East Coast Alerts
By Mel Neale
February 21, 2008

Penobscot Bay , ME , Waterway Analysis Comments Invited:

The 1 st District LNM 07 states the* Coast Guard is conducting Waterways Analysis Reviews of Penobscot Bay and Tributaries. The Waterways Analysis Review is used to determine the effectiveness of aids to navigation within the waterways.

The following areas are under review: Isle Au Haut Thorofare, Penobscot Bay Approaches, Isle Au Haut Bay, East Penobscot Bay, Fox Island horofare, Carvers Harbor (Vinalhaven), From South (Vinalhaven), From Westward (Vinalhaven), From Eastward (Vinalhaven), The Reach (Vinalhaven), Hurricane Sound, Laireys Narrows, Leadbetter Narrows, Gilkey Harbor, Castine Harbor, Bagaduce River, Penobscot River, Stockton Harbor, Searsport Harbor, Belfast Harbor, West Penobscot Bay, Inner Bay Ledges, Camden Harbor, Rockport Harbor, Rockland Harbor, Owls Head Bay, Muscle Ridge Channel, Two Bush Channel, Wheelers Bay, Tenants Harbor Approach, and Penobscot Bay and Approaches (Chart 13302).

Mariners and other concerned parties are invited to comment on aids to navigation within these waterways. Any comments or recommended changes to aids to navigation should be received no later than May 15, 2008. Send comments to: Supervisor U.S. Coast Guard Sector Field Office Southwest Harbor, PO Box 5000, Southwest Harbor, ME 04679, ATTN: ATON Officer. Questionnaires can be obtained by mail by calling 207-244-4234.

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

Location of Sunken Vessel Confirmed:

The USCG 1 st District LNM reports that the Coast Guard confirmed a report that the 65' wooden Fishing Vessel LAUREN T sunk at (PA) 44-06.54N 069-05.32W on January 15, 2007. The LAUREN T is partially submerged in approximately 15 feet of water, the mast is visible by day throughout the tide cycle, and is not in a navigational channel. Mariners are advised to proceed with caution while transiting the area.

Dredging Equipment Lost, Massachusetts Bay, North Channel:

From the USCG 1 st District LNM 07: Dredging equipment has been reported lost in the vicinity of the area between buoy 4 (LLNR 10695) and buoy 8 (LLNR 10715), resulting in a possible reduction of advertised depth. All vessels should use caution transiting the area.

Two attached 10ft x 40ft floats submerged in pos 42-21.16N 070-55.55W, approx. 300ft north west of red buoy #6, outside the Boston North Channel. Obstruction is marked by lighted marker and is in 25-30ft of water. Mariners are advised to use caution when transiting the area and report any sightings to us coast guard.

Dredging Chesapeake Bay, Baltimore Area:

From the 5 th District LNM 07: GREAT LAKE DREDGES 54 and 55 will be conducting maintenance dredging operations within the Craighill Angle, Craighill Channel Upper Range, Cutoff Angle, Brewerton Channel Eastern Extension, Brewerton Angle and Fort McHenry Channel from 08 February until 30 April, 2008. The Tugs ALEXANDRA WEEKS, KATHERINE WEEKS, COLONEL and MELVIN LEMMERHIRT will transport the dredged material to the Poplar Island Disposal site. Mariners may contact the dredges on VHF-FM channels 10, 13 and 16.

Pier Construction--Chesapeake Bay, off Hampton, VA:

The USCG 5 th District LNM 08 advises that PRECON Marine will be conducting pier construction operations in the vicinity of Buckroe Beach at latitude 37-2'-12"N and longitude 076-17'-29"W. Construction operations will be conducted during daylight hours only and are expected to last approximately six months beginning February 25, 2008. The area will be lit during night time hours using lighting fixtures approximately 16 feet tall. For additional information, PRECON Marine may be contacted at (757) 449-8389. Mariners are advised to use extreme caution when transiting this area.

Construction off Virginia Coast:

The USCG 5 th District LNM 07 states that Misener Marine Construction, Inc. will be constructing a ocean outfall system at 79th Street Ocean Front from 28 January until 02 November, 2008. The construction site will have anchored barges with a temporary trestle extending approximately 1700 feet from the shoreline marked with amber flashing lights. Diving operations will be conducted as necessary during the construction period. All mariners are advised to navigate with caution when transiting this area. Chart: 12222.

Figure Eight Island Swing Bridge Schedule:

The following information was contained in the 5 th District LNM 06: 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.

