East Coast Alerts
By Mel Neale
February 8, 2008

Broward County , FL , Seeks Nighttime Closures of New River Bridges:

Recent newspaper articles in Ft. Lauderdale have reported that Broward County, in an attempt to cut costs, is seeking a change in the regulations of three bridges crossing the New River, between the hours of midnight and 6:00 a.m. These are the SE Third Avenue, Andrews Avenue and Seventh Avenue Bridges. The grand amount of savings should amount to the salary of eighteen hours of bridge tender time, and the cost of electricity to open the bridges. How much is that? $110,000, according to the article in the Sun Sentinel at http://www.sun-sentinel.com/news/local/broward/sfl-flbbridge0205sbfeb05,0,2525107.story?coll=sofla_news_local_broward_head_2 Many vessels traverse the river at night to avoid excessive boat traffic, to find a favorable current or to get out to fish before sunrise. Commercial vessels depend on being able to get out of the river to make a living and to sometimes save vessels and lives. We have heard from marine industry sources that many of the vessels using the river at night are the larger yachts and commercial traffic associated with moving them, a major source of income for the county. Even though most of us would not want to go down the New River in the dark, we as boaters should all oppose this for the precedent it could provide in closing a waterway at the whim of county officials (and likely backed by impatient motorists and condo commandos).

Your input counts. Before any bridge regulation can be permanently changed, there is a specific process that must be followed. It is now at the stage where the Coast Guard Bridge Branch is evaluating the situation to determine if it should go through the process. It would then be published in the Federal Record, and the Coast Guard would have a period for Public Comment. Then the Coast Guard evaluates the comments and other considerations and makes a decision for or against the proposal, or perhaps a compromise. More Public Comment may be required. Sometimes there is a practice period for evaluation (as when the entire county of Palm Beach and Broward implemented new bridge schedules a few years ago), followed by more Public Comment. If there is to be a change, the schedule is again published in the Federal Record as a final rule with a specific date for implementation.

Stand up for your rights as a boater by sending email or letters to the Coast Guard during Public Comment periods. Very few boaters ever respond to calls from the public, but motorists, homeowners and condo residents do, and in large numbers. This is why we continue to have more restrictive bridge schedules. *

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

Comments Requested in the Northeast:
From the USCG 1 st District LNM 06:

The Coast Guard is considering making the following changes to Aids to Navigation to facilitate navigation:

Point Judith Harbor of Refuge East Entrance LB 2 (LLNR 19485) Remove "Replaced by nun from Dec. 1 to Apr. 1" from the Light List remarks. Aid will not be seasonally relieved with a smaller unlighted buoy. Refer to project No. 01-08-017. All comments shall be carefully considered and are requested prior to 22 February 2008 to facilitate the process.

CHANGE East Passage Channel Buoy 13 to East Passage Junction Buoy EP, Green over red and RELOCATE 200 yards NNE to (PA) 41-30-38.58N 071-20-50.16W. Refer to Project No. 01-08-019. All comments shall be carefully considered and are requested prior to 29 February 2008 to facilitate the process.

Interested mariners are strongly encouraged to comment on these proposals in writing, either personally or through their organization. Send comments to Commander, First Coast Guard District, 408 Atlantic Avenue, Boston MA, 02110-3350; e-mail can be sent to: Jack.McLaughlin@uscg.mil and faxes to (617) 223-8073.

Shoaling in Sakonnet River, RI:
The First District LNM 06 advises that active shoaling has been reported and verified in the Upper Sakonnet River in the vicinity of Old Hummocks/Tiverton Railroad Bridge outside of the marked channel. Shoaling is active within 10 yards from the west side (Tiverton) and 15 yards from the east side ( Portsmouth). Mariners are strongly encouraged to navigate within the marked channel.

Dredging Again in Ambrose Channel, NY:
Also from the First District LNM 06: Great Lakes Dredge & Dock will be dredging in the Green side of Ambrose Channel 24/7 starting on, or about February 15 until further notice. The hopper dredge Dodge Island and crew boat St. Johns River will be on scene and monitoring VHF Channels 13 & 16. Ambrose Channel will not be closed to navigation and the vessels will MOVE ON DEMAND. Mariners are requested to contact the dredge on CH 13 to many any necessary navigational arrangements. Dredges & support equipment are required to report their movements and positions to VTS New York on CH 14.

Chesapeake Bay Tributaries Shoaling, Markers to be Removed:
We reported recently that aids would be removed from the Virginia Passage and Queens Creek on the lower Chesapeake due to shoaling. Now there are proposals to do the same for two additional smaller tributaries off the Chesapeake. This precedent of closing creeks rather than maintaining them does not bode well for boaters, commercial interests and waterfront residents. The latest are Spring Garden Channel in the Baltimore area and Greenvale Creek off the Rappahannock. The long details are available in USCG 5 th District LNMs (http://www.navcen.uscg.gov/LNM/d5/lnm05062008.pdf ).

