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    • Welcome and Much Appreciated Words About the SSECN and ARGUS From Captain Milt Baker

      Captain Milt Baker

      Sometimes someone says something so nice about the Salty Southeast Cruisers’ Net, we just have to share it with all who visit our site. And, it’s especially exciting when the someone who give us such welcome compliments is one of the most respected names in cruising circles.
      For those of you who don’t already know Captain Milt Baker, this fine gentlemen, along with his first-rate, first-mate, Judy, was the founder and long time CEO of Bluewater Books and Charts in Fort Lauderdale, Florida. Over the years, Captain Milt and I have shared more than a few sea stories, and I have been the happy recipient of some much valued advice.
      So, many, many thanks Captain Milt. See you on the Waterway!
      Please note, this message originally appeared on the T&T (Trawlers and Trawlering) list.

      Mark Doyle’s post about transiting Hell Gate and depths there prompts me to post this.
      When the weather kicks up offshore many of us along the East Coast end up slogging along the Intracoastal Waterway, and I recently learned of a new resource to help us stay in deeper water along the ICW. It’s a new service offered by Claiborne Young on his Salty Southeast Cruisers’ Net.

      To quote their news release:
      “The Salty Southeast Cruisers Net (SSECN), SURVICE Engineering, and EarthNC, Inc. announced today an exciting new partnership that will provide SSECN users with the benefit of 25 million soundings acquired and processed with the ARGUS (Autonomous Remote Global Underwater Surveillance) system. The Salty Southeast Cruisers Net (http://www.CruisersNet.net) is the FIRST web site to offer easy access to ARGUS data.
      “Effective immediately, users of the SSECN’s Chart View pages can click a simple checkbox, thereby opening a new ARGUS layer, set over up-to-date images of the NOAA nautical charts. Once selected, the ARGUS layer will display color coded markers which depict the tide corrected solution of soundings gathered by ARGUS cooperative research vessels. . . .”

      While the new service is not a panacea, I spent an hour or so spot-checking the SSECN’s published soundings along portions of the ICW where Bluewater recently traveled and found them consistent with the depths I found. While spot-checking is just that and doesn’t guarantee accuracy of all soundings, this crowd-sourcing of ICW soundings is new arrow in the cruiser’s quiver and I, for one, plan to use the new service for route-planning whenever we’re taking Bluewater (with her 6’2″ draft) along the ICW. If you travel the ICW in your Nordhavn I recommend that you investigate this new and easy-to-use free service.
      For further information:
      /new-argus-layer-how-it-works/
      Full disclosure: Claiborne Young and I have known one another for at least 20 years, but we have no current business connection and have done no business together for more than a dozen years. I believe he works hard to provide useful services to the cruising world, and I’m particularly impressed with this new service he and his business partners are offering.
      Milt Baker, Nordhavn 47 Bluewater, Cape May, NJ (and waiting for weather)

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    • In Praise Of The Great Dismal Swamp, VA to NC AICW Alternate Route

      The Great Dismal Swamp Canal route southbound departs the AICW south of Norfolk at Statute Mile 7.2 and begins officially at Deep Creek Lock at Mile 10.6. The Visitors Center is at approximately Mile 28. Elizabeth City is south of South Mills Lock at Statute Mile 50.7 and is A SALTY SOUTHEAST CRUISERS’ NET SPONSOR!

