East Coast Alerts
By Mel Neale
December 15, 2005

Leap Second and AIS Announcement:
This is the year that we’re going to gain a second in time in order to make UTC catch up with Atomic Time. The concept of a leap second is simple. The following announcement is not. The implication for users of AIS (Automatic Identification Systems), already under criticism by the USCG for not using due diligence in operation and for not properly maintaining equipment, is cause for concern (mine anyway: See East Coast Alerts, December 2, 2005).

The following was announced in the most recent USCG Local Notices to Mariners (#52, Dated December 27, 2005):
U.S. NAVAL OBSERVATORY WASHINGTON, D.C. 20392-5420 July 27, 2005 No. 69 TIME SERVICE ANNOUNCEMENT SERIES 14 UTC: TIME STEP
1. The International Earth Rotation and Reference Systems Service (IERS) has announced the introduction of a time step to occur at the end of December, 2005.
2. Coordinated Universal Time (UTC) will be retarded by 1.0s so that the sequence of dates of the UTC markers will be:
2005 December 31 23h 59m 59s
2005 December 31 23h 59m 60s
2006 January 01 0h 0m 0s
3. The difference between UTC and International Atomic Time (TAI) is:
from 1999 01 Jan, UTC to 2006 01 January, UTC: TAI-UTC= +32s from 2006 01 Jan, UTC until further notice: TAI-UTC= +33s
4. Information regarding current and predicted values of UT1-UTC is provided in IERS Bulletin A.
5. UTC and all time scales based on UTC will be affected by this adjustment. However, Loran-C and GPS will not be adjusted physically. Times of Coincidence for LORAN-C are available on the Time Service Web Page (http://tycho.usno.navy.mil/loran.html). For GPS, the leap second correction contained within the UTC data of sub frame 4, page 18 of the navigation message transmitted by satellites will change. Before the leap second GPS-UTC = +13s (i.e., GPS is ahead of UTC by thirteen seconds). After the leap second GPS-UTC = +14s (i.e., GPS will be ahead by fourteen seconds).

Nauticast Navigations system GmbH, the manufacturer of the NAUTICAST and NAUTICAST2 (certificate pending), Nauticast X-Pack DS (USCG Type-Approval Nr. 165.155/0007/0), also know as the ACR Global Watch UAIS, Global Watch UAIS2, Raytheon RM 808 AIS, Marine Technology Bridge mate AIS, has issued a Technical Bulletin alerting customers that the additional second will affect the performance of these systems, unless a manual re-synchronization takes place between January 1 and January 2 (visit http://www.nauticast.com). Mariners are advised to monitor any system that relies upon UTC (GPS, AIS, CELL PHONES etc., et al) for timing or positioning for possible anomalous operation because this "leap second" may affect the performance of other AIS units, as well as other electronic navigation systems.

Simply put, as I understand it, all users of the above AIS equipment must remember to unplug their equipment for around two minutes between January 1 and January 2, 2006. Details are available on the site above, or from ACR at: www.acrelectronics.com. If the leap second is going to affect GPS for ordinary boaters, I don’t know, but we mariners are being advised to monitor for anomalous operation. If you want a real technical explanation for all this, check out http://tycho.usno.navy.mil/leapsec.html.

Winter Schedule Change Proposed in Manasquan, NJ:
The Coast Guard proposes to change the regulations that govern the operation of the Route 35 Bridge, at ICW mile 1.1, across Manasquan River, at Brielle, NJ. The proposal will allow the drawbridge to provide vessel openings upon four hours advance notice from December 1 to March 31. This proposal will reduce draw tender services during the non-peak boating season while still providing for the reasonable needs of navigation. Comments on this proposal should be forwarded to COMMANDER, FIFTH COAST GUARD DISTRICT, 431 Crawford Street, Porstmouth, Virginia 23704 Attention (obr), no later than February 6, 2006. Copies of PUBLIC NOTICE 5-1058 which describes the proposal in detail can be obtained by writing to the above address or by calling (757) 398-6422.

Chesapeake Bay Approach Dredging:
The USCG 5th District announces that on or about 22 December 2005, the Great Lakes Dredge and Dock Dredge PADRE ISLAND assisted by the survey vessel ST. JOHNS RIVER will commence dredging of the Deep Water Route (DW), located in the Southern Approach of the Traffic Separation Scheme (TSS) in the Approaches to the Chesapeake Bay. The Deep Water Route is located between the Inbound and Outbound Traffic Lanes in the Southern Approach. Aids to navigation marking the Southern Approach will be relocated as necessary to facilitate the dredging. Dredge material will be placed in the Dam Neck ODMDS. The Dredge PADRE ISLAND will make securitee calls each time it enters and leaves the TSS, crossing the Outbound Traffic Lane enroute to/from the Offshore Dredge Material Disposal Area (ODMDS). Dredging operations will continue until approximately 31 March 2006. The dredge and survey vessel will be standing by VHF-FM Channels 13 and 16. Mariners are requested to stay clear of the dredge and survey vessel and are requested to exercise extreme caution and no wake when approaching, passing and leaving a dredge operation location and to strictly comply with the Rules of the Road.

