 miles of Marathon is carpeted with crab pot markers. While we dodged them all, I heard that 2 boats got their props wrapped during their crossings.
      Bob & Loretta McKane.

      Florida rule 68B-13.008: Gear, Trap Construction and so forth states in part:No more than 5 feet of any buoy line attached to a buoy used to mark a stone crab trap or attached to a trotline shall float on the surface of the water.
      I have personally wrapped up in traps with 50′ of floating line.
      FWC doesn’t seem to enforce this rule or the other one about dropping pots in channels. I’ve had problems with them crossing under the 7 mile bridge as well. It’s a mine field in the channel.
      Larry Annen

      Once you leave Little Shark, travel down the shoreline to Cape Sable and then take a course for John Sawyer Bank just on the north side of Marathon. From their you can easily follow the ICW to 7 Mile Bridge and then head back in Boot Key Harbor. There really isn’t an exact route. Plan on water depths of 8 to 14 feet and LOTS of crab and lobster traps to dodge. We look for an wind out of the eastern quadrant to run down the coast and then leave Little Shark early to get calm seas. We watch for a time when there are 2 footers or less. Dodging pots in seas is a real pain.
      Marty and Jerry Richardson onboard M/V Monarch

      If you run inside the Everglades Park limits you will have no Crab Pots, but once you get south of the Everglades Park watch out for them.
      Mitch & Carole On Serendipity in FT. Myers

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    • Jan 7, 2014by:   Larry Dorminy No Comments 25.1406,-80.92419999

      Words of Caution for Everglades National Park Marina in Flamingo, FL


       View In Chartview

      Flamingo Marina - Click for Chartview

      Flamingo Marina is part of the Cape Sable Everglades National Park Service and is located in Flamingo, FL. The contact number for the Marina is 239-695-3101. However, because of the severe shoaling in the entrance channel, this facility is not recommended by the SSECN evergladesnationalparkboattoursflamingo.com/’Ž

      We came here from Flamingo. While the national park service people there are very helpful, the concessionaire who runs the marina is not. Phones are not answered and go into voice mail which is not returned for a day+. The channel is badly shoaled near buoys 13/15′. No one responds to a hail on channel 16 so you are left on your own to find a place to dock. The utility pedestals are infested with hornets, half with no electricity, the others with no water. This could be a great place to visit, but should only be used if the Florida Bay is too snotty to cross.
      Bob & Loretta McKane.

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

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    • Jan 5, 2014by:   Larry Dorminy No Comments

      Kudos to J.T. at Halden Marine Service! Fort Lauderdale/Hollywood/Miami, FL

      It is this kind of service that turns a bad time unto a positive experience! Halden Marine Service is located at 1019 N 32nd Avenue, Hollywood, FL 33021, Phone: (954) 964-8136.

      My wife and I waited for arrival in Key Biscayne to unpickle our Spectra Watermaker in preparation for cruising in the Bahamas. When powered up, we discovered the pump head needed replacement. This was Christmas week, and our weather window for making the Gulf Stream crossing was fast approaching and not expected to last very long. I called J.T., who not only ordered the part I needed express, but then delivered them at no cost to me on December 27th from his Hollywood, FL shop to No Name Harbor on Key Biscayne. I replaced the pump myself. Despite this, J.T. only charged me his cost for the parts, and provided me lots of advice. GREAT SERVICE and great, trustworthy guy. Highly recommend him. George on SV Tara.

      We do not know of anyone who can beat JT in service. The Spectra watermaker is great and his service is first class! He always answers his emails and phone. I’m sure some of my questions makes him shake his head but there has never been a time when we weren’t 100% satisfied!! Go Halden Marine Service!
      Dick and Anne Anderson

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    • Jan 5, 2014by:   Larry Dorminy No Comments

      Praise for Southport Marina, Southport, NC, AICW Statute Mile 309.5

      Southport MarinaSouthport Marina, a much valued SALTY SOUTHEAST CRUISERS’ NET SPONSOR, lies just west of the Cape Fear River along the northern banks of the Waterway hard by flashing daybeacon #2A.