      Cruising between Norfolk, VA, and the Alligator River, NC, Captains must face the decision whether to go the Great Dismal route or the Virginia Cut route. I’d pick the Great Dismal every time.
      First of all boaters traveling south will meet very possibly the worlds friendliest lockkeeper Robert ‘“ who is also an expert on the local history and fauna of the swamp. You can stay overnight in his Deep Creek Lock approach at the Elizabeth Dock ‘“ right next to a charming park and within walking distance of a grocery store.
      Then you have the North Carolina Visitors Center with a museum all about the Swamp and a huge selection of free maps and brochures with spotlessly clean restrooms and friendly staff.
      South Mills Lock, 23 miles south, will also get you in and out inside a half hour at the scheduled opening times ‘“ and in their approach you can dock for a while and buy the best southern fried chicken I’ve ever tasted. Always a bit of an adventure going through a lock’¦’¦..
      Lambs Marina also (at the southern end of the swamp) offers a large selection of services, the only fuel stop between the Alligator River and Portsmouth and the lowest slip rates on the entire ICW. (see their web site at www.lambsmarinanc.com ) Transients are welcome!
      And finally you have Elizabeth City with a great tradition of welcoming visiting boaters via the `Rose Buddies’, the substantial Albemarle Museum and free pickup service by a local grocery store.
      Contrary to scuttlebutt often heard, the Great Dismal Swamp Route is not `shallow in places’ . Mid channel is a carefully maintained minimum 7 ft and often much deeper. There are said to be cypress logs floating everywhere ‘“ I have yet to see one. The Corps of Engineers do an excellent job of dredging all year round. They also by the way trim overhanging tree branches ‘“ so you have no danger of your mast being damaged providing you stay in the channel.
      By contrast, the Virginia Cut Route is said to be faster and safer ‘“ that must have been written by the big sportsfishers barreling along at 15 knots in front of their 6ft wakes! Or the huge barges frequently seen who cannot stop even if you are dead in front of them. More or less once a week I hear of some boat aground south of Coinjock calling for towing assistance. None of these things happen frequently on the Great Dismal.
      The Swamp route itself is somewhat spooky in a pleasant way. Full of history starting in the days of George Washington when a ditch was manually cut by slaves in an attempt to get lumber to the northern cities of Chesapeake Bay. As you travel through you get a sense of prehistoric times with many kinds of animals to be seen in their natural surroundings ‘“ maybe if you’re lucky, one the substantial number of black bears on the prowl. I think of Humphrey Bogart and Katherine Hepburn in the African Queen.
      Two great mooring spots to note. First at the top end, just north east of the Deep Creek Lock, what locals call the `Hole in the Wall’ – 12 ft water inside, 6 ft at the entrance. And don’t miss mooring behind Goat Island just south of the South Mills Lock. Be sure to check out the wood dock and boardwalk which goes all over the island.
      By contrast the Virginia Cut is ‘“ well let’s face it fellow Captains – Boooooring’¦’¦..

      So I raise a toast to the Great Dismal Swamp Canal ‘“ May it never close.
      You should try it sometime. You’re always welcome.
      Captain Parky, MV ‘˜Pisces’

      I find the Dismal Swamp Route more enjoyable. Elizabeth City is one of the gems of hospitality with its free town dock, “wine” and “cheese” parties, and waterfront events. The upper Pasquotank River is simply beautiful (kind of like the Waccamaw), and the canal is gorgeous. If you have time, tie up for the night at the welcome center, or dinghy up to Lake Drummond. Whichever way you go, have fun…they’re both nice routes.
      Mike

      Depending on your preference, either route is worth the trip. The Dismal Swamp is beautiful and much more peaceful and remote. The stop at Elizabeth City is wonderful. Traveling through the DS Canal means slow going and you have two locks to time for your transit. The Welcome Center is always everyone’s favorite stops. It will take a bit longer than the traditional ICW route if you are in a hurry, which I hope you’re not. There have been occasional issues with debris in the Dismal Swamp Canal so go slow and pay attention, and of course your draft will matter. On the other
      hand, we often like to stop in Great Bridge and take advantage of the free tie up and the short walk to restaurants and shopping if taking the ICW route. Have a great trip.
      Chuck