Obstructions at Rappahannock Spit, VA:
From the 5 th District LNM 06: Mariners are advised that NOAA is reporting the following obstructions in the vicinity of Rappahannock Spit:

1. At 37-35-41.890N, 076-12-42.560W reducing -least water depth- to 16 feet MLW.

2. At 37-35-28.720N, 076-13-15.810W reducing -least water depth- to 10 feet MLW.

Vertical Clearance Reduced at Bridge over James River, VA:
The 5 th District LNM 06 states that mariners are advised that sandblasting and painting operations are in progress until April 30, 2008, at the SR 156/Benjamin Harrison Memorial Bridge, at mile 65.0, across the James River in Hopewell VA. To facilitate this operation, a containment system will reduce the available vertical clearance of the vertical lift span in the closed-to-navigation and full open positions by three feet to approx 47 feet and 142 feet, above mean high water, respectively. Mariners able to transit under the span are advised to use extreme caution.

Three Foot Shoal in Channel to Ocracoke, NC:
From USCG 5 th District LNM 05: A US Army Corp of Engineers Survey dated 12 Dec 2007 indicates shoaling to a depth of 3.0 feet MLW in the vicinity of Big Foot Slough Channel Daybeacon 10B. The shoal extends approximately 75 feet into the channel. Mariners should exercise caution when transiting this area. Mariners can view the survey at http://www.saw.usace.army.mil/nav/small-harbors.htm .

Figure Eight Island Swing Bridge Schedule:
The following information was contained in the 5 th District LNM 06: Mariners are advised that the Figure Eight Swing Bridge, at AIWW mile 278.1, at Scotts Hill, NC, will be closed again to vessels each day from February 1, 2008, until February 29, 2008, from 6 p.m. to 9:30 a.m., from 10 a.m. to 1:30 p.m., and from 2 p.m. to 5:30 p.m., to complete sandblasting and painting operations. In addition, commercial vessel openings will be provided at night if at least three hours notice is given by calling (910) 686-0635 or via marine radio on Channel 13. At all other times, the drawbridge will operate in accordance with the regulations set out in Title 33 Code of Federal Regulations Part 117.821(a) (3). The available vertical clearance in the closed-to-navigation position is approximately 20 feet, above MHW. Also, the vertical clearance in this location is limited to 85 feet, above MHW, by the overhead power line. Mariners able to pass under the closed span may do so and should adjust their transits accordingly.

Dredging at Morehead City, NC:
From the 5 th District LNM 05: The Hopper Dredge BAYPORT (call sign WCZ 4240) will be conducting maintenance dredging in the Morehead City Ocean Bar Channel from 25 January until 22 February, 2008. Dredging operations will be conducted 7 days a week/ 24 hours a day. The dredge will monitor VHF-FM Channels 13, 14 and 16.

New Schedule for Sunset Beach Pontoon Bridge, NC, Mile 337.9:
From a Marine Safety Information Bulletin from the USCG 5 th District Bridge Branch: Effective February 28, 2008, the Coast Guard is changing the drawbridge operating regulations that govern the S.R. 1172 Bridge at AIWW mile 337.9, Sunset Beach, NC. This final rule will allow the bridge to open on signal on the hour for pleasure vessels from 7 a.m. to 9 p.m., year round. The reason for this change would be to improve the schedule for both roadway and waterway users. A copy of the Docket CGD05-07-026 published in the Federal Register on January 28, 2008, as a final rule is included as enclosure (1) to this notice.

There will be a new high level bridge built at this location in the near future.

Ashley River , SC. Dredging:
The USCG 7 th District LNM 06 states that the National Hydraulic Dredge Company is conducting dredging in the Ashley River just north of the Ashley River Bridge ivo 32° 47.6- N, 079° 58.4- W until April 5, 2008. There is submerged dredge piping that crosses the channel. There is also dredge piping on the west bank that runs parallel of the bank back to the Ashley River Bridge. Mariners shall proceed at slow speed and exercise caution while transiting this area. If mariners see floating dredge pipes in the channel call Coast Guard Sector Charleston-s Command Center 24hr number at 843-724-7616 or on VHF radio channel 16. The dredge SOPHINATIOR is monitoring vhf channels 11/16.

