East Coast Alerts
By Mel Neale
February 8, 2007

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

Addendum to East Coast Alerts:

February Channel Closures at the Bridge of Lions in St. Augustine, Florida, Mile 777.9, ICW:

February 12-14, 2007, February 19-22, 2007, and February 26-28, 2007:

Between 8:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. AND 8:00 p.m. to 6:00 a.m. the channel at the Bridge of Lions will be closed. Openings will be provided during the 2-hour breaks between each closure period.

*Requests for a channel opening during each 2-hour break must be made
via marine radio to the Bridge Tender on Channel 9. For questions regarding this notice, please call (904) 825-3647.

New Bahamas Fishing Regulations, with Amendments:
The following information is from the official website for the Bahamas, and it’s even more restrictive than the original proposal that we reported in the December 14, 2006 East Coast Alerts:

AMENDMENT TO THE SPORTSFISHING REGULATIONS Bahamas Information Services 01/12/2007 The Department of Marine Resources wishes to advise the general public that the several amendments to the Regulations governing sportsfishing have been made and that these changes came into force on 1st January, 2007. The amendments which have been made to Regulation 48 of the Fisheries Regulations (Ch. 244 – Subsidiary Legislation of The Bahamas – 2000) have the effect of curtailing the amount of marine resources which can legally be harvested by foreign boaters visiting the Bahamas. The general public is informed that Regulation 48 now reads: 48. (1) In sportsfishing the following rules apply- a. A person shall fish by the traditional method of angling with a hook or lure attached to a line held in the hand or attached to a pole, rod or reel; b. A person, unless otherwise authorized by the respective permit, shall not use a spear, a fish trap, or a net other than a landing net; c. Each vessel shall use not more than six (6) rods or reels unless the operator is in possession of a permit authorizing the use of more rods or reels; d. Any migratory fishery resource that is caught shall not in total consist of more than six (6) Kingfish, Dolphin, Tuna or Wahoo per vessel and any resource not intended to be used shall not be injured unnecessarily but be returned to the sea alive; e. No vessel shall have on board any conch, turtle or more than twenty pounds of any demersal fishery resources (groupers, snappers, etc.) per vessel at any time and excluding not more than six crawfish per vessel. (2) The limitations specified in (1)(d) and (e) shall also apply to a Bahamian vessel engaged in fishing for purposes other than commercial by persons who are not Bahamians; 3.Subject to paragraph (1) no vessel shall have on board any fish unless its head and tail is intact. The general public is advised that the Queen Conch (conch) is considered to be an endangered species throughout much of its range within the wider Caribbean area, including The Bahamas. The Government, in an effort to ensure the continued sustainability of local conch stocks, has decided to prohibit the harvesting of the species by foreign boaters. The general public is further informed that the changes to the Sportsfishing Rules may be found in the Gazette SI 79 of 2006 dated 28 December 2006.

And you can check it too, at: http://www.bahamas.com/bahamas/experience/templrgstandard.aspx?sectionid=75580&level=2.

Commentary: We have heard from people on boats cruising in the Bahamas now that the fishing license fee which is part of the $150/$300 Cruising Permit is still being collected, and that the old fishing regulation information sheet is still being handed out. Don’t take chances on this. Follow the new rules.

We, and many others, are saddened that the Bahamian government will no longer allow us to pursue our favorite pastime and form of exercise while visiting their country. We have spent many wonderful afternoons diving (free diving with only a snorkel, mask and flippers) with our family over the 19 winters we cruised there. A few times a week we would find, clean and prepare our own conch, or go spearfishing (with Hawiian slings and spring stainless spears—never spear guns) for a lobster or fish dinner for the family. What a shame that this is no longer permitted.

We support and applaud efforts to protect the environment there, but, in our opinion, these new enactments don’t really do that well because they allow continued overfishing by Bahamian citizens and don’t address that problem. Further, they are poorly worded and potentially confusing, in our opinion. For example, if you buy a fish for dinner from a Bahamian fisherman, you have to keep its head and tail on while it’s on your boat. Further, in our opinion the regulation seems to indicate that you can’t even buy conch from Bahamians except in restaurants. Many Bahamians help to augment their income by coming alongside and selling conch to boaters for cash. But if you buy them, then a boarding party can think that you caught them illegally. These local fishermen don’t carry receipts and a scrap of paper signed by one might not pass muster with a member of a Royal Defense Force boarding party.