Wrightsville Beach Bridge Short Closure:

From the USCG 5 th District Bridge Branch: Mariners are advised that the S.R. 74 Bridge, at AIWW mile 283.1, at Wrightsville Beach NC, will be closed to vessels from 8 a.m. to 9:30 a.m. on Saturday, March 15, 2008, to accommodate the Knights of Columbus Shamrock Fun Run and Walk. The available vertical clearance in the closed-to-navigation position is approximately 20 feet, above mean high water. Mariners able to pass under the closed span may do so and should adjust their transits accordingly.

New Schedule for Sunset Beach Pontoon Bridge, NC, Mile 337.9:

From a Marine Safety Information Bulletin from the USCG 5 th District Bridge Branch: Effective February 28, 2008, the Coast Guard is changing the drawbridge operating regulations that govern the S.R. 1172 Bridge at AIWW mile 337.9, Sunset Beach, NC. This final rule will allow the bridge to open on signal on the hour for pleasure vessels from 7 a.m. to 9 p.m., year round. The reason for this change would be to improve the schedule for both roadway and waterway users. A copy of the Docket CGD05-07-026 published in the Federal Register on January 28, 2008, as a final rule is included as enclosure (1) to this notice.

There will be a new high level bridge built at this location in the near future.

DGPS Unusable Time, SC:

From the 7 th District LNM 08: DGPS Site Kensington, South Carolina has been granted off air/unusable time for RSIM RECAP (CRIA) install phased II. Unusable time authorized for the following date/time: Primary: Friday, 22 February, 2008, 1400Z until Saturday, 23 February 2008 0200Z.

BB McCormick Bridge Construction Restrictions:

From USCG 7 th District LNM 05:

The new high level BB McCormick Bridge at mile 745.5 will continue under construction until March, 2009. There will be periodic channel restrictions for the next 6-8 weeks. There will be 30 ft. of horizontal clearance during this time. Call 904 223 5076 or the tug tender on scene to request safe passage if you need more than 30 feet of horizontal clearance in the channel. It will take around 30 minutes to accommodate.

NOTE: If you are cruising in the area, pay particular attention to the twice daily Broadcast Notices to Mariners from Coast Guard Sector Jacksonville. There have been several day-long closings at this bridge recently that were not announced in the 7 th District LNMs. These should be announced on VHF Channel 16 and broadcast on Channel 22A, perhaps with very short notice.

Lake Okeechobee Continues Shallow:

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

As of February 19, 2008: Lake level is reported at 10.10 feet.

Route 1: Navigational depths: reported at 4.04 feet.

Route 2 (the Rim Canal) is closed with navigation depths reported at 1.44 feet.

This is up almost an inch from the last alert two weeks ago.

Dredging Begins, Miami River:

The 7 th District LNM 07 announces that Weston/Bean Joint Venture will be performing dredging operations in the Miami River on or about February 15, 2008. This project will start up between the NW 22nd Avenue Bridge and the Dolphin Expressway overpass, and will progress to the mouth of the Miami River as further sections are awarded. Dredging will be performed by the dredge BARREDOR del RIO, and material removed from the river will be transported via barges to 3460 NW North River Drive for disposal. The dredge and barges will be tended by tugs from P&L Towing of Miami. The dredge and all attendant plants will monitor VHF Channels 9, 13, and 16. For further information please contact Mr. Nathan Gilbert at (305)637-7026 (Office) or (504) 259-6424 (Cell).

Offshore Cable to be Installed, Florida Coast, Bahamas to Haiti Area:

From USCG 7 th District LNM 07: Tyco Telecommunications Systems will commece the installation of a submarine cable offshore of Boca Raton, Florida. The cable laying vessel CS TYCO RESOLUTE will be onscene on or about February 19, 2008 until completion on or about February 28, 2008. It is requested that all vessels maintain at least a two (2) NM CPA with the CS TYCO RESOLUTE , call sign V7FF3-IMO Number 9242340. All vessels keep trawls, dredges and other mobile bottom fishing gear at least one (1) NM from the vessel in order to avoid possible damage to the cable, the fishing gear and/or vessel. For further information please contact Mr. Julian Suela at jsuela@tycotelecom.com. The approximate working areas of the vessel are listed within enclosure number (9). According to this enclosure, the area to be covered ranges from the Florida Coast to south of Haiti.

WAMS St. Croix, USVI:

From USCG 7 th District LNM 07: The Coast Guard is conducting a Waterway Analysis and Management System (WAMS) study of the US Virgin Islands, St Croix including the ports of Christiansted, Fredricksted, Krause Lagoon and Limetree Bay. The study focuses on the area-s aid to navigation system, marine casualty information, commerce, port/harbor resources, emergency response plans, and future development projects. Any interested company or individual wishing to provide comments or participate in a user survey should contact: Commander, Sector San Juan, 5 La Puntilla, San Juan, PR 00901. E-mail to Rachael.E.Love@uscg.mil

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.