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In This Issue
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I. Columbia Marina - Under New Ownership and Completely Rebuilt - On the Beautiful Scuppernong River at Columbia, NC
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II. New City Docks (Plymouth Landing Marina) and Services for Visiting Cruisers at Plymouth, NC, on the Roanoke River, off Western Albemarle Sound
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III. Lady's Island Marina (Beaufort, SC) Seeks New Dockmaster (Statute Mile 536.5
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IV. Upcoming Highlights for Edenton's 300th Annivesary Celebration
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V. Rialto Harbor Marina Closed, Okeechobee Waterway, Near Statute Mile 120
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VI. Hazard to Navigation, off the Okeechobee Waterway/Caloosahatchee River, Statute Mile 140.5, Cape Coral, FL
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VII. Severe AICW Shoaling at Sawpit Creek, Statute Mile 731
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VIII. Detailed Report on Little River Inlet, South Carolina Navigation (near Statute Mile 342)
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IX. Fernandina Harbor Marina and Fernandina Beach Dining (Statute Mile 831)
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X. Come Celebrate "National Marina Day" On June 8, 2013 at Harbourgate Marina (Statute Mile 347)
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XI. Flashing Red Marker #36 on the AICW/Waccamaw River Destroyed BUT Temporary Lighted Floating Marker Now In Place (Statute Mile 377)
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XII. Hazard to Navigation, AICW Statute Mile 951.5, Vero Beach, FL
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 North Carolina
I. Columbia Marina - Under New Ownership and Completely Rebuilt - On the Beautiful Scuppernong River at Columbia, NC
 | | Red Square Denotes Position of Columbia Marina |
We have several interesting news items in this SSECN Alert, all of which are centered on the waters of northeastern North Carolina, in the Albemarle Sound Region. First up is news of a totally rebuilt facility on the beautiful Scuppernong River. This charming stream pierces the southern shores of the Albemarle, a few miles west of the AICW and Alligator River, and is the home of Columbia, NC, a small, but really interesting NC river village.
Long before the Columbia, NC City Docks were constructed, there was a private marina on the Scuppernong River, just downstream of the City Hall, known as Columbia Marina. This facility was, for many years, owned by a local attorney, but was then allowed to languish for quite some time before being purchased in February of 2012 by Captain Tom Clancy (no, not the "Tom Clancy" of "The Hunt for Red October" fame - we asked).
 Since that time, as you will read in the article linked below, this facility has gone through a MAJOR renovation. And while there is currently only one transient wet slip available, Columbia Marina is now a GREAT spot to keep your vessel on a long term basis.
Besides the new docks and dock house services (follow link below), all of downtown Columbia, featuring several restaurants, a visitor's center, and a hardware store, is within easy walking distance. In short, what more could you ask of a small town marina facility.
 And, lest we forget, Columbia Marina is our newest SALTY SOUTHEAST CRUISERS' NET SPONSOR!
So, whether you are just visiting Columbia and the Scuppernong River, or looking for long term dockage, please give Columbia Marina your most serious consideration. Tell Captain Clancy we sent you!
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 North Carolina
II. New City Docks (Plymouth Landing Marina) and Services for Visiting Cruisers at Plymouth, NC, on the Roanoke River, off Western Albemarle Sound
 The narrow (compared to other Albemarle Sound rivers) but deep Roanoke River, is the southwesternmost of the nine rivers which feed into Albemarle Sound. In years past, cruising upstream to the community of Plymouth, NC, was frustrating for those looking to find wet slip dockage. There were some berths along the city waterfront, but they were forgettable, to say the least. ALL THAT HAS NOW CHANGED IN A BIG WAY FOR THE BETTER!
 In late May, 2013, we received a brief report that Plymouth had invested in new docks for visiting cruisers, which were now open, and ready to accept visitors. We requested more information from the cruising community, and this appeal resulted in a second note, which you will see in the below linked article.
