East Coast Alerts
By Mel Neale
May 03, 2007

Ladies Island Bridge , ICW Mile 536, SC Schedule Change:
As reported in the last East Coast Alerts (May 1, 2007), the high level bridge at ICW Mile 639.7 in Beaufort, SC has been damaged and closed to vehicular traffic. The increased traffic on the Lady’s Island Swing Bridge ( Woods Memorial Bridge) at Mile 536 (now the only connection between the mainland and Ladys Island/ St Helena Island area) has necessitated restricting its openings for boats. Local TV news reported on May 2, that the high rise bridge (McTeer Bridge) is now open to one lane of traffic at limited times on a trial basis. The following is from Coast Guard Sector Charleston:*

General opening requirements:

1. In accordance with 33 CFR 117.911, the draw shall open on signal to:
   
   • Tugs with tows (e.g. pushing or pulling equipment); and
   • Vessels in a situation where a delay would endanger life or property.
     
2. As a reminder, in accordance with 33 CFR 117.31, the drawtender will take all reasonable measures to have the draw closed for approaching emergency vehicles.

On Monday through Friday, except Federal holidays:

1. The draw need not open during the following hours:
   
   • 05:30 a.m – 10:14 a.m.
   • 10:30 a.m – 2:14.m.
   • 2:30 p.m. – 7:59 p.m.
     
2. The draw will open at the following times:
   
   • 05:15 a.m., 10:15 a.m., 2:15 p.m., & 8:00 p.m.
     
3. During the night, the bridge will open on the hour, with the exception that no opening will occur at 05:00 a.m. on weekdays.

Note: Per the general opening regulations, the draw shall open on signal to tugs pushing or pulling tows throughout the day. Recreational boaters are reminded to stay out of the way of tugs and tows lining up to maneuver through the bridge. Recreational boaters that pass through a bridge opening with a tug and tow, shall pass behind the tug and tow in order to ensure safe transit through the bridge.

On Saturday, Sunday and Federal holidays:

1. The draw need not open during the following hours:
   
   • 07:16 a.m – 9:59 a.m.
   • 10:16 a.m – 12:59 p.m.
   • 1:16 p.m. – 3:59 p.m.
   • 4:16 p.m. – 6:59 p.m.
     
2. The draw will open at the following times:
   
• 07:00 a.m., 10:00 a.m. 1:00 p.m., 4:00 p.m. & 7:00 p.m.
  
3. During the night, the bridge will open on the hour, with the exception that no opening will occur at 05:00 a.m. on weekdays.

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

Fiscal 2008 Budget Proposal to Transfer Bridge Administration from Coast Guard to Dept. of Transportation:
The OMB has approved proposal of the President’s request for the transfer of the authorities of the Secretary of Homeland Security to approve the construction, alteration, or operation of a bridge, drawbridge, or causeway across or over the navigable waters of the United States and to require the alteration, repair, or removal of such bridge, drawbridge, or causeway…as well as the functions related thereto…to the Secretary of Transportation.

Prior to the approval of the construction, alteration, operation, repair, or removal of any bridge, drawbridge, or causeway over the navigable waters of the United States, the Secretary of Homeland Security shall certify whether such action will unreasonably obstruct navigation or threaten the security of the United States (from Section 520, Page 62, Budget for Fiscal Year 2008).

These authorities are executed through the Commandant of the Coast Guard through the Bridges Administration Program (BAP). This proposed transfer of the BAP will require the merging or centralizing of functions to Washington, DC. All 20,000 bridges now under Coast Guard jurisdiction would be managed from this central office.

Do Mariners Still Need Weather Information on HF Radio?
The following is from USCG 5 th District LNM 18:

PUBLIC COMMENT PERIOD ON CONTINUED NEED FOR HF RADIO BROADCAST OF WEATHER WARNINGS

The US Coast Guard is seeking public comment on the need to continue providing high frequency (HF) radio broadcasts of weather forecasts and warnings. Public comment is necessary in order to assess the demand for the HF radio broadcasts in each of three forms: (1) radiofacsimile; (2) voice; and (3) simplex teletype over radio (SITOR), also known as narrow band direct printing (NBDP). The infrastructure necessary to provide these services has exceeded its useful life expectancy; the equipment is no longer manufactured, repairs are difficult to accomplish, and spare parts generally are not available. Comments should be submitted by August 24, 2007 and addressed to Commander (dpw) 5th Coast Guard District., 431 Crawford Street, Rm.100, Portsmouth, VA. 23704-5004.

Commentary: While most people we know on boats with SSB radios (HF transceivers) now rely on other means to receive weather information than the traditional weather fax and voice broadcasts, there are still some boaters who use HF receivers (much less expensive that a transceiver) to access these services. We don’t now how many. We hope that those of you who still use these methods will respond to the call for Public Comment.