      I cannot say enough positive things about Southport Marina. I have been here for almost three weeks and will be here for a couple more as well. All of the staff are attentive, professional and pleasant. Excellent facilities, a short 10 minute walk into the heart of downtown Southport and a myriad of services available. Highly recommended for one night, a week or longer ‘“ and will return!
      Jay Kuhn

      Click Here To View the North Carolina Cruisers’ Net Marina Directory Listing For Southport Marina

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

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    • Jan 3, 2014by:   Larry Dorminy No Comments

      Alternate Route Suggested for St. Andrew Sound, AICW Statute Mile 690

      Marker #32 - Click for Chartview

      In addition to Umbrella Cut (see /?p=128619) and other alternates (see /?p=118925) to avoid the infamous R32 in often turbulent waters, Captain Ehlen offers the following suggestion that is an “around your elbow” route, but seems straight forward.
      THE SALTY SOUTHEAST CRUISERS’ NET WANTS TO MAKE IT CRYSTAL CLEAR THAT WE ARE NOT ADVOCATING THE ALTERNATE ROUTE SUGGESTED BELOW BY CAPTAIN EHLEN. However, now that we have a first-hand account from Captain Richard Ross, cruising aboard the ARGUS cooperative research vessel, Chez Nous, this route is CERTAINLY on our radar to research in the near future!
      Even the adventurous among us should not have the tiniest thought of trying to run the channel east of #7 without an up to date and well functioning GPS chart plotter aboard.

      I haven’t tried this myself, but looking at the charts it seems to me that there is a deep water alternative.
      When heading south, at red #2 at Raccoon Key Split, turn to starboard SW above Horseshoe Shoal. Follow markers 3,4,5 and 6, then turn to port after G7. Head east until back on the ICW between FG33 and G33A.
      I hope someone has comments, good or bad, about this alternative.
      Wade Ehlen

      Here’s a posting from `the archives’ that describes the route I recently suggested. Posted on 11-02-2011
      “We went through the area yesterday. It was beyond awful in the Sound, so we turned to starboard up the Satilla River to marker 8, turned to port and worked our way through the deeper water back to Cumberland River. This is NOT the charted alternate route, but much shorter and worked for us. It was about 2 hours after high tide and we were able to make it through. We draw 5′. Not flat, but the giant elephants in St. Andrews made it a no-brainer for us.
      Take a look, and good luck!
      Stephanie Wakelin M/V September Song”
      Wade Ehlen

      And, finally, HERE IS THE FIRST-HAND KNOWLEDGE OF THIS ALTERNATE ROUTE WE HAVE BEEN SEEKING, and from a veteran cruiser, piloting an ARGUS cooperative research vessel, no less. We have pasted a shot of the channel near marker #7, showing the ARGUS soundings. Click on the chartlet to be taken to a Chart View page of these waters, with the ARGUS layer automatically activated!

      We have taken this route twice, and it does avoid the worst of marker 32. The charted depths are fairly accurate, and the only shallow spot is a sharp bump just south of marker 7. Take it slow there, as the bottom rises quickly from 12 ft to about 5 feet MLW, then immediately drops back to 12ft. Click on ARGUS to see the exact spot.
      Richard Ross M/V Chez Nous

      Came though the same route as Chez Vous early December. Winds ENE 15-20. Good alternative’¦ had same observations. Draft:5.5ft
      Doug Jacoby

      Click Here To Open A Chart View Window, Zoomed To the Location of St. Andrew Sound

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    • Jan 3, 2014by:   Larry Dorminy No Comments

      More on Shoaling on Southern Foot of Sunshine Skyway Channel, at the Mouth of Tampa Bay (near Western Florida ICW St. M. 98)

      These reports are in response to a Navigation Alert that SSECN posted in May of 2013, /?p=114205. The cautions issued at that time are still applicable as Captains Hines and Davis attest.

