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Extended Fling to Staniel Cay Yacht Club, July 8-18 – Association of Bahamas Marinas
Staniel Cay Yacht Club, A CRUISERS NET SPONSOR, looks forward to seeing you all as you visit the Bahamas!
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Bahamas Boating News
Summer Bahamas Boating Flings The Bahamas Boating Flings are like road trips but with lots and lots of water…and boats. A lead boat breaks the waves for the caravan of participants and a sweep at the rear of the flotilla ensures that no one gets left behind. Time on island is unstructured to allow freedom to fish, dive, explore or laze in the sun as preferred. - June 4-7 – Grand Bahama Island at Grand Bahama Yacht Club
- June 11-14 – Bimini at Bimini Big Game Club
- June 18-21 – Bimini at Bimini Big Game Club
- June 25-28 – Bimini at Bimini Big Game Club
- July 8-18 – Extended Fling to Exumas at Staniel Cay Yacht Club and Exuma Yacht Club
- July 23-26 – Bimini at Bimini Big Game Club
- July 30 – August 3 – Bimini and Grand Bahama at Bimini Big Game Club and Grand Bahama Yacht Club
Fling participants at Bimini Big Game Club will receive a preferred room rate of $249++ nightly and a discounted slip rate $4.50/ft. Click here for details: https://biggameclubbimini.com/
specials. Flings begin on Thursdays. Captain’s Meetings are always held the Wednesdays before and are mandatory. There is a 30-boat limit and dockage space is on a first-come first-served basis. Minimum boat length for all flings is 22 feet.
Flings all depart from Bahia Mar Yachting Center in Fort Lauderdale and dates are subject to change. All vessels must have a valid cruising permit obtained through initial clearance and entry process.
The Bahamas Boating Flings are .sponsored by The Bahamas Ministry of Tourism & Aviation. Click here to register.
More Bahamas News
Reminder to get familiar with the new Bahamas Boating Fees, set April 2026.
Click here to download the 2026 high- res digital ABM Boating Map! 
Find the perfect destination and marina:
For more info on the ABM contact Raymond Francis
execdirector@bahamasmarinas.
com Be sure to to follow the ABM on our Social Media Channels:
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LNM: OWW MM 122 Franklin Lock Closure, 8am-Noon, May 13
The W P Franklin Lock is the western most lock on the Okeechobee Waterway. Our thanks to Specialist Jeffrey Prater for this notice.
The lock will be closed Wednesday, May 12, 2026 from 8 am to Noon for an Electrical System Upgrade. EFFECTIVE: 13 May 2026
ATTN: CESAJ-OD-SN
PO Box 4970
JACKSONVILLE, FL 32232-0019POC: Kriss Zeller, Chief of Navigation (772) 380-6928
REFERENCE:
- 33 CFR Navigation and Navigable Waters
- Notice to Navigation
Attention all concerned boaters! W.P. Franklin Lock will be closed from 8:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m. on May 13, 2026 for electrical system upgrades. Please plan accordingly and thank you for your patience.
For the current Lake Okeechobee water levels, please see: https://w3.saj.usace.army.mil/h2o/currentLL.shtml
- For up-to-date Lock information, contact the shift operator 7:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. at:
St Lucie Lock & Dam 772-287-2665 or 863-662-9148
Port Mayaca Lock & Dam 561-924-2858 or 863-662-9424
Julian Keen, Jr. Lock & Dam 863-946-0414 or 863-662-9533
Ortona Lock & Dam 863-675-0616 or 863- 662-9846
W.P. Franklin Lock & Dam 863-662-9908
Canaveral Lock 321-783-5421 or 863-662-0298 (6:00 a.m. to 10:00 p.m.)
Thank you! Jeff
Jeffrey D Prater
Public Affairs Specialist
Corporate Communications Office
U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, Jacksonville District
South Florida Office
4400 PGA Blvd.
Suite 501
Palm Beach Gardens, FL 33410
Cell: 561-801-5734
jeffrey.d.prater@usace.army.mil
Twitter @JaxStrong
Jacksonville District Facebook:https://www.facebook.com/JacksonvilleDistrict
Click Here To View the Okeechobee Waterway Cruisers Net Bridge Directory Listing For Franklin Lock
Click Here To Open A Chart View Window Zoomed To the Location of Franklin Lock
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Ted Turner, a Force of Nature, Passes Into History at 87 – Loose Cannon
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Ted Turner, a Force of Nature, Passes Into History at 87
Probably the Last ‘Amateur’ To Ever Win the America’s Cup
Ted Turner at the helm. Gary Jobson as tactician. With thanks to Scuttlebutt Sailing News for letting us republish this obituary.
