East Coast Alerts
By Mel Neale
May 15, 2008

Bridge of Lions, St. Augustine, FL, Closure Schedule:
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE Contact: Laurie Sanderson
May 15, 2008 (904) 825-3647 (904) 669-1165

May/June 2008 Channel Closures at the Bridge of Lions

ST. AUGUSTINE – The channel beneath the Bridge of Lions and adjacent temporary bridge will be closed to marine traffic on the following dates during the day except for two consecutive designated openings according to the following schedule:

The channel will be open on weekends and each day after 6:30 p.m., when the bridge will return to an open-on-demand policy for the evening. Requests for a bridge opening must be made to the bridge tender on Marine Radio Channel 9.

These closures will not affect roadway traffic. For more information, please call (904) 825-3647 or (904) 669-1165.

This work is associated with the Bridge of Lions Rehabilitation Project, funded by the Florida Department of Transportation (FDOT). For more information on the Bridge of Lions Rehabilitation Project, please visit our website at www.FDOTBridgeofLions.com.

New Lockwoods Folly Inlet Crossing, ICW, Survey:

The USACE Wilmington survey on May 5, 2008 confirms that shoaling continues in Lockwoods Folly Inlet Crossing of the ICW. However, waypoints are given for transiting the area through the deepest water, for a controlling depth of just over 6 feet, MLW. Check

http://www.saw.usace.army.mil/nav/AIWW/CFLR/T11.pdf.*

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

GPS and AIS Problem Reminder:
The USCG LNMs continue to carry this reminder: Reports have been verified that some SAAB R3-AIS transponders, when combined with an older GPS receiver, have stopped working while GPS satellite PRN32 is in view. Vessels affected are reported being 'invisible' to other AIS equipped vessels in addition to some AIS equipped shore stations. It has been reported vessels equipped with the SAAB R3-AIS transponders continue to receive AIS information from other AIS equipped vessels. All vessels are advised to check the proper operation of their AIS and GPS equipment. GPS problems should be reported to the USCG Navigation Center at www.navcen.uscg.gov/gps/userinputgps.htm or contact the USCG Navigation Information Service at 703.313.5900.

Fishing Vessel Sunk in Maine:
From 1 st USCG District LNM 20: A fishing vessel has been reported sunk at its mooring IVO South Bristol Harbor in pos 43-52.040N, 069-33.270W. All mariners are advised to transit with caution.

Boston Harbor Ops:
From the USCG 1 st District LNM 19: Drilling, Blasting and Dredging operations are being done in Boston Harbor and the North Ship Channel until further notice. Mariners are urged to use extreme caution in the area. Locations will include Lat. 42° 20- 19.14-N Lon. 70° 58- 46.5-W, E/SE of Castle Island, Lat. 42° 20- 23.92-N Lon. 70° 20- 46.94-W, President Roads Anchorage, Lat. 42° 21- 15.80-N Lon. 70° 55- 51.95-W, North Channel, and Lat. 42° 22- 03.70-N Lon. 70° 55- 18.83-W, North Channel. Mariners are further advised to transit at their slowest safe speed to minimize wake and proceed with caution after passing arrangements have been made. Diving operations will be ongoing and appropriate signals will be shown. Security zones will be established during blasting operations. Vessels involved will be the Drill Barge (120 by 38)-Alex-, and the Dredge (200 by 50) -Jonathan-. The Barges will be spudded down during good weather and will utilize anchor. VHF Channels 13 and 16 will be monitored.

Dredging in Mystic River, Boston:
The USCG 1 st District LNM 20 announces two dredging projects:

1. Dredging operations will take place in the Mystic River from 13 May through 20 May, 2008. The dredge operator may be reached on channels 13 or 16.

2. Dredging will be done in the Mystic River, NW of the Tobin Bridge from 15 May - 15 July 2008. The hours of operation will be 7 days a week, 24 hours a day. On scene will be the Dredge GL 54, Tug ME Lemmerhirt, Tug Atlantic Dawn, Dump scows GL 63 and GL 65 that will be monitoring VHF.

Shoreline Excavation, New Bedford Harbor, Mass:
From the USCG 1 st District LNM 19: Shoreline excavation work will done in New Bedford Harbor from 28 April - 04 July 2008. The work will done 7 days a weeks from 6:30 am - 8:00 pm. Two floating docks will be spudded in place each extending between 80 and 100 feet off the eastern shoreline into the Acushnet River. Excavators will be on the floating docks operating within the approximate north and south property line of the former Aerovox facility, extending into the river at southeast point of 70 54- 59.976- W by 41 40- 24.284- N and a northeast point of 70 54- 57.644- W by 41 40- 29.480- N. The work area is approximately 6,000 feet (.987 Nm) north of the Rte. 195 and Coggeshall Street bridges. A floating white oil boom is attached to the docks as well as blinking lights located along the docks- perimeter edge. Mariners are urged to use extreme caution in this area and if transit is desired, hail on VHF Channel 77 or make contact on VHF Channel 13/16 to coordinate the passage and proceed with caution after passage arrangements have been made.

