We just received the message below from Captains Rich and Helen, who are cruising the Florida Keys, and earlier sent us a now published review of the Upper Keys Sailing Club (see /?p=123778). Their kind words have really made our collective day around the SSECN headquarters, and we just had to share their generous sentiments!
I am astonished by how on top of things you are! We are all fortunate to have you.
Rich and Helen
Upper Keys Sailing Club - Click for Chartview
Upper Keys Sailing Club occupies the sharp point of land, west of the twin charted “Micro Trs,” south of the charted position of Newport, depicted as facility #35 on chart 11451 (off the Florida Keys/Florida Bay Inside Route).
We have visited here many times over the years, and can say with some expertise, this is an informal, but unfailingly friendly, spot to coil your lines for a day to two. Advance arrangements by telephone are strongly recommended, as the docks are by no means manned on a regular basis!
Once you are tied to the piers, be sure to check out the small clubhouse on the grounds. You will probably find a very convivial gathering of fellow cruisers here many evenings, and a good time will be had by all!
These folks could not have been nicer or more accommodating. The facility is small and an eclectic mixture of weekend-use boats from J-boats to a pristine Island Packet to major-project live-aboards. The walk to stores and restaurants is about 1/2 a mile. One caution is that the gates to the marina are locked at 9pm.
Rich and Helen
Click Here To View This Facility’s Full Listing of Services on the Florida Keys Marina Directory
Click Here To Open A Chart View Window, Zoomed To the Location of Upper Keys Sailing Club
As a native North Carolinian, and normally proud of it, I never thought I would see the day when the Old North State would follow the example of Florida, and require state registration of Federally Documented vessels, after being in NC waters for 90 days or more. Just how that one slipped through the legislature in Raleigh, I have no idea. The very first we heard about this was when the note below from Captain Kamp was received.
And, if that’s not cause enough to raise your blood pressure, NC vessel registration fees TRIPLE in price after 10/1/13! The boys and girls in Raleigh must really feel the need for more revenue. Too bad it’s coming at the expense of North Carolina boat owners, and cruisers who wish to visit our state’s waters for more than 90 days.
Do note that this is NOT a tax issue. It is a registration fee issue. It has ALWAYS been the case, at least since the 1970’s, that Federally Documented vessels which reside in NC waters for longer than 90 days ARE subject to Ad valorem (property) taxes. Some tried to avoid this tax by moving their boats out of state for a time, or just hoping the state department of revenue would not realize they had a Federally Documented boat in NC waters, but over the past decade or so, North Carolina has gotten quite adept at seeking out such would-be tax dodgers.
No, this is a case of some vessel owners having to pay a registration fee, and a triple fee at that, which was not heretofore necessary. Ugggghhhh!
Our sincere thanks to Captain Kamp for bringing this information to the SSECN’s collective attention, and a special nod to Senior Editor, Captain Larry Dorminy, for exhaustively researching this issue. The remainder of these introductory remarks are authored by Larry!
Captain Kamp’s information is correct: NC state registration IS required after 90 days, effective October 1, 2013. Since Federal regulations typically supersede state regulations, we will have to wait to see if this will be challenged in the courts. In the meantime, the fees more than triple on October 1!
I received a post card from the above agency advising that vessels that are USCG documented and occupying NC waters for over 90 days are required to be registered with that agency, effective October 1 this year, due to a new law enacted by the NC Legislature. This will effectively be a new tax disguised as a fee. Previously USCG documented vessels were not required to be registered in NC , but if they were in state waters they were placed on the tax rolls of whichever county they were slipped in if there over 180 days. I am not sure if this has changed or if the registration requirement is an attempt to identify vessels not on a county tax roll.
Steve Kamp
From the NC DNR website: http://www.ncwildlife.org/Boating/RegistrationTitling/RegisteringyourUSCoastGuarddocumentedvessel.aspx
Registering Your U.S. Coast Guard Documented Vessel in North Carolina
Effective October 1, 2013, U.S. Coast Guard (USCG) documented vessels that have been in North Carolina for more than 90 consecutive days, must be registered in the state. However, federal law restricts states from issuing titles for documented vessels since the USCG issues a Certificate of Documentation (COD) to owners of documented vessels which supersede a state title. To register a documented vessel you will need to submit a copy of your COD as proof of ownership, a completed and signed VL-1 Form and the appropriate fees for registration only.
Got the postcard; registered my documented sailboat yesterday. It’s $40 for three years before 10/1; apparently $150 per year after 10/1. The NC sticker needs to be displayed on your starboard bow, but your registration number does not need to be displayed if you’re documented, according to NC Wildlife, who administers the registrations.
Jim Starr
Capt. Starr is correct that the fees are going up October 1st. The fees for vessels less than 26ft are $30 a year or $90 for 3; over 26ft, $50 for a year and $150 for 3. Certainly an incentive to register before October 1!
