East Coast Alerts
By Mel Neale
July 24, 2008

Reduced Schedule in Dismal Swamp Canal:
The USCG 5th District LNM 30 announces that due* to low water depth in Lake Drummond, beginning 23 July, 2008 and until further notice, the locks at Deep Creek, VA and at South Mills, NC and their adjacent drawbridges will be operated only at 9:00 A.M. and 3:00 P. M. , 7 days a week. For vessels unable to comply with the reduced schedule, the Albemarle and Chesapeake Canal, through the Great Bridge Lock in Chesapeake, VA will maintain all scheduled openings.

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

Lockwoods Folly Inlet Crossing of the ICW—Continued Severe Shoaling:            
There is a new USACE Wilmington District survey of Lockwoods Folly Inlet Crossing of the ICW, completed on July 17, 2008. The survey shows continued severe shoaling in the ICW channel. Waypoints are given for the deepest water and two are outside of the marked channel (as marked on the date of the survey but these may change). Green cans 47 and 47A as well as red nuns 46 and 48 are indicated. Channel depths at green can 47 are noted as 0.0 feet. The controlling depth along the waypoint route as shown on the survey date is 6 feet at mean low water. Check http://www.saw.usace.army.mil/nav/AIWW/CFLR/T11.pdf .*

Clean Boating Act of 2008 Passes Congress:
From a BoatUS Press Release:
ALEXANDRIA, VA, July 22, 2008 - In a remarkable display of bipartisan support for recreational boating, both the House and Senate today passed S. 2766, "The Clean Boating Act of 2008" which will permanently restore a long-standing exemption for recreational boats from permitting requirements under the Clean Water Act. The legislation now goes to the White House for the President's signature.

Congressional action was spawned by a U.S. District Court decision in September 2006 under which an estimated 17 million recreational boats would have fallen under Clean Water Act permit requirements effective September 30, 2008. The permit would have dictated maintenance and operation procedures and potentially subjected boaters to citizen lawsuits as well as a penalty system designed for industrial polluters.

Check http://www.boatus.com/gov/default.asp?WT.mc_id=100029 for details and history.
           
National Marina Day:
August 9, 2008 has been declared to be National Marina Day by the Marina Association. Their goal, according to their Mission Statement at https://www.marinaassociation.org/nmd/ is the education of politicians, civic leaders and the public about the important role the marina industry plays in cities and towns across the nation as family-friendly gateways to boating and stewards of the environment.

This goal is achieved through the promotion of nationwide marina focused events with local flavor that educate politicians, civic leaders, and the public about the value of the marina industry to cities and towns across America. Make plans today to support this mission by planning a National Marina Day event at your facility. 

Check your marina for any planned festivities. For example, one of our favorite marinas, Camachee Cove Yacht Harbor in St. Augustine, Florida is planning a day long event, free to the public, with emphasis on fun and education. Their theme is a Pirate Day. If you’re in the area, join the celebration at 3070 Harbor Drive, at the base of the Vilano Bridge. Check www.camacheeisland.com or call 904 829 5676 for details.

New Special Anchorages in Northeast:
From the USCG 1st District LNM 29, effective August 7, 2008:

The Coast Guard hereby establishes Gull Point (PT) Special Anchorage area in the Weymouth Fore River, Weymouth, Massachusetts. This action is necessary to facilitate safe navigation and provide 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 in the Weymouth Fore River, improve the safety of anchored vessels, and provide for the overall safe and efficient flow of vessel traffic and commerce.

The Coast Guard hereby establishes Crotch Island Special Anchorage in Stonington, Maine, on Deer Island Thorofare, Penobscot Bay. This action is necessary to facilitate safe navigation and provide 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 Deer Island Thorofare, improve the safety of anchored vessels, and provide for the overall safe and efficient flow of vessel traffic and commerce.

