 I. Our Last 2011 Alert - Happy New Year
Unless some unforeseen breaking news in the cruising world occurs, this will be our last "Alert" for 2011. And, what a record shattering year it has been for the Cruisers' Net. But, more on that after the first of the year. For now, we invite one and all to sit back for a few moments, check out the latest and greatest cruising news, and let the HAPPY NEW YEAR sentiments of the entire Salty Southeast Cruisers' Net bunch wash over one and all! |
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 II. South Carolina AICW Bridge Schedule Changes
Bridge opening schedules can be confusing, and with the frequent changes that seem always to occur during the busiest seasons, cruisers can lose their religion when encountering a span that should open, but does not deign to for our peon cruising craft.
Well, in an effort to help relieve just a trace of that frustration, our Southeastern Seaboard Editor, Captain Larry Dorminy, has researched information submitted by  fellow cruiser, Chris, aboard Brilliant Star, that brings to light opening schedule changes for two South Carolina AICW Bridges (the Socastee Bridge at Statute Mile 371 and the Ben Sawyer Bridge at Statute Mile 472.
Check out these changes at:
http://cruisersnet.net/?p=76818
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 III. Two Florida Keys Festivals Set For Late January, 2012
With the colder temperatures we have had here in North Carolina over the last couple of days, spending the winter months in the Florida Keys sounds mighty good to this guy. And, if you are among that ever so happy group of cruisers, we have news about two shoreside festivals taking place in Key Largo and Key West, during the latter stages of January, that will inject even more fun  into your Key's winter stay.
Check out news concerning the 3rd Annual Key Largo Stone Crab & Seafood Festival at:
http://cruisersnet.net/?p=77520
and, read all about Key West's "Flagler's 100th Anniversary Gala Costume Ball" at:
http://cruisersnet.net/?p=77518
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 IV. Western Florida ICW Shoaling Reported South of The Englewood - Manasota Key - Tom Adams Bridge (Statute Mile 43.5)
We sincerely thank captain and crew of the vessel "Fairwinds" for recently supplying the Cruisers' Net with a Western Florida ICW shoaling report. The shallows in question seem to lie along the Waterway's western flank, south of the Tom Adams Bridge, in Lemon Bay.
 Shoaling along the Western Florida ICW's flanks has long been a problem in Lemon Bay. I've stirred more than a little mud and sand here myself!
The Salty Southeast Cruisers' Net is declaring a "Navigational Alert" for these waters! Check out the full story at:
http://cruisersnet.net/?p=76756 |
 V. Good Experience in the St. Augustine Mooring Field (Statute Mile 778)
In an earlier posting on the Cruisers' Net, we reported how the wakes from local fishing craft were making it uncomfortable for some captains and crew whose vessels were tied up in the city of St. Augustine mooring field (see http://cruisersnet.net/?p=76385). A later posting related the encouraging news that one of the local no-wake zones was being extended to help  minimize this difficulty (see http://cruisersnet.net/?p=76662).
Now, we are pleased to report that this effort has borne fruit. Check out the good experience enjoyed by Captains Ed and Bonnie, just posted today:
http://cruisersnet.net/?p=77528 |
 VI. AICW/Daytona Beach Shoaling Noted Near Marker #44 (Statute Mile 831.6)
Here's a very late breaking story, just posted on the Net a few hours ago, and we really need more information for a complete picture of this problem. Please follow the link below, and if you have any additional data on these shallows, send it along to CruisersNet@triad.twcbc.com, or follow the "Click Here to  Submit Cruising News" link, found on the upper right of all Net pages (except Chart View pages).
http://cruisersnet.net/?p=77506 |
 VII. Restrictions on Isabel Holmes Bridge in Wilmington, NC, off the AICW
The Isabel Holmes Bridge (Hwy133) lies north of the northernmost Wilmington Turning Basin in the northeast Cape Fear River and has a closed vertical clearance of 40ft. Wilmington, NC, off the AICW, is a popular side trip for many Waterway cruisers.
 In a very recent development, this bridge will not open during the winter months, and this schedule will continue into the spring of 2012. With a 40-foot closed vertical clearance, most powercraft will not be affected, but that does not hold true for sailcraft trying to access or leave SALTY SOUTHEAST CRUSIERS' NET SPONSOR, Bennett Brothers Yachts - Cape Fear Marina, which lies just north of this span.Of course, with 3-hour advance notice, the bridge can be opened, and the very good and competent people at Bennett Brothers can certainly arrange for such an opening for their customers!