I am a resident of NC and the above information sounds like all I have heard lately EXCEPT effective October 1 the $40 fee for three years jumps to $150 for three years. I think there is also a $50.00 per year registration. Needless to say I am taking my documentation to a registration office today or Monday and getting a three year $40.00 permit rather than wait until after October 1 and pay $150.00.
John Y. Jackson
On the documented vessels, between now and Oct 1, you can register your boat at the old rate of $40 for 3 years instead of $50 for one year! I and others have done it. Act fast.
Sam Curry
New Bern, NC
Consider the similarities of this situation and the Florida requirement.
To register while in State over 90 days and or obtain a $135.00 cruising permit good for 11 months.
Steve Kamp
According to the NC website (above), their state registration fee (before October 1) for documented vessels is $15 for 1 year or $40 for 3 years. There is no mention on the website about the new fees effective October 1! There is also nothing mentioned on their website about a cruising permit similar to Florida’s Sojourner permit.
I called the NC Wildlife Resources Commission and asked for a citation to the NC Genreal Statutes. All they had was a Senate Bill number and not even a Session Law number. I looked up the Senate Bill number and found that it was the budget bill! They just slipped it in without any debate that I heard.
Norwood Bryan
This type of thing just makes it more and more difficult for snow-birding cruisers why might be very interested in settling down at a nice dock in NC for a stretch of time. Who wants to go through the hassle of registering and unregistering your boat every 90 days? Say you spend summers in New England, the fall in North Carolina, the winter in Florida, and the spring in the Chesapeake’“you might have to re-register your boat four times in a year!
John Kettelwell
As a resident of Maryland I have been looking for a place to escape to. This is compounding my delima.
Jim Davis
For a lengthy discussion on vessel registration, see /?p=106014
Melbourne Harbor Marina features a well sheltered harbor, and it’s within a very quick step of the community’s downtown business district. I have not heard of “The Mansion” restaurant (see below) before, but you can bet we’ll be checking it out the next time our bow finds its way to this facility!
The admiral found a quaint British shop in downtown Melbourne on the Internet and made the decision for us to stop in Melbourne, FL. We found the harbor marina to be a great location within walking distance to the downtown area.
We found several unique shops including a homemade soap store, but the real highlight was a new restaurant called The Mansion! It has been recently remodeled, is clean, great food (from sandwiches to steaks) and it has a wine market and liquor store within a block of the marina.
The best part for me, was the 73 craft beers on tap and available on the shelf to purchase and bring back to the boat.
Dean & Beth are the owners, 1218 East New Haven Ave is the address. Hope you like it as much as we did.
http://www.thebigmansion.com
Bill Borchert
Click Here To Open A Chart View Window, Zoomed To the Location of Melbourne Harbor Marina
It has been almost two years since yours truly journeyed to St. Augustine, Florida by “land yacht” to speak at a public forum dedicated to considering what local anchorage regulations should be enacted in regards to this community’s participation in the Florida Pilot Mooring Field Program. I came away with the frustrated feeling, which proved to be correct, that the city of St. Augustine was going to recommend a 30-day anchorage limit for boats which dropped the hook outside of the official mooring field. Fortunately, the FWC shot down this limit, and it was never put into effect.
There followed months and months of local forums and countless messages and editorials here on the Cruisers’ Net about what sort of anchorage regulations should, or should NOT, be adopted in the cities selected for the Pilot Mooring Field Program. A group in the Florida Keys, known as BARR, even sprang into being for awhile, with the sole purpose of fighting for sensible anchorage regulations in the Florida Keys (all of Monroe County, which encompasses the Florida Keys, is one of the selected Pilot Mooring Field sites).
The Pilot Mooring Field Program has been going forward in multiple Florida locales for almost a year now, and, wonder of wonders, it looks as if the Florida Fish and Wildlife Service (“FWC”) IS ACTUALLY ASKING FOR INPUT FROM THE CRUISING COMMUNITY AS TO HOW THIS PROGRAM IS WORKING! THIS IS AN OPPORTUNITY FOR OUR COLLECTIVE VOICES TO BE HEARD WHERE IT REALLY COUNTS. The Salty Southeast Cruisers’ Net urges as many of our readers as possible to FOLLOW THE LIVE LINK IN THE MESSAGE BELOW, AND LET THE FWC KNOW HOW YOU REALLY FEEL ABOUT THE MOORING FIELD PROGRAM!!!
