East Coast Alerts
By Mel Neale
June 12, 2008

No Updates for NOAA Raster Navigational Charts:
The USCG 5 t and 7 th District LNMs 24 carry this announcement: NOAA provides free, Raster Navigational Charts (RNCs) and free weekly RNC updates via the Internet (http://nauticalcharts.noaa.gov/mcd/Raster/Index.htm) and through certified redistributors. For a limited period beginning June 15, 2008, RNCs will not be updated for either Notices to Mariners or for new editions of the nautical charts. This temporary interruption of service is due to a change in RNC production systems. Full RNC service will resume when reliable production is restored. In the interim, continuously updated NOAA Print on Demand charts (www.OceanGrafix.com <http://www.oceangrafix.com/>), traditional printed charts, and free Electronic Navigational Charts and updates (http://nauticalcharts.noaa.gov/mcd/enc/index.htm) will continue to be available.

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

Mount Hope Bay , MA , Test Borings:
From USCG District 1 LNM 22: Test boring operations are being done are being done 500 yards west of the channel until 2 July 2008. The hours of operation are during daylight hours. On scene are barge and work boat. Mariners are requested to proceed with extreme caution and transit at the slowest safe speed to minimize wake.

Boston Harbor Boulder Work:
Also from D1 LNM 22: The Coast Guard is doing boulder relocation work at Graves Light until 7 August 2008. The work is being done during daylight hours. On-scene is a crane barge.

New Amtrak Bridge Opening Schedule, Thames River, CT:
From D1, LNM 23: CONNECTICUT – LONG ISLAND SOUND – NEW LONDON HARBOR AND VICINITY – THAMES RIVER – Notice of Temporary Deviation from Regulations – The Commander, First Coast Guard District, has issued a temporary deviation from the regulations governing the operation of the Amtrak Bridge, at mile 3.0, across Thames River. Under this temporary deviation the bridge may remain in the closed position from June 1, 2008 through June 13, 2008 and from June 18, 2008 through June 20, 2008. From June 21, 2008 through June 30, 2008, the draw may remain in the closed position; except that, the draw shall open for the passage of vessel traffic as follows:

Monday through Friday: 5 a.m. to 5:40 a.m., 11:20 a.m. to 11:55 a.m., 3:35 p.m. to 4:15 p.m. and 8:30 p.m. to 8:55 p.m.

Saturday 8:30 a.m. to 9:10 a.m., 12:35 p.m. to 1:05 p.m., 3:40 p.m. to 4:10 p.m., 5:35 p.m. to 6:05 p.m. and 7:35 p.m. to 8:40p.m.

Sunday 8:30 a.m., to 9:20 a.m., 11:35 a.m. to 12:15 p.m., 1:30 p.m. to 1:55 p.m., 6:30 p.m. to 7:10 p.m. and 8:30 p.m. to 9:15p.m.

The bridge shall open on signal at any time for U.S. Navy submarines and their associated escort vessels. Vessels that can pass under the draw without a bridge opening may do so at all times. Mariners are advised to transit the area with caution and plan accordingly.

Small Boat Operations in New York Harbor:
This is a sure sign of summer. From USCG 1 st District LNM 23: The "Operation Clear Channel" program is designed to educate boaters about the hazards of navigating small vessels and personal water craft in the confines of the narrow navigational channels used by larger commercial ships that enter and depart the various ports in New York Harbor. The federal navigation rules, also known as "Rules of the Road", address this safety concern by giving commercial vessels priority, or right-of-way, over smaller vessels when navigating in narrow channels. 33 U.S. Code 2072 provides for $5,000 penalties for each violation for which penalty the vessel may be seized.

Every day an average of 1,400 commercial vessels navigate the waters of the Port of NY/NJ. The masters of these vessels, while always on the lookout, cannot always see smaller vessels when they cross the channels. For safety reasons, recreational boating activities should always be conducted at a safe distance away from navigation channels. Boaters should keep a sharp lookout for other vessels and always be prepared to give way to ships constrained in their ability to maneuver when transiting within close proximity to a channel.

