 I. GOOD NEWS For Florida/Okeechobee Waterway Cruisers
This is an unusually LONG SSECN Alert, but there is sooooo MUCH important cruising news to report. Hang in there! The US Army Corps of Engineers has heeded input from the cruising and Florida business communities. A planned closure of the Okeechobee Waterway's Moore Haven Lock (thereby closing the entire Okeechobee Waterway) has been delayed! Of course, year round Florida cruisers should note, this does mean the Okeechobee Waterway will be effectively closed for much of, if not indeed all, the summer, 2012 months!  This past fall, there was an uproar, both within the cruising community, and in the Florida business communities centered on the cities of Stuart and Fort Myers, concerning an Army Corps of Engineers plan to close the Moore Haven Lock from September, well into November, in order to install Manatee protective devices. Due to the one-axis east to west nature of the Okeechobee Waterway, closing one lock, closes the entire passage from Stuart to Fort Myers, or the other way around. The USACOE gave in to all the hub-bub, and agreed to postpone this procedure.
Then, just a few days ago, a new proposal was announced that would have  closed the Moore Haven Lock/Okeechobee Waterway from April 1 to May 25, during the height of the spring, 2012 transient season. A public meeting was held 2/17/12 to seek public input, and the USACOE must have gotten a real earful The has all resulted in a VICTORY FOR THE CRUISING COMMUNITY!  Don't dare miss checking out all the dates and news from the 2/17/12 meeting at:
http://cruisersnet.net/?p=80340 |
II. An Unfortunate Storm May Be Brewing in Marathon's (Florida Keys) Boot Key Harbor
The first we heard about new anchorage regulations on Marathon's Boot Key Harbor arrived some 48 hours ago in the form of this e-mail from fellow cruiser, Captain Patrick Carter:
Cruising News:
City of Marathon is in the process of passing Resolution 2012-21 which will restrict all anchoring in Boot Key Harbor to one small area. This Resolution can be viewed on City of Marathon website.
Patrick Carter
 After perusing this perplexing note, I immediately contacted our very special Florida Key Correspondent, Captain Charmaine Smith Ladd, and asked her to report on this potential gathering storm cloud at her earliest opportunity. Just today, 2/22/12, we have published a major article authored by Captain Charmaine on this very subject.
This news about potentially restricting anchorage on much of Boot Key Harbor, outside the popular mooring field, comes hard on the heels of Marathon substantially raising fees for moorings and dinghy dockage Taken together, we are worried that Marathon, which has had a decidedly "cruiser friendly" reputation for many years now, may soon be perceived as a "cruiser unfriendly" port of call. EVERYONE would be a loser should this scenario indeed come to pass. 
If you have ANY interest in Florida Keys cruising, both immediately or in the years to come, may we strongly suggest that you run, don't walk, to:
http://cruisersnet.net/?p=80539
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III. GREAT "Photo of the Week" - Don't Miss It!
OK, Ok, I know I have been waxing rhapsodic on several occasions recently  about the wonderful pics that have graced our "Photo of the Week" page. But, really, no kidding, this one IS worth a few moments of your time, particularly if you are one of those cruisers who has smiled as dolphins play about your bow, or in your wake.
Many, many thanks to Captain Jill Moore for sharing "Baby  Dolphin Plays in the Wake" with her fellow cruisers.
Don't fail to check out:
http://cruisersnet.net/?p=80508
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 IV. Shallower Depths Reported Off Punta Gorda, FL Waterfront (Western Florida - Charlotte Harbor/Peace River)
While perusing the latest "Local Notice to Mariners," our eye was caught by the "cherry picked" report linked below, which details less than expected depths just off the Punta Gorda waterfront. These shallows seem to lie a short hop northwest  of the marked entry passage to Fishermens Village Marina.