Ted Turner, the media maverick, sports team owner, sailing champion, and philanthropist, died peacefully May 6, 2026 at his home near Tallahassee, Florida. He was 87.
As a 12-year-old at the Savannah Yacht Club, Turner dove into sailing the same way he would do everything: with pedal to the metal and damn the torpedoes, and with wholesale success. He spent as much time in the water as in his Penguin, but while observers were busy laughing, he started winning.
He took the same approach to Lightnings, then dinghies at Brown University before moving on to Y-Flyers and Flying Dutchmen on Atlanta’s Lake Allatoona. He was runner-up at the 1970 5.5 Metre Gold Cup before winning the title in 1971.
Turner moved into big boats with charters for the Southern Ocean Racing Circuit, literally learning the ropes as he went along. He learned fast, winning the SORC overall in 1966, and leading a timber-rattling après sail crew celebration that was considered “outrageous.”
Turner’s venture into the America’s Cup in the 1970s shook up what was (then) a venerable bastion of propriety. His public battles with Dennis Conner, Lowell North, and local clubs are storied. He was labeled “Captain Outrageous” by a media overjoyed to have an uninhibited rock star in their midst who spoke his mind.
Turner acquired the 12-Metre Courageous after its America’s Cup victory in 1974. Always loyal, he put together a crew of old SORC hands including tactician Gary Jobson and trimmer Robbie Doyle, and made the cover of Sports Illustrated after winning the right to defend the Cup. In 1977, Turner steered Courageous to a 4-0 sweep of Australia.
Turner won the coveted Congressional Cup that same year, and prevailed in the storm-ravaged Fastnet Race in 1979. The only man Voted Rolex Yachtsman of the Year four times, Ted Turner will probably be the last amateur skipper to win the America’s Cup.
He was inducted into the first Class of the National Sailing Hall of Fame in 2011.
The Ohio-born Atlanta businessman parlayed his father’s billboard -advertising company into television stations TNT, TBS, and CNN. He was also an owner of professional sports teams—Atlanta Braves (MLB), Atlanta Hawks (NBA), and Atlanta Thrashers (NHL).
In September 2018, Turner revealed that he was battling Lewy body dementia, an ailment that causes a progressive decline in mental abilities with physical signs and symptoms similar to Parkinson’s disease.
Turner married three times, most famously to Jane Fonda from 1991 to 2001. He is survived by his five children (Rhett Turner, Laura Turner Seydel, Jennie Turner Garlington, Teddy Turner, and Beau Turner), 14 grandchildren, and two great-grandchildren.
Gary Jobson on Sailing With Turner:
Over the years I have given nearly 3,000 lecture presentations. While the topics have varied, one subject is always included — the America’s Cup. And the most frequent question I am asked is “What is it like to sail with Ted Turner?”
I always take my time when I answer. Ted is a gifted sailor, and he recruits top sailors. Ted always says he likes when decisions are made at the lowest level. He is quite methodical when working with a tactician and navigator.
He will ask probing questions that challenge you to think hard. He appreciates people who think through all the possible options available. He will often surprise me with an alternative option that I might not have thought about. In sum, Ted does three things well on long distance races:
1. He is a superb helmsman.
2. He is very good at trimming spinnakers and will spend considerable time continuously adjusting the sail.
3. He is at his best as a leader. When Ted makes a decision, the crew buys in and executes.I’ve attended many business meetings and a few board meetings with him over the years. His routine on the water is analogous to his work in the boardroom. He considers all the options, makes a decision, and presses ahead at full speed. He has a good way of lifting everyone’s game.
He had an extraordinary run on the water, but he had to give up sailing to focus on his media business. Ted retired from grand prix yacht racing at the young age of 41.
DIY Obituaries: Build Your Own ‘Ship of Death’
·May 1, 2025Read full story LOOSE CANNON covers hard news, technical issues and nautical history. Every so often he tries to be funny. Subscribe for free to support the work. If you’ve been reading for a while—and you like it—consider upgrading to paid.