Well, clearly there were/are BIG changes afoot in this small community, particularly in regards to their welcoming attitude towards, and services for, visiting cruisers. So, we got on the telephone and had an extensive conversation with Mike Wright, Plymouth's General Services Director.
 The result of all this up close and personal research is very happy news indeed. The town of Plymouth now boasts super services for visiting cruisers, in the form of an all-new city facility known as Plymouth Landing Marina. And, GET THIS, Plymouth is currently offering TEN DAYS FREE DOCKAGE, including power and water hookups! What a deal!
For LOTS more information on this exciting, new Albemarle Sound cruising destination, please visit:
http://cruisersnet.net/?p=113781
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 South Carolina
III. Lady's Island Marina (Beaufort, SC) Seeks New Dockmaster (Statute Mile 536.5)
 The manager of SALTY SOUTHEAST CRUISERS' NET SPONSOR, Lady's Island Marina, in Beaufort, SC, has asked us to help fill the position of dockmaster at his facility. Lady's Island Marina guards the southern shores of Factory Creek, which enters the AICW/Beaufort River immediately east of the Lady's Island swing bridge. A complete rebuilding project was accomplished within the last several years here, and there is also a excellent, independently operated restaurant on-site.
If the idea of being a dockmaster is appealing, please contact Captain Kelly Ryan  directly, as specified below.
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 North Carolina
IV. Upcoming Highlights for Edenton's 300th Annivesary Celebration
Edenton, NC, A SALTY SOUTHEAST CRUISERS' NET SPONSOR, guards the northwesternmost shores of Albemarle Sound. This very historic community has an excellent city marina, within easy walking distance of the downtown business and historic district. And, this year, they are celebrating the 300'th anniversary of their fair community.
 We have already published several articles about the exciting summer of events which will be taking place in Edenton as part of their 300th Anniversary celebreation. Now, however, the city has just released a calendar of events for the remainder of 2013.
Wow, after looking at the calendar of events linked below, ALL Tar Heel cruisers should give their most serious consideration to pointing their bows west on Albemarle Sound to visit this very fascinating port of call!
Please check out:
http://cruisersnet.net/?p=116903
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 Western Florida/Okechobee Waterway
V. Rialto Harbor Marina Closed, Okeechobee Waterway, Near Statute Mile 120
 We have sad news to report to the cruising community concerning Rialto Harbor Marina, on the Okechobee Waterway, a few miles west of Fort Myers, Florida. We have just published an article from Captain Bert Jones that reports this facility has closed. A phone call to Rialto Harbor confirms that the owner has retired and this unique marina (see link below) is out of business. The spokesperson was unaware of any plans to re-open in the future.
 This is indeed unhappy news. In my 30+ years of personally visiting marinas all over the Southeast, I can say without any fear of inaccuracy, that Rialto Harbor was one of the most enjoyable and unique marina facilities from Southern Virginia to New Orleans. Tucked in an almost secret-like stream off the Okeechobee Waterway, and set in a lush botanical setting, Rialto Harbor was much akin to a little piece of undiscovered paradise. Everyone who had the good fortune to visit here in the past, will deeply miss Rialto Harbor.
More information at:
http://cruisersnet.net/?p=116935
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 Western Florida/Okeechobee Waterway
VI. Hazard to Navigation, off the Okeechobee Waterway/Caloosahatchee River, Statute Mile 140.5, Cape Coral, FL
 The article linked below, cherry picked from the latest Local Notice to Mariners, reports a destroyed aid to navigation on the charted Plato Channel leading into a large condo development, northwest of Okeechobee Waterway/Caloosahatchee River marker #68 at mile 140.5 in Cape Coral.
Full details at:
http://cruisersnet.net/?p=116867
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 Eastern Florida
VII. Severe AICW Shoaling at Sawpit Creek, Statute Mile 731
 We have a strange situation on the Eastern Florida section of the AICW, south of Fernandina Beach. Earlier this year, shoaling had become a major problem near marker #49, along the Waterway's run through Sawpit Creek. But then, these waters were just dredged in March, 2013. All we can say is this dredging appears to have been particularly ineffective, as Fernandina Harbor Marina reports in late May, 2013, that Towboat/US has been making regular runs to the Sawpit Creek area due to groundings near marker #49. The extract linked below, cherry picked from the Local Notice to Mariners makes it official!