If your bow regularly cuts through the waters of Charlotte Harbor, or you plan to visit this writer's good friends in Punta Gorda sometime soon, please go to:
http://cruisersnet.net/?p=80385 |
 V. Shad Fishing Nets Reported Along South Carolina AICW/Waccamaw River
An e-mail submission this week from the South Carolina coastline really caught my attention. This posting reports that shad fishermen are stretching nets all the way across the AICW channel throughout beautiful Waccamaw River. Boy, running over gear like this and fouling props and shafts, could really ruin your entire day on the water. Fortunately, our fearless Eastern Seaboard Editor, Captain Larry Dorminy, has  unearthed some GOOD news concerning this situation. Check out: |
 VI. Security Concerns at Bahia Mar Marina (Fort Lauderdale, FL - Statute Mile 1064.5)
Believe, me, it's NOT just at Bahia Mar. Particularly since 2008, the Cruisers' Net has been receiving an increasing number of reports concerning boat theft at even the finest marina facilities. A just published SSECN posting on this very  subject centers on Fort Lauderdale's Bahia Mar Marina (one of the largest facilities of its type in all of Florida). Captain Frank Arndorfer relates an unhappy experience at:
http://cruisersnet.net/?p=80422 |
 VII. Shallow Depths Reported on Indian Key Channel, Leading to Everglades City (Western Florida, 10,000 Islands Region)
Captain Chuck Baier, former "Waterway Guide" General Manager, and now cruising consultant for MarinaLife, is the author of a just published Cruisers' Net posting, which relates the possibility of shallow depths on the Indian Key channel, leading from the Gulf of Mexico to our favorite backwater port of call in Western Florida, Everglades City. We ALWAYS pay attention to what Captain Chuck has to  say, so those of you bound for this port of call, PLEASE peruse this information.
And, the Cruisers' Net is VERY interested in learning whether those of you who have visited Everglades City within the past 12 months have had a similar/dissimilar experience with depths on the Indian Key channel. PLEASE e-mail your observations to [email protected], or click the "Comment on This Posting/Marina/Anchorage/Bridge" link at the bottom of the posting linked below.
Please go to:
http://cruisersnet.net/?p=80189 |
 VIII. Missing Marker And Potential Hazard to Navigation Reported in Georgia AICW/Buttermilk Sound (Statute Mile 659.5)
Buttermilk Sound connects the AICW between the Altamaha and South Altamaha Rivers, south of where the Waterway crosses Altamaha Sound. As you will see after perusing the linked posting below, and its corresponding Chart View link, the SSECN has  already declared a number of Navigational Alerts in this region due to shoaling.
This posting deals with a navigational aid that has been broken off near the waterline, and could pose a very REAL hazard at night or in low light/bad visibility situations.
ALL cruisers who plan on traversing the AICW's run through Buttermilk Sound in the near future, or even this spring, would do well to read:
http://cruisersnet.net/?p=80364 |
 IX. 3rd Annual Martin County Nautical Flea Market & Seafood Festival, Stuart, FL
Looking for a boat or boat gear at bargain prices? Here's your chance!
 Check out:
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X. North Carolina's Cape Fear Memorial Bridge Will Not Open During Spring, 2012Here's a hot news item that will be a concern for those of us who pilot sailcraft that need more than this span's closed vertical clearance of 61 feet. The Cape Fear Memorial Bridge (US 17) crosses the Cape Fear River well off the AICW in downtown Wilmington, NC, a popular side trip for many Waterway cruisers.
 The opening restriction, outlined in the below linked posting, will effectively bar many sailcraft from the downtown Wilmington City Docks, and Bennett Brothers Yachts - Cape Fear Marina, for virtually the entire spring cruising season!
YIKES, particularly if you are bound for the superb repair facilities at SALTY SOUTHEAST CRUISERS' NET SPONSOR, Bennett Brothers Yachts. Luckily, with advance arrangements, there may be a work around.
Learn all, at:
http://cruisersnet.net/?p=65888
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 XI. Cruisers' Anchored Off Punta Gorda Waterfront Can Beach Their Dinghies (Western Florida - Charlotte Harbor/Peace River)
During my just completed Western Florida speaking tour, I had the good fortune to meet with "Team Punta Gorda," a loyal group of local, Punta Gorda volunteers, who are dedicated to intelligent development in their fair community, including the waterfront. I passed along tips gleaned over the years from watching other successful (and unsuccessful) ports of call, and, in turn, I learned about some  really exciting plans/ideas to help draw more and more cruisers to this charming city.
Shortly after returning home, one "Team Punta Gorda" member, Captain Jake Dye, sent us a verbal account, plus a REALLY NEAT photo, which shows how cruisers anchoring just off the PG waterfront, can easily dinghy ashore, and leave their dinks safely on a public beach.
