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    • Aug 15, 2012by:   Claiborne Young No Comments

      Don’t Even Think About Anchoring In The Charted “Oxbow” Off the AICW/Dawho River (Statute Mile 500) – Captains Mark and Diana Report

      On the Water GuidebooksI well remember one delightful October afternoon in 1983 when we came cruising along the AICW’s run through South Carolina’s Dawho River. This stream, along with a man-made canal, serves to connect the AICW between the North and South Edisto Rivers.
      Anyway, we were on our initial research trip, seeking out anchorages for the first edition of my “Cruising Guide to Coastal South Carolina and Georgia.” As I always still do to this day before beginning on-site research of new waters, I had poured over (in this case) chart 11518, looking for good anchorage possibilities. And here, hard by marker #128, were several charted oxbows which NOAA reported as having 6 to 12 foot depths.
      Well, like Diana and Mark, we arrived, THANK GOODNESS, at MLW. Imagine my astonishment when our first look inside all three oxbows revealed nothing but MUD!!!! To say the least, we warned everyone away from these potential traps and cheats in the pages of “CGSC-GA!”
      A check of the very latest version of chart 11518 on the Cruisers’ Net’s “Chart View” module, shows that NOAA is FINALLY showing no depth on the northeastern oxbow at MLW, but is still erroneously promising some MLW depths in the south side oxbow, which is the subject of Mark and Diana’s article below (see chartlet at right – click to open a Chart View page centered on the oxbow in question). It only took NOAA 29 years to correct 1/3 of their error. Need I say more about my opinion of the NOAA charting folks.
      So, if you seek to safely drop the hook on the Dawho River section of the South Carolina AICW, please continue cruising west, pass under the Dawho – Edisto Island Bridge, and give Fishing Creek along the northerly banks a try. Even this body of water has a TRICKY entrance. Follow the link below to learn how safe entry can be achieved!

      Check Out the MUD!

      Hi Claiborne,
      No names mentioned here … but someone asked us about anchoring in the oxbow off Dawho River R128.
      We told them: In a word, DON’T !!!
      As you well know, the closest tide station, Dawho Bridge, has an STR (Spring Tidal Range) of 7.2 feet, which can make a lot of South Carolina and Georgia bad ideas seem like good ones … especially when NOAA charts the oxbow at 7 feet low water.
      [See depth-annotated track and NOAA chart screenshot below.]
      We’ve heard people chatting about this possibility before, so on our last pass northbound (two months ago), we just happened to be passing R128 near low tide.
      As you can see in the chart screenshot and accompanying photo, there is plenty of water in the ICW channel but EVERYTHING dries out in the oxbow.
      Again, no recommendation being made here. Just sharing data. Captains are responsible for their own decisions and outcome.
      Best and see you On the Water,
      Captains Mark & Diana Doyle
      http://www.OnTheWaterChartGuides.com

      Click Here To Open A Chart View Window, Zoomed To the Location of the Oxbow Off the AICW/Dawho River

      Click Here To View the South Carolina Cruisers’ Net Anchorage Directory Listing For Fishing Creek

      Click Here To Open A Chart View Window, Zoomed To the Location of the Fishing Creek Anchorage

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    • Aug 11, 2012by:   Larry Dorminy No Comments

      Excellent Dining Report from Ocracoke, NC, Pamlico Sound

      Entering Ocracoke's Silver Lake Harbor

      Captain Rick is responding to the comments below by Captain Ben and then adds a detailed dining guide to several other eating establishments – which he obviously enjoyed! – in Ocracoke.

      On a separate note we had an decent if unspectacular meal at Jolly Roger’s Pub, a bit overpriced in my humble O for average fare (lots of fries with my humble mackerel). We figured we made up for the average fare with a very nice view. Not bad food, just ok. Probably next visit would just order appetizers and beer. Ocracoke beautiful as always.
      Cheers,
      Capt Ben and his Motley Crew.

