In This Issue
I. Dredging to Begin at AICW/Okeechobee Waterway/St. Lucie River/St. Lucie Inlet Intersection, Statute Mile 987, Stuart, FL
II. Useful Visual Account of Trip Across Okeechobee Waterway
III. SSECN Marina/Anchorage Review Contest - We Have A Winner
IV. Lady's Island Marina - Beaufort, SC - Still Seeking Applicants For Their Dockmaster Position
V. Withlacoochee River Entrance Aid to Navigation Destroyed, Western Florida Big Bend Region
VI. Derelict Issues Hit Oriental, NC, AICW Statute Mile 181
VII. Flashing Red Marker #36 on the AICW/Waccamaw River REPLACED
VIII. Repairs on US 74/76 Bridge in Wrightsville Beach Extended, AICW Statute Mile 283.1
IX. Good Words for Mile Marker 0 Marine Supply, Portsmouth, VA
X. Report on Depth at AICW Passage Through Southern Ramshorn Creek, AICW Statute Mile 570
XI. Blimp Factory on Pasquotank River (near Statute Mile 59)
XII. Dredging Begun in Ponce De Leon Inlet, near AICW Statute Miles 843 and 839
XIV. Florida Keys Wish List Is Coming
Old Port Cove Marina
Eastern Florida

I. Dredging to Begin at AICW/Okeechobee Waterway/St. Lucie River/St. Lucie Inlet Intersection, Statute Mile 987, Stuart, FL

 
St. Johns Yacht Harbor The three way intersection of the AICW, the St. Lucie River/Okeechobee Waterway, and the St. Lucie Inlet, known locally as "the crossroads," is one of the most shoal prone sections of the Eastern Florida section of the AICW. This strategic juncture is found near Stuart, FL at AICW Statute Mile 987.

We are pleased to report that dredging operations are about to begin at "the crossroads," and, while this is excellent news, the dredging equipment will be a concern for mariners on the AICW, and the easternmost section of the Okeechobee Waterway, while this project is in progress.
Dolphin Cove Marina
Learn all from an article cherry picked from the latest Local Notice to Mariners, at:

http://cruisersnet.net/?p=117726 
Paradise Yacht Sales Okeechobee Waterway

II. Useful Visual Account of Trip Across Okeechobee Waterway

Washington NC Captain Mike Dickens, owner of Salty Southeast Cruisers' Net's NEWEST SPONSOR, Paradise Yachts (http://www.paradiseyachtsales.net) has put together the combination still photo/video/text account, linked below, of cruising Florida's Okeechobee Waterway, from the western to the eastern coastline of the Sunshine State.

This is an absolutely top quality presentation that ANY mariner contemplating a cruise from Stuart to Fort Myers (or the other way around), will want to view.
Deep Point Marina
Please take a look at:

http://cruisersnet.net/?p=117665

Longboat Key Moorings
SSECN Marina/Anchorage Review Contest

 

III. We Have A Winner 

 

Please excuse our tardiness in announcing the winner of our Marina/Anchorage Review Contest, which ended 5/31/13.  Things have just been soooo hectic around here, but late is better than never.

Sailing Vessel Skye
S/V Skye
Fort Myers Beach Anchorage Anyway, we are very pleased to inform one and all, that with a total of THIRTY-ONE marina/anchorage reviews, Captains Dotty and Has Royer, onboard sailing vessel "Skye" (pictured at the right) are the winners of two complimentary nights at the beautiful Inn at Tabbs Creek (http://www.innattabbscreek.com/)

We sincerely thank Dotty and Has, and all the many, many other members of the cruising community who contributed reviews during our contest. PLEASE continue to send along your impressions and observations about marinas and anchorages as often as possible.

Who knows, we may just have another similar contest this fall!

Inlet Marina - St. Augustine FL

Lady's Island Marina South Carolina     

IV. Lady's Island Marina - Beaufort, SC - Still Seeking Applicants For Their Dockmaster Position 

Intracoastal Yacht Sales 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 an excellent, independently operated restaurant on-site.

If the idea of being a dockmaster is appealing, please contact Captain Kelly Ryan  directly, as specified below.

Port City Marina Lady's Island Marina in Beaufort, SC, needs a dockmaster and an assistant. For info about the marina go to http://www.ladysislandmarina.com. Compensation negotiable. Please email questions and resumes to [email protected]
Kelly Ryan
 
Charleston City Marina Western Florida       
 
V. Withlacoochee River Entrance Aid to Navigation Destroyed, Western Florida Big Bend Region 

International Marine Service The missing aid to navigation, reported in the article linked below, cherry picked from the latest Local Notice to Mariners, marks the entrance into Withlacoochee River via a narrow, multi-marker passage that departs the Cross Florida Greenway/Barge Canal channel at marker #25.

Out of all Western Florida's "Big Bend" rivers, we have always considered the Withlacoochee to be the most attractive of these backwater streams. And, there is the additional advantage of some low-key, but welcoming marinas on the Withlacoochee.
Kadey Krogen Yachts
Learn lots more at:

http://cruisersnet.net/?p=117686
Bennett Brothers Side Panel North Carolina
 
VI. Derelict Issues Hit Oriental, NC, AICW Statute Mile 181

Froli Sleep System The charming river village of Oriental, NC, off the AICW's passage through Neuse River, has long been a favorite stop-over for Waterway cruisers. The issue of derelict vessels that has plagued Florida for years, spawning the newly implemented mooring fields in major cities, seems to now be impacting NC waters.