Pipe Laying Offshore of Massachusetts:
USCG 1st District LNM 29 reports that Neptune pipe laying is being done 15 July - 8 August, 2008 in (PA) from 42-29-08N 070-40-35W to 42-27-09N 070-36-21W. The hours of operation will be 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. On scene will be the M/V NORTHERN CANYON & LONE STAR. (SEE CHART ENCLOSURE, LNM 28)

Navy Research Buoys, Also Offshore of Massachusetts:
From the USCG 1st District LNM 29:
SIX ORANGE SCIENTIFIC RESEARCH BUOYS, MARKED WITH THE WORDS U.S.NAVY HAVE BEEN PLACED IN THE FOLLOWING POSITIONS:
42-53.10N / 070-39.68W
42-52.86N / 070-39.68W
42-52.53N / 070-39.67W
42-52.07N / 070-39.62W
42.51.59N / 070-39.07W
42-51.04N / 070-39.67W.
ALL MARINERS ARE URGED TO USE CAUTION WHILE TRANSITING THE AREA.

New NDZ Request Comment Period:       
From the 1st District LNM 29:
SUMMARY: Notice is hereby given that a petition has been received from the State of New York requesting a determination by the Regional Administrator, U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, that adequate facilities for the safe and sanitary removal and treatment of sewage from all vessels are reasonably available for Hempstead Harbor, Nassau County, New York. The waters of the proposed No Discharge Zone fall within the jurisdictions of the Town of North Hempstead, the Town of Oyster Bay, the County of Nassau, the City of Glen Cove and the Villages of Sea Cliff, Roslyn Harbor, Roslyn, Flower Point and Sands Point. These entities, through the New York Department of State and the Hempstead Harbor Protection Committee prepared the application for the designation of a Vessel Waste No Discharge Zone, which was submitted by the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation (NYSDEC).

DATES: Comments regarding this tentative determination are due by August 14, 2008.
ADDRESSES: Submit your comments using one of the following methods:

E-mail: olander.james@epa.gov. Fax: (212) 637-3887.

Mail and hand delivery: U.S. Environmental Protection Agency--Region 2, 290 Broadway, 24th Floor, New York, NY 10007-1866. Deliveries are only accepted during the Regional Office's normal hours of operation (8 a.m.-5 p.m., Monday through Friday, excluding legal holidays), and special arrangements should be made for deliveries of boxed information. FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: James L. Olander, U.S. Environmental Protection Agency--Region 2, 290 Broadway, 24th Floor, New York, NY 10007-1866. Telephone: (212) 637-3833, Fax number: (212) 637-3887; e-mail address: olander.james@epa.gov .

The notice is available at http://homeport.uscg.mil/newyork > Waterways Management > 02. Advisory Notices .

Shellfish Ban in NDZ:
The 1st District LNM 29 contains the following info regarding banning the taking of shellfish from a No Discharge Zone, due to the potential for sewage discharges from MSDs: The New York State Department of Environmental Conservation will temporarily designate all of Three Mile Harbor, Town of East Hampton, as UNCERTIFIED for the harvest of shellfish for the period July 22- July 26, 2006, both dates inclusive. The harvest of shellfish from UNCERTIFIED waters is prohibited. This designation is necessary to protect public health and is required due to the potential for sewage discharges from marine sanitation devices aboard the large number of transient vessels that will anchor and remain overnight in Three Mile Harbor. Boaters should be aware that all the waters in the Peconic-Gardiners Bay estuary, including Three Mile Harbor, are designated as a No Discharge Zone. Boaters in these areas are required to use pump out facilities when they empty their holding tanks. The Town of East Hampton Trustees operate a pump out boat and the Town Harbormaster-s office at Gann Road has a self-serve facility, both at no fee for the boater. The town-s pump out boat can be contacted using marine radio VHF channel 73. The Three Mile Harbor fireworks display is scheduled for the evening of July 22. If necessary, a rain date is scheduled for July 23. Further information is available during normal working hours by calling the NYSDEC Shellfisheries Section at (631) 444-0475, after hours, (631) 444-0480 or the Town of East Hampton at (631) 324-6393.