Check out the full story at:
http://cruisersnet.net/?p=76927 |
 VIII. Shoaling Reported in Ponce de Leon Inlet, near AICW Statute Mile 839.5
Ponce de Leon Inlet is an unreliable seaward cut which lies between Daytona Beach and New Smyrna Beach. Despite dredging in August of 2011, shoaling is occurring again in the inlet channel. Note that the reported shoaling seems to be  taking place in the inlet itself, and NOT at this passage's two intersections with the AICW!
Full details at:
http://cruisersnet.net/?p=77235
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 IX. Winter, 2011-2012 North Carolina Cruising News
You don't usually think of the North Carolina coastline as a place that produces much in the way of cruising news this time of year. However, here are several semi-important tid-bits which will be of interest to year round Tar Heel cruisers, and even into the spring, 2012 transient season.
 Dismal Swamp Canal to Close for Up to 90 Days Beginning January 4th, 2012 -
Check out: http://cruisersnet.net/?p=77117
Gallants Channel - Grayden Paul Bridge Repairs Scheduled (near Beaufort, NC and Statute Mile 201) - The Gallants Channel - Grayden Paul Bridge (US 70 in Beaufort,  NC) lies off the Waterway, and these repairs will only affect those cruisers set on making use of the Gallants Channel - Russell Slue Channel route to rejoin or leave the AICW, north of Taylor Creek and Beaufort. Captains will still be able to enter and exit the Beaufort region and access both the Beaufort Municipal Docks and Town Creek Marina (plus the popular anchorage on Taylor Creek and those on Town Creek) via the deep, reasonably well marked channel that connects Taylor Creek to Beaufort. Inlet. Fortunately, these bridge repairs are slated for completion before the spring, 2012 transient season gets fully underway.
Full details at: http://cruisersnet.net/?p=76918
 Dredging Completed at Lambs Marina (Dismal Swamp Canal/AICW Alternate Route, near St. M. 47) - The long entrance channel to Lambs Marina cuts east, north of Elizabeth City, NC, and just north of the charted 3-foot (closed vertical clearance) railway bridge at "Camden." The dredging here is very good news, as this marina not only provides very secure dockage, and a fresh seafood counter ashore, but it is also the only source of fuel on the entire AICW/Dismal Swamp Alternate Route!
See what depths you can now expect to find at:
http://cruisersnet.net/?p=77513 |
 X. In-Depth Article Now Available About Anchoring on Boca Grande Bayou (Western Florida - Gasparilla Island, near St. M. 28.5)
In our last SSECN Alert, we promised you more news concerning the extremely complex anchoring controversy that has erupted around Gasparilla Island's popular "Basin Anchorage" in Boca Grande Bayou, just behind the Pink Elephant Restaurant. In bringing this story to you, we have worked closely with the local newspaper, "The Boca Beacon," and this fine publication's editor, Ms. Marcy Shortuse. Marcy has provided details, and a link to an IN-DEPTH article she just published on this  subject, while I allowed this newspaper to reprint my "Whence Come the Anchorage Regulations" editorial (see http://cruisersnet.net/?p=4958).
There is FAR more to this story that the usual (and vitally important) struggle for Florida anchoring rights. This issue involves (maybe) private ownership of bottom-land, and whether boats can anchor on privately owned bottomland, not to mention who really owns the bottom in question.
ALL Western Florida cruisers who have any intention of visiting our very favorite  port of call on this coastline, the village of Boca Grande, will want to run, don't walk, and check out:
http://cruisersnet.net/?p=76797 |
 XI. St. Marys Town Dock (off the AICW, on St. Mary River, near St. M. 713)
In the SSECN Alert immediately preceding this one, we brought you a report of how strong currents may make overnight anchorage while lying off the St. Marys village waterfront a bit on the uncomfortable side.
St. Marys River flows into the northern tip of Cumberland Sound and the path of the AICW, just north of Fernandina, FL, and serves as the coastal  state line between Georgia and Florida. The village of St. Marys is an easy trip up the St. Marys River, departing the Waterway at flashing green marker #29, statute mile 713.
Now, we bring you another report on this village, this one centered around the town dock. This primitive structure does facilitate dinghy trips ashore to this delightful port of call, but to stay on the safe side, precautions must be taken.
Read all about it at:
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