High Water in NY delays Canal System Opening:
While the Okeechobee Waterway in Florida is in danger of being closed to navigation for too little water, the opposite is happening in the North East. A New York State Canal System Notice to Mariners dated April 26, 2007 announces that the New York State Canal System will not open for navigation as scheduled at 7 AM on Tuesday, May 1, 2007. The reason given is that a late season nor’easter and additional recent rainfall and increased snowmelt from warm weather have left the rivers and lakes which comprise and are contributory to the Canal System excessively swollen. It will take a week after the water recedes for the system to be up and running. Monitor 1-800-4CANAL4 and www.nyscanals.gov for updates.

Navigation in Northeast US Affected by Recent Weather:
From USCG 1 st district LNM 17: Due to severe weather conditions, caused by winds, tides, flooding and currents floating aids to navigation may be extinguished, off-station or missing. Fixed Aids to navigation may be destroyed and drawbridges rendered inoperative. Buoys maybe partially submerged and/or misleading as to daymark, color characteristic and numerals possibly missing. Sound signals on buoys may be inoperative. Mariners are cautioned to exercise discretion in using aids to navigation in areas where storm impact has been known to prevail. Waterborne transportation delays can be expected. Industry needs to maintain reasonable expectations and consider self-reliant arrangements in the event the Coast Guard is unable to provide service inside of desired time frames.

Centerville Turnpike Bridge Proposed Schedule Change:
This is a reminder that there is a public comment period for this proposal. See April 19 East Coast Alerts for Important Commentary regarding the consequences of this proposal. This is from USCG 5 th District LNM 16-18:

The Coast Guard is proposing to change the regulations governing the operation of the Centerville Turnpike (SR 170) Bridge, at AIWW 15.2, across the Albemarle and Chesapeake Canal in Chesapeake, VA. The proposal would allow the bridge to open on signal every hour on the half hour from 6:30 a.m. to 6:30 p.m., year round. The reason for this change would be to improve the schedule for both roadway and waterway users. Comments on this proposal should be forwarded to the above address attention (dpb) (5th Coast Guard District, 431 Crawford Street, Rm.100, Portsmouth, VA. 23704-5004) no later than May 21, 2007. A copy of Public Notice 5-1092, which describes the proposal in detail, can be obtained by writing to the address above or by calling (757) 398-6422.

Hatteras , NC (Not on ICW) Aids to Navigation Change Proposed:
From USCG 5 th District LNM 17: The Coast Guard is proposing changes to the Hatteras Inlet and Hatteras Harbor aids to navigation as follow (Chart: 11555):

A. Discontinue Hatteras Inlet Channel Buoy 24A (LLNR 28786).

B. Relocate Hatteras Inlet Channel Daybeacon 26 (LLNR 28795) to position 35-13-14.818N, 075-41-55.194W.

C. Discontinue Hatteras Inlet Junction Light HR (LLNR 28805).

D. Establish Hatteras Harbor Daybeacon 2 (LLNR 28806).

E. Change Hatteras Harbor Light 2 (LLNR 28810) to Hatteras Harbor Light 4.

F. Relocate Rollinson Channel Light 30 (LLNR 28815) to position 35-13-21.508N, 075-41-44.689W.

Any comments on this change should be sent to the below address prior to 29 May, 2007: Commander (dpw), 5th Coast Guard District, 431 Crawford Street, Rm.100, Portsmouth, VA. 23704-5004, Attn: Tom Flynn

Hampton Roads Pier Demolition:
From USCG 5 th District LNM 17: 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.

US Navy Hazardous Operations off Ft. Lauderdale:
7 th District LNMs 17 and 18 state that the United States Navy, South Florida Testing Facility (SFTF) requests that a Notice to Mariners be issued for offshore Fort Lauderdale, Florida, hazardous surface and underwater operations. A US Navy Helicopter will be towing a sidescan sonar on the below listed ranges. The testing will be performed during the time period from May 7 2007 to May 20 2007. The Helicopter operations will be conducted during daylight hours. The testing will be conducted in the field bounded by the coordinates listed below.

SHALLOW AREA-DEPLOYED 2

2605.2500N 08005.0209W

2605.2500N 08004.5000W

2601.2900N 08004.5000W

2601.3003N 08005.1682W

0.6nm x 4 nm x 0.5 nm x 4 nm

70-300 foot deep

SHALLOW AREA-HULL MOUNT 3

2605.2500N 08005.6000W

2601.2900N 08005.6000W

2601.2937N 08005.4260W

2605.2500N 08005.2728W

0.16nm x 4 nm x 0.3 nm x 4 nm

40-70 foot deep

Airborne, surface and submerged Navy assets will be working on the range in the area listed above. All vessels are asked to stay well clear of the Navy assets.

