East Coast Alerts
By Mel Neale
April 5, 2007

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

DGPS SAVANNAH, GEORGIA OFF AIR TIMES
From USCG 7 th District LNM 14: DGPS Savannah Broadcast site will be off air/unusable on April 6, 2007, for semi-annual PMS from 1300Z to 1500Z (0900-1100). Alternate date is April 7, 2007, from 1300Z to 1500Z (0900-1100)

Ocean City Inlet , MD Eastern Shore, Shoaling AND Dredging:
From the 5 th District LNM 14, first bad news, then good news:

Shoaling has been reported in the vicinity of Ocean City Inlet Light 12 that reduces the maintained depth of the Federal Navigation Project to less than 10 feet MLW. Mariners are cautioned to use extreme care and vessels drawing more than 10 feet should carefully consider the state of the tide prior to transiting this waterway.

The hopper DREDGE CURRITUCK will be conducting dredging operations at Ocean City inlet and on the shoal outside the inlet from 22 April through 9 June, 2007. The dredge will be removing sand from these shoals and transporting south to Assateague Island or north to Ocean city for placement into the surf zone. The dredge can be contacted on VHF-FN channels 13 and 16.

Dredging at Knapps Narrows, Chesapeake Bay, MD Eastern Shore:
From USCG 5 th district LNM 14: Southwind Construction DREDGE JENNI LEA will be conducting dredging operations in the Knapps Narrows from Knapps Narrows West Channel Light 1 to Knapps Narrows East Channel Daybeacon 5 and Tilghman Island Harbor from 02 April until 02 June, 2007. The dredge or the tug PROUD MARY may be contacted on VHF-FM CH. 13 and 16.

Hampton Roads, VA, Update:
From USCG 5 th District LNM 14: Weeks Marine Construction Co. will be conducting pier demolition/ reconstruction and pile driving in the vicinity of pier 3- berths 2, 23, 24 and 25 from 12 March 2007 until Oct. 2009. Barges may extend out into the channel 30 to 40 feet from the work site. Assisting tugs may be contacted on VHF-FM CHs 13, 16 & 03. Mariners are requested to transit the site with no wake.

The DREDGE PULLEN will be conducting dredging operations at the Norfolk Naval Station in the vicinity of Pier 14 North and the and Pier 12 South

from 29 March until 20 May 2007. The dredge may be contacted on VHF-FM Channels 13 and 16.

Shoaling in Lynnhaven Inlet, VA:
This inlet was dredged and remarked less than a year ago. Mother Nature marches on. From USCG 5 th District LNM 14: The U.S. Army Corp of Engineers, Norfolk District, survey of Lynnhaven Inlet, dated December 2006, indicates a least depth of 9.0 ft MLLW, in the outbound channel approximately 300 ft South of Lynnhaven Inlet Light 1, and a least depth of 8.0 ft, approximately 350 ft South of Lynnhaven Inlet Lighted Buoy 3. Survey also indicates shoaling, least depth of 4.0 ft approximately 500 ft north of Lynnhaven Inlet Buoy 6, across the channel from Lynnhaven Inlet Light 5.

Wreck on Poquoson Flats, Lower Western Shore, VA, Chesapeake Bay:
Most transients would not take this shortcut across Poquoson Flats, but here’s another reason to avoid it, besides it being generally shallow. USCG 5 th District LNM 13 states that a wrecked fishing vessel has been reported in position 37-11.773N, 076-27.937W. This obstruction reduces charted water depth in the vicinity of Bay Tree Point from 11 feet to approximately 5 feet. Mariners are requested to use caution when transiting this area.

ICW Shoaling at Shallotte Inlet Crossing, NC:
Here’s another reminder, and this is one of several North Carolina problem areas. From USCG 5 th District LNM 14: A U.S. Army Corp of Engineers survey of 01 March, 2007 indicates shoaling to a depth of 2.3 feet MLW between Cape Fear/ Little River Daybeacon 75 and Cape Fear/ Little River Light 77. Mariners should avoid transiting this area during periods of low water and exercise caution during other tidal states. Mariners can view this survey at http://www.saw.usace.army.mil/nav/AIWW/CFLR/T17.pdf . The USACE gives waypoints to avoid the shoal, and 6 ft. is the controlling depth according to the survey, following the given waypoints. It of course may change by the time you transit the area. The site given above is correct. It was not correctly given in the LNM.

Shoaling Reported at Motts Channel, ICW Intersection, NC:
This is a persistent area of shoaling where Motts Channel, a side channel that connects the ICW to Masonboro Inlet, joins the ICW. There are a number of marinas, an anchorage, private docks and a Coast Guard Station along Motts Channel (also known as Banks Channel where it parallels the ocean). The good news is that its other access point at the ICW/Shinn Creek junction to the south is still deep enough for most vessels. From USCG 5 th District LNM 14: Shoaling to a depth of 3.0 feet MLW has been reported in the vicinity of Wrightsville Channel Daybeacon 24 (LLNR 30250) across the channel. Mariners should avoid transiting this area during periods of low water and exercise caution during other tidal states. Chart: 11541.

