East Coast Alerts
By Mel Neale
December 28, 2006

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

New Casco Bay, ME Anchoring Regulations:
From the USCG 1 st District 51: The Coast Guard hereby amends the special anchorage area in Falmouth, Maine, Casco Bay. This action is necessary to facilitate safe navigation and provide mariners a safe and secure anchorage for vessels of not more than 65 feet in length. This action is intended to increase the safety of life and property on Casco Bay, improve the safety of anchored vessels, and provide for the overall safe and efficient flow of vessel traffic and commerce.

DATES: This rule is effective December 18, 2006.

Sec. 110.5 Casco Bay, Maine.

* * * * *

(d) Mussel Cove and adjacent waters at Falmouth Foreside, Falmouth. All of the waters enclosed by a line beginning at the Dock House (F.S.) located at latitude 43[deg]44'22'' N, longitude 70[deg]11'41'' W; thence to latitude 43[deg]44'19'' N, longitude 70[deg]11'33'' W; thence to latitude 43[deg]44'00'' N, longitude 70[deg]11'44'' W; thence to latitude 43[deg]43'37'' N, longitude 70[deg]11'37'' W; thence to latitude 43[deg]43'04'' N, longitude 70[deg]12'13'' W; thence to latitude 43[deg]41'56'' N, longitude 70[deg]12'53'' W; thence to latitude 43[deg]41'49'' N, longitude 70[deg]13'05'' W; thence to latitude 43[deg]42'11'' N, longitude 70[deg]13'30'' W; thence along the shoreline to the point of beginning. DATUM: NAD 83. Note to paragraph (d). The area designed by paragraph (g) of this section is reserved for yachts and other small recreational craft. Fore and aft moorings will be allowed in this area. Temporary floats or buoys for marking anchors or moorings in place will be allowed. Fixed mooring piles or stakes are prohibited. All moorings must be so placed so that no vessel when anchored is at any time extended into the thoroughfare. All anchoring in the area is under the supervision of the local harbor master or such other authority as may be designated by the authorities of the Town of Falmouth, Maine. For further information go to: http://frwebgate3.access.gpo.gov/cgi-bin/waisgate.cgi?WAISdocID=5421052716+10+0+0&WAISaction=retrieve

East River , NY Construction and Closures:
Also from the USCG 1 st District LNM 51: Weeks Marine will be conducting operations in the East Channel of the East River between the Queensboro Bridge and Roosevelt Island Bridge through approximately January 13, 2007. Operations will take place from 0700 to 1700, using a spud barge and support vessel. This portion of the East River is CLOSED TO ALL TRAFFIC except for commercial vessels making deliveries to the Keyspan Ravenswood facility. Mariners are advised to plan accordingly and transit the area with caution using the West Channel. All work vessels will be lit and remain on scene overnight.

Construction closures of the West Channel of the East River previously reported in East Coast Alerts are due to expire on December 29, 2006, according to the above LNM.

Dredging Continues in Cape May Inlet, NJ:
The USCG 5 th District LNM 52 reminds us that the Dredge LEXINGTON will be conducting dredging operations in the Cape May Inlet Channel from 23 October, 2006 until 15 January, 2007. The dredges will monitor marine VHF channels 13 and 16.

Dredging in Norfolk, VA, Restricts Channel Width:
5th District LNM 52 states that the DREDGE ESSEX is currently conducting dredging operations inside the Norfolk Reach Channel until March 2007. As the dredge and associated equipment may significantly reduce the channel width in some locations, mariners are requested to contact the DREDGE ESSEX on VHF chl 13 at least one hour prior to entering the channel and should use extreme caution when transiting this area.

North Carolina Bridge Closure Update:  

We were told today, December 28, 2006 by the 5 th District Bridge Office that there would be no early January closure for the Sunset Beach Pontoon Bridge, Mile 337.9, as previously announced in the 5 th District LNM 50, and in the 7 th District LNM 51 and 52 Bridge Enclosure and reported in the December 14, 2006 East Coast Alerts.

Figure Eight Island Bridge , Mile 278.1, to Close for 48 Hours:
The following information is from the USCG 5 th District LNM 52 and was confirmed today, December 28, 2006 by the 5 th District Bridge Office:

Mariners are advised that the Figure Eight Swing Bridge, at AICW mile 278.1, at Scotts Hill, NC, will be closed-to-navigation from 7 a.m. on Wednesday, January 3, 2007 until and including 7 a.m. on Friday, January 5, 2007. The drawbridge will be closed to vessels to perform needed mechanical and structural repairs. To avoid delays, mariners should adjust their schedule accordingly. Chart: 1154.

Surf City Bridge , Mile 260.7 Nighttime Closure:
The following is a correction to information on the Surf City Bridge closure contained in the 5 th District LNM 52. We received it today, December 28, 2007 from the 5 th District Bridge Office:

The U.S. Coast Guard received a request for bridge closure from the North Carolina Department of Transportation. The request would secure the US 50 Surf City Bridge, mile 260.7 Intracoastal waterway, Surf City, N.C. to marine traffic from 9 p.m. January 3, 2007 to 5 a.m. on January 4 2007 and from 9 p.m. on January 4, to 5 a.m. on January 5, 2007 to accommodate removal of concrete slabs from the superstructure over the waterway. To avoid delays, mariners should plan their trips accordingly.

