East Coast Alerts
By Mel Neale
September 7, 2006

Italicized text indicates our comment. Plain text is copied from the Notices to Mariners or other sources given.

Georgia ICW Continues to Shoal, with NO DREDGING in Sight:
The USACE Savannah District has published its latest survey (August 23, 2006) of ICW depths. The full report is too long to publish here, but suffice it to say, that much of the Georgia ICW is nowhere near the 12 foot “Authorized Project Depth” for the Atlantic Intracoastal Waterway between Norfolk and Ft. Pierce. After more than five years of no federal funding for dredging between Port Royal Sound, SC and the Florida line (except for areas where commerce or military presence “justify” money spent--like the Savannah River and Cumberland Sound), the ICW is not passable at low tide for many boats. And it is getting WORSE. Given, there is a tidal range of 6 to 9 feet in most of the area, but we cannot always wait for the tide. Some of the shallow areas (for example, Hells Gate and Elba Island Cut) have been remarked through deeper water. For other areas (for example, Little Mud River and Jekyll Creek), there is no deeper water to be found. There is no funding proposed for FY 2007 for dredging in Georgia, only enough to conduct surveys such as this.

A few of the shallowest areas (at MLW; depth given here is for centerline of channels only; in most cases the left and right quarters of the channel are shallower):

Fields Cut--5.5 ft (Mile 573.3-576)

Hells Gate--5.0 ft (Mile 601.4-602.4)

Florida Passage--6.0 ft (Mile 605.9-608.5)

Little Mud River--5.0 ft (Mile 653-656.4)

Altamaha Sound--5.0 ft (Mile 656.4-660.1)

Buttermilk Sound DM “216A”-- 7.0 ft (Mile 661.9-662.1)

Buttermilk Sound DM “216A”-“223”-- 4.0 ft (Mile 662.1-664.5)

Jekyll Creek--3.5 ft (Mile 680.9-685.9)

Also surveyed was the Alternate Route (to bypass St. Andrew Sound): controlling MLW depth is2.5 ft. in Umbrella Creek, a part of this route.

Check http://www.sas.usace.army.mil/navrprts.htm for the full report.

New Anchorage Areas Proposed in Casco Bay and Camden Harbor, Maine:
Two attachments to USCG 1 st District LNM 35 ask for public comments on proposed changes in the anchorage areas for boats 65 feet in length and under in the two above mentioned harbors. They do not give specifics for changes.

DATES: Comments and related material must reach the Coast Guard on or before October 10, 2006.

ADDRESSES: You may mail comments and related material to Commander dpw) (CGD01-06-084), First Coast Guard District, 408 Atlantic Ave.,

Boston , MA 02110 , or deliver them to room 628 at the same address between 8 a.m. and 3 p.m., Monday through Friday, except Federal holidays. Comments and material received from the public, as well as documents indicated in this preamble as being available in the docket, will become part of this docket and will be available for inspection or copying at room 628, First Coast Guard District Boston, between 8 a.m. and 3 p.m., Monday through Friday, except Federal holidays.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Mr. John J. Mauro, Commander (dpw), First Coast Guard District, 408 Atlantic Ave., Boston, MA 02110,Telephone (617) 223-8355 or e-mail at John.J.Mauro@uscg.mil .

Ernesto Hit Hard in Virginia:
We know, we were there. Check the article at http://www.wvec.com/sharedcontent/APStories/stories/D8JVFC983.html. The marina where we were docked is in the area mentioned here as being particularly hard hit. Luckily, we had moved our boat to a much more protected area.