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THE LONGER WE STAY HERE, THE WORSE OUR HABITS BECOME – Janice Anne Wheeler, Sparring With Mother Nature
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Welcome! There is SPARRING in every passage and due reward for staying aboard!
If you just found our very engaging little community, please read SPARS & SPARRING, .….it introduces my wonders and my wanders. ~J
THE LONGER WE STAY HERE, THE WORSE OUR HABITS BECOME
I’m swearing like a sailor, drinking like a fish and befriending anything that comes along. Well, I’ve always done that.
About ten days ago what I thought was a Bumble Bee chose me. Seriously. It’s a forehead crinkler, I get that. But he (an assumption) did. For days, this delightful, bi-colored softly-endowed insect was constantly around my workspace, wherever I was, there he would be, checking up, checking in, an occasional collision, even, in my new relationship with one of Mother Nature’s more intriguing, essential characters. I photographed, he posed and was endowed with the nickname Kami in reference to Japanese Kamikazi warriors that took their life into their own hands, because more and more frequently he would simply bonk right into me, then bumble off. “He’s picking on someone the wrong size,” was my sailor’s comment. A little foul, no harm done. Every morning he showed up, just like we do, a gift from Mother Nature.
I was (still) engaged in the endless prep you’re tired of hearing about and I’m tired of doing, re-taping the bronze through-hulls for one of the middle coats of paint. The following morning I noted with a certain amount of astonishment and a bucketful of respect that a small, ragged hole had been torn in the center of the tape. Yes, you’re following along; it was about Bumble-Bee size, half an inch. Tree hugger at heart, I felt horrible, awful, guilty, neglectful and downright mean that I had probably taped my newest and rather loyal companion in there….also equally impressed at the solution found for such a (dire?) situation.
Exploring the many housing options, and then, the escape.The chosen thru-hull is the drain for our shower in the aft cabin. An assortment of these exits (above) and intakes (below) waterline make our yachting systems self-sufficient, some have more powerful forces than others; the exhaust for the generator, for example, even a hearty insect would vacate that steamy, strong outflow. Now, of course, I had to wonder what’s been constructed in there, and how not to harm anyone while ensuring the functionality of said plumbing drain. We saw several bumbling about outside the next time tape was quadruple-layered over their main doorway. I learned later that they can and do bore through inches of solid wood. Ah well, I had her best interest in mind, and once again a human highly underestimates the ability of creatures surrounding us.
Kami was so much in the forefront of my mind that I mentioned my follower to former farmer, friend and fellow ‘Stacker Elizabeth Beggins (see her pollinator story here). She informed that it was a Carpenter Bee and, stingless, was trying to defend his chosen home or more likely, his mate’s chosen home—(BTW females can sting if addled), which was clearly a bronze-framed hole in my chosen home. Happy to report that after the taping incident he/she/they bumbled off and found a more suitable location with less chance of imprisonment and flash-flooding. Thank a bee, save a bee.
Pollen-encrusted Carpenter Bee on its favorite commodity. Even with this delightful distraction from the drudgery, I finally said it out loud. The exact quote was, “Your boat is kicking my ass.”
Here’s the precursor. We’d decided that what was to be the final coat of paint was not actually good enough coverage to be the final coat, making a total of seven. It takes almost twenty hours of labor between coats. STEADFAST feels sooooo much longer, bigger, taller and wider than she was when we energetically, enthusiastically started this little repair project. “She grows on you,” is groan-worthy. To refresh memories and bring all our cool new subscribers up to date, we began in July of 2024; with an original estimate of four months.
I’m thinking you know who I was discussing the ass-kicked ailment with; he answered with a resigned, “I know.” And he does; his rear-end is certainly in a similar state, perhaps a tad worse even. We don’t need to say this out loud, but I finally did. Remember that story GOING GRAY? Still going! It would be far beyond bat-shit crazy to stop now.
At some point recently I had the realization that I’d really like to not pick up sandpaper or a paintbrush again until 2028. Our Secret Sparring Society knows how HIGHLY UNLIKELY that is, but a girl can wish! Honestly I really did enjoy refreshing and rejuvenating this floating home on a regular maintenance schedule; we all need a little rewarding reinvigoration, don’t we? But this has been way too much, there was no bargain struck for this.
