Reports of shoaling south of Fernandina Beach have been coming in for several years prompting numerous comments. This shoaling and shifting channel lies c. two miles south of Fernandina Beach harbor just north of the Waterway’s turn into Kingsley Creek. Our thanks to Geologist Bill Aley for sending this buoy update. Note that these temporary buoys are not charted in our charts.

Here is the latest update from the local U.S. Coast Guard district: Three temporary navigation aids were placed last Friday, however, the old Navigation Aids will not be removed until sometime next month based on availability of their construction platform. Info for the newly placed navigation aids is as follows:

1. TEMPORARILY ESTABLISHED AMELIA RIVER BUOY 18A
A. SET 5NFR IN POSITION 30-39-52.591N / 081-29-07.904W (30°39.8765N / 081°29.1317W, 30.664609 / -81.485529) IN 14 FEET OF
WATER USING 45 FEET OF 1/2 INCH CHAIN AND 135LB DORMOR.

2. TEMPORARILY ESTABLISHED FERNANDINA BEACH BUOY 1A
A. SET 5CFR IN POSITION 30-39-46.402N / 081-29-05.211W (30°39.7733N / 081°29.0869W, 30.662889 / -81.484781) IN 15 FEET OF
WATER USING 45 FEET OF 1/2 INCH CHAIN AND 135LB DORMOR.

3. TEMPORARILY ESTABLISHED FERNANDINA BEACH BUOY 1B
A. SET 5CFR IN POSITION 30-39-36.579N / 081-29-09.632W (30°39.6097N / 081°29.1605W, 30.660161 / -81.486009) IN 15 FEET OF
WATER USING 45 FEET OF 1/2 INCH CHAIN AND 135LB DORMOR.

Bill Aley, P.G.
Professional Geologist
10151 Deerwood Park Blvd.
Bldg. 300, Suite 300
Jacksonville, FL 32256
Phone (904) 731-7040
Direct (904) 256 -1313
www.taylorengineering.com

And the Local Notice:

FLORIDA – AICW – ST SIMONS SOUND – TOLOMATO RIVER – AMELIA RIVER & FERNANDINA BEACH: Temporary Aids Established
The following aids had have been temporarily established after completion of dredging operations resulting in a channel shift to the west.
-Amelia River Buoy 18A in position 30-39-52.591N / 081-29-07.904W
(30°39.8765N / 081°29.1317W, 30.664609 / -81.485529)
-Fernandina Beach Buoy 1A in position 30-39-46.402N / 081-29-05.211W
(30°39.7733N / 081°29.0869W, 30.662889 / -81.484781)
-Fernandina Beach Buoy 1B in position 30-39-36.579N / 081-29-09.632W
(30°39.6097N / 081°29.1605W, 30.660161 / -81.486009)
Chart 11489 LNM 06/18

Click Here To Open A Chart View Window, Zoomed To the Location of Temporary Buoy 18A