Coast Guard units in New York and New Jersey actively promote boater awareness through vessel enforcement patrols and visits to local marinas. The Coast Guard targets high-traffic regions, such as the Ambrose Channel, Sandy Hook Channel and Raritan Bay, but also includes all of New York Harbor.

Mariners interested in increasing their knowledge of boating safety, including the Rules of the Road, should consider a Coast Guard Auxiliary boating safety course. Course information is available online at http://www.cgaux.org in the -Take a Boating Course- section, or by calling 1-800-336-BOAT. Further information regarding Operation Clear Channel can be found at http://homeport.uscg.mil/newyork > Waterways Management > 07. Recreational Boating Information and Internet Links or by contacting LCDR Mark Bottiglieri at (718) 354-4222.

New York Harbor Construction:
USCG 1 st District LNM 22: Weeks Marine will be installing the Battery Park City ferry terminal, north of North Cove Yacht Harbor, from approximately June 5-20, 2008. Work hours are 0600-2200, Monday through Saturday. During this time one barge will be on a 4 point anchor system at various locations between North Cove Yacht Harbor and Park Place. The work site will extend about 400 feet from the bulkhead. Each anchor will be marked with a steady white burning light. Mariners are advised to transit the work area…with caution and at NO WAKE/minimum speed during these times.

Dredging, Newark Bay, NJ:
From USCG 1 st District LNM 23: Great Lakes Dredge & Dock (GLDD) will start dredging in Port Jersey Channel between Global Marine Terminal and the eastern boundary of Anchorage Ground 20F. GLDD will start in Reach 3 on, or about, December 1, 2007 and continuing until further notice. Dredging will occur 24 hours a day, 7 days per week. The dredges 55, 54, or New York will be spudded down at various locations throughout the channel during this project. The tugs Melvin Lemmerhirt and McCormack Boys, survey vessel Wolf River, 7 - 5,000 cubic yard and 3 - 8,800 cubic yard scows will also be on scene. Port Jersey Channel will not be closed to navigation and all vessels / dredges will MOVE ON DEMAND. The dredges will be equipped with AIS and programmed to display the correct dredge size and location to AIS receivers. Dredging positions will also be reported via VHF marine band radio by known geographical boundaries (i.e. 100 yards west of Bayonne Channel Buoy 2) if requested by the mariner. Dredges & support equipment are required to report their movements and positions to VTSNY on Channel 14 every 2 hours or anytime their position changes. The Dredges will monitor VHF-FM channels 13, 14 and 16. Mariners are requested to contact the dredges on channel 13 to make any necessary passing arrangements. GLDD will coordinate their dredging with the Vessel Traffic Service and the adjacent facilities to minimize the impact on the adjacent berths. Drilling and Blasting operations ARE NOT anticipated for this project. Each vessel transiting in the vicinity of a work area where drill barges and/or dredges are located is required to do so at no wake speed. VTSNY will continually assess conditions in the dredging zone and surrounding areas and may make further changes to navigation restrictions as necessary. Such changes will be disseminated in the Local Notice to Mariners, scheduled marine information broadcasts, and publication online at http:\\homeport.uscg.mil/newyork > Waterways Management. Please address questions or comments to Mr. Patrick Mannion at (718) 354 4191 or via email to Patrick.J.Mannion@uscg.mil.

Delaware Bay Entrance, Hazard:
I’d hate to run into this! The 5 th District LNM 23 continues to report that The Coast Guard has received a report of a partially submerged hazard to navigation consisting of 3 steel piles, appearing connected and measuring 70ft by 2.5ft at approximate position 38-42.255N, 074-46.208W, 12.5NMs east - southeast of Delaware Bay Approach Lighted Whistle CH. Mariners should transit the area with caution.