For those of you who have had your head in the proverbial sand for the last several years, as part of the new Florida Anchoring Law, passed by the Florida Legislature in 2009, there was a political give and take included in the negotiations which surrounded this bill. This is a vast oversimplification, but, to summarize, in return for taking away the power of Florida cities and counties to regulate anchorage, the bill included a “Pilot Mooring Field Program,” which would allow a multi-year study, in multiple Florida cities, as to how mooring fields would serve the needs of cruisers and land owners alike, and what, if any, anchorage regulations might be appropriate for vessels that drop the hook outside the official mooring field, but still within the corporate limits of the communities participating in the pilot program.
The law which authorized the Pilot Mooring Field Program has an automatic sunset date in July,2014. Thereafter, the idea is that the Florida legislature will take all the lessons learned from this trial program, and ENACT A PERMANENT, UNIFORM, STATEWIDE SERIES OF ANCHORAGE REGULATIONS! Now, do you see why it’s SO important for the voice of the cruising community to be heard!!!
PLEASE READ ON!
Greetings,
In 2009, the Florida Legislature enacted a temporary pilot program to explore potential options for regulating the anchoring or mooring of
non-live-aboard vessels outside the marked boundaries of public mooring fields. The City of St. Augustine, the City of St. Petersburg, the City of Sarasota, the City of Stuart in conjunction with Martin County, and the cities of Key West and Marathon in conjunction with Monroe County were granted temporary authority to regulate mooring in their jurisdictional waters through local ordinance. All ordinances enacted under authority of the pilot program will expire on July 1, 2014 and will be inoperative and unenforceable thereafter, unless reenacted by the Legislature.
You, your partners, and interested members have the opportunity to provide valuable input on the Anchoring and Mooring Pilot Program. The Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC) is seeking help from cruising boaters, local boaters, and residents in evaluating the effectiveness and fairness of the temporary ordinances and the pilot program.
FWC has created and posted a survey at http://www.myfwc.com/anchoringsurvey which should take approximately 5-10 minutes to complete. The Survey will be available from September 18th until October 7th, 2013. Your prompt participation would be appreciated.
There is also a survey link on our Boating and Waterways webpage at http://www.myfwc.com/boating/.
Thank you for your time and effort.
Sincerely,
Tom
Captain Tom Shipp,
FWC / DLE / Boating and Waterways
It is important for cruising boaters to answer in order to counteract the claims of those pushing this anti-anchoring law. Basically, the bottom line is the law promotes the opposite of one of its stated purposes’“to promote access to the waters of the state. Obviously, if you put in moorings nobody can anchor in those waters, so unless you want to pay to play and like using a mooring, you’re out of luck. And the moorings prevent anchoring 24/7, year-round, whether or not there is someone on them. I have personally been anchored in the tiny portion of water still available in Marathon and observed the majority of mooring balls empty, while the anchorage was jam-packed full. Sure, in high season the moorings are popular, but year-round they prevent anchoring in most of the harbor. It is very simple, this law was pushed through for one purpose’“to chase away anchored boats, and it has done so.
John Kettlewell
Browns Inlet/AICW Intersection - Click for Chartview
The intersection of the Waterway and Browns Inlet, south of Swansboro, NC was last dredged in December of 2012, but, as with most SSECN designated “AICW Problem Stretches,” shoaling usually reappears sooner or later. Captain Bell reports that shallow depths are occurring as expected. Past experience dictates that the channel can shift quickly and that close attention to the relocated and temporary USCG buoys is your best bet to avoid grounding.
Do not get within 60 feet of green 61a or you will be aground as was a sailboat today.
David Bell
Click Here To Open A Chart View Window, Zoomed To This AICW Problem Stretch
Now here’s a really super idea that has become reality thanks to our good friends and SALTY SOUTHEAST CRUISERS’ NET SPONSOR, at the Punta Gorda Boater’s Alliance. Talk about a “no brainer.” Each and EVERY cruiser plying the waters of Charlotte Harbor, Peace River and /or Pine Island Sound will want to have one of these card on their console or dashboard. And, note they are waterproof, and ready for use anytime, anywhere.
Punta Gorda “Boater’s Alert Cards” are available without cost at all Charlotte Harbor/Punta Gorda marinas and yacht clubs, and from local, on-the-water law enforcement officers (see listing below).
Furthermore, the Punta Gorda Boater’s Alliance (http://www.boat2puntagorda.com/AB/index.html) has generously offered to share what they have learned in creating their “Boater’s Alert Card” with any other boat owner’s/cruisers’ organization, or governmental entity, thereby greatly facilitating the wider availability of these very useful cruising tools.
Don’t delay, pick up a card TODAY at any Punta Gorda marina or yacht club! And, CONGRATULATIONS to the Punta Gorda Boater’s Alliance on a job very well done!!!
Punta Gorda Boaters Alliance, in cooperation with on-water law enforcement agencies and the University of Florida – Sea grant program, developed a waterproof Boaters Alert card listing phone numbers to call if encountering any of the situations listed. This ongoing program is maintained by the Punta Gorda Boaters Alliance.
