East Coast Alerts
By Mel Neale
January 24, 2008

Finally!! Worst North Carolina ICW Problem Spot Now Being Dredged:
The USCG 5 th District LNM 03 on January 15 announced that the DREDGE RICHMOND will be conducting dredging operations in the AIWW at Bear Inlet to Brown Inlet from 15 January until 31 March, 2008.

NOTE: this is in the general area of Miles 237-238, and the infamous green can “61A” that has been plaguing ICW cruisers for years, being especially bad this past fall. After dredging, the area will be surveyed and remarked. We will keep you posted on the progress.

The same LNM reported that the DREDGE LEXINGTON will be conducting dredging operations in the AIWW at Figure 8 Island from 08 January until 20 January, 2008. This dredging should be completed, and we will look for surveys of the new depths from the USACE Wilmington in the near future.*

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

Offshore Deepwater Port Safety Zones, Northeast Gateway:
This Deepwater Port is in the Atlantic Ocean, 13 miles off Gloucester, MA. The USCG 1 st District LNM 03 states that the Coast Guard is establishing two temporary safety zones 500 meters around the primary components, two independent submerged turret loading buoys, of Excelerate Energy’s Northeast Gateway Deepwater Port, Atlantic Ocean, and its accompanying systems. The purpose of these temporary safety zones is to protect vessels and mariners from the potential safety hazards associated with deepwater port facilities. All vessels, with the exception of deepwater port support vessels, are prohibited from entering into or moving within either of the safety zones. The safety zones include all navigable waters of the United States within a 500-meter radius of the two submerged turret loading buoys of the Northeast Gateway Deepwater Port located at 42°23-39- N, 70°35-28- W and 42°23-55- N, 070°36-48- W.. Additional details regarding this regulation can be found by going to www.regulations.gov and doing a search for "Northeast Gateway."

 Incomplete Charts Recalled:
The USCG 5 th District LMN 03 asks that mariners return NOS Nautical Chart 11465, Edition 38, Dated Nov. 07, printed without compass roses. Chartlets for the compass roses are issued in LNM 03/08 Chart Correction Section IV. This chart has been reprinted with compass roses. Anyone who purchased this chart should return it to their authorized chart dealer for a replacement. The replacement copy will be available January 23, 2008.

Bahamas NOAA Buoy:
Update on NOAA weather buoy adrift, previously reported by Chris Parker, Marine Weather and Communications, (http://www.mwxc.com/, chris@mwxc.com):

Chris has stopped giving the position of NOAA's weather buoy #41046 which had been adrift in the San Salvador / Rum Cay / Conception / Cat Island area. It had ceased all transmissions in a position north of San Salvador last week. Vessels should keep a lookout for this buoy.

Chris’s description of the missing buoy:
6-meter NOMAD / ARES 4.4.  It looks very much like a rectangular power vessel 20' long, yellow in color, with (2) 20' masts for the instruments.  I have no idea if it's lit at night...it's heavy & doesn't look like it would be very fun to hit!

Norfolk , VA RR Bridge Closed, Not on ICW:
From USCG 5 th District LNM 04: Mariners are advised that the Norfolk Southern (NS# V2.8) Bridge, at mile 2.7, across the Elizabeth River - Eastern Branch at Norfolk, VA, is closed to vessels…until and including 6 p.m. on Sunday, February 3, 2008, and from 7 a.m. on Monday, February 4, 2008 until and including 6 p.m. on Saturday, March 8, 2008, to facilitate rehabilitation to the operating machinery of the swing span. At all other times, the drawbridge will operate in accordance with the operating drawbridge regulations set out in Title 33 Code of Federal Regulations Part 117.1007(a). Mariners should adjust their transits accordingly.

More Dredging in NC:

From the USCG 5 th District LNM 04: The DREDGE MARION will be conducting dredging operations in the AIWW at Peletier Creek Channel from 15 January until 31 March, 2008. The dredge will monitor VHF-FM Channels 13 and 16.