Narragansett Bay Underwater Vehicle Tests:
From the USCG 1 st District LNM 19: Naval Undersea Warfare Center will be conducting exercises involving unmanned/autonomous underwater vehicles in the east passage of Narragansett Bay and on the torpedo test range marked on NOAA chart 13223 during the period of 7-23 May 2008. These tests are in support of AUV fest 2008. All vessels are requested to cooperate with the Naval vessels on station for safety of all concerned. Naval vessels TWR-841 and WB-30, and/or WB-825 and other associated smaller craft will be acting as range safety and command and control. R/V Endeavor will also be supporting testing and acting as another command/control vessel for underwater testing. There will be multiple tests occurring concurrently in the bay during the period. All C/C vessels will be monitoring vhf channels.

Safety Zone at Ambrose Light:
From the USCG 1 st District LNM 19: The Captain of the Port New York has established a temporary safety zone within a 250 yard radius of Ambrose Light (LLNR 720) at 40-27-00N, 073-48-00W, and approximately 8.35 nm east of Sandy Hook, NJ. This rule is effective until further notice. In accordance with the general regulations in 33 CFR 165.23, entry into, transiting, or anchoring within this safety zone is prohibited unless authorized by the Captain of the Port New York, or his on-scene representative. On-scene representative means any commissioned, warrant, and petty officers of the Coast Guard on board Coast Guard, Coast Guard Auxiliary, and local state, and federal law enforcement vessels who have been authorized to act on behalf of the Captain of the Port, New York.

New York Harbor Regs to be Modified:
It was not stated which “aspects,” but the USCG 1 st District LNM 19 reports that the Coast Guard proposes to modify several aspects of the permanent safety and security zones within the New York Captain of the Port Zone. This action is necessary to consolidate, clarify, and otherwise modify safety and security zone regulations to eliminate unnecessary regulations and better meet the safety and security needs of the New York and New Jersey port community. This action would modify existing safety and security zones, consolidate and modify safety and security zones currently found in separate regulations, and remove certain safety and security zones.

DATES: Comments and related material must reach the Docket Management Facility on or before July 7, 2008. Comments sent to the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) on collection of information must reach OMB on or before July 7, 2008.

More Anchorage Regulations:
This time it’s New York Harbor Area: From the USCG 1st District LNM 20:

Anchorage Regulations; Port of New York and Vicinity

AGENCY: Coast Guard, DHS.

ACTION: Notice of proposed rulemaking.

SUMMARY: The Coast Guard proposes to amend the existing special anchorage area at Perth Amboy, New Jersey, at the junction of the Raritan River and Arthur Kill. This proposed action is necessary to facilitate safe navigation and provide for a safe and secure anchorage for vessels of not more than 65 feet in length. This action is intended to increase the safety of life and property on the Raritan River and Arthur Kill, improve the safety of anchored vessels, and provide for the overall safe and efficient flow of vessel traffic and commerce.

DATES: Comments and related material must reach the Coast Guard on or before June 9, 2008.

ADDRESSES: You may submit comments identified by Coast Guard docket number USCG-2008-0047 to the Docket Management Facility at theU.S.Department of Transportation. To avoid duplication, please use only one of the following methods:

(1) Online: http://www.regulations.gov .

(2) Mail: Docket Management Facility (M-30), U.S. Department of Transportation, West Building Ground Floor, Room W12-140, 1200 New Jersey Avenue, SE., Washington, DC 20590-0001.

(3) Hand delivery: Room W12-140 on the Ground Floor of the West Building, 1200 New Jersey Avenue, SE., Washington, DC 20590, between 9 a.m. and 5 p.m., Monday through Friday, except Federal holidays. The telephone number is 202-366-9329.

(4) Fax: 202-493-2251.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: If you have questions on this proposed rule, call Mr. Jeff Yunker, Waterways Management Coordinator, 718-354- 4195. If you have questions on viewing or submitting material to the docket, call Renee V. Wright, Program Manager, Docket Operations, telephone 202-366-9826.

 Very Shallow Water in NJICW:
The USCG 5 th District LNM 19 reports shoaling to a depth of 1.0 foot MLLW has been reported between NJICW Light 262 and NJICW Daybeacon 266. Mariners should exercise caution when transiting the area.

