East Coast Alerts
By Mel Neale
November 30, 2006

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

Further Notes from Chez Nous’ Trip South on the ICW:

The following information is based on our observation. It is not meant to be used for navigation. Changes may occur at anytime and conditions could be considerably different than reported here. Use prudent seamanship.

Adams Creek/Cedar Creek, NC, Mile 187.5, anchorage still had a sunken sailboat in it, with mast visible above the water.

The Danger white/orange Beacon marking the former Gallants Channel (where it has shoaled and has been closed for many years) outside the ICW near marker “35”, Mile 202, has been removed.

The bombing range north of Onslow Beach Bridge in the Camp Lejeune area, Mile 235 to 241, was active and closed from 8 a.m. till noon on the day we passed. This is the first time we have had to stop here in many years. The shoal at the ICW crossing with Browns Inlet at Mile 238 was around 6 ft deep at MLW. Friends who passed there a few days after us report that there was a dredge on scene, and working to clear out the shoal. Check for local knowledge.

Black Mud Channel Crossing with ICW at Mile 270.5 had around 7 ft, near mid-tide.

Carolina Beach Inlet Crossing had around 6 ft at low tide in narrow part between “154A” and “155”, Mile 293.5.

New River Crossing, Lockwoods Inlet Crossing and Shallotte Inlet Crossing were all recently dredged and had adequate depths.

We spent three days at Wacca Wache Marina on the Waccamaw River in SC, Mile 384, to wait out bad weather. It was a nice, friendly place, with an easy fuel dock, and very secure protection in the inside basin. With 50 knot northerly winds predicted for nearby Charleston Harbor, even the outside docks along the river were protected and secure.

At the well-known and dreaded shallow areas of the SC/GA ICW: Asheepoo-Coosaw Cutoff Canal exit at markers “184” and “185” Mile 518, Fields Cut/Savannah River exit at Mile 575.5, Hells Gate at Mile 602, Little Mud River, Mile 653-656, and Jekyll Creek Mile 681-684, we passed through all at close to mid-tide, with several feet of water under our 5-ft deep keel. We had no trouble with any, but we planned carefully to reach all near mid-tide, preferably rising. Allowing for the tidal range, depths seemed to be generally deeper than reported by other boaters and the USACE. We carefully followed a mid channel route through all, careful not to hug any marker too closely, and to follow the natural meander of the rivers. In planning an ICW passage through this area, tides, winds and lunar state (new moon and full moon produce greater tidal range, with higher highs and lower lows) must be considered. In our opinion, the ICW here can be a very user-friendly, doable passage for most cruising boats, with careful planning for the known shallow areas, and attention to the markers and natural flow of the rivers. Many southbound sailors, some without any previous off-shore experience, are now opting for the ocean passage to avoid the area between Charleston and St. Augustine, FL, often at considerable risk (ocean inlets, night cruising/sailing, fog, unpredictable seas and weather and short weather windows in the late fall). For most, this can be an unnecessary risk.

Racon Buoy to be Changed to AIS Broadcast Message:
From USCG 1 st District LNM 47: The Coast Guard is considering making the following change to Aids to Navigation to facilitate navigation in this waterway:

Change Kill van Kull Channel Junction Lighted Whistle Buoy KV from RACON: K to ATON Automatic Identification System (AIS) broadcasting AIS Message 21 which will send the aids name and position to AIS equipped users. Interested Mariners are strongly encouraged to comment on this proposal in writing, either personally or through their organization. All comments will be carefully considered and are requested prior to 16 December 2006 to facilitate the process. Refer to Docket No. 01-11-049. In addition to the address listed on the front cover ( COMMANDER, FIRST COAST GUARD DISTRICT (dpw), 408 Atlantic Avenue, Boston, Massachusetts 02110-3350) , e-mail can be sent to: Peter.J.Boardman@uscg.mil and faxes to (617) 223-8073.

ED Comment: Racon buoys show up distinctly and uniquely on everybody’s radar. In this case, the Morse Code for “K”, differentiating that particular buoy from other targets around it, would be very obvious on every radar screen. If this change takes place, then everybody who has radar, but does not have at least an AIS receiver, will not receive the special message. This is great for the big ships at sea as they all have AIS, but not for the little guys like normal everyday boaters. While the price for AIS receiving equipment has been coming down, not everyone who has radar can afford to update now.

Manasquan , NJ, Winter Bridge Closure Again:
The USCG 5 th District LNM 48 announces that the Coast Guard is temporarily changing the regulations that govern the operation of the Route 35 Bridge, at ICW mile 1.1, across Manasquan River, at Brielle, NJ. The temporary rule will maintain the bridge in the closed-to-navigation position on three four-month closure periods from 8 a.m. on November 1, 2006 until 5 p.m. on March 1, 2007; from 8 a.m. on November 1, 2007 until 5 p.m. on March 1, 2008; and from 8 a.m. on November 1, 2008 until 5 p.m. on March 1, 2009. The extensive structural, mechanical, and electrical repairs and improvements necessitate these closures. Copies of PUBLIC NOTICE 5-1064 which describes the temporary changes in detail can be obtained by writing to the above address (Commander (dpw) 5th Coast Guard District, 431 Crawford Street, Rm.100, Portsmouth, VA. 23704-5004), or by calling (757) 398-6629.