My favorite quote of late? “The longer we stay here, the worse our habits become.” I’m swearing like a sailor and drinking like a fish***. That statement is not truly true, but… well, I’ll leave it to your active imaginations. More info follows on the fish part.
Have you stayed doing something, somewhere, too long? By choice or by chance? Betcha have. Do tell! My website is entitled ‘Everybody Has a Story’ AND THAT MEANS YOU DO, TOO.
Each Monday, an idea for our weekly Sparring Society Story has formed or been chosen from my brain and I gradually build these messages, an hour here and a couple hours there, often taking on a life of their own, ending up a paradox to the original idea, the best laid plans. This is one of those weeks, I think…an unintentional interlude and candle-at-both-ends ending….always searching for maximum impact, of course; we all are as we toddle through life. As I finish this, it’s almost the witching hour here on the East Coast of North America and my candle is sputtering, so until next week, I’m yours truly,
~J The accidental boat builder. Here, in my most flattering outfit.
Friend Ed wanted to learn about fiberglass; he stayed seated. Think my work is share-worthy? Please do! Easiest way is simply to click on the little heart and the little recycle symbol, both of those send this piece to word lovers everywhere. Thanks.
Share SPARRING WITH MOTHER NATURE
*** DO FISH DRINK?! According to McGill University, yes, they do, but the rate and consequences vary based on their environment. I guess we have that in common!
I HIGHLY recommend the thoughtful and thought-provoking pieces from this writer:
If you prefer to listen, you can access an audio recording, read by me, here.
…18 days ago · 37 likes · 55 comments · Elizabeth Beggins& From the archives… enjoy— it’s available to all.
GOING GRAY
·Jan 18
Sailing Vessel STEADFAST has gone gray, like many of us; in her case it’s literal, quick and dirty. In my case it’s been a long time coming.
Read full story THE BEST LAID PLANS
·September 8, 2024
Expressions from centuries past still hold merit, whether first uttered by sailor, farmer, politician or poet. This particular phrase, “The best laid schemes of mice and men oft’ go awry…and leave us nothing but grief and pain. For promised Joy.” (translated from old Scottish). I didn’t know the verbiage or its origins until a bit of laser-fast research…
Read full story I so appreciate your support of my work. Have a wonderful week!
© 2026 Janice Anne Wheeler
Living aboard Sailing Yacht STEADFAST again soon!
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‘People flying off the boat.’ Blast hurts 11 people at Haulover Sandbar: witness Miami Herald
Be careful out there and follow all safety precautions …
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2026 Atlantic Hurricane Season Outlook: A Potential Break? – Fred Pickhardt
Fred Pickhardt’s Substack is free today. But if you enjoyed this post, you can tell Fred Pickhardt’s Substack that their writing is valuable by pledging a future subscription. You won’t be charged unless they enable payments.
Forwarded this email? Subscribe here for moreThe 2026 Atlantic hurricane season may offer something we haven’t seen in a while — a bit of a break.
While the official outlook from the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) isn’t due until later this May, early indicators suggest that overall activity could trend near to slightly below historical averages.
The Big Driver: El Niño
The dominant factor shaping this season is the expected development of a moderate to potentially strong El Niño in the tropical Pacific.
Why does that matter?
- El Niño tends to increase upper-level winds over the Atlantic
- This creates strong vertical wind shear
- Wind shear disrupts developing storms, making it harder for hurricanes to form and intensify
Historical data backs this up. During strong El Niño years:
- Hurricanes decrease by roughly 30–40%
- Major hurricanes are often cut nearly in half
Tampa’s WFLA Meteorologist Jeff Berardelli recently highlighted this relationship, noting a significant drop in storm activity during past strong El Niño seasons.
Sea Surface Temperatures: A Mixed Signal
Ocean temperatures are another key ingredient this season:
Cooler-than-average waters have developed across the eastern and central Atlantic’s Main Development Region (MDR)
- This typically suppresses storm formation
However, warmer-than-normal waters persist in:
- The subtropical North Atlantic
- The Gulf of Mexico
- The western Caribbean
Bottom line: There’s a tug-of-war between atmospheric suppression (El Niño) and localized ocean warmth.