Restrictions in Charleston Harbor:
From the 7 th District LNM 06: Crane Transporting Coast Guard Sector Charleston anticipates placing restrictions on vessels movements on the Wando River and Cooper River in Charleston Harbor, South Carolina at specified times during the period of 15 February 2008 through 31 March 2008. These restrictions will be put in effect to ensure safety during the loading of four (4) old container cranes from the South Carolina State Ports Authority's Wando and North Charleston Terminals. More information about the timing and location of the restrictions will be provided via Broadcast Notice to Mariners (BNM), Local Notice to Mariners (LNM), or Special Regulations. For further questions about this announcement please contact: LT Calvin Summers at (843) 720-3272.

DGPS Unusable Time in South Carolina:
From the USCG 7 th District LNM 06:

DGPS Site Kensington, South Carolina has been granted off air/unusable time for scheduled preventative maintenance. Unusable time authorized for the following date/time:

Primary: 1400Z - 1600Z February 12, 2008 (0900 - 1100)

Alternate: 1400Z - 1600Z February 13, 2008 (0900 - 1100)

DGPS Site Kensington, South Carolina has been granted off air/unusable time for RSIM RECAP (CRIA) install phased II.

Unusable time authorized for the following date/time:

Primary: Friday, 22 February, 2008, 1400Z until Saturday, 23 February 2008 0200Z

Alternate: Saturday 23 February, 2008, 1400Z until Sunday, 24 February 2008 0200Z

For further information please contact the USCG NAVCEN DGPS East Opertations Watch Officer at: (703) 313-5902.

St Helena Sound , SC , Aids to Navigation Change:
From the USCG 7 th District LNM 06: The following changes have been proposed for the aids to navigation system at Pelican Bank.

Permanently discontinue PELICAN BANK BUOY 1 (LLNR 4000).

Permanently discontinue PELICAN BANK DAYBEACON 2 (LLNR 4005).

All comments should be addressed to Commander (DPW), Seventh Coast Guard District, 909 S.E. 1st Ave ( STE 406), Brickell Plaza Federal Bldg, Miami, Fl 33131 to be received by 01 April 2008.

Darien River , Georgia Shoaling:
From the 7 th District LNM 05: Shoaling has been reported on the west side of the channel in the vicinity of Darien River Daybacon 27 (LLNR 36827.4) and Darien River Daybeacon 29 (LLNR 36827.5). All mariners are urged to transit the area with extreme caution.

No Radar During Space Shuttle Launch and Landing:
From the USCG 7 th District LNM 06: The National Aeronautical and Space Administration (NASA) has requested that all mariners unless authorized by NASA please refrain from RADAR tracking of the Space Shuttle Atlantis launch and landing. Atlantic is scheduled for a nominal eleven (11) day mission…the possible landing date depending on the actual launch date (the launch date was February 7, as anticipated) is February 17, 2008. For further information please contact Ms. Cathy Sham at (281) 483-0124.

BB McCormick Bridge Construction Restrictions:
From USCG 7 th District LNM 05:

The new high level BB McCormick Bridge at mile 745.5 will continue under construction until March, 2009. There will be periodic channel restrictions for the next 6-8 weeks. There will be 30 ft. of horizontal clearance during this time. Call 904 223 5076 or the tug tender on scene to request safe passage if you need more than 30 feet of horizontal clearance in the channel. It will take around 30 minutes to accommodate.

NOTE: If you are cruising in the area, pay particular attention to the twice daily Broadcast Notices to Mariners from Coast Guard Sector Jacksonville. There have been several day-long closings at this bridge recently that were not announced in the 7 th District LNMs. These should be announced on VHF Channel 16 and broadcast on Channel 22A, perhaps with very short notice.

Lake Okeechobee Continues Shallow:
The 7 th District LNM 06 contained a Navigation Bulletin from the USACE Jacksonville concerning the continued shoaling in the Okeechobee Waterway. It can be viewed at http://www.saj.usace.army.mil/conops/structures/2008NavBull/ntn30JAN.pdf .

We checked http://www.saj.usace.army.mil/conops/structures/navbulln.htm for the latest depth figures:

As of February 7, 2008: Lake level is reported at 10.02 feet.

Route 1: Navigational depths: reported at 3.96 feet.

Route 2 (the Rim Canal) is closed with navigation depths reported at 1.36 feet.

This is down about an inch from the last alert two weeks ago.

Stuart , FL , Southpointe Anchorage (Mooring Field) to Close:
Cruisers in the area write that newspaper articles from Stuart, Florida report that the City owned mooring field will close in April during the construction of a new marina (reportedly for megayachts) at the site. The mooring field was originally established for the purpose of regulating anchorage in Stuart. With the mooring field closed, the City of Stuart is reported to again be planning to restrict anchoring rights of boaters, despite the Florida state law prohibiting such outside of government owned mooring fields.

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.