Signs of Summer--Swimming Pool Barge in the Bronx:
The USCG 1st District LNM 28 reports that the Department of Parks and Recreation of the City of New York has positioned a 260- X 80 feet swimming pool barge on the Bronx Shore at Barretto Point Park, located at Tiffany Street and Viele Avenue (see diagram). The barge is positioned perpendicular to the shore bow out, and it is held in position with anchors fore and aft. There are two gangways leading from the stern of the barge to the shore. The off shore anchors are marked with anchor buoys. The barge will remain at this location until September 1, 2008. Mariners are advised to manage their speed through this area so as to produce no wake when passing the barge, particularly between the hours of 1100 to 1900 daily.

Ambrose Channel Extension Project Info:
The following announcements concerning the new Ambrose Channel (New York Harbor entrance) marking system are contained in the USCG 1st District LNMs 28 and 29. See our last East Coast Alerts for the long list of buoys and lights that will be changed.

The Coast Guard will be making the following changes to this waterway:
DISESTABLISH Ambrose Light.

Mariners are advised all weather/navigational information provided by Ambrose Light will cease until further notice.

On July 21 the Coast Guard will begin the Ambrose Channel extension project. Two Coast Guard Buoy Tenders will be establishing, relocating and re-numbering aids to navigation beginning with Ambrose channel LWB "A" and end with Ellis Island LGB 31. This project should take approximately 7 days to complete. The coast guard cutters will be working during daylight hours only. Mariners should consult the latest local notice to mariners for positions and buoy re-numbering scheme and use caution when transiting in this area.

The Captain of the Port New York has established a temporary safety zone within a 250 yard radius of Ambrose Light at 40-27-00N, 073-48-00W, and approximately 8.35 nm east of Sandy Hook, NJ. This rule is effective until further notice. In accordance with the general regulations in 33 CFR 165.23, entry into, transiting, or anchoring within this safety zone is prohibited unless authorized by the Captain of the Port New York, or his on-scene representative. On-scene representative means any commissioned, warrant, and petty officers of the Coast Guard on board Coast Guard, Coast Guard Auxiliary, and local state, and federal law enforcement vessels who have been authorized to act on behalf of the Captain of the Port, New York.

Sunken Boat, Sandy Hook Bay:

From the USCG 1st District LNM 28: A 17 foot sunken vessel has been reported in (PA) 40-27.971'N, 074-01.761'W, approximately 950 yards southeast of Terminal Channel LB 1. Mariners are advised to transit the area with caution and report any updates to Coast Guard Sector New York.

Dredging Update, Raritan Bay, New Jersey:
From the USCG  1st District LNM 29: The Army Corps of Engineers Hopper Dredge MCFARLAND will be conducting maintenance dredging in Ward Point Bend and Seguine Point Bend reaches in Raritan Bay and Sandy Hook Channel between Jul 12 and Sep 18, 2008. Tentative schedule for these dredging locations are Jul 12-24 in Raritan Bay, Aug 8-21 and Sep 5-18 in Raritan Bay and Sandy Hook Channel. The MCFARLAND is AIS equipped, will be monitoring VHF Channels 13, 14, & 16, and can move with 15 minutes notice.

Margate Bridge, NJICW, Restrictions:
From the USCG 5th District Bridge Office:  Mariners are advised that structural steel repairs along with sandblasting and painting are continuing that require short-term restrictions at the Margate Bridge, at ICW mile 74.0, across Beach Thorofare in Margate, NJ.  These short-term restrictions require immobilizing half of the draw span to single-leaf operation each day with a work barge occupying one-half of the 58-foot wide channels under the bridge, so passage through the bridge will be limited to a 29-foot width for the duration of the project during the following dates and times:

1)  Beginning at 7 a.m. on Wed Jul 30 through 11:59 p.m. on Thu Jul 31; and
2)  Beginning at 7 a.m. on Mon Aug 4 through 11:59 on Thu Aug 7.

The opposite connecting span while not under repair will continue to open for vessels with at least a half-hour advance notice given to the bridge tender at (609) 822-9175 or via marine radio on channel 13 VHF.  Also, mariners requiring the full opening of the lift spans or the full width of the channel under the bridge will be directed to use the Atlantic Ocean as the alternate route between Absecon and Great Egg Harbor Inlets.  Mariners should exercise caution when transiting the area.