What the Forecasts Say
Several leading forecast groups have released early outlooks. When averaged together, they point to a slightly below-normal season:
- Named Storms: ~13.6 (historical average: 14)
- Hurricanes: ~6.1 (historical average: 7)
- Major Hurricanes: ~2.3 (historical average: 3)
Most forecasts cluster around this range, though one outlier (University of Arizona) suggests a more active season due to expected warmer than normal ocean temperatures.
Note: If El Niño strengthens further, these numbers could trend even lower.
Landfall Risk: Lower, But Not Zero
Even in quieter seasons, it only takes one storm to make it dangerous.
According to Colorado State University projections:
- 32% chance of a major hurricane striking the U.S. coastline
(vs. 43% historical average) - 15% chance for the U.S. East Coast (including Florida)
- 20% chance for the Gulf Coast
- 35% chance for the Caribbean
Some forecasts, including AccuWeather, highlight the northern Gulf Coast and Carolinas as areas of elevated risk this year.
What the Pattern Suggests
Seasonal models based on sea surface temperatures indicate:
- Below-normal activity in the Gulf and Caribbean
- Near or slightly above-normal activity along the U.S. East Coast
This aligns with the current pattern of warmer subtropical Atlantic waters, which can sometimes shift storm tracks north and east.
Final Takeaway
A quieter season doesn’t mean a safe season.
Even during El Niño years, impactful hurricanes can and do occur. It only takes one landfalling storm to make a season memorable — especially for coastal communities.
Fred Pickhardt, Meteorologist
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© 2026 Fred Pickhardt
548 Market Street PMB 72296, San Francisco, CA 94104
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Happy Mother’s Day from Key Lime Sailing Club and Cottages – Key Lime Sailing Club
Key Lime Sailing Club, A CRUISERS NET SPONSOR, always has very special offers for their visitors! Key Lime Sailing Club is a unique slice of KEYS ENJOYMENT…give it a try and let us hear about your experience.
Celebrating Every Mom This Mother’s Day
Happy Mother’s Day to all the incredible moms out there! Words truly cannot express how grateful we are for everything you do, the sacrifices you make, the love you give, and the strength you show each and every day. You deserve to be celebrated not just today, but always, and we hope this special day brings you as much joy and warmth as you bring to everyone around you.
From our little corner of paradise here in the Florida Keys, the entire Key Lime Sailing Club family wants you to know how much you are appreciated.
Whether you are on the water or at home, we hope today is filled with sunshine, laughter, and beautiful moments made just for you.
Happy Mother’s Day, with all our love from your Key Lime Sailing Club and Cottages Family.
Key Lime Sailing Club and Cottages | 305-451-3438 | 99306 Overseas Highway, Key Largo Florida | www.keylimesailingclub.com
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Border Patrol Boat Runs Down, Kills Man in a Dinghy – Loose Cannon
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Border Patrol Boat Runs Down, Kills Man in a Dinghy
USVI Authorities Refuse To Say ‘Rocker Shawn’s’ Name. Fan Tributes Pour Out Instead
Agencies gather in the afterman of the Saturday evening accident. (St. Thomas Rescue photo) Shawn Leass was run down and killed by a Customs & Border Patrol boat in the U.S. Virgin Islands, and the only reason we know the victim’s name is because of tributes to him on Facebook and at local pubs where he performed Rock & Roll favorites.
According to the St. Thomas Source news outlet, Leass had come to the USVI about 25 years ago, initially living aboard his Erickson 36 Freya. He was killed while piloting his dinghy after having left St. Thomas Carnival on its last night. The accident happened at 7:45 p.m. on Saturday.
CBP’s Office of Professional Responsibility, the U.S. Coast Guard, and the National Transportation Safety Board are investigating, according to CBP spokesman Jeffrey H. Quinones. This was the official statement:
A U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) Coastal Interceptor Vessel was involved in an accident with a small dinghy near Hulover Cut, St. Thomas, U.S. Virgin Islands, during a border security patrol. The sole occupant of the dinghy was transported to a hospital but passed away.
Quinones would not go beyond that when asked about several witness reports that the 41-foot patrol boat was traveling at a high rate of speed and without lights. And why not at least announce the name of the man whose life was lost?