      I sail over to Ocracoke 3 or 4 times each year, and I sailed to Ocracoke the week after Capt. Ben was there. I tend to agree about the Jolly Roger. It is really more of a spot for beer and music on the waterfront ‘“ and the food is pretty average.
      A better bet for beer and burgers is the bar at the docks of the Anchorage Inn & Marina. Great burgers, and if you go there in late afternoon you get to watch the headboats come in to unload and weigh their catch, and the pelicans congregate to get the scraps.
      I find the Back Porch Restaurant to be the best restaurant on the island; I’ve never had a bad meal there and the Crab Bignette are to die for.
      Another good bet is Dajio; the food is great (though I think the lemmongrass vinnegrette would be better than the Balsamic Vinnegrette on the Dajio Salad (which has chirozo, fried parmesan cheese bits, and grilled scallops). Dajio also has an outdoor bar and music 2 or 3 times each week.
      For breakfast/brunch try the Flying Melon Cafe. The Panne Perdu (really light and fluffy New Orleans style french toast) with blueberries is to die for. I thought my girlfriend would want to go there every morning before we sailed home.
      Rick Brass
      s/v Imzadi

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

      Click Here To Open A Chart View Window, Zoomed To the Location of Ocracoke.

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    • Aug 9, 2012by:   Claiborne Young No Comments

      FORGET THE CHARTS! AICW and Brickhill River (South) Anchorage Breadcrumbs (St. M. 704) – Captains Mark and Diana Report

      On the Water GuidebooksSalty Southeast Cruisers’ Net strategic partners, Captains Mark and Diana Doyle, owners and founder of On The Water ChartGuides (http://www.OnTheWaterChartGuides.com) share another fascinating excerpt from their very soon to be released two volume AICW Anchorage Guide series.
      Before going any further, PLEASE NOTE THAT THE DOYLES ARE OFFERING A PRE-RELEASE 42% DISCOUNT ON THEIR NEW ANCHORAGE GUIDES. THAT SPECIAL OFFER ENDS TOMORROW, 8/10/12. ALL INTERESTED CRUISERS SHOULD FOLLOW THE LINK ABOVE WITHOUT DELAY!
      Back to the article below – Diana and Mark take a good look at the anchorage found on southern Brickhill River, hard by the Cumberland Island National National Park.
      The “dynamic duo” also bring to light some critical info on the Cumberland Narrows “AICW Problem Stretch” (see /aicw-channel-through-cumberland-dividings). Note the AICW soundings on the included excerpt page from their Anchorage Guide below, and how these show the good depths lie on the EAST side of the markers at the intersection of the Waterway and southern Brickhill River, far from the magenta line!

      Hi Claiborne,
      We all accept that paper and electronic charts are notoriously inaccurate. All too often, charted navaid positions and the ICW’s Magenta Line do not correspond at all to the real world.
      Just look at how the ICW is charted to the WEST of the red navaids off Brickhill River’s southern entrance. Ouch!
      Cruisers hear that Brickhill River is “mis-charted” and has a “really shallow entrance” … but, “once inside, has excellent depths.”
      What does that really mean? Do you just “feel your way in” and hope for the best? That might turn out to be a disaster and is almost certainly not worth the stress. So you pass on the anchorage and move on.
      But wait! Brickhill River is a real gem of an anchorage, particularly for active boaters who enjoy hiking in national parks.
      Thus Brickhill River (South) anchorage turns out to be one of the better examples of the value of our new AnchorGuides with their digital breadcrumb tracks.
      Look at the depth-annotated survey track on the page [below]. You can see the entrance surveyed as low as 10 feet (at 7.0 feet above MLLW) along the southern shore. The northern shore had much more water, with depths consistently in the teens. Now the “shallow entrance” anecdotal report can be confirmed and visualized as an extension of shoaling from the southern bank, with a natural channel running along the northern bank.
      And now you can see the true ICW path, EAST of the red navaids, right over the non-existent “mis-charted” shoal and island!
      Once you’re safely in Brickhill River, you’ll enjoy a beautiful anchorage with all-around protection off Cumberland Island National Park. Cumberland Island is one of the largest undeveloped barrier islands along the Atlantic coast, home to a national seashore and one of the largest maritime forests in the U.S.
      You can access the national park at a small park dock or adjacent tiny beach, both for a nominal day-use fee. Nearby shore amenities include picnic tables, trails, and restrooms.
      For a hi-res detailed map of the island, visit http://1.usa.gov/NZMHsW
      Brickhill River (South) anchorage is located just off “Plum Orchard” on the map.
      Best and see you On the Water,
      Captains Mark & Diana Doyle
      http://www.OnTheWaterChartGuides.com