We urge all year-round North Carolina cruisers to follow the link below and acquaint themselves with what may become Key Lime Sailing Club an important issue along the Tar Heel coast. Let's hope not, but, then again, . . . "

http://cruisersnet.net/?p=117481
Georgetown, SC South Carolina 
 
VII. Flashing Red Marker #36 on the AICW/Waccamaw River REPLACED

North Palm Beach Marina We have just heard some GOOD news from Captain Dan Virga, onboard his vessel at SALT SOUTHEAST CRUISERS' NET SPONSOR, Bucksport Marina, Flashing marker #36, whose destruction caused us to issue an urgent SSECN Alert on 6/5/13, HAS NOW BEEN REPLACED by the USCG.

Hooray, all is back to normal on the AICW's run through beautiful Waccamaw River!

Pilot House Marina We have cancelled the SSECN Navigation Alert for these waters!

Full details at:

http://cruisersnet.net/?p=117449
North Carolina            

VIII. Repairs on US 74/76 Bridge in Wrightsville Beach Extended, AICW Statute Mile 283.1


Bald Head Island Marina US 74 Bridge has a closed vertical clearance of 20ft and crosses the AICW in the heart of Wrightsville Beach. Extensive repairs to this span were originally scheduled to end May 1, 2013, but have now been extended. The reduced horizontal clearance brought about by these repairs will not affect most cruisers, but the movements of the barge and crane might.

 

FULL details at:

 

http://cruisersnet.net/?p=113212 

Mile Marker 0 Marine Supplies Virginia to North Carolina

IX. Good Words for Mile Marker 0 Marine Supply, Portsmouth, VA

Mile Marker 0 Marine Supply, A SALTY SOUTHEAST CRUISERS' NET SPONSOR, moved the beginning of this year. PLEASE drop by and visit these fine people in their new location. And, PLEASE, SUPPORT THEM, as we always ask, whenever possible, that you support all our SSECN sponsors!

Follow the link below to discover all the good things that fellow cruiser, "Captain Mike" has to share about this quality Dismal Swamp Canal Welcome Center operation:

http://cruisersnet.net/?p=117396

Little Creek Marina South Carolina

X. Report on Depth at AICW Passage Through Southern Ramshorn Creek, AICW Statute Mile 570

Vinings Marina Last year's shoaling near AICW marker #40, at the southern foot of Ramshorn Creek, north of Fields Cut, prompted a Navigation Alert and these waters still require keeping a keen eye on your depth.

In the report linked below, Captain Bell relates the addition of a new aid to navigation along this stretch that should prove to be most helpful. Windmill Point Marina

Full details at:

http://cruisersnet.net/?p=117676
Elizabeth City, NC North Carolina  

XI. Blimp Factory on Pasquotank River (near Statute Mile 59)   

Rivera Dunes Marina The below linked report is copied from the American Great Loop Cruisers' Association (AGLCA, http://www.greatloop.org) forum. In this account, Captains John and Cyndi relate information concerning one of the really striking sights to be seen from the AICW/Dismal Swamp Canal Alternate Route's passage down the Pasquotank River, south of Elizabeth City, NC.

Southeast of marker #5, you will catch sight of a huge rooftop sitting back from the shore; its location is noted on chart 12206. This immense structure was built during World War II for the manufacture of dirigibles.

Amelia Island Yacht Basin 2 In times past, cruisers could actually catch sight of two mammoth buildings at this location. The larger of the two, once one of the biggest wooden structures in the world, burned in spectacular fashion during 1995; at that time, it still served as a blimp factory, while the smaller of the two structures was leased to a furniture company. Now, the blimp plant has been moved to the surviving building, and dirigibles are once again being constructed in Elizabeth City.  If you're lucky, you may spot one of the mammoth balloons being tested as you pass.
Regatta Pointe Marina
Captain John was once an employee at the blimp plant. Hear what he has to say at:

http://cruisersnet.net/?p=117373

Edenton North Carolina City Docks Eastern Florida

XII. Dredging Begun in Ponce De Leon Inlet, near AICW Statute Miles 843 and 839

River Dunes Marina Dredging was last completed on the Ponce Inlet Channel in August of 2012, but shoaling is always an issue here. Ponce Inlet (as it is known to all the locals) intersects the AICW at Statute Mile 839.5, with a second southerly intersection near St. M. 843. Note that the welcome dredging reported below is in the inlet channel, NOT the AICW/Ponce Inlet intersections.
Shores at Spooners Creek
Get the full story at:

http://cruisersnet.net/?p=117692

Anchorage Marina Florida Keys

XIV. Florida Keys Wish List Is Coming

McCotters Marina Those of you who have been part of this SSECN Alert list since last spring, know that in March, April and May of this year, we launched a series of very successful "Wish Lists" concerning the coastal waters from northeastern Florida, to the North Carolina - Virginia state line. And, as this program came to an end, we promised more "Wish Lists" would be coming this summer.

Columbia Marina For those who don't yet know what a "Wish List" might be, they are a series of questions from our editorial staff, designed to elicit extensive information about a particular coastline, from the cruising community. Some of the best "Cruising News" articles we have ever published have come to us because of "Wish Lists."

R. E. Mayo Seafood Docks Within the next week to ten days. you will receive from us a "Florida Keys Wish List." Some might think this an unusual time of year to inquire about the Florida Keys, BUT there are now many cruisers who ply the fascinating Florida Key's waters year round, and there is another group that specifically plans spending their summer months exploring the Keys, when everything is cheaper and less crowded.

So, everyone please stand by!
Coinjock Marina

That's all for now. Good luck and good cruising to all!  

 

Claiborne S. Young 
Salty Southeast Cruisers' Net 
[email protected]
          
 
Southport Marina Albemarle Plantation Marina Manteo Waterfront Marina Dowry Creek Marina
  
Toucan Grill Morehead City Yacht Basin Myrtle Beach Yacht Club Charleston Harbor Marina