ALL those cruising, or about to cruise, the waters of the Sunshine State's western shoreline, will want to visit:
http://cruisersnet.net/?p=80059
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 XII. Two "New" Tarpon Springs Marinas (Western Florida, near Anclote Key)
During the same Western Florida speaking tour, mentioned above, I took the opportunity to visit the charming town of Tarpon Springs. This vibrant community, with its strong heritage of Greek sponge diving, not to mention some really good food, is always a great cruising destination. And, it sits at a navigationally strategic point, hard by the northern terminus of the Western Florida ICW.  On this occasion, I had been tipped off by several postings on the AGLCA (American Great Loop Cruisers' Association) forum to the presence of two "new" marinas on these waters. And, staying true to my policy of personally inspecting a place before it is included in the SSECN, I set out to find these two marinas.Well, after a little exploration, I came upon Turtle Cove Marina, on the shores of Spring Bay, immediately downstream of downtown Tarpon Springs. Here, I found a brand new facility, complete with showers, laundromat, swimming pool, and within easy walking distance of all the local restaurants, and two fresh fish seafood markets! Furthermore, the builders had been very clever in constructing an artificial island on one branch of Spring Bayou, and connecting it to the mainland via a causeway. Wet slip dockage has been placed 360 degrees around this islet, with dry stack storage buildings overlooking the adjacent, mainland shores.  The approach to Turtle Cove can a bit tricky and hard to find for first timers. Follow this link for full navigational details, and complete info on Turtle Cove Marina
Belle Harbour Marina sits on the opposite side of Anclote River, tucked away in its own cove, and rubbing shoulders with Anclote Isles Marina. I met with the new owner, Captan Merle Seamon, and he showed me a  very different sort of facility. Captain Merle, who has a wealth of experience in the marina business, has taken what was once a down on its luck facility, and is slowly but steadily bringing it back to first class condition. Already, there is good dockage, power connections, and showers. And, even though it sits opposite Tarpon Springs, with Anclote River in between, it's only a brisk 10 minute walk to the downtown business and dining district. I was VERY impressed with the can-do attitude exemplified by Captain Merle and his staff. Cruisers will certainly want to make the acquaintance of Belle Harbour. Full details at: |
 XIII. Good North Carolina Winter Marina News
It's usually the first of March before we start getting too much in the way of cruising news out of the North Carolina coastline, but here's an exception. Two NC marinas have clued the SSECN into some significant, cold month improvements. Lambs Marina (St. M. 47) sits hard by the eastern shores of the AICW Dismal Swamp Canal Alternate Route/Pasquotank River, a short hop upstream of Elizabeth City. This is also the site of the ONLY fuel currently available to cruising craft on the Dismal passage.
 Over the winter months, Lambs has completed a significant dredging project, and sports any number of other improvements. If you are contemplating "Doing the Dismal" this spring, or are a year round Tar Heel cruiser, please check out the full story at:And then, there's our good friends at McCotters Marina, off the AICW, on Pamlico River's Broad Creek, just a stone's throw from Washington, NC. Many of you will remember the disastrous fire here in January of 2011 during which many boats were lost. The Salty Southeast Cruisers' Net joined with "Waterway Guide" in sponsoring a "Cruisers' Relief Fund" following this tragic event, and over $6,000.00 was contributed and distributed to those boat owners who lost their vessels, or whose boats were heavily damaged. Then, this past fall, as if they didn't have troubles enough, Hurricane Irene destroyed the remaining covered slips at McCotters, locally known as "boat houses."
 Since that time, owner Captain Mark Henley, and his staff have worked wonders. McCotters Marina has returned better than ever! Check out all the progress at: |
 XIV. Carolina Beach, NC Mooring Field Nears Completion (near Statute Mile 295)This SSECN Alert has already grown overlong, but let me mention one more quick item.
The teeming summer community of Carolina Beach, North Carolina, lies just south of the AICW's cut west into Cape Fear River by way of artificial Snows Cut. Joyner's Marina sits just opposite Snows Cut, but heretofore, few cruising craft have ventured farther south towards the Carolina Beach charter craft fishing docks.
 Well, that may be about to change, with the impending completion of one of the few city sponsored mooring fields on the North Carolina coastline. This brand new facility should be ready for the spring, 2012 transient season.Full details at:
Phew, are your eyes as tired as mine? Anyone need a bottle of Murine?
So, thankfully,that's all for now, Good luck and good cruising to all! |
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