      We’ve done both and if your draft will let you, take the dismal swamp route at least once. It’s awesome. Especially the part of the river leading up to it from Elizabeth City. Take care to time your arrival at the south lock as
      they won’t let you in to wait. Stop at the visitors center. Take your time. Spend the night. Check with the lockmaster at the north lock to determine what time he’ll open the bridge if you want to tie up on the long dock.
      Take a look at the distance if you plan to do it in one day. That will mean skipping the visitors center and traveling around 6 to 7 mph (5 -6 knots).
      But, if you’re a full displacement boat, at 6 – 7 mph you’ll start to lift stuff off the bottom (old logs) that could hit your props or rudder (depending on how they are protected) and definitely throw up obstacles for the boats following. You’ll also suck a lot of water away from the banks at this speed which will exacerbate erosion.
      If you go the Coinjock route, make sure you get your order in for the Prime Rib early. The 32 oz is ridiculously large.
      Bob & Kemba DeGroot

      We appreciate all of the kind words and raves. Of course, we are in favor of everyone whose draft will allow, visiting the Great Dismal Swamp Canal. It truly is one of the `last Wild Places, and a step back in time. Come enjoy the view.
      Donna Stewart, Director, Great Dismal Swamp Canal Welcome Center

      Click Here To View the Cruisers’ Net’s North Carolina Marina Directory Listing For the Dismal Swamp Canal Welcome Center

      Click Here To Open A Chart View Window, Zoomed To the Location of the Dismal Swamp Canal Welcome Center

      Click Here To View the Cruisers’ Net’s North Carolina Marina Directory Listing For Mariners Wharf [Elizabeth] City Docks

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

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    • Bridge Etiquette

      We have Matt and Connie to thank for these reminders about proper communication with bridge tenders.

      Just a reminder: be sure to call the bridge-tender for an opening (or that you need the opening too), even if another boat has already done so. Once you’ve passed through, if you do call the bridge with a thank you or we’re clear or whatever, please be sure to ID your vessel so they don’t close the bridge on someone behind coming through the other direction.
      We just took our boat to Fort Myers from Hernando Beach (48 nm N of Tampa) and at Venice (N. of inlet) we called for a bridge opening, but the Hinckley Picnic Boat going NB did not. Result, radar, satellite dome, mast etc., cleared from the picnic boat and a very costly picnic indeed. Going into Gasparilla Sound we very nearly had the same thing happen to us when the boat ahead radioed “thanks bridge-master, we’re clear.” Mrs. Mattson quickly straightened that out though.
      Matt & Connie aboard “Mischief” Prairie 29

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    • Important – Foul Bottom on Wimbee Creek Anchorage, near AICW Statute Mile 523, 6/18/12


      After following the mostly sheltered waters of the AICW running south from Charleston, while cruising to Beaufort, South Carolina, cruisers might well be excused when they exit the southwesterly entrance of the Ashepoo – Coosaw Cutoff, for gasping just a bit at the wide swath of open waters which spread out before them. This mighty body of water is the Coosaw River, which the AICW follows mostly west to the northern entrance of Brickyard Creek (thence south to Beaufort).
      Our very good friends, Captains Mark and Diana Doyle, have obviously explored these waters themselves over the past couple of decades while researching their superb “Managing the Waterway” series of guide books.
      As you will read below, one stream where they had dropped the hook before was Wimbee Creek. This stream cuts off from the Bull River, which itself makes into the Coosaw’s northern flank near Statute Mile 521 (see chart to the above right). HOWEVER A VERY DIFFERENT EXPERIENCE GREETED OUR EXPERIENCED CRUISING DUO ON THIS OCCASION!
      As you will read below, Diana and Mark discovered the hard way that a portion of Wimbee Creek has a very foul bottom. Farther upstream (see below), it’s apparently safe (or at least “safer”) to drop the hook, but the creek’s waters, southeast of charted “Chisolm,” where chart 11518 shows a sounding of “11” feet, are definitely off limits!
      The SSECN is declaring a Navigational Alert for these waters!