Maryland Bridge VHF Channel Change:
This is a clarification of a previously reported request. From the USCG 5 th District LNM 20: In order to better ensure the safety of navigation and to reduce the amount of communication traffic between recreational vessels and drawbridge operators on Channel 13 VHF-FM, the Coast Guard in cooperation with the Maryland State Highway Administration is requesting that following initial contact with bridges over Maryland waterways on Channel 13 or 16 VHF-FM bridge operators shift communications to the designated secondary frequency, Channel 68 VHF-FM, to arrange bridge openings and navigational or boating traffic information. Vessel owners are reminded that Channel 13 VHF-FM is designated for intership navigation safety (bridge to bridge) communications. Title 33 Code of Federal Regulations, Part 117, Appendix A designates the calling and working frequencies for drawbridges equipped with radiotelephones. This appendix is available through the Coast Guard Bridge Administration web site, http://www.uscg.mil/hq/g-o/g-opt/Regulations.htm.

GPS May be Unreliable in Large Area of Chesapeake Bay, April-Oct:
The following announcement is from the USCG 5 th District LNM 15-20. The GPS Coordinates given below are for the Patuxent Naval Air Station, located on the southern bank of the Patuxent River on the Chesapeake Bay in southern Maryland:

THE GPS NAVIGATION SIGNAL MAY BE UNRELIABLE FROM 01 APR 08 - 31 OCT 08 DUE TO INTERFERENCE TESTING ON GPS FREQUENCIES USED IN SHIPBOARD NAVIGATION AND HANDHELD SYSTEMS. SYSTEMS THAT RELY ON GPS, SUCH AS E-911, AIS AND DSC, MAY BE AFFECTED WITHIN A 35 NM RADIUS OF POSITION 38-15-41N, 076-26-01W DURING THIS PERIOD. GPS USERS ARE ENCOURAGED TO REPORT ANY GPS SERVICE OUTAGES THAT THEY 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"

Diving Ops in ICW Ditches:
The USCG 5 th District LNM 20 reports that the W.F. Magon Corp. will be conducting diving operations at the North Landing Bridge on the Albemarle and Chesapeake Canal (AIWW) and at the Route 17 Bridges at Deep Creek, VA and the South Mills, NC on the Dismal Swamp Canal from 19 May to 22 May, 2008.

Possible Obstruction Reported in Alligator River, NC:
From the USCG 5 th District LNM 20: There has been a report of a possible uncharted obstruction in the Alligator River at position 35-56-28.2N, 075-59-30.0W. Approximately 500 yards/225 degrees True from Alligator River Light 7. Mariners should use extreme caution when transiting the area.

NOTE: When we passed through this area in April, 2008, the Coast Guard had been broadcasting a warning of two pilings in the vicinity of quick flashing red “8” (which is opposite “7” mentioned here). They were reported to be about a foot out of the water at about a 45 degree angle. We saw one of them when we passed. It appeared to be jagged, and very thick and nearly stationary. It was in the channel. We don’t know if this could be the same obstruction(s), shifted by wind and current, or something totally unrelated. The “piling” we saw could possibly have easily sunk a fast moving boat.

New Markers Oregon Inlet Area, NC:
From the USCG 5 th District LNM 20: On or about 30 June, 2008 the Coast Guard will make the following changes to the Oregon Inlet Channel/Old House Channel to assist the mariner in safely transiting the waterway:

A. Establish Oregon Inlet Channel Lighted Buoy 34A (LLNR 28118), OR at 35-45-40.337N, 075-35-22.233W.

B. Establish Oregon Inlet Channel Lighted Buoy 34B (LLNR 28119), Fl R 2.5s at 35-45-41.324N, 075-35-23.240W.

C. Relocate Oregon Inlet Channel Lighted Buoy 35 (LLNR 28123) to 35-45-37.075N, 075-35-25.349W.

D. Establish Old House Channel Lighted Buoy 1H (LLNR 28233), Fl G 2.5s

Shoaling in Russell Slough, NC:
The USCG 5 th District LNM 20 reports that on or about 30 June, 2008 the following aids to navigation will be established to mark shoaling in Russell Slough:

1. Russell Slough Channel Warning Daybeacon A (LLNR 34852) at 34-44-17.788N, 076-40-47.456W.

2. Russell Slough Channel Warning Daybeacon B (LLNR 34853) at 34-44-14.391N, 076-40-43.690W.

NOTE: This is the marked route that departs the ICW at “RS” just south of green “29.” It is the shortcut route for entering Beaufort, NC from the ICW southbound, passing Gallants Point, passing through Town Creek to the Beaufort Bridge.

Shoaling in Oregon Inlet, NC (NOT on the ICW):
From USCG 5 th District LNM 20: A U.S. Army Corps of Engineer survey dated 08 May, 2008 indicated shoaling to a depth of 7 feet MLLW approximately 75 yards southeast of Oregon Inlet Buoy 14. Survey indicates that the shoal extends approximately 100 yards in a southeasterly direction. Mariners should avoid transiting this area during periods of low water and exercise caution during other tidal states.