USACE Survey Shows 9 ft. Controlling Depth at Carolina Beach Inlet Crossing, NC ICW:
Check http://www.saw.usace.army.mil/nav/aiww/bftcfr/T1S4.PDF which is a March 30, 2007 USACE survey that shows 9 ft to be the controlling depth through the ICW at Carolina Beach Inlet Crossing following waypoints given.

The following is a report to the Coast Guard of shoaling in this area. Let’s hope that some boater was just in the wrong place. From the USCG 5 th District LNM 14: Shoaling to a depth of 2.0 feet MLW has been reported in the vicinity of New River -Cape Fear River Buoy 154A across the channel. Mariners should avoid transiting this area during periods of low water and exercise caution during other tidal states. (This ICW marker is on the west side of the ICW, just north of the inlet crossing).

Dredging in Canaveral Harbor, FL:
From USCG 7 th District LNM 14: Weeks Marine, Inc., has advised that maintenance dredging will commence in the Canaveral Harbor Entrance Channel South Jetty Sediment Trap adjacent to and in the vicinity of Canaveral Harbor Entrance Channel Lighted Buoy 13A. The bucket dredge #506 and attendant plant will be on scene and operating on a twenty-four (24) hours per day, seven (7) days per week basis until completion on or about June 1, 2007. The dredge can be contacted on marine radio VHF channels 12 (Port Canaveral Working Channel), 13 and 16. Tugs and scows will transport and dispose of the dredge material in the Offshore Dredge Material Disposal Site (ODMDS), see attached (Enclosure Number 9) sketches for the location of the dredging area and the placement area. All equipment is outfitted for day and night time operations in accordance with Coast Guard Regulations. All mariners are urged to use extreme caution and transit the area at their slowest speed to create minimum wake. For further information or questions please contact Mr. Jimmy Rude at (985) 237-5063.

Florida Bridge Update:

From USCG 7 th District LNM 14:

PORT MAYACA RAILROAD BRIDGE : Bridge Closure.
The Port Mayaca Railroad Bridge, across the St. Lucie Canal, Port Mayaca, Florida will open to navigation with a one-hour notice to the bridge tender from April 8 through April 29, 2007, due to maintenance. Mariners will be advised via Broadcast Notice to Mariners when this bridge will be closed to navigation for short periods.

NEW RIVER, FT. LAUDERDALE, FEC RR BRIDGE: Bridge Closure:
The Florida East Coast Railroad Bridge, New River Mile 2.5, Ft. Lauderdale, Broward County, Florida will be closed to navigation from 4:00 a.m. to 9:00 a.m. on April 14, 2007 and from 4:00 a.m. to 9:00 a.m. on April 15, 2007, for repairs.  

CARD SOUND ROAD BRIDGE : Bridge Repairs.
The vertical clearance of the Card Sound Road Bridge, across the Atlantic Intracoastal Waterway, Key Largo, Florida will be reduced by five feet due to painting operations from April 2 until December 30, 2007. The contractor will change the clearance gauges on the bridge to reflect the proper clearance under the bridge. There will be barge in the vicinity of the bridge at all times; therefore, mariners are requested to operate at minimum speed in the vicinity of this bridge.

JEWFISH CREEK BRIDGE : Bridge Construction.
Work continues on the new Jewfish Creek Bridge, across the Atlantic Intracoastal Waterway, Jewfish Creek, Florida. The contractor is not anticipating any channel closures at this time; but will have floating equipment in the vicinity of Jewfish Creek and Lake Surprise from April 2, 2007 until April 30, 2008. Mariners are requested to proceed at slow speed minimum wake through this location.

Lake Okeechobee Update:

St. Lucie Lock Restricted Schedule:
The severe drought in South Florida has reduced the water level in Lake Okeechobee to the point that now the St. Lucie Lock as well as the Franklin Lock is on a restricted schedule till further notice.

The following is from a Notice to Navigation Interests from the USACE Jacksonville District, dated March 21, 2007. For further information, check http://www.saj.usace.army.mil/conops/structures/navbulln.htm .

Restricted Locking Schedule ( St. Lucie Lock):

East bound vessel lockages on even hours commencing at 6:00AM and concluding at 8:00PM.

West bound vessel lockages on odd hours commencing at 7:00AM and concluding at 9:00PM.

Shoaling in St. Lucie River, FL:
Now that there is dredging of the shoaled ocean inlet into St. Lucie River, in the Stuart area of Florida, the river itself, west of its crossing with the ICW at the “Crossroads,” is now reported to be shoaling. From the USCG 7 th District LNM 14: The Coast Guard has received a report of shoaling in the St Lucie River between St Lucie River Lighted Buoy 2 and St Lucie River Buoy 3. The shoaling has reduced the channel depth to 5 1/2 feet between these two buoys. All mariners are advised to exercise caution while transiting the area.

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