East Coast Alerts
By Mel Neale
June 29, 2006

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

Special Restrictions for Shuttle Launch, July 1, 2006:

7 th District USCG LNM 25 reports the following restrictions for the Shuttle launch scheduled for July 1, 2006:  

NO Radar Use During Shuttle Launch and Landing:

The National Aeronautic and Space Administration (NASA) has requested that all mariners unless otherwise authorized by NASA please refrain from RADAR tracking of the STS-121 launch and landing. The possible launch period is July 1 to July 16, 2006. The possible landing period is July 13 to July 29, 2006.

Cape Canaveral , FL Area Bridges Closed for Shuttle Launch:

To facilitate vessel traffic during the NASA Shuttle Atlantis launch on July 1 st 2006 the State Road 401, Addison Point, NASA Causeway, State Road 3 Barge Canal and Haulover Canal Bridges will have the following marine traffic control plan. The bridges will be closed from 3 hours prior to the launch and 3 hour after the launch. During this time the bridges will open for 5 minutes every half hour to allow accumulated boat traffic to move through. However, from 1 hour prior to launch to 1 hour 30 minutes after the launch the bridges will remain closed and will be unable to accommodate vessel traffic.

Check for updates to the schedule at www.nasa.gov/missions/highlights/schedule.html.  

July Fourth Activities and Bridge Closures in NJ and NC:

Celebrations for the Fourth of July abound on the waterfront. There are too many fireworks displays to mention here. The important thing for all boaters to remember is that if you are in the area of a fireworks display or boat parade, heed the local rules in effect in that area. It can be dangerous to be in the wrong place around fireworks. Noteworthy among the Fourth of July restrictions are some bridge closings announced in the USCG 5 th District LNMs 25 and 26:

Brielle , NJ :

Mariners are advised that the Route 35 Bridge, at ICW mile 1.1, across Manasquan River, at Brielle, NJ will be closed to vessels from 9:30 p.m. on July 4, 2006 until midnight on July 5, 2006, after the July 4th fireworks display. Mariners should adjust their transits accordingly.

Beaufort Bridge Closed for Vessel Traffic for Pepsi America Sail Event:

Mariners are advised that the US 70 Bridge, at mile 0.1, over Beaufort (Gallants) Channel in Beaufort, NC will be maintained in the closed position to vessels from midnight on June 30, 2006 until 9 p.m. on July 5, 2006, to facilitate the Pepsi America Sail 2006 event. The Pepsi Sail event is expected to draw approximately 400,000 spectators with vehicles to the region for this 4th of July holiday weekend. The bridge serves as a primary traffic route for vehicles attending the event. Disruption of this route to accommodate routine maritime traffic along this waterway would significantly impact public safety by not allowing for the orderly movement of pedestrians and vehicular traffic before, during and after the event. Mariners should exercise caution when transiting the area.  

Dredging Continues at Salt Pond, Hampton, VA:

5h District USCG LNM 25 and 26:

The following Private aids to navigation have been relocated:

Salt Ponds Daybeacon 5 (LLNR 12865) to position 37-03-45.600N, 076-16-51.000W

Salt Ponds Daybeacon 9 (LLNR 12865) to position 37-03-47.400N, 076-16-58.800W

The dredging will be conducted at the entrance to Salt Ponds from 21 June until 25 August, 2006. The dredge can be contacted on VHF-FM channels 13 and 16.

Twenty-five New VIMS Research Buoys Set in Lower Chesapeake:

From USCG 5 th District LNM 25: Virginia Institute of Marine Science will establish twenty-five (25) data buoys, ten (10) lighted buoys and fifteen (15) unlighted buoys. Aids will be established on or about June 13, 2006 and removed by March 1, 2007. All buoys are yellow and all the lighted aids will be flashing 4 seconds amber (yellow) lights.