Two Bluewater Books and Charts Events in February:

Cruising America's Great Loop
Join authors Ron and Eva Stob on February 13 for an informative evening at Bluewater Books & Charts in downtown Fort Lauderdale. The Stobs are the Directors of the America's Great Loop Cruising Association, and have written extensively on cruising America's Great Loop. Honey, Let's Get a A Boat is one of their popular titles. The Stobs will show slides and answer questions, and will be available to sign copies of their book. The event will be accompanied by a wine and cheese reception. When: Tuesday, Feb 13, 2007, 6:00 PM Where: Bluewater Books & Charts,1811 Cordova Rd, Fort Lauderdale, FL 33316 Info: Call (954) 763-6533, ex 228

Cruising to the Bahamas
Nigel Calder will be at Bluewater Books & Charts on Friday, February 23, at 6:00 PM for a seminar on how to cruise to the Bahamas. Calder has written many books on mechanics, maintenance, cruising and navigation, including The Boatowner's Mechanical and Electrical Manual, Marine Diesel Engines, Refrigeration for Pleasureboats, Nigel Calder's Cruising Handbook, Cuba: A Cruising Guide, and How to Read a Nautical Chart. This free event will be accompanied by a wine and cheese reception, and the author will be happy to answer questions and sign books after the event. When: Friday, February 23, 2007, 6:00 PM Where: Bluewater Books & Charts, 1811 Cordova Rd, Fort Lauderdale, FL 33316 Info: (954) 976-6533, ex 228.

Weems Creek ( Annapolis, MD Area) Fixed Bridge Complete:
From USCG 5 th District LNM 05: Mariners are advised that the Maryland State Highway Administration has completed the replacement of Bridge No. 2042 on MD 70, at mile 0.8, across Weems Creek in Annapolis, MD. The bridge is now a five-span fixed steel plate girder. At the main span, the minimum vertical clearance is approximately 28 feet 6 inches, above mean high water. This clearance is based on a mean high water elevation of 1.50. The main span is 180 feet and provides a minimum horizontal clearance of 145 feet. The waterway is approximately 13 feet deep throughout the horizontal clearance area.

Dredging in Virginia:
From USCG 5 th District LNM 06:

The DREDGE ATLANTIC will be conducting dredging operations at the Northrup Grumman Newport News Shipyard from 12 February until 31 March 2007. The dredge may be contacted on VHF CH 13 and 16. Traffic is requested to contact the dredge at least 30 minutes prior to approaching the dredge site.

The DREDGE PULLEN will be conducting dredging operations at the Kinder Morgan Terminals adjacent to the Pier IX Terminals from 15 February until 31 March 2007. A pipeline will cross the main channel in the vicinity of Anchorage J-1 and run from the project to the Craney Island Disposal Area. The dredge may be contacted on VHF CH 13 and 16. Traffic is requested to contact the dredge at least 30 minutes prior to approaching the dredge site.

Dredging will be conducting in the Appomattox River in the vicinity of Appomattox River Daybeacon 9 and Appomattox River Daybeacon 10 from 14 February until 31 March 2007.

The DREDGE ESSEX will be conducting dredging operations on the James River between Dancing Point and Swann Point from 15 February until 25 March 2007. The dredge will be working the green side of the channel. The dredge may be contacted on VHF CH 13 and 16. Traffic is requested to contact the Dredge ESSEX at least 30 minutes prior to approaching the dredge site.

Construction in Hampton Roads, VA:
From USCG 5 th District LNM 05: SKANSKA USA Civil, Southeast, Inc will commence an eighteen month wharf extension project at Norfolk International Terminals on Monday, January 15, 2007. Associated hazards to navigation during this project will include lighted vessel anchor buoys in the vicinity of the North Wharf as well as a turbidity curtain that will extend out from the project area. The curtain will be marked every 100 feet with flashing amber lights approximately five feet high. For more information contact SKANSKA Southwest, Inc at 757-489-2026.

Shoaling in North Carolina:
From the USCG 5 th District LNM 06:

A U.S. Army Corp of Engineers survey of 10 January, 2007 indicates shoaling to a depth of 6.8 feet MLW in the AIWW near Brown's Inlet in the vicinity of Bogue Inlet to New River Inlet Buoy 60. Mariners should avoid transiting this area during periods of low water and exercise caution when transiting during other tidal periods. Our depth sounder showed around 6 ft here at low tide in Mid-November, 2006.We had reports from vessels in the area that a dredge was working to clear this shoal shortly afterward. Apparently it didn’t do enough.See http://www.saw.usace.army.mil/nav/AIWW/BFTCFR/Tfs2a.pdf

This is NOT on the ICW. Around a year ago, the markers were removed from this creek due to shoaling. They were replaced last spring. A U.S. Army Corp of Engineers survey of 20 Dec, 2006 indicates shoaling to a depth of 2.6 feet MLW between Old Topsail Creek Buoy 5 and Old Topsail Creek Buoy 7. The shoaling extends to approximately mid-channel. Mariners should avoid transiting this area during periods of low water and exercise caution when transiting during other tidal periods. Check http://www.saw.usace.army.mil/nav/inlets.htm