Figure Eight Island Swing Bridge Schedule:
The following information was contained in the 5 th District LNM 04:

Revised schedule for the opening of this bridge through January (Changes are in bold): Mariners are advised that the Figure Eight Swing Bridge, at AICW mile 278.1, at Scotts Hill, NC, will remain in the closed position to vessel traffic from 6:30 p.m. to 6 a.m., 8 a.m. to 11 a.m., and 1 p.m. to 4 p.m. from November 1, to January 31, 2007, with openings on the hour and half hour at all other times. Scheduled night opening for commercial vessels are allowed with a 2 hour advance notice by calling the bridge at (910)686-7747 or by UHF radio channel 13. Coast Guard and emergency vessels will pass on demand.

New extended closure period during February: Mariners are advised that the Figure Eight Swing Bridge, at AIWW mile 278.1, at Scotts Hill, NC, will be closed again to vessels each day from February 1, 2008, until February 29, 2008, from 6 p.m. to 9:30 a.m., from 10 a.m. to 1:30 p.m., and from 2 p.m. to 5:30 p.m., to complete sandblasting and painting operations. In addition, commercial vessel openings will be provided at night if at least three hours notice is given by calling (910) 686-0635 or via marine radio on Channel 13. At all other times, the drawbridge will operate in accordance with the regulations set out in Title 33 Code of Federal Regulations Part 117.821(a) (3). The available vertical clearance in the closed-to-navigation position is approximately 20 feet, above MHW. Also, the vertical clearance in this location is limited to 85 feet, above MHW, by the overhead power line. Mariners able to pass under the closed span may do so and should adjust their transits accordingly.

Should Frying Pan Shoals Lighted Buoy be Discontinued?
From the USCG 5 th District LNM 04: The Coast Guard is soliciting for comments on a proposal to discontinue FRYING PAN SHOALS LIGHTED BUOY "2FP". Comments on this proposal must be submitted by 28 February, 2008. Send comments to: Commander (dpw) 5th Coast Guard District, 431 Crawford Street, Rm. 100, Portsmouth, VA. 23704-5004.

This buoy is about 20 miles offshore from Cape Fear. It is in an area generally around 30-40 ft deep with no charted obstacles nearby. But it has been our experience that it is always reassuring in unfamiliar waters to pick up a buoy visually or on radar in its expected position. If you have concerns about this buoy being discontinued, pass your comments to the Coast Guard.

More Delays at New ICW Bridge, Mile 316.6:
The 5 th District LNM 04 announces another period of probable 30 minute delays at this new bridge construction site: Mariners are advised to take caution and proceed slowly when approaching the construction site of a new highway bridge ( Middleton Avenue) to Oak Island, over the Atlantic Intracoastal Waterway, Mile 316.6, in Brunswick County, NC. Barges will continue operating a boom/concrete pump at the edge of the navigable channel…through January 31, 2008, from 7 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. The waterway shall remain open, but moving the barge and boom may delay navigation approximately 30 minutes.

WAMS Study of Port Royal Sound:
From the USCG 7 th District LNM 04: The Coast Guard is conducting a Waterway Analysis and Management System (WAMS) study of Port Royal Ship Channel. The study focuses on the area-s aid to navigation system, waterborne commerce, marine casualty information, port/harbor resources, emergency response plans, communication capabilities and future development projects. Any interested company or individual wishing to provide comments or participate in a user survey should contact: Commander, Sector Charleston, 196 Tradd Street, Charleston, SC 29401, Attn: CWO2 Hunter G. Crider at (843)

724-7647. E-mail to Hunter.G.Crider@ uscg.mil The Coast Guard is conducting a Waterway Analysis and Management System (WAMS) study of St Helena Sound, Port Royal Sound to include Port Royal Ship Channel, South Carolina. The study focuses on the area's aid to navigation system, waterborne commerce, marine casualty

Savannah River Construction:
From the USCG 7 th District LNM 04: Skanska Construction Company has commenced dock renovations at the Georgia Port Authority Garden City Container Berth Number 2. A 120 ft X 33 ft work barge will be on scene at berth # 2. The barge will be protruding approximately five (5) feet into the navigable waters of the Savannah River at the Garden City Container Terminal. The approximate position is 32 deg 07.31N 081 deg 08.06W, the barge will be lighted at night. All mariners are requested to use their slowest safe speed and proceed with caution. For further information please contact LT Jeanita Jefferson at (843) 720-3273.