Cards can be obtained a the following locations:
Punta Gorda Police Marine Officers
Local Florida Fish and Wildlife Patrol
Charlotte Count Sheriff’s Marine Patrol
Local Marinas
Yacht Club
West Marine (Punta Gorda)
Excellent idea!
HELMUT G KRAMER MD,MSc
Maximo Marina - Click for Chartview
The following copyrighted story and link were taken from the website of ABC News out of Tampa, FL. Despite all advice about waterspouts, it is apparent that there is little one can do to prepare for such sudden storms. Maximo Marina is located on the charted canal cutting into Boca Ciega Bay’s southeastern shores, east-northeast of marker #14. There is also a large, strip shopping center located within two blocks of this facility, which contains a West Marine. Anyone know if there was any damage to the shopping center as well???
Click Here To View the Eastern Florida Cruisers’ Net Marina Directory Listing For Maximo Marina
Click Here To Open A Chart View Window, Zoomed To the Location of Maximo Marina
SALTY SOUTHEAST CRUISERS’ NET SPONSOR, Southport Marina has just introduced a new video showcasing this fine marina’s facilities and services. It is very definitely worth a look.
Southport Marina is located in the heart of the old river village of the same name. In the 1950’s and early 60’s, Southport was my boyhood summer home aboard. I have nothing but the warmest memories of my time spent on the docks of the old Southport harbor. May you too be so fortunate.
Check out the new video at:
http://vimeo.com/channels/394509
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
Click Chartlet Above to Open a Chart View Page Centered on Jekyll Harbor Marina
The author of the article below, Captain Sonny Reeves, is a frequent SSECN contributor and a live-aboard cruiser at SALTY SOUTHEAST CRUISERS’ NET SPONSOR, Jekyll Harbor Marina, located immediately south of the Jekyll Island Bridge. We always think his opinions are worth considering, even if you don’t entirely agree with his arguments.
We think Captain Sonny makes a very good case for NOT bypassing the Georgia portion of the Atlantic Intracoastal Waterway, IF and only if you have the time to play the tides, and are willing to take extra navigational care.
In an earlier posting (9/6/13) here on the SSECN, Captain Sonny gives more good advice, AND provides a homemade video, of how best to navigate the Waterway channel through the Jekyll Creek AICW Problem Stretch (see /?p=119133)
Also, don’t miss Captain Sonny’s discussion below of the shoreside Jekyll Island delights. Clearly, this is a GREAT place to visit, and access is easy enough from Jekyll Harbor Marina!
Hi Capt. Claiborne,
I am seeing a lot of discussion from ICW boaters on the Georgia ICW. Please don’t fear the ditch! Yes, there is shallow water! Yes, you do have to pay attention and watch: The tides, the depth, the shore, the markers, other boaters with their head in their rear locker and currents. Our tide range runs to 8 ft. twice a day. We do have many very nice places to stop and visit: Blackbeard Island, Cumberland Island, and Darien are wonderful this time of the year as it cools off towards November. I and my wife are legal liveaboards at Jekyll Harbor Marina. We travel up to Charleston and down to St. Augustine often.
http://ontheofficewautoteacher.blogspot.com/2013/05/brickhill-river-ancorage-cumberland.html
Here on Jekyll Island we enjoy the miles (27 and counting) of very safe bike trails; the trail via the maritime forest to the old village is awesome!, Millionaires Village, Georgia Sea Turtle Center, Driftwood Beach, fresh Georgia Shrimp, (Reds are Running!) fishing and all the amenities of Jekyll Harbor Marina: grills, hot tub, pool, free loaner car, bikes and the new ships store. Jekyll Island is a state park and very safe.
Our world famous Shrimp and Grits Festival is coming up Sept 20. Please don’t fear the ditch in Georgia. Many barges with tugs that draw 8 ft pass by north and south at low tide. As long as those commercial barges get through the shallow spots the Army Corp of Engineers is not going to try and dredge. None of the states on the ICW that I know of can afford to dredge the ditch.
Call Capt Wes or Capt Scott at Jekyll Harbor Marina for local knowledge
Too many cruisers bypass this beautiful section of the world with its unique character because of the rumors perpetuated by those that don’t know.
Enjoy!
Sonny Reeves
Claiborne, We did a recent blog post on just this subject, http://trawler-beach-house.blogspot.com/2013/06/should-you-avoid-georgia-icw.html . It will also be published in the Defever Cruisers upcoming magazine. Georgia is one of our favorite sections of the waterway.
Chuck Baier
Click Here To View the Georgia Cruisers’ Net Marina Directory Listing For Jekyll Harbor Marina
Click Here To Open A Chart View Window, Zoomed To the Location of Jekyll Harbor Marina
Be the first to comment!