Hampton Roads/Norfolk Harbor Warning for Snowbirds:
This warning was contained in the USCG 5 th District LNM 35: COMPLETION DATE FOR DEGAUSSING RANGE EQUIPMENT UPGRADES IS NOW EXTENDED THROUGH 17 SEP 06. ANTICIPATE AVAILABILITY OF

CHECK RANGING SERVICES (DEGAUSSING RUNS) AT SEWELLS POINT DEGAUSSING RANGE COMMENCING 02 OCT 2006. NAVAL STATION NORFOLK DEGAUSSING RANGE EXTENSIVE UPGRADES INCLUDES UNDERWATER CABLING AND EQUIPMENT INSTALLATION. IN ORDER TO COMPLETE THIS SIGNIFICANT UPGRADE, CROFTON DIVING CORPORATION CONTINUES WITH CABLE LAYING OPERATIONS IN THE NORFOLK HARBOR ENTRANCE REACH. A 200 YARD RADIUS SAFETY ZONE CONTINUES TO BE IN EFFECT IN POSIT LAT 36-58.92N LONG 076-19.28W (DEGAUSSING RANGE). THE SAFETY ZONE IS IN EFFECT FROM 0600-2100 LOCAL DAILY. THE ESTABLISHED SAFETY ZONE ALTER THE NORMAL INBOUND AND OUTBOUND NAVIGATIONAL TRACKS TO ALL VESSELS. ANCHORAGES G-4 AND F REMAIN AVAILABLE FOR NAVIGATIONAL TRANSITS FOR ALL INBOUND AND OUTBOUND TRACKS. VESSELS SHOULD NOT ANCHOR IN G4 AND F ANCHORAGES DURING UPGRADE PERIOD. G-3 ANCHORAGE IS THE DESIGNATED EMERGENCY ANCHORAGE DURING THE UPGRADE. FOR ALL OTHER ANCHORING EVOLUTIONS, PLEASE CONTACT REGIONAL PORT OPS ADMIN FOR SCHEDULING SERVICES. IN THE EVENT THAT A VESSEL MUST TRANSIT THROUGH THE SAFETY ZONE, UNITS ARE REQUIRED TO CONTACT THE CAPTAIN OF THE PORT VHF-16 FOR AUTHORIZATION TWO HOURS PRIOR TO ENTERING THE SAFETY ZONE AND ARE DIRECTED TO CONTACT CROFTON DIVING BARGE ON VHF-13 NO LESS THAN TWO HOURS PRIOR TO ARRIVAL. ORIGINATOR WILL ADVISE ALL FLEET UNITS VIA SEPCOR MSG ONCE RANGE UPGRADE IS COMPLETE AND NORMAL NAVIGATIONAL TRACKS/SHIP MOVEMENT CAN BE RE-ESTABLISHED. Chart: 12245.

Among other things, this means for “Snowbirds” that ships passing the Degaussing Range (on the Portsmouth side of the channel, just beyond the Coast Guard Station and across from Sewells Point, the “Restricted Area” colored purple on the chart) may not be on their usual track in and out of the harbor. Keep abreast of ship traffic by monitoring VHF 13 throughout the Hampton Roads/Norfolk/Portsmouth/Chesapeake, VA area. It is ordinarily very busy, but with any disruption of traffic from dredging or diving, things can be pretty dicey.

New River Crossing, NC, ICW Mile 246, New USACE Survey:
The latest USACE (September 1, 2006) survey of the New River Crossing at Mile 246 between markers “72” and “74” shows a least depth of 7.9 feet MLW in one small area. The remainder of the passage shows slightly less than 10 feet in a few places and deeper than 10 through most of it. The 7.9 foot spot is at the same point where it has been the shallowest for the past few years, just west of nun “72A” in the middle of the channel. There appears to be a mistake in numbering markers on the survey, as it shows two nuns numbered “72B”. The easternmost nun “72B” (the first one encountered, southbound) should be numbered “72A”. On some charts, mine included, red nun “72A” appears to be on the green side of the channel, and the magenta line is incorrectly drawn to show that it is left on the boat’s port side, southbound. Check this all out carefully before you take a deep draft boat through here. The survey can be viewed at http://www.saw.usace.army.mil/nav/bftcfr-s2.htm . This crossing has been dredged this summer, and the work was scheduled to be finished in early September. Consider calling TowBoatUS Swansboro or Coast Guard Swansboro for local knowledge.