Now We Know the Reason for this Security Zone:
USCG 5 th District announced the following security zone (East Coast Alerts, April 19, 2007) but did not give the reason for this one. Now we know that the Queen will be in town: The United States Coast Guard is establishing a 500-yard security zone encompassing waters in the vicinity of Church Point on Jamestown Island, VA, for the Queen of England's visit to Jamestown Island, VA. This action is intended to restrict vessel traffic within the 500-yard security zone described herein. This security zone is necessary to protect attendees of this event from potential maritime hazards and threats, and to enhance public and maritime security. This rule is effective from 8 a.m. on May 3, 2007, until 8 p.m. on May 4, 2007. FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: LCDR Thomas Tarrants, Enforcement Branch Chief, U.S. Coast Guard Sector Hampton Roads, Virginia at (757) 483- 571.

Update Your Charts Here:
The National Ocean Service (NOS) has moved and expanded the function of its -critcorr- website. The new -Nautical Chart Updates- website allows the mariner to update their nautical charts from one database that includes information from NOS, and NGA Notice to Mariners, the Coast Guard Local Notice to Mariners and the Canadian Coast Guard Notice to Mariners. To access the website and for more information go to: http://chartmaker.ncd.noaa.gov/ and click on -Chart Updates-.

Temporary Buoys Established:
From USCG 5 th District LNM:

The University of Delaware has established the following lighted data buoy:

1. University of Delaware Lighted Research Buoy A (no LLNR) at 38-50-51.6N, 075-06-28.2W , Fl Y 4s.

The buoy will be discontinued on or about 20 November, 2007. Chart: 12214.

The Naval Research Laboratory, Acoustic Signal Processing Group will establish three lighted data buoys until November 2010. All lighted buoys are flashing yellow 2 seconds and are approximately 3.5 to 4.0 miles west of Tilghman Island.

1. Chesapeake Channel NRL Lighted Data Buoy A (no LLNR) at 38 41 24N - 076 25 57W, Fl Y 2s.

2. Chesapeake Channel NRL Lighted Data Buoy B (no LLNR) at 38 40 00N - 076 25 18W, Fl Y 2s.

3. Chesapeake Channel NRL Lighted Data Buoy C (no LLNR) at 38 41 30N - 076 25 12W, Fl Y 2s

Charts: 12263 & 12266.

Dredging in Kent Narrows, Chesapeake Bay, MD:
From USCG 5 th District LNM 18: The DREDGE RICHMOND will be conducting dredging operations in the channel from the Chester River to Kent Narrows from 03 May through 08 June, 2007. The dredge can be contacted on VHF-FN channels 13 and 16. Mariners are requested to review the DREDGING AND MARINE CONSTRUCTION CAUTIONS notice at the beginning of this section. Mariners are requested to stay clear of the dredge and exercise extreme caution and no wake when approaching, passing and leaving a dredge operation location and to strictly comply with the Inland Rules of the Road. Chart: 12272.

Beltline RR Bridge, ICW Mile 2.6, Damaged--Repairs Underway:
"From USCG 5 th District LNM 18: Mariners are advised that there is heavy damage to the southwest side fender system of the Beltline Railroad Bridge, at AIWW mile 2.6, on the Southern Branch of the Elizabeth River, between Portsmouth and Chesapeake, VA. The southwest fender system was hit and is pushed in. Work is in progress to replace the damaged sections of the fenders and barges will partly obstruct navigation. Mariners should transit along the east side of the channel and use extreme caution when transiting the area.

Crofton Diving Corp. is conducting repairs to the Norfolk Portsmouth Beltline Railroad Bridge at 36-48N, 076-17W until further notice. Operations will consist of pile driving equipment, construction deck barges, boats and diving operations. All associated equipment will display navigational lights and dayshapes as necessary. Vessels are requested to transit at a safe speed with no wake and contact assisting vessels on Channels 05 and 13 VHF-FM if necessary.

Cable laying Ops in Hampton Roads, VA:
From USCG 5 th District LNM 18Crofton Diving Corp. will be conducting cable laying operations from 01 May thru 31 May, 2007 at Sewell's Point from position 36-58.62N, 076- 18.951W to 35-58.753N, 076-19.135W to include the entrance channel from the Hampton Roads Bridge Tunnel to Sewell's Point. These operations will include underwater plowing, diving operations and general construction. Boats and deck barges will be moored on site with diver operations. During cable installation divers will be working inside the channel areas to lay cable on the bottom and then jet the cables into the substrate. Operations will be conducted during daylight hours only. All equipment will display dayshapes and lights as necessary to indicate diving operations in progress. Vessels are requested to transit at a safe speed with no wake remain clear of diving operations. Assisting vessels will monitor VHF-FM channels 05 and 13.

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.