Chincoteague Channel Bridge , VA Coast, New Schedule:
From 5 th District LNM 48: Effective November 16, 2006, the Coast Guard is changing the regulations that govern the operation of the SR 175 Bridge across Chincoteague Channel, at mile 3.5, at Chincoteague Island, Virginia. The final rule will allow the bridge to open on demand from midnight to 6 a.m., and every one and a half hours from 6 a.m. to midnight (at 6 a.m., 7:30 a.m., 9 a.m., 10:30 a.m., 12 p.m., 1:30 p.m., 3 p.m., 4:30 p.m., 6 p.m., 7:30 p.m., 9 p.m., 10:30 p.m. and midnight); except from 7 a.m. to 5 p.m. on the last consecutive Wednesday and Thursday in July, the draw need not be opened. This change is necessary to help relieve vehicular traffic congestion and reduce traffic delays while still balancing for the needs of marine and vehicular traffic. Copies of PUBLIC NOTICE 5-1078 which describe the new regulations in detail can be obtained by writing to the above address (Commander (dpw) 5th Coast Guard District, 431 Crawford Street, Rm.100, Portsmouth, VA. 23704-5004) or by calling (757) 398-6629.

Upper Chesapeake Bay Light Towers to be Discontinued:
From USCG 5 th district LNM 48: The Coast Guard is soliciting for comments on the discontinuance of two (2) tower lights in the Chesapeake Bay, Maryland.

A. Tolchester Directional Light (LLNR 8525)

B. Worton Point Light (LLNR 8760)

Comments are to be submitted prior to 02 January, 2007.

Send comments to:

Commander (dpw)
5th Coast Guard District
431 Crawford Street , Rm.100
Portsmouth , VA. 23704-5004
Attn: Albert Grimes Or email to: Albert.L.Grimes@uscg.mil

Loran Testing:
The USCG 5 th District LNM 48 announces that THE NORTH EAST CHAIN (RATE 9960) and THE GREAT LAKES CHAIN (RATE 8970) WILL BE TESTING CHAIN OPERATIONS AND STABILITY UNDER TIME OF TRANSMISSION (TOT) CONTROL BEGINNING AT 0300 GMT ON 17 JANUARY 2007. AS THIS TRANSITION TAKES PLACE, USERS MAY NOTICE A SHIFT IN THEIR MEASURED TIME DIFFERENCES OR REPORTED LAT/LONG AS THE STATIONS TIMING VALUES ARE SET TO THEIR NOMINAL VALUES FOR THE DURATION OF THIS TEST. USERS SHOULD NOT EXPERIENCE ANY TRACKING ERRORS OR SERVICE INTERFERENCE DURING THE TEST. USERS WILL BE NOTIFIED OF ANY CHANGES TO THE TEST AND WHEN TESTING IS COMPLETED. LORAN USERS ARE ENCOURAGED TO REPORT ANY LORAN SERVICE OUTAGES THAT THEY MAY EXPERIENCE VIA THE NAVIGATION INFORMATION SERVICE (NIS) BY CALLING (703)313-5900 OR BY USING THE NAVCEN WEB SITE'S REPORT A LORAN PROBLEM WORKSHEET AT

WWW.NAVCEN.USCG.GOV.

Florida Bridge Update:

From USCG 7 th District LNMs 47 and 48:

Fuller Warren Bridge, Jacksonville:
The Captain of the Port Jacksonville advises all mariners that the navigable channel in the vicinity of the Old Fuller Warren Bridge will be periodically restricted for ongoing bridge demolition November 6th through December 9th, 2006. The navigable channel will be restricted to a 100 foot horizontal clearance from 7:00 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. during that time. Mariners requiring more than 100 foot horizontal clearance may request a full channel opening by contacting the Tug ST JOHNS and/or Tug BANTAM on VHF-FM channel 13, two hours in advance. All marine traffic should take caution when passing through this portion of the St. Johns River. This work is expected to continue until February 2007. Additional channel will be published at a later data.

Ernest F. Lyons Bridge , Mile 984.9:
The demolition of the Ernest F. Lyons ( Ocean Boulevard) Bridge, Atlantic Intracoastal Waterway mile 984.9, Martin County, Florida is scheduled to begin on September 27, 2006 and will continue until December 30, 2006. During this time period there will be periodic waterway closures and marine traffic delays. Updates will be provided via future Broadcasts and Local Notice to Mariners.

