 I. Unusual Traffic at Fort Pierce City Marina Fuel Dock (Statute Mile 966.5)
|
 II. Shoaling Reappears at Intersection of AICW and Bakers Haulover Inlet (St. M. 1080, between Fort Lauderdale and Miami)
While the AICW Problem Stretch at the juncture of the Waterway and Mantanzas Inlet (south of St. Augustine) has been much in cruising news of late, the worst perennial Problem Stretch on the Eastern Florida section of the AICW, is found between Fort Lauderdale and Miami, where the Waterway passes behind Bakers Haulover Inlet.
 For years now, we have observed small craft skippers and crew holding "sand bar parties" on either side of the Waterway, and that does not bode well for sand and silt staying out of the AICW channel. It was only a few months ago, however, that we all thought this problem was solved for at least a little while with the completion of a maintenance dredging project.
Well, "little while" has turned out to be a very accurate description of what's going on in this problem stretch. You guessed it, shoaling is already reappearing here, and the Waterway markers have just been moved to better guide mariners around the quickly encroaching shoals. These waters are the subject of a recent listing in the  Local Notice to Mariners.
Check out the full story at:
http://www.CruisersNet.net/buoys-off-position-west-of-bakers-haulover-inlet-near-aicw-statute-mile-1080
 You might also want to peruse our updated entry for these waters in our "AICW Problem Stretches" directory at:
http://cruisersnet.net/aicwbakers-haulover-inlet-intersection/ |
 III. Shoaling on Eastern Okeechobee Waterway, Independent of Low Lake Okeechobee Water Levels
As if the Okeechobee Waterway didn't already have more than its share of problems with historic low water levels on Lake Okeechobee, we have now learned about shoaling and "narrowing" of the channel, east of this Waterway's easternmost lock. In other words, this reported shoaling is NOT the result of low water levels on Lake Okeechobee, but apparently the product of good, old fashioned silting.
 The reported shallow spot on th OKWW channel lies some 1.4 nautical miles south of Stuart's Sunset Bay Marina, well north of the St. Lucie Canal, which leads to the Okeechobee's easternmost St. Lucie Lock.
And, unless this section is dredged, this shoaling will continue to be a problem even if, wonder of wonders, water levels were to return to normal on Lake Okeechobee. Thus, even if you don't plan on cruising the usually useful OWW for some time to come, you will want to check out this info at:
http://www.CruisersNet.net/shoaling-reported-in-okeechobee-waterway-mile-9-stuart-fl |
 IV. Two Salty Southeast Cruisers' Net Sponsors Receive "Clean Marina" Certifications
|
V. Why Florida Anchoring Regulations Hurt the Sunshine State Marine Industry (and More!)
We received a very interesting e-mail this week from a fellow cruiser who asked us to protect his/her identify. This note is not only insightful, but it highlights the dangers to the Sunshine State Marine Industry (the #2 industory in all of Florida), caused by local anchorage regulations. And, we have already received some equally thoughtful responses from other mariners.
 If the topic of Florida Anchoring Rights interests you in even a small way, take a gander at:
http://www.CruisersNet.net/why-florida-anchoring-regulations-hurt-the-sunshine-state-marine-industry-and-more |
V. SSECN Fuel Prices Updated As of 6/24/11
AT LAST, our fuel prices telephone calls today, 6/24/11, reveals some GOOD NEWS concerning that expensive stuff we all pump into our tanks, and I don't mean fresh water. Follow the links below to check out the latest stats.
Do remember that during the summer months, we do not report fuel prices for the Eastern Florida coastline, south of Stuart, the Florida Keys, and the St. Johns River. We will begin reporting fuel prices anew for these waters beginning in the early fall of this year.
 VA to NC Fuel Prices:http://cruisersnet.net/category/fuel-prices-va-to-nc-line/North Carolina Fuel Prices:http://cruisersnet.net/category/nc-fuel-prices/South Carolina Fuel Prices:http://cruisersnet.net/category/sc-fuel-prices/Georgia Fuel Prices:http://cruisersnet.net/category/ga-fuel-prices/Eastern Florida Fuel Prices: http://cruisersnet.net/category/east-fl-fuel-prices/Western Florida Fuel Prices:http://cruisersnet.net/category/west-fl-fuel-prices/And, may I be so bold as to remind everyone that we actually telephone each and every fuel stop, every week, for the latest price information. Unlike some other sites, we do NOT rely on marinas and other fuel retailers to call or e-mail us with their latest prices!
 That's all for now. Good luck and good cruising to all!
Claiborne Young Salty Southeast Cruisers' Net |
|