      We came this way five days ago and the shoaling at this point is worse than I have ever seen it. The middle of the channel looked like a sandbar and could not have had more than three feet of water over it. We draw 4 and 1/2 feet and came to a stop. There was a darker strip of deeper water to the east well outside the channel. We picked our way through by sight and feel and made it past the danger area. It was about mid tide on a strong ebbing tide so it was no place to run around. Caution is strongly advised.
      Brad Hines

      I commented a while back about shoaling adjacent to green 3; since then it seems they have removed the floating red nuns which diverted traffic more easterly near the mouth of the channel. I went through a few days ago and thought I would run aground. Somehow just when the depthfinder said we were done, I got across. This was a little below mid tide, I draw 4.5 feet. Do stay away from green 3, it is still shallow there also.
      Cambren Davis

      Click Here To Open A Chart View Window, Zoomed To A “Navigation Alert” Position at the Southern Foot of the Sunshine Skyway Channel

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    • Jan 2, 2014by:   Larry Dorminy No Comments

      Comments Requested by the Office of Coast Survey

      This important notice of critical changes to the distribution of NOAA charts was received today and your comments are sought. Submit comments by mail to Director, Office of Coast Survey, 1315 East-West Highway #6216, Silver Spring MD 20910; or by using the online NOAA Nautical Inquiry & Comment System at http://nauticalcharts.noaa.gov/inquiry.

      NOAA emblem
      FEDERAL REGISTER NOTICE
      January 2, 2014
      Contact:

      Dawn Forsythe, Coast Survey Communications
      301-713-2780 x144

      Notice of Changes in the Development and Distribution of NOAA Nautical Charts and Publications

      Coast Survey asks for public comments
      Today’s Federal Register carried this notice from Coast Survey. (The published Federal Register Notice is here.)

      DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE

      National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration

      Notice of Changes in the Development and Distribution of NOAA Nautical Charts and Publications

      AGENCY: Office of Coast Survey, National Ocean Service, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), Department of Commerce

      ACTION: Notice to advise the public of changes to the printing and distribution of NOAA’s nautical charts, including digital charts, and to seek public comment.

      SUMMARY: NOAA is making significant changes to nautical chart printing and distribution, and is seeking public comment. This notice informs the public of the Office of Coast Survey’s approach to expanding navigation products and services, and explains how mariners may continue to access the nautical charts necessary for safe navigation of U.S. waters and to meet regulatory carriage requirements.

      DATES: Written, faxed, or emailed comments are due by midnight, February 3, 2014.

      ADDRESSES: Submit comments by mail to Director, Office of Coast Survey, 1315 East-West Highway #6216, Silver Spring MD 20910; or by using the online NOAA Nautical Inquiry & Comment System at http://nauticalcharts.noaa.gov/inquiry.

      FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Visit the Web site (http://nauticalcharts.noaa.gov) or contact the Office of Coast Survey at the following address: NOAA, National Ocean Service, Office of Coast Survey, Marine Chart Division, 1315 East-West Highway, Silver Spring, MD 20910-32821, U.S.A.; telephone 888-990-6622; fax 301-713-4516; email anthony.r.klemm@noaa.gov.

      SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: NOAA is privatizing the printing of nautical charts. Regulations that govern nautical chart and publication carriage requirements remain unchanged. These regulations are found in 33 CFR 164 and Title 46 of the U.S. Code of Federal Regulations (CFR).

      After April 13, 2014, NOAA-certified Print-on-Demand (POD) charts will be the only official source available for mariners to obtain NOAA paper nautical charts. NOAA-certified POD charts, available since 1999 through certified POD partners, are official paper nautical charts that are up-to-date at the time of printing. These charts are considered “published” by NOAA’s National Ocean Service, and therefore meet chart carriage requirements.