VIMS-Back River Reef LAT LONG

Lighted Data Buoy B1 37 08 25.86 76 14 47.76 Fl Y 4s

Data Buoy B2 37 08 00.12 76 14 44.52

Lighted Data Buoy B3 37 07 34.20 76 14 40.98 Fl Y 4s

Data Buoy B4 37 08 41.16 76 14 21.18

Data Buoy B5 37 08 15.18 76 14 18.24

Data Buoy B6 37 07 49.50 76 14 14.70

Data Buoy B7 37 08 30.00 76 13 52.02

Data Buoy B8 37 08 04.26 76 13 48.42

Lighted Data Buoy B9 37 08 45.30 76 13 25.74 Fl Y 4s

Data Buoy B10 37 08 19.32 76 13 22.20

Lighted Data Buoy B11 37 07 53.64 76 13 18.60 Fl Y 4s

Lighted Data Buoy B12 37 08 19.32 76 12 49.44 Fl Y 4s

VIMS-York Spit

Lighted Data Buoy Y1 37 12 51.60 76 15 11.76 Fl Y 4s

Data Buoy Y2 37 12 51.60 76 14 55.80

Lighted Data Buoy Y3 37 12 51.60 76 14 39.42 Fl Y 4s

Data Buoy Y4 37 12 40.20 76 15 03.96

Data Buoy Y5 37 12 40.20 76 14 47.52

Data Buoy Y6 37 12 40.20 76 14 31.26

Data Buoy Y7 37 12 28.86 76 15 11.76

Dredging in the ICW (Mile 6 area, Norfolk/Chesapeake):

USCG LNM 25 and 26 state that the Dredge MOBRO 112, will be conducting dredging operations in the Southern Branch of the Elizabeth River on the south side of the Gilmerton Bridge from 22 June until 15 September, 2006. Dredge spoil will be transported to the Dam Neck Placement site. The dredge can be contacted on VHF-FM channels 13 and 16.

Unexploded Ordinance in NC Close to ICW:

The 5 th District LNM 25 warns that the U.S. Marine Corps has reported that unexploded ordnance is present in the water and on the islands in Bogue Sound between Emerald Isle and the Intracoastal Waterway in positions 34-41-12 N, 076-58-14 W (Cat Island), 34-41-11 N. 076-57-09 W (Wood Island) and 34-41-41 N, 076-54-22 W (Dog Island). Vessels operating in the vicinity of these locations are advised to remain clear of these positions and in no case anchor or ground their vessels on these islands.

Lockwoods Folly Inlet Crossing, NC ICW Dredging Results:

Check http://www.saw.usace.army.mil/nav/cfr-lr.htm (Click Tangent 11, Lockwoods Folly) for the results of the most recent USACE survey, dated May 23, 2006. This shows reported depths resulting from the recent dredging. There was reported a least depth of 13 ft in the channel, except for a small hump at the edge of the channel at green can “47A”.  

Georgia ICW Survey Depths:

Surveys of the ICW by the Savannah District USACE show that depths continue to maintain or decrease in the problem areas that have not been dredged for around five years (between Port Royal Sound, SC and Fernandina Beach FL). You can see the results from the most recent surveys (May, 2006) at http://www.sas.usace.army.mil/navrprts.htm. Mid-channel survey depths are what count: Hells Gate is reported at mean low water at 5’, Jekyll Creek at 5.5’, Little Mud River at 5’, and Buttermilk Sound between Mile 662.1 and 664.5 at 4’, and Umbrella Creek on the Alternate Route around St. Andrew Sound at 4’.

Ft Lauderdale New River, Possible Changes to Bridge Regulations:

From 7 th District USCG LNM 25: The Coast Guard proposes the change the regulations governing the operation of the S.E. Third Avenue, S. Andrews Avenue and Marshal (Seventh Avenue) Bridges across the New River…and the regulation governing the operation of the Davie Boulevard ( SW Twelfth Street) Bridge across the New River…. The draw shall open on signal, except that, from 7:30 to 9:00 a.m. and 4:30 to 6:00 p.m., Monday through Friday, the draw need not be opened for the passage of vessels. Public vessels of the United States, regularly scheduled cruise vessels, tugs with tows, and vessels in distress shall be passed as necessary.

This would allow an additional one half hour of closure for morning and evening rush hours.

Comments must reach the Coast Guard on or before August 21, 2006: Contact Mr. Michael Lieberum, Project Manager at 305 415 6744. Mail comments to: Commander (dpb), Seventh District Coast Guard, 909 SE 1 st Ave, Suite 432, Miami, FL 33131-3050.

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 any and all claims which may arise from or be related to that use.

Copyright 2004-2008 Tom Neale