Unmanned Underwater Vehicle Tests, Chesapeake Bay, Near Annapolis:
This is about the busiest area of water imaginable in the summer. At least this will take place during the week. From the 5 th District LNM 24: Mariners are advised that Vehicle Control Technologies, Inc. of Reston, Virginia will be conducting surface and submerged unmanned underwater vehicle tests intermittently between June and October 2008, on weekdays and during daylight hours, in the West River-Thomas Point-Bloody Point area of the Chesapeake Bay. Exact locations will be selected for an approximate 20-70' water depth and for a minimum boating traffic presence. The towed vehicle is described as a small, yellow, 12" diameter, and torpedo-shaped object. During the tests, the vehicle will operate autonomously at speeds of approximately 5 knots for short durations. The vehicle will be closely monitored on the water by test program and support boat personnel at all times and testing activity would be curtailed and the area cleared to accommodate any shipping traffic. If necessary, contact the support boat "C-DATA" via marine band radio channel VHF-FM channel 16 or by cell phone at (443) 875-8174.

New Buoys at Woodrow Wilson Bridge Potomac River, DC:
From the 5 th D LNM 24: The Woodrow Wilson Bridge Project has established eight (8) warning buoys to mark the old bridge remains; that are in the charted constructionarea. The warning buoys are temporary and have no Light List numbers. They are all White/Orange cans and worded DANGER.

A. Woodrow Wilson Bridge Construction Area Warning Buoy A 38 47 36.18N, 77 01 40.98W.

B. Woodrow Wilson Bridge Construction Area Warning Buoy B 38 47 36.96N, 77 01 40.74W.

C. Woodrow Wilson Bridge Construction Area Warning Buoy C 38 47 36.06N, 77 01 51.36W.

D. Woodrow Wilson Bridge Construction Area Warning Buoy D 38 47 37.32N, 77 01 51.24W.

E. Woodrow Wilson Bridge Construction Area Warning Buoy E 38 47 35.64N, 77 01 58.50W.

F. Woodrow Wilson Bridge Construction Area Warning Buoy F 38 47 36.78N, 77 01 58.62W.

G. Woodrow Wilson Bridge Construction Area Warning Buoy G 38 47 35.52N, 77 02 06.24W.

H. Woodrow Wilson Bridge Construction Area Warning Buoy H 38 47 36.66N, 77 02 06.30W.

Construction off Virginia Beach Oceanfront:
The USCG 5 th District LNM 24 reports that Misener Marine Constr. will begin construction of a beach outfall pipe in the vicinity of the 79th street oceanfront. Construction will extend approximately 2700 feet out from the shoreline and will be conducted using crawler cranes working off a temporary trestle marked with amber flashing lights. There will be barges anchored at the worksite using six anchor pattern marked with yellow buoys and amber flashing lights. Construction will run from 09 June until November, 2008. Mariners are advised to use extreme caution and a slow speed as they transit this area and watch for barge mooring cables and floats.

Chesapeake Bay Bridge Tunnel Project to Close South Auxiliary Channel:
From the USCG 5 th District LNM 22: The Skanska Corp. will commence a six to eight week long rock scouring project over the Chesapeake Bay Bridge Tunnel in the vicinity of the Thimble Shoal Channel commencing 19 May, 2008. During this operation two crane barges will be anchored in the vicinity of the Chesapeake Bay Bridge Tunnel's First Island. As the project progresses the crane barges will move into the South Auxiliary Channel eventually eliminating the use of this channel to vessel traffic. The crane barges- anchor buoys in the four point mooring system may be located up to 1000 feet away from the barge and will be lighted with a slow flashing yellow light. Skanska tug operators will be on scene Monday through Saturday form 7 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. and monitoring VHF-FM channel 13. If no tug is on scene, mariners are encouraged to contact U.S. Coast Guard Sector Hampton Roads on VHF-FM Channel 16 to report any concerns. Mariners should exercise caution when transiting the area.