 Since this article was first published on the SSECN several days ago, two reports from fellow cruisers have lent additional insights into this troublesome section of the Waterway.
Check out all these reports at:
http://cruisersnet.net/?p=114935
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 South Carolina
VIII. Detailed Report on Little River Inlet, South Carolina Navigation (near Statute Mile 342)
 Well, what better information can one get on an inlet other than an account from a professional captain who pilots a large, deep draft ship (the "Big M") through the seaward passage in question on an almost daily basis. Hats off to Captain Henry Young for obtaining the report linked below, and passing it along to the cruising community. Little River Inlet lies south and east of the Waterway, right at the North Carolina - South Carolina state line, and just a stone's throw north of the marinas at Little River, SC. The "Big M" gambling ship is stationed at a dock just south of AICW/Little River Inlet intersection. We have seen it dockside during many of our passages through northeastern South Carolina waters.  If you have even a thought of ever transiting Little River Inlet, run, don't walk to: http://cruisersnet.net/?p=116922
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 Eastern Florida
IX. Fernandina Harbor Marina and Fernandina Beach Dining (Statute Mile 831)
Wow, want to discover a really superb, new spot to satisfy a healthy appetite in popular Fernandina Beach, Florida. Well, just follow the link below to check out not one, but two reports on this dining attraction, and a few good words about this community's marina facilities and welcoming attitude towards the cruising community!
Don't miss:
http://cruisersnet.net/?p=115296
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South Carolina
X. Come Celebrate "National Marina Day" On June 8, 2013 at Harbourgate Marina (Statute Mile 347)
 Come celebrate National Marina Day on June 8, 2013, with our very good friends, and SALTY SOUTHEAST CRUISERS' NET SPONSOR, Harbourgate Marina, in Little River, SC. This fine facility occupies the charted square cove abutting the ICW's southern banks between the two (charted) Nixon Crossroads bridges.
Full details at:
http://cruisersnet.net/?p=116691
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 South Carolina
XI. Flashing Red Marker #36 on the AICW/Waccamaw River Destroyed BUT Temporary Lighted Floating Marker Now In Place (Statute Mile 377)
 Earlier this week, most of you on this Alert List received a special warning about the destruction of marker #36, on the AICW/Waccamaw River, hard by SALTY SOUTHEAST CRUISERS' NET SPONSOR, Bucksport Marina. Well, not only did our Alert get the word out about this potentially dangerous situation, but it may have had some pull with the USCG. Yesterday, we received this message from Captain Dan Vigra, docked at Bucksport Marina:
Thank you for the alert. Just wanted to let you know that the Coast Guard dropped a floating Red cone with Flashing red light at 10:45 AM. I'm sitting on my boat in Bucksport Marina so it's pretty easy to notice. With the bad weather expected it is going to be a little tough there but the marker will help. Don't know if it was your notice or coincidence but they were here early.
Sincerely,
Dan Virga  Of course, it is equally, if not more likely, that the repeated calls from the dockmaster at Bucksport Marina to the USCG, could have brought about this remedial action. Whatever prompted the placement of the temporary aid to navigation, we are very glad it's there. All cruisers headed through the Waccamaw River, please take note.  Full details at: http://cruisersnet.net/?p=116884
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 Eastern Florida
XII. Hazard to Navigation, AICW Statute Mile 951.5, Vero Beach, FL
 The article linked below, cherry picked from the latest Local Notice to Mariners, reports a "knocked down" Manatee warning sign, hard by the AICW in the Vero Beach, Florida region. This semi-destroyed sign represents a potential obstruction to navigation until it can be repaired.
Full details at:
 That's all for now. Good luck and good cruising to all!
Claiborne S. Young
Salty Southeast Cruisers' Net
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