East Coast Alerts
By Mel Neale
August 23, 2007

New USACE Surveys Show More Shallow Water in ICW, SC and Georgia:

The latest Savannah District USACE quarterly surveys of the ICW between Port Royal Sound, SC and the Florida line confirm that the same old spots are continuing to shoal.

The list of surveyed areas is too long to reprint here. The surveys give three readings: the West quarter, Centerline of the channel and the East quarter. Depths are in feet at MLW. Following are a few of the shallower areas:

Fields Cut, SC (Mile 573.3-576.0): West quarter: 6.0 ft, Centerline: 6.0 ft, East quarter: 6.5 ft.

Hell Gate, GA (Mile 601.4-602.4): West quarter: 6.0 ft, Centerline: 2.0 ft, East quarter: 0.0 ft.

Florida Passage, GA (Mile 605.9-608.5): West quarter: 7.0 ft, Centerline: 6.0 ft, East quarter: 6.0 ft.

Little Mud River, GA (Mile 653.0-656.4): West quarter: 3.0 ft, Centerline: 6.0 ft, East quarter: 4.0 ft.

Altmaha Sound, GA (Mile 656.4-660.1): West quarter: 6.0 ft, Centerline: 6.0 ft, East quarter: 7.0 ft.

Buttermilk Sound, GA (Mile 660.1-661.9), at marker “216A”: West quarter: 5.0 ft, Centerline: 7.0 ft, East quarter: 8.0 ft.

Buttermilk Sound, GA (Mile 662.1-664.5): West quarter: 2.0 ft, Centerline: 5.0 ft, East quarter: 5.0 ft.

Jekyll Creek, GA (Mile 680.9-685.9): West quarter: 2.0 ft, Centerline: 5.0 ft, East quarter: 5.0 ft.

Umbrella Cut, GA, NOT on the ICW: Only Centerline surveyed: Controlling Depth for the passage: 5.0 ft in Umbrella Creek.

Check http://www.sas.usace.army.mil/AIWWPROF-aug07.pdf for the complete survey dated August 7, 2007. If you want to compare the new surveys with the old, check http://www.sas.usace.army.mil/navrprts.htm.

Commentary: This may appear to be a repeat of the same “old news.” Many boaters now seem to be taking a Ho-Hum attitude following the dire warnings from the doomsday prophets about the fate of the ICW. Keeping in mind that there is a tidal range of around 8 feet throughout this area, the ICW is not “Closed” to recreational vessels, and with that tidal range, most boats can get through on the high tides or half tide and above if they are in the right place. But the federally mandated project depth for the ICW between Norfolk VA and Ft. Pierce FL is still 12 feet, MLW (its purpose is to provide an inland route between ports for commercial and defense usage). This is a far cry from the current situation, and it continues to get worse. The amount of commercial traffic (tugs and barges with deep drafts) determines how much money the federal government will allocate to be spent on dredging the ICW. With depths as shallow as above, commercial traffic cannot get through so there is now almost no commercial use in many parts of the ICW, therefore very little money (or none, as for this section of the ICW for 6 years). Recreational boaters like us need to continue to voice our concerns about the current lack of maintenance of the ICW to our Congress persons. Unlike commercial vessels, we may have the time or patience to wait for the tide, but that does not mean the problem will go away. Areas like Hell Gate and Jekyll Creek (which we have found to be shallower than the survey indicates) may soon be impassable, even for us. Remember that, as with any reported depth, it may get worse with the next storm or next tidal change.*

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

Ambrose Channel (NY Harbor) Markers Relocated:
The 1 st District LNM 33 states that the Coast Guard will be temporarily relocating aids to navigation in the Ambrose Channel to accommodate dredging. The following buoys will be affected. Ambrose Channel Entrance Lighted Gong Buoy 1, Ambrose Channel Lighted Gong Buoy 13, Ambrose Channel Lighted Buoy AC, and Ambrose Channel Lighted Gong Buoy 19.

USS Constellation to Turn Around in Baltimore Harbor:
USCG 5 th District LNM 34 states that the Coast Guard has established a moving safety zone during the tow and turn-around of the historic sloop of war U.S.S. Constellation in Baltimore Harbor, at Baltimore, Maryland on Friday, September 14, 2007. The event will occur between 3 p.m. and 6 p.m. and consists of towing the historic sloop of war from its Inner Harbor berth to the Fort McHenry Angle, then turning the vessel around, and towing it to its Inner Harbor berth. The moving safety zone includes all waters within 200 yards ahead of or 100 yards outboard or aft of the historic sloop of war U.S.S. Constellation while operating in the Patapsco River, Northwest Harbor and Inner Harbor. The zone will be enforced from 2 p.m. through 7 p.m. on September 14, 2007. Except for USS CONSTELLATION Turn-around Participants, no person or vessel may enter into or remain within this area. Persons or vessels requiring entry, must first request permission by the COTP Baltimore, at (410) 576-2693, or Coast Guard patrol vessels enforcing the zone on marine band radio Chan 16 VHF-FM. If authorized by the Coast Guard Patrol Commander to enter or pass through the zone, persons or vessels must proceed at the minimum speed necessary to maintain a safe course while within the zone. If you have any questions please contact Mr. Ron Houck, U.S. Coast Guard Sector Baltimore, Waterways Management Division, at (410) 576-2674.