Beltline RR Bridge Constriction, ICW Mile 2.6:
From the USCG 5 th District Bridge Officer: FENDER SYSTEM REPAIRS WILL BE PERFORMED AT THE NORFOLK AND PORTSMOUTH BELTLINE RAILROAD BRIDGE AT AIWW MILE 2.6 ACROSS THE SOUTHERN BRANCH OF THE ELIZABETH RIVER IN CHESAPEAKE VA EACH DAY FROM 7AM TO 5PM BEGINNING ON 17 JUN 08 UNTIL 11 SEP 08. TO FACILLITATE REPAIRS, A CRANE BARGE WILL OCCUPY THE CHANNEL REDUCING THE AVAILABLE HORIZONTAL CLEARANCE TO 230 FEET. MARINERS REQUIRING THE FULL WIDTH OF THE CHANNEL ARE REQUESTED TO PROVIDE AT LEAST A TWO-HOUR ADVANCE NOTICE BY CALLING THE SUPERINTENDENT AT (757) 237-0519. MARINERS SHOULD USE EXTREME CAUTION WHILE TRANSITING THE AREA. Remember that with construction work in progress, vertical and horizontal clearance may be less than what is announced.

Shoaling in Hatteras Inlet Channel:
The District 5 LNM 24 states that the Coast Guard has received a report of shoaling in the vicinity of Hatteras Inlet Buoy 12 and Hatteras Inlet Lighted Buoy 13 to a depth of 3.5 feet MLLW. Mariners should avoid transiting this area during periods of low water and exercise caution when transiting during other tidal periods.

Dredging, Morehead City, NC:
This project is almost complete. From USCG 5 th District LNM 24: The Dredge RICHMOND will be conducting dredging operations in the vicinity of the Aviation Fuel Terminal, Morehead City Harbor from 29 May until 15 June, 2008. The dredge will monitor VHF-FM channels 13 and 16. It is requested that all vessels contact the dredge 30 minutes prior to the expected time of passage and transit the area at a -no wake- speed.

 Shoaling at Bogue Inlet Crossing of the ICW:
From the USCG 5 th District LNM 23: An ACOE survey conducted 16 May, 2008 indicates shoaling to a depth of 0.1 feet MLLW in the vicinity of Bogue Sound Buoy 45A. Mariners should use extreme caution when transiting the area. See http://www.saw.usace.army.mil/nav/aiww/bftcfr/TGS1.pdf . Waypoints are given for safe passage, favoring the red (dock) side of the channel. This is subject to change at any time. Proceed with caution.

Onslow Beach Bridge , NC , Good News for Boaters:
Due to unexpected repairs and a tight schedule for the contractors, the Bridge Office of the USCG 5 th District has informed us that the Onslow Beach Bridge will be in the “open to navigation” position until June 27, 2008.

Shoaling to 1-foot at Charleston Harbor, Southern Jetty Entrance:
The USCG 7 th District LNM 23 reports that extensive shoaling has been reported in the Southern Jetty Entrance with reported depths as low as one (1) foot located at approximate position 32-34.5N 079-50.54W, approximately 0.6 NM SE of Charleston Harbor South Jetty Buoy 2 (LLNR 2450). All mariners are advised to use extreme caution while transiting the area. NOTE: There is a NOAA survey in enclosure at the end of this LNM showing the area of shoaling. It is located near some breakers, but in the vicinity of 20-25 ft. charted depths. This is NOT the main entrance to Charleston, but in a shortcut local route between the exposed south jetty and a submerged jetty. There are several other areas of very shallow charted depths in the vicinity of this shortcut route. Approach only with reliable local knowledge, extreme caution and certainly not at low tide.

Lock Closures, Okeechobee Waterway:
According to a May 16, 2008 Notice to Navigation Interests published by the USACE Jacksonville District the navigation lock at Port Mayaca will be closed to traffic at 0600, 7 July 2008 and reopen to traffic at 0600 on 29 August 2008. The navigation lock at St. Lucie will be closed to traffic at 0600, 14 July 2008 and reopen to traffic at 0600 on 29 August 2008.

The notice states that “ these are necessary in order to install Manatee Protection Systems.”

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 June 11, 2008: The lake level is reported to be 9.32 feet.

Route 1: Navigational depths: reported at 3.26 feet.