“That is a matter under the responsibility of the local police,” Quinones said. According to The Source, local police have notified Leass’s sister in Ohio, but have not yet publicly identified Leass as the victim, let alone say anything about the man he was.
This is a sistership to the CBP vessel that hit Leass’s dinghy: A 41-foot Coastal Interceptor Vessel. Leass, as it happens, was well liked in the USVI cruising community and by those who enjoyed his performances at local music venues.
“Shawn was an experienced dinghy captain. Also, he was good about having lights on his dinghy. He also didn’t drink alcohol. I lost a good friend and neighbor for many years. I hope there’s a full investigation,” Jeff Birchenough wrote on Facebook.
Shannon Sharpe was another person who posted a tribute to Leass:
There are some people that you meet in life’s journey that kinda shines a light on ya. To me, Shawn was one of those guys. He was always so happy to see me. Smiles and hugs. And he would always ask me.. “Will you play with me tonight?” There was no way on earth I would ever tell him no.
For those of us that knew him, we should ALWAYS remember is dedication and passion for his music that he played. I enjoyed playing with him because of this…. When Shawn would get up on the stage, he would go to a different place. He played with a passion that we should all strive to have. Whether there was one person in front of him or many more, he always played like he was playing in front of 30,000 people. Nothing else in the world mattered.
Leass was known for his passionate covers from bands such as Led Zepelin and Steppenwolfe. There was also anger at what some saw as an abuse of authority. As Erin Taylor wrote:
This is heartbreaking. These patrol boats need to SLOW down! This is where we live. We use Gregerie channel to get to and from our homes! They are not in pursuit of anyone. They have no business driving this fast in our local waters. It is reckless and irresponsible, especially of people wearing a badge that we should be able to trust and feel safe around. I witness them going past my house all the time, 60-70 mph for no reason at all. This life did not need to be lost. He was a sweet man that bothered nobody. I’m heartbroken and appalled at this news.
LOOSE CANNON covers hard news, technical issues and nautical history. Every so often he tries to be funny. Subscribe for free to support the work. If you’ve been reading for a while—and you like it—consider upgrading to paid.
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BOLO: The Owners of This Boat May Have Info on Missing Wife – Loose Cannon
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BOLO: The Owners of This Boat May Have Info on Missing Wife
Coast Guard Investigators Seek Help To Find Witnesses in Bahamas Case
This boat may have been anchored at Aunt Pat’s Bay within sight of the Hooker vessel on the day Lynette went missing. This photo was first published by CBS News yesterday. Coast Guard investigators assisting Bahamian police in the case of a missing sailor’s wife want to question the owners of the boat pictured above. The sloop in question may have been anchored next to Soulmate, belonging to Brian and Lynette Hooker, on the night she went missing.
According to her husband, the 55-year-old Michigan woman disappeared during an evening dinghy ride in the Abacos. Somehow, she took the shutoff fob with her, causing the electric outboard to stop, Brian Hooker told authorities.
Do You Have Info?
CGIS TIP LINE: https://www.p3tips.com/878 The dinghy took almost nine hours to drift four miles from the vicinity of Elbow Cay to Marsh Harbor despite blustery winds pushing it in that direction—a timeline that investigators may have found troubling. Agents of the Coast Guard Investigative Service, CGIS for short, are on the case under a broad mandate to investigate crimes that “happen on, over or under a navigable waterway.”
The sailing vessel they are looking for, also shown below, appears to be under 40 feet LOA, with double roller furling headsails, a flat sheer line, an arch on the stern and a sugar scoop transom. She is shown with an inflatable dinghy.
The incident happened on the night of April 4, 2026. Brian Hooker was taken into custody for questioning and later released. He has denied any wrongdoing.
Late Breaking: Husband Arrested in Connection With Wife Lost Overboard
·Apr 8Read full story LOOSE CANNON covers hard news, technical issues and nautical history. Every so often he tries to be funny. Subscribe for free to support the work. If you’ve been reading for a while—and you like it—consider upgrading to paid.
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Atlantic Intracoastal Waterway Association May Newsletter
Cruisers Net is proud to be a member of the Atlantic Intracoastal Waterway Association whose lobbying work is crucial to keeping the Waterway navigable. Your membership dollars directly support their vital work. Please join and encourage your boating neighbors to do likewise, regardless of their homeport.