Barnegat Inlet, NJ Dredging:
From the USCG 5th District LNM 29: The Dredge FULLERTON will be conducting dredging operations in Oyster Creek Channel between Oyster Creek Buoy 33 and Oyster Creek Buoy 40 from 11 July until 01 August, 2008. The dredge will monitor channels 13 and 16 VHF-FM.

New NOAA Nav Aids, Solomons Area:
The 5th District LNM 30 states that effective July 18, 2008, through August 25, 2008, the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration has deployed two yellow temporary floating aids to navigation in the vicinity of Patuxent Naval Air Station and Solomons Island, MD. The first is deployed in the Chesapeake Bay approximately 1 nm south of Cedar Point, in position 38° 16 45.0N - 076° 22 30.0W. The second is deployed in the Patuxent River near the University of Maryland, Chesapeake Biological Laboratory's pier on Solomons Island, in position 38° 19 02.0N - 076° 27 02.5W. The surface buoys are approximately 2 feet in diameter and display a yellow flashing light 5 times every 20 seconds. Mariners are advised to keep a sharp lookout for these private aids to navigation and maintain a safe distance when transiting these areas. Questions or concerns about these temporary aids to navigation should be directed to LT Michael Davidson, NOAA at 410-610-8361.

Another Interpretive Buoy in Chesapeake Bay:
Also from 5th District LNM 30: On or about July 19, 2008, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, Chesapeake Bay Office, will establish a lighted data buoy in association with NOAA's Chesapeake Bay Interpretive Buoy System (http://noaa.chesapeakebay.net/CbayBuoySystem.aspx).
1. NOAA Lighted Data Buoy SR (Stingray Point) at 37 34 03.00N, 076 15 44.40W, Fl Y 4s

Comment Period on Planned New Bridge, Norfolk Area ICW:
The following Public Notice was published in the USCG 5th District LNM 30. Your comments are requested: The U.S. Coast Guard has received an application from the Commonwealth of Virginia Department of Transportation (VDOT) for the proposed replacement of the existing Henry G. Gilmerton Bridge, at AIWW mile 5.8, across the Southern Branch Elizabeth River, on Route 13 (Military Highway), in the City of Chesapeake, VA. VDOT proposes to replace the existing 4-lane double-leaf bascule bridge, and its approaches with a new 4-lane vertical-lift bridge and new approaches on essentially the same alignment. The existing approach piers will be demolished to approximately two feet below the mud line. The existing bascule piers including the timber piles will be removed in their entirety, with a new fender system being constructed. The proposed vertical clearances in the closed and open positions of the new lift bridge are 36.75 feet and 136.9 feet both above mean high water, respectively. The proposed minimum and maximum horizontal clearances between the faces of the fender system are 125 feet and 222 feet, respectively. Comments on the proposed construction of the new bridge should be forwarded to the above address attention (dpb) no later than July 30, 2008. Copies of Public Notice 5-1117, which describe the proposal in detail, can be obtained by writing to the above address or by calling (757)398-6422.

New Range on Cape Fear River, NC:
From the USCG 5th District LNM 29: On or about 15 July, 2008 the Coast Guard intends to reconstruct Upper Brunswick Range Front Light and Upper Brunswick Range Rear Light. Both the Range Rear and Range Front lights will be extinguished during the reconstruction phase which is expected to take 5-10 days. Upon completion the range will advertise the following characteristics:

Upper Brunswick Range Front Light QR, height 40FT Lighted throughout 24 hours. Day: Visible 0.5 degrees either side of rangeline. Night: Visible all around with higher intensity on rangeline.

Upper Brunswick Range Rear Light ISO R 6s height 60FT Lighted throughout 24 hours. Visible 0.5 degrees either side of rangeline.

