East Coast Alerts
By Mel Neale
March 8, 2007

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

Old EPIRBS Prohibited:
From Seventh District USCG LNM 10: Mariners are advised that as of January 1, 2007 the operation of Class A, B, and S EPIRBs (Emergency Position Indicating Radio Beacons) is PROHIBITED. Refer to 47 CFR Parts 80.1051 through 80.1059. FCC regulations that prohibit the operation of EPIRBs that transmit on the 121.5 MHz and 243 MHz frequencies are part of a phased plan to remove all distress alerting beacons operating on these frequencies prior to February 1, 2009 when satellite detection of these frequencies will terminate. Owners of Class A, B, or S 121.5 MHz EPIRBS are encouraged to replace these beacons with Category I or Category II 406 MHz beacons as soon as possible. When taking obsolete beacons out of service, owners must remove and properly dispose of batteries to prevent future false alerts from occurring. Beacon owners in the U.S. are required by law to register their 406 MHz beacons in the national database operated by NOAA at: www.beaconregistration.noaa.gov or by calling 1-888-212-SAVE. All beacon owners are reminded to carefully follow their specific beacon manufacturer’s instructions when conducting tests of emergency beacons to prevent false alerts.

New Bridges in North Carolina:
It’s about time that the last ancient ailing and frequently aground pontoon bridge on the Atlantic ICW got replaced. Here’s the Public Notice that just came out in the USCG 5 th District LNMs 09 and 10, and let’s hope that comments are favorable.

The U.S. Coast Guard has received an application for a bridge permit from the North Carolina Department of Transportation (NCDOT) for approval of the location and plans for the replacement of the SR 1172/Sunset Boulevard (swing-type) Bridge over the AICW at mile 337.9, in Sunset Beach, Brunswick County, NC, with a new high-level fixed bridge at the same location. The Town of Sunset Beach has requested that NCDOT set aside a portion of the existing bridge (approximately 105 feet in length) on the mainland side of the waterway for public park development and to serve as a public fishing pier. The proposed vertical clearance of the new bridge is 65 feet above mean high water. The proposed horizontal clearance is 90 feet on a skew between the margins of channel lights. A fender system will not be constructed as part of the project. Comments on this proposal should be forwarded to the above address attention COMMANDER, FIFTH COAST GUARD DISTRICT (dpw) 431 Crawford Street, Portsmouth, Virginia 23704 (dpb) no later than March 24, 2007. Copies of Public Notice 5-1084, which describe the proposal in detail, can be obtained by writing to the above address or by calling (757) 398-6629.

This bridge will be off the beaten track for most transients, but public comment is always helpful, especially if you are local to the area and will be affected by the new construction.

The U.S. Coast Guard has received an application for a bridge permit from the North Carolina Department of Transportation (NCDOT) for approval of the location and plans for the construction of the new US 17/Washington Bypass Bridge, at mile 37.95, over Tar River between the cities of Chocowinity and Washington, in Beaufort County, NC. The proposed vertical clearance of the new bridge is 45 feet above mean high water. The proposed horizontal clearance is 60 feet on a skew between the margins of channel lights. The proposed bridge will be designed for vessel impact, a fender system will not be constructed as part of the project and navigational lighting will be provided. Comments on this proposal should be forwarded to the above address attention (dpb) no later than March 29, 2007. Copies of Public Notice 5-1087, which describe the proposal in detail, can be obtained by writing to the above address or by calling (757) 398-6422.

No Openings of the AMTRAK Bridge in Havre de Grace, MD, March 30 and June 8: From the same LNMs: Mariners are advised that structural repairs will be conducted at the AMTRAK (Swing) Bridge, at mile 1.0, across the Susquehanna River between Perryville and Havre de Grace, MD. To facilitate of the renewal of 3,184 bridge timbers as well as the installation of new rail and expansion joints, the swing span will remain closed to marine traffic beginning at 6 p.m. on Friday, March 30, 2007 until and including 6 p.m. on Friday, June 8, 2007. The available vertical clearance in the closed-to-navigation position is approximately 52 feet, above mean high water. Mariners able to pass under the closed span should use extreme caution when transiting the area.

SAVANNAH RIVER RANGES TO BE UPGRADED:
From USCG 7 th District LNM 09 and 10:

The following change to the Aids to Navigation System will be made in the Savannah River.

Lower Flats Range Front Light (LLNR 4830): will be changed to a 24 hour range displaying Quick Flashing Red characteristics. The aid is lighted throughout 24 hours and will be visible 1.5 degree each side of the rangeline. The range boards will be removed.

Lower Flats Range Rear Light (LLNR 4835): will be changed to a 24 hour range displaying ISO 6s Red characteristics. The aid is lighted throughout 24 hours and will be visible 1.5 degree each side of the rangeline. The range boards will be removed.

Fort Jackson Lower Range Front Light (LLNR 4945): will be changed to a 24 hour range displaying Quick Flashing White characteristics. The aid is lighted throughout 24 hours and will be visible 1.5 degree each side of the rangeline. The range boards will be removed.

Fort Jackson Lower Range Rear Light (LLNR 4895): will be changed to a 24 hour range displaying ISO 6s White characteristics. The aid is lighted throughout 24 hours and will be visible 1.5 degree each side of the rangeline. The range boards will be removed.

Elba Island Basin Range Front Light (LLNR 4890): will be changed to a 24 hour range displaying Quick Flashing White characteristics. The aid is lighted throughout 24 hours and will be visible 4 degree each side of the rangeline. The range boards will be removed.

Elba Island Basin Range Rear Light (LLNR 4895): will be changed to a 24 hour range displaying ISO 6s White characteristics. The aid is lighted throughout 24 hours and will be visible 4 degree each side of the rangeline. The range boards will be removed.

The work is schedule to be completed the weeks of 02 April 2007.

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