PGA Bridge , Mile 1012.6:
From LNM 48: Notice that the formerly announced closure (LNM 47 and previous) period in the first week in December is no longer part of this announcement.

The PGA Boulevard Bridge (SR 786), Intracoastal Waterway mile 1012.6, West Palm Beach, Florida is on single-leaf operations until February 28, 2007.

Due to ongoing construction the following bridge restrictions will be in place, at all other times this bridge will open a double-leaf on the hour and half-hour with a two hour notice to the bridge tender:

1. From 7:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. daily between November 13 and November 15, 2006, this bridge will be on single-leaf operations only on the hour and half-hour.

2. From 7:00 a.m. on November 16 through 10:00 a.m. on November 18, 2006, this bridge will be on single-leaf operations only on the hour and half-hour.

3. In January 2007, the contractor will need to close the bridge for a 48 hour period. The exact dates will be published in a future Local Notice to Mariners.

New River, Ft. Lauderdale, Bridge Schedule Change Begins December 8, 2006:
The Coast Guard is changing the operating regulation governing the operation of the SE. Third Avenue, Andrews Avenue and Marshal (Seventh Avenue) bridges across the New River, miles 1.4, 2.3, and 2.7 and the regulations governing the operation of the Davie Boulevard (SW. Twelfth Street) bridge across the New River, South Fork, mile 0.9, Fort Lauderdale, Broward County, Florida

DATES: This rule is effective December 8, 2006.

Final Rule

Sec. 117.313 New River.

(a) The draw of the S.E. Third Avenue bridge, mile 1.4 at Fort Lauderdale shall open on signal; except that, from 7:30 a.m. to 9 a.m. and 4:30 p.m. to 6 p.m., Monday through Friday, except Federal holidays, the draw need not open. Public vessels of the United States, tugs with tows, and vessels in distress shall be passed at any time.

(b) The draw of the Andrews Avenue bridge, mile 2.3 at Fort Lauderdale, shall open on signal; except that, from 7:30 a.m. to 9 a.m. and 4:30 p.m. to 6 p.m., Monday through Friday, except Federal holidays, the draw need not open. The draw need not open for inbound vessels when the draw of the Florida East Coast Railroad bridge, mile 2.5 at Fort Lauderdale is in the closed position for the passage of a train. Public vessels of the United States, tugs with tows, and vessels in distress shall be passed at any time.

(c) The draw of the Marshal (Seventh Avenue) bridge, mile 2.7 at Fort Lauderdale shall open on signal; except that, from 7:30 a.m. to 9 a.m. and 4:30 p.m. to 6 p.m., Monday through Friday, except Federal holidays, the draw need not open. Public vessels of the United States, tugs with tows, and vessels in distress shall be passed at any time.

Sec. 117.315 New River, South Fork.

(a) The draw of the Davie Boulevard ( SW. Twelfth Street) bridge, mile 0.9 at Fort Lauderdale shall open on signal; except that, from 7:30 a.m. to 9 a.m. and 4:30 p.m. to 6 p.m., Monday through Friday, except Federal holidays, the draw need not open. Public vessels of the United States, tugs with tows, and vessels in distress shall be passed at any time..

Canaveral Lock Delays:
From a Notice to Navigation Interests, USACE Jacksonville, Nov. 8, 2006, published in the USCG 7 th District LNM 47:

Navigation interests are advised that Canaveral Lock will have lockage delays up to two hours during weekday operations Monday through Friday during the hours 0700-1700 from November 15, 2006, through February 2007.

This is for scheduled maintenance on the timber guide walls. USACE point of contact is the Canaveral Lock staff at 321 783 5421.

Key Biscayne, FL, Ocean Side:
From USCG 7 th District LNM 48: Eighteen (18) inch yellow special purpose work buoys will be deployed in and within the immediate vicinity of the Atlantis (Reef) Project Site to facilitate construction. These buoys will be periodically relocated until the project is completed. The project is located between Latitudes 25 deg 41'900N and 25 deg 42.050W, Longitudes 080 deg 05.320N and 080 deg 05.480W.

New Fishing Ban in the Dry Tortugas:
From an article by Bill Kaczor, Associated Press — Nov. 17, 2006:

This creates the largest marine reserve in North America….

Gov. Jeb Bush and his Cabinet voted…to approve a management plan banning fishing in a 61-square-mile section of Dry Tortugas National Park in the Gulf of Mexico and Florida Straits about 75 miles west of Key West. The new Research Natural Area will be added to the existing Tortugas Ecological Reserve, where fishing has been prohibited since 2001. Combined, the two areas will prohibit fishing in 261 square miles.

The plan is designed to help overfished species such as grouper and red snapper recover. It also will provide scientists with a living laboratory, and divers and other visitors with recreational and educational opportunities.

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