      Click Here To View the Georgia Cruisers’ Net Marina Directory Listing For the Brickhill River Southern Anchorage

      Click Here To Open A Chart View Window, Zoomed To the Location of the Brickhill River Southern Anchorage

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    • Aug 7, 2012by:   Claiborne Young No Comments

      Marine Stadium Anchorage Review – Captains Mark and Diana Report (Statute Mile 1091.5)

      Looking northwest over the Miami skyline

      The so-called Marina Stadium Anchorage is actually a large cove indenting the northwestern banks of Virgina Key, lying opposite the city of Miami on the eastern flank of Biscayne Bay. For any number of years, we did not recommend anchoring here, as the city of Miami was ticketing vessels who dropped the hook on these waters. Well, those times seem to be past, and this anchor down spot can once again be labeled as a good place to spend the night, within sight of downtown Miami.
      The excellent article below, authored by our strategic partners, Captains Mark and Diana Doyle, founders and owners of On The Water ChartGuides (http://www.onthewaterchartguides.com/), is largely taken from this dynamic duo’s very soon to be released, two volume paper AICW Anchorage Guide series. And, if that sounds appealing, Mark and Diana are currently running a 42%, pre-release discount for their new guides through 8/10/12. Follow the link above to learn more!

      People always ask us if there is a spacious, scenic, and safe anchorage in the heart of Miami.
      And our response, “Absolutely! Try Marine Stadium anchorage.”
      Marine Stadium is a huge manmade basin along Virginia Key, constructed in 1963 as the first stadium in the U.S. specifically for powerboat racing. Spectators viewed high-speed races, or sometimes floating concerts, from the 6,566-seat grandstand stadium, enjoying the backdrop of the Miami skyline.
      But you don’t have to worry about hydroplane races now. The last major race was held there in 1987 and the basin has become the perfect training venue for Olympic sailing and rowing teams. We enjoyed watching the men’s Canadian 49’er team showing off their stuff during our last visit.
      The grandstand was declared unsafe after Hurricane Andrew, and it has since become a bit of a three-dimensional canvas for colorful graffiti artists. But don’t let the urban art create the impression the anchorage is unsafe. We have noticed regular patrols by the Miami marine police and the anchorage is consistently populated by local and transient vessels.
      The anchorage is surprisingly “scenic” ‘” in a South Florida sort of way. The basin opens to the northwest, framing a perfect view of the day- or nighttime Miami skyline. The grandstand, along the southwest shore, is still an interesting historic structure. And the northeast shore is an undeveloped greenspace, with a small dock and sandy beach with casuarina trees where you can take Fido ashore.
      At the mouth of the basin you can dinghy to the Rusty Pelican restaurant near Rickenbacker Marina (which has an easy to hit fuel dock and a few moorings of its own). Personally we prefer the shelter (and price!) of Marine Stadium anchorage to the exposure of these out-of-the-basin moorings.
      Marine Stadium’s next metamorphosis may be to a full-fledged mooring field. The city has plans to populate the basin with guest moorings, but the project is currently on hold due to budget constraints.
      But no need to wait until the moorings are in to enjoy the history, scenery, and convenience of Marine Stadium anchorage.
      Best and see you On the Water,
      Captains Mark & Diana Doyle
      http://www.OnTheWaterChartGuides.com