This is NOT on the ICW: A U.S. Army Corp of Engineers survey of 10 Jan, 2007 indicates shoaling to a depth of 5.1 feet MLW between Carolina Beach Inlet Buoy 2 and Carolina Beach Inlet Buoy 4. The shoaling extends to approximately mid-channel. Mariners should avoid transiting this area during periods of low water and exercise caution when transiting during other tidal periods. See http://www.saw.usace.army.mil/nav/inlets/carolinabeachinlet.pdf

This is NOT on the ICW: A US Army Corp of Engineers survey of 10 January, 2007 indicates shoaling in New River Inlet’s Cedar Bush Cut to a depth of 3.1 feet MLW. The shoaling extends New River Inlet Buoy 10A to New River Inlet Buoy 10B. Mariners should avoid transiting this area during periods of low water and exercise caution when transiting during other tidal periods. Mariners can view this survey at www.saw.usace.army.mil/nav/inlets/cedarbush.pdf .

Jacksonville , Florida (NOT on the ICW), Bridge Info:
From USCG 7 th District LNM 05:

FULLER WARREN BRIDGE : Bridge Demolition.

This bridge has been in the demolition stage for months, but it is supposed to continue till the end of March. The Captain of the Port Jacksonville advises all mariners that the navigable channel in the vicinity of the Old Fuller Warren Bridge will be periodically restricted for ongoing bridge demolition until March 31, 2007. The navigable channel will be restricted to a 100 foot horizontal clearance from 7:00 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. during that time. Mariners requiring more than 100 foot horizontal clearance may request a full channel opening by contacting the Tug ST JOHNS and/or Tug BANTAM on VHF-FM channel 13, two hours in advance. All marine traffic should take caution when passing through this portion of the St. Johns River.

San Sebastian River, St Augustine, FL Area Long Term Dredging Project:
USCG 7 th District LNM 05 states that Subaqueous Services Inc., has requested that the U.S. Coast Guard issue a Broadcast Notice to Mariners and a Local Notice to Mariners advising all mariners transiting the San Sebastian River between the U.S. 1 bridge and the North Prong Dam, that this portion of the river is being used as a staging area for floating and submerged pipeline for an upcoming dredging project to begin in the month of March 2007, with completion in year 2010. The piping is marked with identification buoys and lights. The actual date and location/position of this dredging project will be published at a later date in the Local Notice to Mariners. All mariners are urged to transit this area with extreme caution and a slow safe speed as some pipe is submerged. For further information please contact Ms. Adrienne Council, Project Administrator at (407) 926-7796.

South Florida Testing Facility (US Navy Operations):
USCG LNM 05 and 06 contain the following three related announcements:

The United States Navy, South Florida Testing Facility (SFTF), Fort Lauderdale, Florida, will be performing underwater and surface tests during the time period from February 7, 2007 to February 9, 2007. The testing will be conducted from one half mile south of the Inlet to two (2) miles south of the Dania Pier from one (1) mile east of the coastline to five (5) miles east of the coastline. Navy assets will be working on the range in the area defined above. These tests will be on a daily basis twenty-four (24) hours per day until completion. All vessels are asked to stay well clear of the Navy assets.

The United States Navy, South Florida Testing Facility (SFTF), Fort Lauderdale, Florida, will be installing offshore inert targets during the time period from February 9, 2007 to February 11, 2007. The targets will be installed in the below areas bounded by the following coordinates:

RSM Field: (Same points as given below)

Corner Point Latitude Longitude

NW 26 deg 5.25-N 080 deg 5.6-W

SW 26 deg 1.29-N 080 deg 5.6-W

NE 26 deg 5.25-N 080 deg 2.745-W

SE 26 deg 1.29-N 080 deg 2.745-W

The targets in the field will be bottom moored and tethered in water depths ranging from 60 feet to 600 feet. This operation will be conducted from 6:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m. daily until completion. All vessels are asked to stay well clear of deployment vessels.

The United States Navy, South Florida Testing Facility (SFTF), Fort Lauderdale, Florida, will be calibrating offshore range assets during the time period from February 12, 2007 to February 16, 2007. The testing will be conducted in the below areas bounded by the following coordinates:

ERMA Field: (Same points as given above)

Corner Point Latitude Longitude

NW 26 deg 5.25-N 080 deg 5.6-W

SW 26 deg 1.29-N 080 deg 5.6-W

NE 26 deg 5.25-N 080 deg 2.745-W

SE 26 deg 1.29-N 080 deg 2.745-W

The testing required towing sources giving the ship limited maneuverability. These tests will be conducted daily twenty-four (24) hours per day until completion. All vessels are asked to stay well clear of the tow vessels.

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.

Copyright 2004-2008 Tom Neale