      POD charts are currently available from NOAA commercial partners OceanGrafix (http://www.oceangrafix.com) and East View Geospatial (http://www.geospatial.com). If you are interested in becoming a POD chart provider, learn more at our Web site at http://www.nauticalcharts.noaa.gov/pod/PODpartner.htm.

      NOAA is also making nautical chart information available digitally in three new ways, and is seeking feedback on these three changes.

      1. For a three-month trial period (October 22, 2013 to January 22, 2014), NOAA is providing free digital chart image files in PDF (Portable Document Format) file format. The free PDF chart files are available for public use. The digital charts are also available as NOAA-certified Print-on-Demand charts. NOAA will evaluate the usage and user feedback to decide whether to continue providing public access to PDF nautical charts. Please note that the free PDF charts do not meet chart carriage requirements under federal regulations unless printed to NOAA quality standards by a NOAA-certified POD partner. Download PDF charts at www.nauticalcharts.noaa.gov/pdfcharts.
      2. NOAA’s Office of Coast Survey is providing high-resolution NOAA raster navigational charts (NOAA RNC®) for public testing and evaluation. The Office of Coast Survey is upgrading the image quality from the current 254 DPI to 400 DPI to improve clarity, readability, and aesthetics of this digital charting product. The evaluation dataset, which is kept up-to-date like the current RNCs, is available for download for Tampa Bay, Detroit, Long Island Sound, and Puget Sound. If no problems are identified or left unresolved, Coast Survey intends to upgrade all RNCs to 400 dpi by February 2014. Software product developers and RNC users are invited to provide comments or questions regarding this new service. Download the evaluation datasets at www.charts.noaa.gov/RNCs_400/.
      3. An online seamless viewer of NOAA’s electronic navigational charts (NOAA ENC®) is available for public use at the Web site http://www.nauticalcharts.noaa.gov/ENCOnline/. NOAA ENC Online optimizes the viewing of the entire ENC suite, using the display rules defined by the International Hydrographic Organization’s S-52 standards, Specifications for Chart Content and Display Aspects of ECDIS. The public is invited to provide comments or questions regarding this new service.

      Authority: 33 USC Chapter 17, Coast and Geodetic Survey Act of 1947
      Dated: December 16, 2013

      Gerd Glang,
      Director, Office of Coast Survey, National Ocean Service, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration

      [FR Doc. 2013-31378 File 12-31: 8:45 am]
      NOAA Office of Coast Survey is the nation’s nautical chartmaker. Originally formed by President Thomas Jefferson in 1807, Coast Survey updates charts, surveys the coastal seafloor, responds to maritime emergencies, and searches for underwater obstructions that pose a danger to navigation.

       

      This is absolutely detrimental to navigational safety. Already, there are many fewer outlets for NOAA charts and obtaining POD charts requires advance planning and time to obtain, and they cost significantly more. As a boater with more than 35 years of experience I have numerous times purchased NOAA paper charts at or near the time needed because of a change in plans or other circumstances. That is simply no longer possible in most areas. PDF charts are next to useless because of the difficulty in printing off multiple segments and then cutting and taping them together, and the result is not at all water resistant or durable. Digital charts and privately produced chartbooks are great, but I personally like to always have both onboard.
      John Kettlewell

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    • Dec 30, 2013by:   Larry Dorminy No Comments

      Proof of Pump-out to be Required in Key West?

      Captain Kettlewell sends us this article by reporter Gwen Filosa in The Florida Keys and Key West’s Daily Inline News. The report details discussions between members of the Bight Management Board and Mark Tait, the manager of the City Marina, concerning enforcement of the current law requiring pump-outs. For the complete story, go to: http://keysnews.com/node/52348. Such enforcement will affect transients and live-aboards.