GPS Unreliable:
From the USCG 5th District LNM 30: THE GPS NAVIGATION SIGNAL MAY BE UNRELIABLE FROM 0100-0300 ZULU 21-29 JULY 2008 DUE TO INTERFERENCE TESTING ON GPS FREQUENCIES USED IN SHIPBOARD NAVIGATION AND HANDHELD SYSTEMS. GPS SYSTEMS THAT RELY ON GPS, SUCH AS E-911, AIS AND DSC, MAY BE AFFECTED WITHIN A 246 NM RADIUS OF POSITION 033° 39' 00N, 075° 22' 00.W DURING THIS PERIOD GPS USERS ARE ENCOURAGED TO REPORT ANY GPS SERVICE OUTAGES THAT THEY MAY EXPERIENCE DURING THIS TESTING VIA THE NAVIGATION INFORMATION SERVICE (NIS) BY CALLING (703)313-5900 OR BY USING THE NAVCEN'S WEB SITE'S GPS REPORT A PROBLEM WORKSHEET AT WWW.NAVCEN.USCG.GOV

Waterway Restrictions, North Myrtle Beach, SC:
The USCG 7th District LNM 30 announces restrictions and/or waterway closures at the North Myrtle Beach Connecter Bridge under construction at Mile 347.3. Restrictions and/or closure periods will occur during girder placement across the waterway. Announcements of these restrictions and/or closure periods will be broadcast on VHF Channel 22 prior to the event. Tug Chicksawwill will stand by on VHF 13 and 16 for traffic. This part of the construction is expected to be complete by September 30, 2008. 

Dates for partial obstruction of the channel are: July 28, August 6, 15 and 26, and September 4 and 15, 2008.

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

As of July 22, 2008: The lake level is reported to be 10.45 feet.
Route 1: Navigational depths: reported at 4.39 feet.
Route 2 (the Rim Canal) is closed with navigational depths of 1.79 feet. Route 2 has been closed since Hurricane Wilma in 2005.\

This is up 5.16 inches from the last report we gave two weeks ago, and up over one foot in the past month. It’s finally the rainy season.

Diving Operations in Port Everglades ICW:
From the 7th District LNM 30: Dial Cordy and Associates Inc., has commenced scientific diving surveys in the Intracoastal Waterway and the Dania Cut-Off Canal in the vicinity of Port Everglades, Florida under contract with the Florida Inland Navigation District. This operation will be completed on or about August 15, 2008. For complete text of location, vessel descriptions, personnel, contacts, and contact information see enclosure number 9.

Testing Buoys Offshore South Florida:

The USCG 7th District LNM 30 announces three separate testing buoy launches: 

1. The U.S. Navy, South Florida Testing Facility (SFTF) has advised that an offshore mooring buoy and three (3) inert targets have been installed within one (1) mile of the following coordinates:

AMNS Buoy/Target Test Area: 26 degrees 00.250N 079 degrees 58.525W

The targets will be removed on or before August 8, 2008. The mooring will be removed on August 9, 2008. The mooring buoy is conical shaped, eight (8) foot in diameter, twelve (12) foot in height, and white with orange stripes. Approximately 7-8 feet of the buoy will be above the waterline, and lighted with flashing amber lights.
The flash sequence is three (3) flashes at one (1) per second, then seven (7) seconds off repeating every ten (10) seconds. For further information please contact Mr. Anthony Bush at (954) 926-4032 (office) 0r (954)290-9300 (cell).

2. The U.S. Navy, South Florida Testing Facility (SFTF) will be installing offshore Fort Lauderdale, Florida, inert targets from August 13, 2008 to August 27, 2008, at the following coordinates:
RMS Operation Area:
26 degrees 04.140N 080 degrees 05.560W
26 degrees 04.140N 080 degrees 02.500W
25 degrees 53.700N 080 degrees 05.560W
25 degrees 53.700N 080 degrees 03.000W

The inert targets will be installed using a vessel under direct U.S. Navy charter. The vessel will be working in water depths ranging from 60 feet to 600 feet. All vessels are requested to stay clear of this offshore project.
For further information please contact Mr. Anthony Bush at (954) 926-4032 (office) or (954) 926-4031 (cell).