      Click Here To View the Eastern Florida Cruisers’ Net Anchorage Directory Listing For Marine Stadium Anchorage

      Click Here To Open A Chart View Window, Zoomed To the Location of the Marine Stadium Anchorage

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    • Aug 7, 2012by:   Claiborne Young No Comments

      Sign of the Times: The Sunset Beach Pontoon Bridge Becomes a Boat Ramp (Statute Mile 338)

      Sunset Beach Pontoon Bridge - As It Used to Be

      Many of us were glad to see the old Sunset Beach Pontoon Bridge replaced by a modern high-rise last year. Between the mechanical problems and shoaling, many cruisers most certainly did NOT have a soft place in their hearts for the old, floating span.
      Now that it’s gone, though, I cannot help but be a little saddened at this piece of the past that is now long gone forever.
      Below, we are pleased to present another superb report from our strategic partners, Captains Dian and Mark Doyle, founders and owners of On The Water Chartguides (http://www.OnTheWaterChartGuides.com). Check out their NEW paper AICW Anchorage Guides (with a 42% discount until 8/10/12), by following the link above!

      Hi Claiborne,
      Passed through the Sunset Beach area a couple months ago and was reminiscing … about bridges, and about a slower pace. [smile]
      The Sunset Beach Pontoon Bridge at STM 337.9 was an historic landmark’”the only vehicle pontoon bridge left in operation on the entire East Coast.
      But a floating pontoon bridge, with “zero clearance,” became more and more incompatible with modern times and schedules.
      About six times per month the tide was so low the bridge couldn’t be opened. Boats had to circle and wait through low tide. And if there were high winds, the bridge could be closed indefinitely.
      In addition to its hourly scheduled openings, the bridge opened for every commercial vessel. (Trivia Fact: Because the Atlantic Intracoastal Waterway was constructed before bridges, technically commercial vessels take precedence over vehicular traffic.)
      And, of course, many island residents (local taxpayers) felt they were spending too much time waiting for the bridge …
      But the final demise of the bridge was credited to safety concerns for island residents. Emergency crews had difficulty responding promptly to calls on the island. There was also concern about the risk of a serious fire spreading, given that large ladder trucks and tankers were too heavy to cross the old pontoon bridge.
      The site of the old pontoon bridge will become a public park, with boat ramp access to the ICW and plans to incorporate remnants of the old pontoon bridge in the park design.
      As of June 2012, you can see construction of the boat ramp at the old pontoon bridge location.
      Best and see you On the Water,
      Captains Mark & Diana Doyle
      http://www.OnTheWaterChartGuides.com

      Soon to be a memorial park with boat ramp ICW access

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    • Aug 7, 2012by:   Claiborne Young No Comments

      “Venice Water Cop” Passes Away

      Retired FWC “Water Cop,” Tim Erickson, passed away recently, and I’m sure he will be missed by family and friends. Many cruisers had another name for this “Venice Water Cop,” but with his passing, perhaps we will not recall that moniker now.
      For many years Officer Erickson was known for his tenacious, “letter of the law” enforcement of Florida statutes which require state registration of vessels, even though they may be Federally documented.
      Several years ago, the SSECN was involved in an e-mail writing campaign to the Venice City Council, protesting Officer Erickson’s treatment of visiting cruisers. Turns out he was a state employee, and this protest went for naught.
      Erickson retired several years ago, and Venice waters have been free of his presence for some time now. And so, with Office Erickson’s passing, it is a sad end to an entirely sad affair.
      For the past several days, there has been a LIVELY discussion concerning Officer Erickson on the AGLCA forum. Many of those messages are copied below!