Woodrow Wilson Bridge , DC, Schedule Change:
Construction progresses and now the new bridge needs to be tested. The following change in schedule was announced in the 5 th District LNM 34: Mariners are advised that the Coast Guard has approved a temporary deviation from the regulations governing the operation of the new Woodrow Wilson Memorial (I-95) Bridge, at mile 103.5, across Potomac River, between Alexandria, VA, and Oxon Hill, MD. To facilitate the testing and commissioning for the new Woodrow Wilson Bridge construction project, the deviation allows the new drawbridge to remain closed-to-navigation each day from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. through January 8, 2008. At all other times, the drawbridge will operate in accordance with the operating drawbridge regulations set out in Title 33 Code of Federal Regulations Part 117.255(a). Mariners should adjust their transit accordingly.

Onslow Beach Bridge (ICW Mile 240.7) Closed:
The USCG 5 th District LNM 34 states that the Onslow Beach Swing Bridge across the North Carolina Cut, at AICW mile 240.7, at Camp Lejeune, NC, will be closed to vessels from 8 a.m. on Tuesday, September 11, until and including 8 a.m. on Thursday, September 13, 2007, and from 8 a.m. on Tuesday, September 25 until and including 8 a.m. on September 27, 2007, to facilitate mechanical repairs. The available vertical clearance in the closed-to-navigation position is approximately 12 feet, above mean high water. Mariners able to pass under the closed span may do so and should adjust their transits accordingly.

Dredging in Charleston, SC:
The USCG 7 th district LNM 34 states that the Marinex Construction Company, Inc., has commenced maintenance dredging between Cooper River Lighted Buoy 65 and Cooper River Lighted Buoy 73 off of the Naval Weapons Station Channel, Cooper River, Charleston, South Carolina. The dredge HAMPTON ROADS will continue on a twenty-four (24) hour per day basis, seven (7) days per week until approximately October 16, 2007. The dredge will monitor VHF Channels 13 and 16. All mariners are requested to use extreme caution while transiting the area. For further information please contact Mr. Thomas G. Payne at (843)722-9083.

Wappoo Creek Bridge Repair:
The Bridge Enclosure to the 7th District LNM 34 reports that the Wappoo Creek Bridge at ICW Mile 470.8 is reported to be missing its fender on the port side, southbound (this would be the east fender). The owner of the bridge reports that repairs are now being made and mariners are requested to proceed with caution during fender repairs.

This is a frequent occurrence. We have seen it happen more than once when tugs with barges attempt to pass through the narrow fender system while going in the same direction as the current. The current runs extremely fast in this narrow creek and in Elliott Cut, the land cut that was dug out to connect Charleston Harbor with the Stono River. The flood flows towards the Stono River and the ebb towards Charleston Harbor.

GEORGIA - ST CATHERINES SOUND:
The USCG 7 th District LNM 33 and 34 announce that the following changes will be made to the aids to navigation system.

ST CATHERINES SOUND LIGHTED BUOY 2 (LLNR 5795): will be relocated to approximate position 31-40-21.800N/081-03-31.300W displaying published characteristic.

ST CATHERINES SOUND BUOY 3 (LLNR 5800): will be relocated to approximate position 31-40-12.200N/081-03-41.200W and renumbered Buoy 1.

ST CATHERINES SOUND BUOY 5 (LLNR 5805): will be renumbered to Buoy 3.

ST CATHERINES SOUND LIGHTED BUOY 7 (LLNR 5810): will be relocated to approximate position 31-41-58.900N/081-05-15.000W and renumbered to Lighted Buoy 5 displaying published characteristic.

ST CATHERINES SOUND BUOY 9 (LLNR 5820): will be relocated to approximate position 31-42-41.200N/081-08-17.300W and renumbered Buoy 7.

This project will be completed the week of 17 September 2007.

This unimproved inlet is a popular entry and exit from the ICW for transient boaters. Recently the Coast Guard reported shoaling at the outer bar just inside the sea buoy. Friends on a boat with moderate draft (6.5 ft) grounded there a year ago and we have heard reports of others having problems with the depth in the marked channel. Hopefully the changes being made will mark deeper water but proceed with extreme caution and avoid this inlet if a sea is running.

Drought Continues to Affect Lake Okeechobee:
The USCG 7 th District LNM 33 and 34 continue to carry the following warning about the severe shoaling in Lake Okeechobee: Due to extremely restricted channel depths in Lake Okeechobee, mariners are strongly advised that the following should be taken in consideration whether transiting the Lake or stopping for recreational activities such as fishing.

The current (August 22, 2007) lake level is 9.52 feet with the navigation depth on Route 1 at 3.46 feet and Route 2 at 0.86 feet. Check http://www.saj.usace.army.mil/conops/structures/navbulln.htm for the latest information about the lake.

Check http://www.saj.usace.army.mil/conops/structures/2007NavBull/ntn7aug.pdf for the latest Navigational Bulletin from the USACE at Jacksonville concerning the lock schedule. The following schedule is in effect as of August 7, 2007:

Franklin and St. Lucie Lock: One lockage each direction at 10:00 A.M. and 3:00 P.M.

Ortona, Moore Haven and Port Mayaca Locks: Unrestricted lockage between 6:00 A.M. and 9:30 P.M.

Miami River to Close for Three Days:
The 7 th District USCG announces in its LNM 34 that Kiewit Southern Company has received permission from the Coast Guard Captain of the Port Miami to close the Miami River at the Northwest 12 th Avenue Bridge for 72 hours from 11:00 a.m. on September 4, 2007 until 11:00 a.m. on September 7, 2007.

The Northwest 12th Avenue Bridge, across the Miami River, mile 2.1, Miami-Dade County, Florida is being replaced. This work is expected to continue until August 30, 2008. There will be tugs and barges in the vicinity of the bridge and at times the waterway will be restricted while equipment/construction material is delivered to the bridge.

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.