      Hi Claiborne,
      On June 10, 2012, we anchored in Wimbee Creek, a popular anchorage off Bull River, running north of the Coosaw River in South Carolina. In 13 feet (MLLW) we deployed a Bruce anchor with 120′ of chain, compensating for the expected additional 7 feet of tide in this area. Like nearly all our surveyed anchorages in Georgia and southern South Carolina, we anticipated high current.
      Unfortunately, within a few hours our ground tackle started behaving abnormally. At first we attributed it to opposing wind and current, but it was soon apparent something more serious and unusual was occurring.
      The wind continued to climb and thunderstorms could be seen advancing so we decided to retrieve the anchor and re-set. We were stopped short at about 60 feet of chain’”in 13 feet of water’”stuck on something so large that any attempts by the windlass or by “running over” the anchor merely pulled our bow down!
      We were stuck, short-scoped, with strong thunderstorm activity predicted throughout the night, but with no choice but to wait for TowboatU.S. to bring a diver the next morning.
      We payed back out the recovered 60 feet of chain and spent an uncomfortable night.
      Roy Stegall, a cruiser on s/v Gideon who works part-time for TowboatU.S. Port Royal, and Gene Clark, an experienced diver, arrived on the scene at 0745 hrs. the next morning. It took Gene a couple of hours of blind handwork in the tannic, murky high current to get control of the situation.
      His report from down-under: A wide area of huge “rocks”‘”which we later determined were likely dumped construction debris from an old foundation’”covered the mud bottom. Some of the chunks were half the size of the TowBoatU.S. vessel! As the strong winds and currents continuously shifted, our chain had actually been pulled UNDER one of these huge boulders, requiring a rolling hitch and hard horizontal yank using the TowBoatU.S. vessel to pop it free.
      This was no ordinary anchor-fouling. The anchor was free and about 20 feet from the boulder. This was a chain-fouling!
      A resident yelled out from his dock that a nearby trawler, anchored further up the creek on what looked like a back-up nylon rode, had just lost its anchor and chain in the same area and was waiting to try to locate it.
      So this area is a serious hazard and has claimed at least two boats.
      The problem site is south of the center of Wimbee Creek, off the second residential dock. Do not anchor anywhere near the first through third docks. Instead, proceed further up the creek, and stay well off the shore.
      The chartlet below shows our new anchored position, the fouled area, and the depths (and tides) we read thoughout this anchorage.
      Our heartfelt thanks to the excellent team at TowBoatU.S. Port Royal for safely turning around what could have been an even worse situation!
      Best and see you On the Water,
      Captains Mark & Diana Doyle
      http://www.OnTheWaterChartGuides.com

      Not To Be Used For Navigation

       

      Did I luck out! Two years ago, I anchored in that exact same spot (well, obviously, not exactly the same; I’d still be there).
      Donovan

      Click Here To Open A Chart View Window, Zoomed To A “Navigation Alert” Position on Wimbee Creek, Southeast of Chisolm

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    • Panama City, Florida Plans Redevelopment of the Downtown Marina

      The Panama City Marina is located on the intercoastal Waterway one block from Downtown Panama City. The Panama City Marina is a newly renovated 240-slip marina facility designed for all classes of ves Panama City Marina, A SALTY SOUTHEAST CRUISERS’ NET SPONSOR, is one of two facilities owned and operated by the City of Panama City, Florida. The marina is located directly on the Northern Gulf ICW, a short hop from Panama City Inlet, and only one block from the downtown Panama City business district. Panama City Marina is a newly renovated 240-slip marina facility designed for all classes of vessels, from 30 feet to 120 feet with drafts to 10 feet.