Florida Dredging:
The following areas are reported as currently being dredged:
Palm Valley, through Jan 2006
New Smyrna Beach, through May, 2006
Dania Beach, Hollywood and Hallandale Beach, through Feb, 2006
Miami River, through December, 2006
Key West Harbor and Fleming Key, through February, 2006

A few comments about dredging operations: There is a lot of bulky and expensive equipment involved, and the operations are sometimes under staffed. The operators want to get their equipment out of our way when we come through with our boats, but it takes time to move it. If we don’t allow them time to do their work, they cannot complete the jobs we need them to do. Be patient. Contact the dredges on VHF Channel 13 or 16 for passing instructions. Pass slowly, with no wake. Wake can damage equipment and hurt workers. The passage may be narrow, and it may be shallow. Approach with caution.

Sometimes you may encounter long sections of dredge pipe anchored alongside channels in the ICW. Sometimes it can come unanchored and float into the channels. This happened in very windy conditions in the St Augustine area a month ago. The quarter mile long dredge pipe effectively blocked the entire ICW channel of the wide Tolomato River. Boats had to pass outside the channel or not at all. Luckily, a kind tug boat captain from another company rescued the pipe and reanchored it. If you see something like this, be very careful and report it to the Coast Guard.

Jacksonville, Florida Boaters—Make Your Views Known:
Jacksonville, Florida is a “Boom Town” these days. New businesses bring more people who build more houses, drive more cars on more highways and buy more boats to use on the limited already crowded waterways. It is very busy around here. If you’ve ever encountered large commercial traffic in the swift current of the narrow St. Johns River in a small boat (and there are lots of them here), especially where it crosses the ICW, this should be of interest to you.

The USCG 7th District reports that “the U.S. Coast Guard is conducting a Waterways Analysis Management System (WAMS) study of the St Johns River, FL. The study will include looking at waterborne commerce and safe commercial and recreational navigation with a focus on the existing aids to navigation in the area. The St Johns River WAMS study includes the navigable waters from the St Johns Lighted Buoy STJ inbound to the Fuller Warren Bridge in Downtown Jacksonville, Florida. The study specifically targets: Precautionary and Regulated Navigation Areas, Port Facilities and Army Corps of Engineer surveys and projects. The study will also be expanded to include the St Johns Light, Mayport Basin, Intersection of the Intracoastal Waterway, Blount Island and the Trout River up to the Trout River Swing Bridge. WAMS studies are conducted periodically throughout designated navigable waters to better facilitate safe and effective waterways. Any waterway user, association or company wishing to participate in a user survey or provide recommendations or comments on existing or additional reduction of aids to navigation in this area can receive further information by contacting CWO4 Dave Foley by March 31, 2006. CWO4 Dave Foley can be contacted at Coast Guard Sector Jacksonville, Florida, Waterways Management Branch, at (904) 564-7565, or via e-mail at DFoley@grumayport.uscg.mil or via mail at: Commander (WAMS), USCG Sector Jacksonville, 4200 Ocean Street, Atlantic Beach, FL 32233, Attn: CWO4 D. X. Foley Jr.”

Port Orange Bridge, FL (Mile 835.5) Vertical Clearance Reduced:
USCG 7th District LNMs 51 and 52 state that “the vertical clearance of the Port Orange Bridge (Dunlawton Avenue) across the Intracoastal Waterway Mile 835.5 will be reduced by six feet on one half of the channel from January 9, 2006 to April 30, 2006, due to painting operations.”

Note that this is a charted 65 ft. vertical clearance fixed bridge. We have seen the tide boards on this bridge reading less than 65 ft. at several high tides. If there is any question as to vertical clearance, make sure to be in the “non reduced” half of the channel, whichever that is, since they don’t give us a clue which side it will be or when. Possibly they plan to paint one side at a time and will change sides. When you approach, look for signs of further reduction in vertical clearance, as with scaffolding askew or tarps and lines which may drooping down. Charted horizontal clearance here is 90 ft, not a very wide bridge, and the current is swift. Be careful.

Repairs to NE 14th Street Bridge, Mile 1055, Hillsboro, FL:
The same LNMs state that “the N.E. 14th Street (SR 844) Drawbridge across the Intracoastal Waterway Mile 1055.0 will be on single-leaf operations from February 6, 2006 to April 30, 2006. A double-leaf opening will be available with four hours notice to the bridge tender. Repairs to this drawbridge will continue until June 30, 2006, additional closures/restrictions will be published in the Federal Register and subsequent Local Notice to Mariners.” The total horizontal clearance of this bridge is 90 ft. This implies to me that they are expecting further restrictions between April 30 and June 30. This will be the snowbird northing season, so get the latest info before you head up this narrow stretch.

Key West Race Week:
If you’ve ever been there for this event, you know it’s exciting. Yachting Key West Race Week will be held January 16th - 20th, 2006, in the offshore waters of Key West, Florida. The race courses are reported to be not in conflict with the Key West Main Ship Channel. The races will occur daily from 8:30 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. Race officials may be contacted on VHF Channels 16 and 68.
Race Circle Center Points:
(1) Race Circle 1: 24-30.2N 081-53.2W 2NM Radius
(2) Race Circle 2: 24-30.5N 081-50.0W 2NM Radius
(3) Race Circle 3: 24-30.7N 081-47.0W 2NM Radius
(4) Race Circle 4: 24-31.1N 081-44.3W 2NM Radius
All mariners are advised to use caution while transiting in or near area of races.

This information is not to be used for navigation. Consult the latest charts and Local Notices to Mariners and use prudent seamanship. Any person or entity that uses this information in any way, as a condition of that use, agrees to waive and does waive any and all claims which may arise from that use.

Copyright 2004-2008 Tom Neale