      Key West is considering requiring dinghies and visiting boats to show proof of pumpouts before docking!
      What about those of us who use composting or incinerating toilets or porta potties?
      John Kettlewell

      While I absolutely agree that no boat should ever pump raw sewage overboard, someone in the Key West city attorney’s office and Monroe County should read the Federal Clean Water Act! It clearly and specifically prohibits states (and, therefore, municipalities from regulating MSDs or their use! They can enforce the Federal law and regulations but cannot go beyond those requirements. The federal law and regulations were put in place to avoid just this type of hodgepodge of laws which would be impossible for vessels to know or follow as they transit different local jurisdictions.
      Larry Sherman s/v Enchantress

      As a follow-up to my recent email regarding Key West requiring proof of pumpout, here is the Federal law prohibiting the states and their political subdivisions from doing that! Perhaps you could have your friends at BoatUS look into this?
      (f) Regulation by States or political subdivisions thereof; complete prohibition upon discharge of sewage
      (1)(A) Except as provided in subparagraph (B), after the effective date of the initial standards and regulations promulgated under this section, no State or political subdivision thereof shall adopt or enforce any statute or regulation of such State or political subdivision with respect to the design, manufacture, or installation or use of any marine sanitation device on any vessel subject to the provisions of this section.
      (B) A State may adopt and enforce a statute or regulation with respect to the design, manufacture, or installation or use of any marine sanitation device on a houseboat, if such statute or regulation is more stringent than the standards and regulations promulgated under this section. For purposes of this paragraph, the term `houseboat’ means a vessel which, for a period of time determined by the State in which the vessel is located, is used primarily as a residence and is not used primarily as a means of transportation.
      Larry Sherman s/v Enchantress

      With respect to the federal law quoted, consider that Texas has an MSD Certification requirement (TEX WA. CODE ANN. § 26.044 : Texas Statutes ‘“ Section 26.044: DISPOSAL OF BOAT SEWAGE)
      That has been in place since 2009 without federal challenge.
      It applies thusly, `As used in this section, `boat’ means any vessel or other watercraft, whether moved by oars, paddles, sails, or other power mechanism, inboard or outboard, or any other vessel or structure floating on water in this state, whether or not capable of self-locomotion, including but not limited to cabin cruisers, houseboats, barges, marinas, and similar floating objects.’ The Gulf ICW is “water” in this state.
      Chris and Janet

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    • Dec 29, 2013by:   Larry Dorminy No Comments

      Possible Development of Goat Island in the Future for Georgetown, SC, AICW Statute Mile 403

      Georgetown County Chamber of Commerce, P.O. Box 1776, Georgetown, South Carolina 29442

      Georgetown Harbor - Click for Chartview

      Any boater who has visited Georgetown harbor, especially to anchor, knows the location of Goat Island, because it parallels Harbor Walk and the rest of Georgetown waterfront. The owner of Goat Island is proposing to deed the property to the City of Georgetown for development for recreational use(see the Master Plan below). For the full story in the Georgetown Times, go to http://www.gtowntimes.com/article/20131025/GTT06/131029932/1110/goat-island-owner-sees-opportunity-for-georgetown-the-city-on-the-sampit

      Click Here To View the South Carolina Cruisers’ Net Anchorage Directory Listing For Downtown Georgetown Waterfront Anchorage

      Click Here To Open A Chart View Window, Zoomed To the Location of Downtown Georgetown Waterfront Anchorage

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    • Dec 29, 2013by:   Larry Dorminy No Comments

      Wishing They were with us in the South!

      We post this comment from Captain Viola and crew to offer our sympathies on their being stuck in the cold, cold north and to remind the rest of us of how lucky we are to be where there ain’t no snow and ice!!

      When we were about to sail south this year (to warmer climes in SC) in our Tri-Cabin trawler `Lady T’ ‘“ we transited Patcong Creek, a sheltered river off the Greate Egg Inlet near Ocean City NJ. We found the area littered with debris (no doubt from Hurr. Sandy) and wrapped a submerged cable around our stbd. shaft. We were disabled, the shaft bent, and the strut broken, and we never made it south. We enjoy SSCN, and wish we could join all of our friends that cruise south. Maybe next year! Keep up the good work and congrats on the great year!
      Captain Bob Viola
      `The Lady T’

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