Shoaling at Hatteras Ferry Terminal:
The USCG 5 th District LNM 19 reports shoaling to a depth of 3.8 feet MLLW in the vicinity of South Ferry Terminal Lighted Buoy 1SF. Mariners should use extreme caution when transiting the area.

Shoaling South of Snows Cut, NC Reported:
There have been reports from boaters of shoaling in both the north and south (ICW route) exits from Snows Cut to the Cape Fear River. The two ranges at the exit from Snows Cut along the ICW route (south to the Cape Fear) which in the past have guided boaters through the deeper water in the middle of the channel are being discontinued, according to earlier USCG 5 th District LNMs.

A Frying Pan Shoals Lighted Buoy Discontinued:
From the USCG 5 th District LNM 20: On or about 30 June, 2008 Frying Pan Shoals Lighted Buoy 2FP (LLNR 810) will be discontinued.

Shoaling on Frying Pan Shoals:
From the USCG 5 th District LNM 20: A NOAA survey of Northwestern Frying Pan Shoals indicates a 07.0ft MLLW shoal at position 33-48-07.337N, 077-58-23.405W. Mariners should use extreme caution when transiting the area.

 Beach Restoration Dredging, North Myrtle Beach, SC:
The USCG 7 th District LNM 20 reports another dredging for beaches project: Great Lakes Dredge And Dock Company, LLC, has advised that dredging and beach restoration will commence on or about June 1, 2008, in North Myrtle Beach and Garden City Beach, Horry and Georgetown Counties, South Carolina. This project consists of beach restoration of approximately 25 miles of shoreline from North Myrtle Beach to Garden City Beach and dredging approximately 3 millions cubic yards of sand from three (3) separate offshore borrow site approximately 3.5 miles offshore, and then pumping the sand onto the beaches. Dredging operations will take place twenty-four (24) hours per day and seven (7) days a week, with completion on or about October 22, 2008. The staging area for ancillary equipment and dredge pipeline will be inside of the Little River Inlet. Equipment on scene will be Derrick Barge 65,

Anchor Barge 103, Survey Vessel Miami River, Supply Vessel St Johns River, Jack Up Booster Pumps #1 & #4: Reggie and Jack and Tug/Push Boat Pelican State. All floating pipelines, equipment, and vessels will be lighted and marked in accordance with Coast Guard Regulations. VFH-FM Channels 13 and 16 will be monitored throughout this project. All mariners are requested to transit the area with caution and use their slowest safe speed to minimize wake. For further information please contact Mr. David Johanson at (561) 758-2872 or Mr. Matt Bishop at (630) 561-5060.

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

As of May 14, 2008: Lake level is reported at 9.96 feet.

Route 1: Navigational depths: reported at 3.90 feet.

Route 2 (the Rim Canal) is closed with navigation depths reported at 1.30 feet.

This is down 3.84 inches from the last alert two weeks ago.

Boca Raton Inlet Jetty Construction:
The USCG 7 th District LNM 20 states that Vance Construction Company, has advised that reconstruction of the North Jetty, Boca Raton Inlet, Boca Raton, Florida, on or about June 1, 2008, with completion on or about October 31, 2008. This project will consist of reconstruction of the North Jetty with complete removal, rebedding and restoration. The tug Mark will be standing by monitoring VHF Channel 16 for any and all traffic concerns. For further information please contact Ms. Claudia Jenkins at (561) 650-0016.

Davie Blvd. Bridge, South Fork, New River, Ft. Lauderdale, Closure:
The USCG 7 th District LNM 20 reports that the Davie Blvd. (SW Twelfth Street) Bridge, Mile 0.9 across the South Fork of the New River will be closed to navigation for repairs from 7:00 a.m.-1:00 p.m. Monday-Friday, June 1-June 30, 2008. Horizontal clearance will be reduced to 25 ft. due to barge placement for containment during repairs. It will also be closed from 4:30 p.m.-6:00 p.m. Monday-Friday; the barge will not be in the channel during these times.

The vertical clearance will not be below 21 ft. MHW.

Tampa Bay Obstruction:
From the USCG 7 th District LNM 20: All mariners are advised that a I-Beam is sticking out of the water in position 27-47-32.700N 082-35-54.480W, in the vicinity of Coffee Pot Bayou, Tampa Bay, Florida. The I-Beam is marked with red reflectors attached. All mariners are advised to exercise extreme caution while transiting the area.

CG San Juan PR: VHF 16 Not Operational:
The USCG 7 th District also covers PR. If you are traveling that far east, you may be interested in this notice from LNM 20: The U.S. Coast Guard San Juan VHF-FM Monte High Site is non-operational until further notice. All mariners are requested to keep a listening watch on VHF-FM Channel 16 and report any distress calls to the U.S. Coast Guard, San Juan, Puerto Rico. The U.S. Coast Guard San Juan can be contacted at (787) 289-2041.

 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.