3. Florida Atlantic University, Center of Excellence in Ocean Energy Technology (CEOET), Dania Beach, Florida, has deployed/installed one (1) Acoustic Doppler Current Profiler (ADCP) buoy offshore Hollywood, Florida.
The approximate positions of the ADCP buoy are:

26 deg 1.5N 079 deg 50.25W in 325 meters of water

The 325 m ADCP buoy measures 45" in diameter and will be suspended approximately 8 meters from the ocean floor. The 325 m buoy is connected to a 4 meter wire cable to an acoustic release and a steel clump anchor weighing approximately 3000 lbs. Both ADCP buoys will be recovered by September 1, 2008 by firing the acoustic release. Both steel clump anchors will be abandoned in place. For further information please contact Ms Shirley Ravenna at (954) 924-7173.

Changes in Danger Marker Lights:
From the 7th District LNM 30:
CAPRI PASS SHOAL LIGHT characteristic will be change to a Flashing White 4s displaying NW on a pile worded -DANGER SHOAL-. Nominal range will be 5NM. The work is schedule to be completed the week of 18 August 2008.

The following change will be made to the aids to navigation system in the ICW at Dania Sound.
DANIA SOUND DANGER LIGHT characteristic will be change to a Flashing White 2.5s displaying NW on a pile worded –DANGER ROCKS-. Nominal range will be 5NM. The work is schedule to be completed the week of 18 August 2008.

Southwest Florida:
The 7th District LNM 29 reports extensive shoaling in the Wiggins Pass Inlet Entrance Channel between Wiggins Pass Daybeacon 1 and Wiggins Pass Daybeacon 2. Water depth has been reported at 3 feet. Collier County intends to dredge the permitted channel after turtle nesting season ending November 1, 2008. All mariners are advised to exercise caution while transiting the area.

Florida Bridge Update: From the USCG 7th District LNM 30: 
Bridge of Lions, St. Augustine: Construction continues and the Coast Guard has approved another closure of the ICW channel. Starting July 21 through July 25, 2008, the waterway will be closed from 7:00 a.m. till 6:30 p.m. There will be two openings during that time: 1:00 and 1:30 p.m.

Woolbright Road Bridge (Mile 1036.0): Repairs are underway until September 9, 2008. The bridge will remain operational for marine traffic. 

Spanish Boulevard Bridge (Mile 1044.9, Boca Raton, FL): The Coast Guard is changing the regulations of this bridge due to repairs. This work will require single-leaf operations on the hour and half-hour with a three hour advance notice to the bridge tender (561 395 5417) for a double-leaf opening. The vertical clearance will be reduced by five feet due to the placement of containment equipment. Dates: 8:00 a.m. on June 15-6:00 p.m. on December 8, 2008. In case of emergencies the bridge will open as soon as practicable.
East Sunrise Boulevard Bridge, Mile 1062.6: Expect delays at the East Sunrise Boulevard Bridge, Mile 1062.6, Ft. Lauderdale, during the week of August 18, 2008 due to snooper truck repairs. Between August 25 and September 5, from 9:00 a.m. till 4:00 p.m., Monday-Friday, this bridge will have only hourly openings, at the top of the hour.       

5th Street Bridge, Miami River: Bridge construction of the 5th Street Bridge across the Miami River, Mile 1.5, will begin approximately July 7, 2008. Waterway restrictions/closures will be published in future Local Notices to Mariners.

NW 12th Avenue Bridge, Miami River: Construction continues. Between now and September 15 workers will begin erecting steel in the south pier. It will protrude slightly into the river. On December 3, 2008 the second and final 72 hour closure will take place to conduct the toe lift.

Johns Pass, FL. West Coast: Due to construction this bridge will be closed to navigation from 1:00 a.m. to 11:00 a.m. each day, Monday through Friday until August 31, 2008. The channel under the Johns Pass Bridge will be closed to marine traffic for approximately 30 minutes at 1:a.m. and 10:00 a.m. each day to raise and lower the bridge leafs.

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.