Beach Renourishment in Florida:
The USCG 7 th District LNM 04 announces two beach renourishment projects:

St Mary’s River: Weeks Marine, Inc., has advised that maintenance dredging and beach renourishment has commenced at Fort Clinch, Kings Bay Entrance Channel to approximately 3.7 miles east of the jetties. The dredge will alternate discharging loads of dredged material between the offshore Ocean Disposal Site located eight and one half (8.5) miles offshore of American Beach, Florida and the left descending bank of the St Marys River near Fort Clinch. A Dutch Connection will be placed approximately 300 feet from the waters edge. The dredge material will be transported to the bank through a floating pipeline. The Dutch Connection will be lighted for a barge at anchor and the floating pipeline will have yellow flashing lights. This project will be operating on a twenty-four per day, seven days per week basis until completion. The hopper dredge -R.N.WEEKS- will be on scene and monitoring VHF Channel 13 and 16. All mariners are advised to exercised care and reduce speed in the vicinity of the Kings Bay Entrance Channel and eight and one half (8.5) miles off shore of American Beach, Florida. For further information please contact Mr. Charles Balentine at (985) 875-2525 or crbalentine@weeksmarine.com.

Jupiter Inlet: Southwind Construction Corporation will commence hydraulic dredging and a beach renourishment project at the sand trap just inside of Jupiter Inlet, Jupiter Florida on January 21, 2008. This project will continue on a twenty-four (24) hours per day, seven (7) days per week basis with a completion date of March 21, 2008. Pipeline and vessels will be visibly lighted and marked according to Coast Guard regulations. The pipeline will be positioned along the south shoreline to the mouth of the inlet, then traversing along the beach to the renourishment area. The dredge WILKO and workboats: Danny Joe and Miss Leann will be onscene and monitoring VHF-FM Channel 16. For further information please contact Mr. Steve Bassett at (812) 867-7220 or Mr. Mike Will at (812) 483-1528.

GPS Signal Unreliable:
From USCG 7 th District LNM 04: The GPS navigation signal may be unreliable from January 1, 2008 until June 30, 2009 from times 0000-2359Z, due to interference testing on GPS frequencies used in shipboard navigation and handheld systems. GPS systems that rely on GPS, such as E-911, AIS and DSC, may be affected within a three (3) NM radius of position 28 deg 28-14N 080 deg 34-48W. During this period GPS users are encourage to report any GPS service outages that may experience during this testing via the Navigation Information Service (NIS) by calling (703) 313-5900 or by using the NAVCEN-s web-site-s GPS -Report A Problem: worksheet at www.navcen.uscg.gov.

This position is on the Canaveral Peninsula, and the only water area affected (that we can figure) would be the restricted area in the Banana River to the west of the given position.

Lake Okeechobee Continues Shallow:
The 7 th District LNMs continue to carry the same warning: Due to extremely restricted channel depths in Lake Okeechobee, mariners are strongly advised that the following should be taken in consideration whether transiting the Lake or stopping for recreational activities such as fishing.

We checked http://www.saj.usace.army.mil/conops/structures/navbulln.htm for the latest figures:

As of January 22, 2008: Lake level is reported at 10.12 feet.

Route 1: Navigational depths: reported at 4.06 feet.

Route 2 (the Rim Canal) is closed with navigation depths reported at 1.46 feet.

Despite the recent heavy rain, this is slightly down (.01 ft) from our last report on January 8, 2007.

Four Bridges Closed During Miami Marathon:
The Miami Marathon will be held on Sunday, January 27, 2008. The USCG 7 th District LNM 04 announces the closure periods for the following four bridges:

East Venetian Causeway: 6:00 till 9:00 am.

West Venetian Causeway (across the ICW): 6:10 till 9:35 a.m.

Miami Avenue (across the Miami River): 6:25 till 10:20 am.

Brickell Avenue (across the Miami River): 7:10 a.m. till 12:30 p.m.

Jewfish Creek Bridge Restrictions, Florida Keys:
The 7 th District LNM 04 reports that during construction of the new high level bridge over Jewfish Creek, the old bascule bridge opens on the hour and half hour between 7:00 a.m. and sunset, until April 30, 2008. Girder erection is taking place currently on the new bridge, and waterway closures are anticipated during the evenings of Feb. 6 and Feb. 7, 2008.

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.