      Reprinted from the June 9th Panama City New Herald, Ali Helgoth, News Herald Writer.
      PANAMA CITY ‘” Panama City’s plans to redevelop the downtown marina include bringing private enterprise to help invigorate the area’s economy. But, before city officials can try to convince businesses to locate there, they have to convince state officials to allow it. Community Redevelopment Agency (CRA) Director William Whitson said he is hopeful discussions will go well and the issue will be resolved this summer, keeping the project on schedule.
      `The state talks about wanting economic development, so here’s a real opportunity to help create jobs and to partner together, and that’s what we’re hoping we can achieve out of this process,’ he said.
      The marina property was built up more than 50 years ago and leased to the city for public use. Commercial enterprises are not considered public purposes, so before the project can be a revenue generator, which is a goal, the lease must be changed.
      In a letter written earlier this week to Whitson, William Harrison, an attorney hired by the city to represent its interests in the process of changing the lease, outlined the recent history of the lease.
      In December 1991, the state leased the marina property `only for public purposes,’ and in January 2011 renewed the lease through 2018 for operation of the marina and boat ramp with an upland commercial marina, he wrote.
      Harrison is waiting for a determination from the state about whether a change in the lease is needed before the first phase of renovations can begin.
      What’s planned
      Phase one, which is still on schedule, includes rerouting parking for those who use the boat ramp, seawall repair and the lighthouse park, which will include a splash pad and an amphitheater, among other features. It is estimated to cost $3.92 million. The total cost of the project is estimated between $11 million and $28 million. The difference is attributed to questions about the extent of work needed to repair or replace the seawall. Changes to the submerged land lease likely would be needed before construction begins on the second phase. It includes improvements to the city park, the area between City Hall and the civic center, and at City Hall. There are pads identified for potential commercial use, and Mayor Greg Brudnicki has advocated relocating City Hall to allow the area to be used for commercial purposes. He has spoken in support for a major attraction, like an aquarium.
      During a CRA meeting at 4 p.m. Tuesday, Harrison will give an update on the process of changing the lease and explain the different avenues for commercial development on the marina. In his June 4 letter, Harrison wrote the city has two paths to reaching its objectives: be the developer or sublease specific locations for private development.
      Harrison recommended `the CRA as sub-lessor be given serious consideration.’
      Whitson said he’s not sure which way the CRA board, which is comprised of city commissioners, will want to go.
      `I don’t know yet,’ he said. `I think it’s kind of early yet to figure out exactly how we’re going to approach this.’

      Panama City Marina

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

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    • Detailed Report on AICW/Little Mud River Problem Stretch (Statute Mile 655)

      The detailed, in-depth posting below is provided to the Salty Southeast Cruisers’ Net courtesy of our good friends, Captains Diana and Mark Doyle, authors of the very popular “On the Water Chartguides” (see http://http://www.onthewaterchartguides.com/). Mark and Diana are currently wending their way north along the AICW, and will be sending periodic articles to the SSECN.
      Captains Mark and Diana are true professionals, and have a wealth of experience on how to research and report on coastal waters, particularly the AICW. The series of articles they are providing to the SSECN should prove to be particularly valuable to ANYONE cruising the Waterway well into 2013!
      This posting concerns the Little Mud River section of the Georgia AICW. This “AICW Problem Stretch” is almost universally acknowledged to be the WORST of the worst for the entire run from Norfolk, VA to Miami, FL, or the other way around. This condition makes Diana and Mark’s article even MORE invaluable!!!