‘On the Road’ with the AIWA
This spring, we have been on the road working to represent the AIWA in discussions related to maintenance dredging and operations needs with local, state and national organizations. In four trips over the past four weeks, Executive Director Brad Pickel has met with federal, state and local officials in Washington, D.C., Florida and North Carolina. These meetings were in addition to the Board of Directors Advocacy Trip to Washington, D.C. in early March where we met with 12 Congressional offices.Highlights of these outreach efforts include:- Participated in the American Boating Congress, the nation’s largest gathering of recreational boating stakeholders, and attended six meetings with Congressional Offices in Washington, D.C. bringing our total to 18 meetings this year!
- Presented at the North Carolina Beach, Inlet and Waterway Association Local Government meeting outlining our recent successes and upcoming efforts to secure additional funding for the waterway.
- Served as moderator in a session with Honorable Yang Si, Deputy Administrator for the U.S. DOT Maritime Administration (MARAD), at the National Waterways Conference Legislative Summit in Washington, D.C.
- Presented and joined representatives from the Florida Inland Navigation District and the Jacksonville District USACE on the Intracoastal Waterway Inspection Tour in Florida.
Our next in-person meeting to advocate for the waterway is June’s National Dredging Meeting and the opportunity to connect with our USACE partners from the District, Division and Headquarters levels.
Looking ahead
With the busy spring conference season behind us, our focus is on advocating for the AIWW in the federal appropriations process for FY27 (current appropriations amounts in the table below), ensuring that funds that have been provided in previous fiscal years are being used to dredge and maintain the waterway, and continuing outreach to grow our membership.
If you know of a company, local government, association, or individual who works on the waterway, please contact brad.pickel@
atlanticintracoastal.net or visit https:// atlanticintracoastal.org/join- aiwa.
We held our first Commercial Operator and Corporate Member Stakeholder Group meeting in April with 23 participants, representing 18 entities. The group’s focus is to assist the organization in identifying shoaling areas, bridge maintenance projects and other issues impacting use of the waterway, and help prioritize the areas that need to be addressed. With over 1,100 miles of the AIWW, limited funding for waterway dredging and maintenance, we will utilize resources created by this group to further refine our educational and advocacy efforts with the Administration and Congress.
Since our first meeting, the group has identified over 50 shoaling areas to be ranked in order of impact to commercial operations. We are also collecting information on bridges that are impacting current movement on the waterway. Collectively, this group is refining areas of the waterway that continually cause the most impact to navigation.
The next quarterly meeting is July 8th at 10 am eastern. To become a member of this group and further assist us in developing resources to aid in our education and advocacy efforts, we invite you to join our corporate membership.
Highlighting Waterway Hotspots along the 2026 Spring Migration
One of our favorite articles of the year for recreational boaters was recently published by our friends at the Waterway Guide. Long-time waterway expert, Bob Sherer (also known as Bob423), identifies several key areas dredged since last fall, and a few shoaling spots requiring caution.
Read the article and download the Bob423 tracks to help you stay on the safest route.
Help Shape the Future of the Vessel Speed RuleFor our members who are interested in the Vessel Speed Rule highlighted last year, we share below the recent Call to Action from our partners at Boating United. In 2022, NOAA proposed a sweeping expansion of the North Atlantic Right Whale Vessel Speed Rule that would have forced many small recreational boats along the East Coast to travel at just 10 knots for up to seven months out of the year. The proposal failed to distinguish between large commercial ships and smaller recreational boats, ignored marine technologies, and would have created serious consequences for manufacturers, marinas, charter operators, anglers, and coastal communities. Now, NOAA needs to hear directly from YOU about why a modern, technology-driven approach is the best path forward. Please take a moment today to submit a comment before the public comment period closes on June 2.
Learn more and participate in the process by clicking here.
Copyright © 2026. Atlantic Intracoastal Waterway Association. All rights reserved. The AIWA is a national non-profit organization with the mission of securing funding and support for the maintenance of the Atlantic Intracoastal Waterway. We are the only organization dedicated to ensuring the future of the AIWW and proudly represent all stakeholders of the waterway.
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Atlantic Intracoastal Waterway Association · 5A Market · Beaufort, SC 29906-9107 · USA
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