Route 2 (the Rim Canal) is closed with navigational depths of .66 feet. Route 2 has been closed since Hurricane Wilma in 2005.

This is down 7.68 inches from the last report we gave a month ago.

Port of Palm Beach , FL , Draft Restrictions:
While we know that none of these draft restrictions are for pleasure boaters, we though you might be interested to know what size vessels you may encounter in your travels along the ICW. The depth of the Lake Worth Inlet at the Port of Palm Beach is constantly being dredged to accommodate more and more large vessels. The good news for pleasure boaters on the ICW is that the port is just a very short distance inside the inlet. There are cruise ships, gambling ships and freighters all concentrated in one small area that crosses the ICW and the docks are adjacent to the ICW channel. When these guys are moving, stay out of the way! The 7 th District LNM 24 states that

The Captain of the Port is implementing the following draft restrictions for the Port of Palm Beach:

* Maximum draft for all inbound and outbound vessels at Slack High Water is 32'0".

* Maximum draft for all vessels carrying petroleum products at Slack High Water is 31'0" and 28'0" at Slack Low Water.

* All inbound and outbound vessels with drafts within 3 feet of their maximum allowable draft shall only transit at Slack High Water.

* The maximum draft of vessels with LOA's greater than 600 feet or beam's greater than 85' may be reduced according to the vessel's dimensions and handling characteristics.

Vessels with such dimensions shall contact the Palm Beach Pilots at (561) 845-2628 prior to arrival. * All drafts are for salt water. If you have any questions please contact MSTCS Ray Johnson with Sector Miami’s Waterways Management Division at 305-535-4307.

 Florida Bridge Update: From the USCG 7 th District LNM 24:

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.

B.B. McCormick Bridge, Mile 747, JAX Beach, Closed Again:
From MSIB 10-08, USCG Sector Jacksonville: The navigational channel at the B.B. McCormick Bridge at Mile 747 on the Atlantic ICW will be closed from June 9 through June 27, 2008, 7:00 a.m.-5:00 p.m., Monday through Friday. There will be a one hour channel opening between hours of 12:00 p.m. and 1:00 pm. Channel closed to all marine traffic with opening for declared emergencies only. Contact the tug Anna on VHF Channel 13 or 16 for information. Remember that with construction work in progress, vertical and horizontal clearance may be less than what is announced.

Woolbright Road Bridge (Mile 1036.0): Repairs are underway until September 9, 2008. The bridge will remain operational for marine traffic. Remember that with construction work in progress, vertical and horizontal clearance may be less than what is announced.

Spanish Boulevard Bridge (Mile 1044.9, Boca Raton, FL):The Coast Guard is changing the regulations of this bridge due to repairs. This work will require single-leaf operations on the hour and half-hour with a three hour advance notice to the bridge tender (561 395 5417) for a double-leaf opening. The vertical clearance will be reduced by five feet due to the placement of containment equipment. Dates: 8:00 a.m. on June 15-6:00 p.m. on December 8, 2008. In case of emergencies the bridge will open as soon as practicable. Remember that with construction work in progress, vertical and horizontal clearance may be less than what is announced.

Davie Blvd. Ft. Lauderdale, New River: ( 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. Remember that with construction work in progress, vertical and horizontal clearance may be less than what is announced.

Johns Pass, FL. West Coast: Due to construction this bridge will be closed to navigation from 1:00 a.m. to 11:00 a.m. each day, Monday through Friday until August 31, 2008. The channel under the Johns Pass Bridge will be closed to marine traffic for approximately 30 minutes at 1:a.m. and 10:00 a.m. each day to raise and lower the bridge leafs.

Matlacha Pass, Lee County, Pine Island Sound Area: The Coast Guard has issued a public notice announcing a permit application for the approval and plans for a low-level moveable bridge across Matlacha Pass, Mile 6.0 at Matlacha, Lee county Florida. This public notice 04-08 which solicits comments through June 27, 2008 is attached to 7 th District LNM 22, enclosure 11. Project manager is Mr. Randall Overton, 305 415 6749.

 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.