      Diana and I transited northbound through Little Mud River, GA this morning on about a third-tide and rising. Wolf Island, South has a Spring Tidal Range (STR) of 7.8 feet. Our plan was to run the range, then enter the river, staying mid-channel, honoring the aids.
      The entry range held good depths as can be seen on the first screenshot (13-16 feet at 2.7 feet above MLLW).
      This screenshot also underscores the fact that you don’t typically “Drive the TV” ‘¦ the Magenta Line or the charted channels ‘¦ exactly. That would be a good way to get into trouble, especially in Georgia. On the entrance range, we were quite a bit off the charted channel center line.
      My course line is dead-on Range B, presumably marking the deepest water.
      The second screenshot shows a known trouble spot just north of G195. You can see some 6- to 7-foot soundings here ‘¦ which translates to less than 4 feet at low water (soundings made at 2.8 feet above MLLW and rising).
      The third screenshot shows another area of concern, around G193. At this daybeacon, and about 200 yards northwest, you’ll see some 8- and 9-foot soundings. These translate to less than 5 feet at low water (3.1 feet above MLLW).
      No recommendation being made here. Just sharing data. The Salty Southeast Cruisers’ Net, Active Captain, Waterway Guide, and others sources also have data you may want to factor into your departure, transit, or piloting decisions.
      As Captain, you’re in charge of driving the bus … and your mileage will certainly vary.
      Mark & Diana Doyle

      I hope you are alerting the ‘˜authorities’ to your very believeable data. It may help getting some dredging started.
      Bob Kassal

      Not To Be Used For Navigation

      Not To Be Used For Navigation

      Not To Be Used For Navigation

      Click Here To View the Cruisers’ Net’s “AICW Problem Stretches” Listing For Little Mud River

      Click Here To Open A Chart View Window, Zoomed To This AICW Problem Stretch

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    • Salty Southeast Cruisers’ Net Garners Welcome Recognition on Panbo.com

      If you have never heard of panbo.com, let me just quickly say that it is, without a doubt, the premiere, on-line marine electronics blog/web site in the world. Founder and editor, Ben Ellison, is a force to be reckoned with in the world of marine products and services. His web site/blog is carefully watched by almost all the “heavy hitters” in the marine industry.

      So, it was with tremendous excitement and satisfaction when we learned earlier this week that Panbo had honored the SSECN with a very laudatory review of our web site in general, and our implementation of the ARGUS sounding data in particular.

      Ben Ellison

      Equally encouraging was Ben’s comparison of the Salty Southeast Cruisers’ Net with some of our competitors. After reading his article, we think you will agree that the SSECN comes off very well indeed.

      You can read the entire Panbo review at:

      http://www.panbo.com/archives/2012/06/crowdsourced_soundings_on_the_icw_cruisersnet_more.html

      However, for those who have limited time, please allow us to present some snippets from Capt. Ellison’s article:

      “As a guy who may actually cruise the Intracoastal Waterway this fall (as opposed to last year, when I only talked about it!), I’m delighted that there’s so much competition to collect and share relevant information about it. A particularly notable development is the way CruisersNet.net has teamed with Survice Engineering and EarthNC to overlay the former’s “Argus” volunteer-collected and tide-corrected depth data onto the latter’s slick online charting engine, along with lots of other valuable CruiserNet info.”

      ” . . . at least on my Internet connection changing layers, panning, and zooming are all quite snappy. What you’ll see is some current ICW depth detail that could be darn useful for visualizing the issues ahead, especially as it’s color coded.”

      “Also seen on the screen above is some anchorage info that might be helpful to someone who didn’t want to overnight at the Coinjock marinas just north of this spot. These are not shown on ActiveCaptain, which may well be because CruiserNet is edited by Claiborne Young, who used to write print guides to the ICW and is now enthusiastically trying to provide the same thorough coverage online and with reader assistance. As wonderful as pure crowd sourcing can be, I’ve always thought that there was still room for pros . . . “

      Many THANKS to Ben Ellison for these wonderful words. It’s not hard to understand why we find this development to be tremendously exciting

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    • ARGUS Data Updated

      On 5/11/12, the Salty Southeast Cruisers’ Net proudly announced a tri-partnership with Survice Engineering and EarthNC, which resulted in our web site being the first readily available web portal to display ARGUS sounding data. Suddenly, SSECN users could click a simple checkbox, thereby opening a new ARGUS layer, set over up-to-date images of the NOAA nautical charts. Once selected, the ARGUS layer displays color coded markers which depict the tide corrected solution of soundings gathered by ARGUS cooperative research vessels. ARGUS is another invaluable resource for the Southeastern USA cruising community, helping to make all mariner’s time on the water a safer and more enjoyable experience.