Dredging for Beaches in NC:
The USCG 5 th District LNM 52 states that the Hopper Dredges LIBERTY ISLAND and DODGE ISLAND will be conducting dredging operations in the vicinity of Emerald Isle and the beaches of Indian Beach and Pine Knoll Shores. Dredge material will be pumped onto the site beaches via a submerged pipeline. Operations will commence on or about 24 December, 2006 and conclude on or about 15 April, 2007. The dredges and assist vessels Tug SEA BEAR, survey vessel ST. JOHNS RIVER, derrick barge DERRICK 60 may be contacted on VHF-FM Channels 13 and 16.

Dredging for Beaches in SC:
The 7 th District LNM 51 contained the below announcement, placed just before that famous announcement that “Due to the limited commercial use of the Atlantic Intracoastal Waterway between Port Royal Sound, South Carolina (Mile 552) and Cumberland Sound, Georgia (Mile 713), the Savannah District will not receive funds to maintain the waterway to the authorized depths. The District will monitor the conditions of the waterway and publish quarterly condition reports. Mariners are to use extreme caution when transiting the waterway until further notice.” (This announcement has been in every 7 th District LNM for more than three years.)

Dredging for Beaches Announcement: Great Lakes Dredge and Dock Company has commenced mobilization of pipelines and equipment in the Chechessee River for the second stage of a beach renourishment project at Hilton Head Beach, Hilton Head, South Carolina. The project consists of dredging sand from the offshore borrow site at Barrett Shoals and utilizing a series of pipelines extending from the borrow area to the south end of Hilton Head Island. This series of pipelines will include pontoon pipeline behind the dredge ILLINIOS, submerged sections of pipeline lying on the bottom of the ocean floor, and pipeline running parallel down stretches of beach. A staging area for the pipelines, various barges, and work vessels will be setup in Calibogue Sound. All pieces of equipment and pipeline will be marked and lighted. The coordinates for the four corners of the staging area are as follows:

Latitude: 32 deg 09-29.58N Longitude: 080 deg 49-30.98W

Latitude: 32 deg 09-19.62N Longitude: 080 deg 49-13.89W

The dredge ILLINIOS, tender tugs and survey vessel will be monitoring VHF Channels 8, 13, and 14. All operations will be twenty-four (24) hours a day, seven (7) days per week, until completion on or about January 31, 2007. All mariners are requested to use extreme caution while transiting the area. For further information please contact Mr. Garrett Gibson at (843) 342-3644 (office) or (630) 215-4222 (cell).

Dredging at Halifax Harbor Marina, Daytona Beach:
USCG 7 th District LNM 51 announces that Subaqueous Services has commenced dredging operations at the Halifax Harbor Marina in the Halifax River, Daytona Beach, Florida. Dredging will be limited to the Halifax Marina Area and will not interfere with channel traffic. The operations will be during daylight hours (7:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m.), Monday through Friday. Mariners can contact Subaqueous services at (407) 926-7796 for further information.

Waterway Analysis in South Central Florida:
The following announcement has been in several recent 7th District LNMs: The U.S. Coast Guard is conducting a Waterways Analysis and Management System (WAMS) study of the Intracoastal Waterway (ICW) between mile marker 925 at Palm Bay, Fl and mile marker 1006.2 at Jupiter Inlet, Florida. The study focuses on the area's aid to navigation, waterborne commerce, marine casualty information, port, harbor resources, emergency response plans, routine and emergency communication capabilities, and future development projects. Any company or individual wishing to provide comments or participate in a user survey should contact USCG Sector Miami Waterways Management Division WAMS Officer CWO2 William Weaver by the close of business 15 February 2006. CWO2 William Weaver can be contacted at Sector Miami, Florida at (305) 535-4311, via e-mail at: William.C.Weaver@uscg.mil or via mail at: Commander (WAMS), USCG Sector Miami, 100 MacAuthur Causeway, Miami Beach, Florida 33139, Attn: CWO2 W. Weaver.

The Coast Guard encourages your comments; your input is important. Various officials have told us in the past that there are often very few comments from boaters regarding public notices and changes in regulations.

Broad Causeway Bridge, Mile 1081.4, Miami, Nighttime Closure:
The Bridge Enclosure to the USCG 7 th District LNM 52 states that the Broad Causeway Bridge across the Intracoastal Waterway mile 1081.4, Miami-Dade County, Florida will be closed to navigation from 10:00 p.m. on January 11 to 5:00 a.m. on January 12, 2007, due to maintenance.

Sunken Obstruction Near Marine Stadium, Miami:
Boaters using this anchorage should note that the USCG 7 th District LNM 51 carried the following warning: The Coast Guard has received a report of a submerged crane in the vicinity of the Marine Stadium near Biscayne Bay, Miami, Florida. The approximate position: 25 deg 44.69N 080 deg 10.14W. All mariners are advised to exercise caution while transiting the area.

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