      Many Loopers through the years have stayed or planned to stay at the “free” city park dock in Venice, FL. That became a problem when a vigorous and tenacious Florida Fish and Wildlife officer began issuing tickets for alleged various wrongdoings by boaters passing through. The officer was Tim Erickson. Tim Erickson passed away on July 22, 2012 (http://tinyurl.com/8vl56gq).
      Bill

      Tim Erickson was certainly controversial if not infamous. He used to hang out every afternoon at the Crows Nest dock and the Venice free dock checking every boat for a Florida sticker, which is usually required after 90 days in the state. Probably earned the sate many dollars in registration fees, fines and sales tax dollars. But he caused many cruisers to bypass the best town on the gulf coast.
      I wrote about Venice and its beauty in this blog when we first moved there in 2007, and the subsequent firestorm that ensued in both this and the T&T blogs made front page in the Sarasota Herald and Venice papers. The Venice town council was barraged with complaints from cruisers.
      Shortly thereafter Tim made headlines again when he was the first to respond to a horrific crash on the gulf when a news helicopter clipped a race boat with fatalities. So all his press was not bad. About a year later he retired, removing the threat to cruisers wishing to stop at the Crows Nest dock, and also their restaurant, among the best in Florida. So, RIP Tim.
      Unfortunately, the Venice Council stopped overnight docking at the nearby free dock, one of the few (maybe the only) good free docks on the coast. They were anticipating a fee-based mooring field which has not yet been developed.
      Venice is still a great destination either to visit or live, there is free anchorage near the dock and other docking options
      Bob

      Bob,
      I had long, sometimes rather heated, discussions with Tim about this issue. I was not the only person to have these discussion by any means. As I remember Tim was sort of a “pilot program” on the tax and the transient boater issue. We sure don’t need to get that monster started here again in the forum. I don’t know that he issued many actual citations for a violation of the tax law, as a state officer I don’t know that he could unless there was a Florida law violation. No question that he ruffled some feathers………
      Tim was a very nice guy. As stated in his obit, he started a very popular children’s fishing program. I”ll certainly miss my friend.
      Sharkey

      Sharkey has it right.
      I’m sure that it was not Tim’s idea to “harass” cruisers visiting Venice, but simply following orders.
      I would think sales tax collection was the driver. Tim could not know or care about sales tax on boats, just whether or not it was registered in Florida if the boat was in the state 90 days. You generally need out-of-state fuel or marina receipts newer than 90 days to avoid citation.
      When cruisers cited by Tim or other officers visit the tax office to buy a Florida boat registration, they must show on newer boats whether or not sales tax equivalent to Florida’s rate was paid. You can’t get a Florida registration unless the sales tax question is resolved first. Most states with sales tax have a similar program. We see game wardens regularly walking the docks in Racine, taking note of boats with no WI registration stickers. If they are still there a few months later the same process ensues.
      Bob Kunath
      Sans Souci

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    • Aug 6, 2012by:   Larry Dorminy No Comments

      AICW Marine Fatalities, Snow’s Cut and Southport, NC

      Snow’s Cut begins at Statute Mile 295 and Southport is on the Cape Fear River at Statute Mile 309. Our thoughts go out to the families of these victims.

      Cruising News:
      Regret that Wilmington NC reported a drowning in Snow’s Cut Sunday and a boating fatality near Southport, Sat. eve. Southport appears to have been due to navigational hazard/error. Very sorry to learn of these losses.
      Sherri

      This Article from Star News Online: Click link below for full report.

      The search continued Monday morning for a boy believed drowned in the waters beneath the Snow’s Cut bridge Saturday.
      The 13-year-old Rocky Point boy went missing about 1:45 pm Saturday. He was with his parents and 3-year-old brother swimming and fishing along the southern banks of the Intracoastal Waterway near Carolina Beach, according to the New Hanover County Sheriff’s Office.
      http://www.starnewsonline.com/article/20120805/ARTICLES/120809853

      A U.S. Coast Guard boat searches the water under Snow’s Cut Bridge for a teenager who disappeared in the water about 1:40 p.m. on Aug. 4, 2012.