      Now, we are also very pleased to announce that Survice Engineering has just provided us with a new “solution set,” bringing fresher and even more numerous sounding data to our ARGUS chart layer. Our good friend, and EarthNC co-founder, Virgil Zetterlind, has worked through the weekend to implement the new Survice Engineering sounding data, and, as of this morning, 6/4/12, all new information is fully integrated into our system.

      If you have not yet tried our new ARGUS layer, or just need a refresher on how to take advantage of this wonderful new capability, please follow this link:

      /?p=87322

      Everyone please take advantage of and enjoy the safer cruising experience that ARGUS brings to all of us!

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    • Beach House Marina to Close, Surf City, NC, AICW Statute Mile 260.5

      The approach channel to Beach House Marina cuts southeast from the Waterway, southwest of unlighted marker #69, and just northeast of the Surf City swing bridge.

      Cruising News:
      Check www.wect.com for closing news on Beach House Marina, Surf City NC.
      Capt Mike Wilmington NC

      And this from the Pender-Topsail News and Voice and WWAY:

      SURF CITY, NC (WWAY) — A marina in Surf City is closing, but the tenants are not the only ones affected. As the Pender-Topsail News & Voice was first to report, Wells Fargo, which owns Surf City Beach House Marina, delivered the news to people who keep their boat there yesterday.
      “It’s been a pleasure being able to promote our entire village,” business owner Capt. David Luther said. “That’s gone now.”
      For Luther and other tenants of the Beach House Marina, the past few days have been a whirlwind. Luther found out Tuesday he has to move his boats, one of which he lives on, by June 19. It’s a tough situation for him as he runs entertainment cruises from the Belle of Topsail and the pirate ship Raven.
      “We’ve gotten very involved with all the businesses around here, because surprisingly enough, this marina feeds business,” Luther said. “We get back in at 8 p.m. because we do a sunset cruise, and at 8 p.m. you have been out having a good time, what do you want to do? Go somewhere else.”
      Capt. Luther and his business are not the only ones affected by the closure of the marina. There are also those who own and live on boats here that will have to relocate.
      “I really don’t have any plans,” tenant David Avery said. “We’re looking and trying to find out. We’ll probably have to moor here for a while until we find another place to go or figure out what’s going on… at least till my daughter gets done with school.”
      Tenants have signed leases, and Capt. Luther even bought $30,000 worth of advertising promoting the location. They say it’s a nightmare they wish was not happening.
      “I put everything I had into this, and then for them to come and give me 20 days to get the hell out, that’s painful,” Luther said.
      Surf City Mayor Zander Guy says he does not want to see this happen. He says the town is looking into alternate options for the boats.

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

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

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    • Good Words for Inlet Marina (Statute Mile 775.5)

      Small, but super-friendly Inlet Marina (A SALTY SOUTHEAST CRUISERS’ NET SPONSOR), overlooks the eastern shores of the AICW, just north of St. Augustine Inlet, and only a hop, skip and a jump south of the Vilano Beach Bridge. While Captain Jay lacks transient dockage, Inlet Marina boasts some of the best fuel prices around, and when it comes to enthusiasm for welcoming cruisers, these good people are in the very top tier!
      Don’t forget, you also can restock your galley while the tanks are being filled at a nearby (within walking distance), newly opened Publix Supermarket, only two blocks away. What’s not to love!

      Great fuel stop and a nice new restaurant.
      Friendly service with easy entry and exit right on the ICW. Best fuel prices in St. A with the noted discounts.
      Love the afternoon music at Beaches the attached restaurant.
      Jason Martin

      Click Here To View the Cruisers’ Net’s Eastern Florida Marina Directory Listing For Inlet Marina

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

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