Post-Ernesto Surveys by USACE Wilmington, NC:
Check http://www.saw.usace.army.mil/nav/storm.htm for surveys of some areas of the ICW in North Carolina, showing depths after the passage of TS Ernesto. While this is a great service for those of us using the waterways, the size of some of the files (one was more than 5 MB) make them impractical for download except with broadband speed.

Other North Carolina Post-Ernesto Shoaling (NOT on the ICW):
USCG 5 th District LNM 36 reports shoaling in two ocean inlet areas: A Army Corps of Engineers survey dated 01 September, 2006 indicates shoaling to a depth of 4 feet MLW between Hatteras Inlet Buoy 12 and Hatteras Inlet Buoy 13. Mariners should avoid transiting this area during periods of low water and exercise caution when transiting during other tidal periods.

Shoaling to a depth of 3.5 feet MLW has been reported between Teaches Hole Channel Lighted Buoy 20 and Teaches Hole Channel Lighted Buoy 22 (Ocracoke Inlet area). Mariners should avoid transiting this area during periods of low water and exercise caution when transiting during other tidal periods.

Shoaling in ICW at Old Topsail Creek, NC, near Mile 270:
The following is an exact quote from USCG 5 th District LNM 35 and 36 : Fear River Light 98 (LLNR 39545) and New River-Cape Fear River Buoy 99 (LLNR 39547). Mariners should avoid transiting this area during periodsof low water and exercise caution when transiting during other tidal periods. Chart: 11541.

When we passed here in May 2006 we observed the following: Green can “99” with yellow ICW marking is at the point where Old Topsail Creek crosses the ICW. It is at the location of the former green can “23” marking the end of the channel through that creek (which has recently been remarked). There has been shoaling in the ICW here for some time. A recent USACE survey of this area can be found at http://www.saw.usace.army.mil/nav/storm.htm. While it does not show the markers in the creek (aka Howards Channel) and that part of the ICW (markers “98” and “99”), it does show that the centerline and the left quarter (southbound) are 5 to 6 feet deep at MLW, but the right quarter (southbound) is deeper. We observed that there was also shoaling to around 5.5 feet at mean low water at Black Mud Channel, Mile 270.5, on the southwest side of the ICW channel. Black Mud Channel is now marked by green can “99A” with ICW marking. Just outside the ICW channel at green can “99A” there is a large mudflat bare at low tide.

Lake Okeechobee Water Level Continues to Drop:
In a Notice to Navigation Interests from the USACE Jacksonville District dated August 23, 2006 (before Ernesto) attached to the USCG 7 th District LNM 35, caution is urged as the “Lake Level” continues to average 12 feet and below. This translates to an “Available Depth” of just over six feet and a “Max Draft” of just over five feet. This is for Route 1. Route 2 (the Rim Canal) is still closed after almost a year, due to ongoing removal of Hurricane Wilma debris.

The Post-Ernesto depth was above 12 feet. Significant rainfall will change the situation. You can keep up to date by checking www.saj.usace.army.mil and pulling up the Navigation or Water Management selections from the menu. Or call the Clewiston Operations Office at 863 983 8191.

Indian River, Lagoon ( Florida) Water Low:
We have read reports that the water level in the Indian River Lagoon in Central Florida is about a foot lower than normal now. This body of water extends from north of the Haulover Canal near Titusville to the St Lucie River near Stuart. The tidal range here is minimal, except near the ocean inlets where there may be 1-1.5 ft. range. Wind direction and velocity, sea level and rainfall account for variations in the water level of the lagoon. Parts of the ICW channel in the lower Indian River are normally only 6 to 7 feet deep. This could all change with one hurricane or tropical storm. Check the article at http://www.floridatoday.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20060906/NEWS01/609060370/1006

This information is not to be used for navigation. Consult the latest charts and Local Notices to Mariners and use prudent seamanship. Conditions may change. Any person or entity that uses this information in any way, as a condition of that use, agrees to waive and does waive and also hold authors harmless from any and all claims which may arise from or be related to that use.  

Copyright 2004-2008 Tom Neale