      This article from WCET – TV6, Wilmington, NC. Click link below for full article:

      SOUTHPORT, NC (WECT) – A Wilmington woman is dead and another three are hurt after a boat crashed into a platform in Southport, according to the Coast Guard.
      According to Sgt. Ben Meyer, Barbara Pierce, 57, was pronounced dead at New Hanover Regional Medical Center due to injuries sustained from the boat crash.
      Meyer said, Pierce’s husband, Edward Pierce, 58, was driving the boat and most likely slammed into a concrete slab in the Cape Fear River, trying to avoid a collision. The two of them along with passengers Michelle Boley, 30, and Taylor Gill, 25, were headed north to Wilmington.
      On Saturday night, good Samaritans helped the responding agency with the rescue. Pierce contacted the Coast Guard for help at approximately 9 p.m. A 25-foot response boat was dispatched, according to the release.

      If you have more details about the circumstances of this collision, let us hear from you. Thanks!

      I am puzzled as to why the obstacle that the Pierce boat struck is not lighted or better yet, removed.
      Horace Whitaker

      http://www.wect.com/story/19199168/coast-guard-reponds-to-fatal-boat-crash-in-southport

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    • Jul 31, 2012by:   Claiborne Young No Comments

      IMPORTANT NOTICE – CHANGE IN SSECN MENU STRUCTURE

      All SSECN Visitors please Note that we have just changed our top of the page, blue background, menu structure. We have done this because the features accessible from the OLD top menus were a sub-set of what was/is available from the red, vertically stacked, accordion menus on the right side of this, and all SSECN pages (except Chart View pages). This partial duplication of function has led to confusion, so, effective immediately, the blue menus at the top of this and all SSECN pages now only access special, mostly non-regional features of our web site.
      FOR MOST PURPOSES, YOU WILL NOW WANT TO BEGIN YOUR USE OF OUR SITE BY MAKING A SELECTION FROM THE RED, VERTICALLY STACKED MENUS ON THE RIGHT SIDE OF THIS, AND ALL OTHER (except Chart View) SALTY SOUTHEAST CRUISERS’ NET PAGES. Simply click on the coastline of your choice, “South Carolina” for example, and then it’s off to the races!

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    • Jul 30, 2012by:   Claiborne Young No Comments

      Morehead City, NC Dining/Seafood Shopping Recommendations (Statute Mile 203-205)

      Now, here is a VERY useful posting from our good friends, Captains George and Ann, who liveaboard in Morehead City, North Carolina. Some of the dining/shopping recommendations below are found within easy walking distance of SALTY SOUTHEAST CRUISERS’ NET SPONSOR, Morehead City Yacht Basin, or the other area dockage facilities, including the Morehead City (Municipal) Docks, while others will require a short taxi ride. However, you get there, rely on these recommendations from knowledgeable MC locals!!!!

      Georgia B’s is [found] on the north side of Arendell between 5th and 6th before you get to the wonderful City News stand and the ACE Marine Hardware from the [Morehead City] Yacht Basin. Piccatas moved further west on Arendell on the south side,
      still pretty good for lunch, for dinner we tend to go to Beaufort Grocery Too (where the old Shepherd’s Point was, and who in turn serves an excellent Sunday brunch), Ruddy Duck, Wind and Sea, Circa 81 (not walking distance but fantastic). or of course Floyd’s, but I have had some spotty luck there lately. We don’t go out that often as I am married to a great chef, but Beaufort/MHC are certainly great dining towns given their size.
      I also can’t leave the topic of local eating without mentioning the wonderful Blue Ocean seafood market on Bridge’s street before you get to Lowe’s foods.
      They mostly supply local restaurants but have a great retail shop. If Eric the manager is there he gives out great cooking tips for any of the plethora of locally caught species that typically don’t show up in supermarkets. He is an outstanding chef in his own right; he cooked for a dinner party we had once and it was superb. Ant cruisers provisioning in MHC must include Blue Ocean in their shopping itinerary!
      All the Best,
      George and Ann

      Click Here To View the Cruisers’ Net’s North Carolina Marina Directory Listing For Morehead City Yacht Basin

      Click Here To Open A Chart View Window, Zoomed To the Location of Morehead City

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