SSECN
I. The Salty Southeast Cruisers' Net Announces a MAJOR Enhancement of our Marina Directory Function
The entire Salty Southeast Cruisers' Net "bunch" takes great pride in announcing a MAJOR upgrade to our reporting of marina services, prices and statistics. This project has been a year in the making, and countless hours of work have gone into copying and pasting, line by line, data from our old format into the new.
Behind the scenes, what we have done is to move our various Marina Directories from a document based scheme, to a database manger-like scheme! That may not mean much to you, but it allows us to present marina data to you in a far more readable and user friendly form. Throw in LIVE chart and satellite images of EVERY marina in our directories, and we think you will discover that SSECN's reporting of marinas is now second to none in the marine publication business.
Rather that prattle on, an example is worth another thousand words or so. AFTER reading to the end of this section, please follow this link:
http://cruisersnet.net/marinas/030-georgetown-winyah-bay-pee-dee-river-black-river/
This link will bring up an example of our NEW MARINA LISTING FORM! This particular section covers Georgetown, South Carolina. Normally, you would get here by using our red, vertically stacked menus on the right side of all (except Chart View) SSECN pages, click on "South Carolina," then "SC Marinas," then "Marinas, Georgetown, Winyah Bay, Pee Dee River, Black River (AICW Statute Mile 403 to 410)."
Back to the Marina Listing Form. What you now see is a bare bones listing of marinas in the Georgetown, SC region. This is what you might call a "quick look" page.
Scroll down until you come to the entry for Harborwalk Marina. You will see a list of service icons which depict what is available at this facility, and such basic data as "Phone," "Website," "Statute Mile," "Location" and "Depths."
Where this starts to get really EXCITING is discovered by making use of the three large, rectangular buttons on the bottom of this (and all other) marina entries. "View in Chartview" opens a Chart View page centered on Harborwalk Marina, and "Review This Marina" is pretty self explanatory. The "magic" begins to happen when you click the "View Full Marina Info" button. Please click that now!
And now, you will see a page filled with everything you ever wanted to know about Harborwalk Marina! Scroll up and down and look at all the data fields. LOTS of info! Pretty neat, huh!
NOW, NOTICE THE TWO IMAGES BETWEEN THE "BASIC MARINA INFORMATION" AND "SERVICE DETAILS" SECTIONS! ONE IS A CHART IMAGE CENTERED ON HARBORWALK MARINA, AND THE OTHER IS A SATELLITE IMAGE OF THE SAME FACILITY. THESE ARE NOT STATIC IMAGES. THEY ARE LIVE!
Put your pointer inside either the chart or satellite images, hold down your left mouse button and drag. The chart or satellite images MOVE. You could drag the image all the way north to Maine or south to Key West. You can also adjust the zoom level by using the "+" "-" vertically stacked zoom tool, or use your mouse wheel to zoom.
Want to see a full size image of what's in the window? Just click on the "View this Marina on a Full Sized ChartView Page" link, and, presto-chango, now you are looking at a full page image of the chart or satellite image. When you are finished with your perusal, simply click the "Return to Previous Page" button above the chart/satellite image, and now you are back to the full listing of specifications for Harborwalk Marina!
And, may I be so bold as to remind everyone that all our marina information has been PROFESSIONALLY RESEARCHED. All the data you see in our marina directories has been verified, in most cases on-site, by myself or the SSECN staff! You can't get better accuracy than that! The future of this new "database manager" SSECN capability is VERY EXCITING. Next, we will bring our Anchorage Directories" into this new format, followed by bridges and AICW Problem Stretches. A few months from now, we will offer ADVANCE SEARCH CAPABILITY where you will be able to call up every marina within, for example, 20 miles of AICW Statute Mile 400 that has showers, 50 amp power hookups and diesel fuel! How's that for a sterling service to the cruising community.
And, of course, as always, our enhanced marina directories are usable by members of the cruising community at absolutely NO CHARGE, and without even the need to set up a user name nor a password.
Our new marina directories ARE NOW READY FOR YOU TO USE! PLEASE USE THEM, and, oh yes, let us know what you think!
One final but VERY IMPORTANT word! We could never have undertaken this HUGE project without the support of our loyal sponsors. WE ASK THE CRUISING COMMUNITY AGAIN TO PLEASE PATRONIZE AND SUPPORT OUR SPONSORS WHENEVER POSSIBLE! And, when you are visiting a sponsoring marina, repair yard, coastal restaurant or other nautically related business, please take a moment to tell them how much you appreciate their support of the cruising community by way their support for the Salty Southeast Cruisers' Net!
Thanks so very much for your time and attention!
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Western Florida
III. Advice on Depths in Smokehouse Bay - Marco Island Anchorage, Marco Island, Southwestern Florida Coastline
Smokehouse Bay lies in the heart of northern Marco Island. This fortunate body of water plays host to Esplanade Marina and a good anchorage. In the below linked article, Captain Lee Oldershaw, a Marco Island cruising leader, gives invaluable advice about safely navigating to this notable anchorage. If you are even thinking about an exploration of southwestern Florida waters, don't dare miss: http://cruisersnet.net/?p=139969
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Eastern Florida
IV. Peck Lake Anchorage Cleared of Dredge Equipment, AICW Statute Mile 992
The popular Peck Lake Anchorage immediately off the AICW's path, south of the Waterway's intersection with St. Lucie Inlet and the Okeechobee Waterway, has been virtually unusable for several months now because of onsite equipment related to the dredging of St. Lucie Inlet. In the below linked report, we happily learn that all the dredging equipment has now been withdrawn, and Peck Lake can again be used as a superior southeastern Florida anchorage. Full details at: http://cruisersnet.net/?p=139981
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Virginia to North Carolina
V.Latest Update on Gilmerton Bridge Restrictions, AICW Statute Mile 5.8
Due to major construction, the Gilmerton Highway Bridge, with a closed vertical clearance of 35 feet, which crosses the Waterway just south of Norfolk at statute mile 5.8, has been under opening restrictions for over three years. After many, many Local Notices and updates, the bridge has returned to an ALMOST normal operating schedule. There are still exceptions, however!
Full details at:
http://cruisersnet.net/?p=139962
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North Carolina
VI. Missing Marker Reported at AICW/Mason Inlet Intersection, Statute Mile 280
Hank Pomeranz of Carolina Yacht Care and Southport Marina, TWO SALTY SOUTHEAST CRUISERS' NET SPONSORS, have received numerous reports that AICW marker #121, which normally marks the intersection of the Waterway and unusable Mason Inlet, north of Wrightsville Beach, is currently missing.
Dredging was just completed April 20, 2014 for this AICW section, and it is possible that the marker was removed to enable the dredge remove the existing shoaling.
PLEASE follow the link below, read what Captain Pomeranz has to say, and use the "Comment" function if you have lately visited these waters, and can contribute to this discussion.
THANKS in advance!
Go to:
http://cruisersnet.net/?p=139474
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North Carolina
VIII. Don't Miss "Oriental Nautical Wheelers" in Oriental, NC (Statute Mile 181)
Over the weekend of April 19-20, 2014 I had the good fortune to attend the Oriental, NC Boat Show, and hold three seminars. During the show, I made the acquaintance of Bill and Camilla Wheeler and their unique business, "Oriental Nautical Wheelers." I am very pleased to say that this firm is our newest SALTY SOUTHEAST CRUISERS' NET SPONSOR!
Oriental Nautical Wheelers is located in a historical Oriental homeplace, right on (411) Broad Street (252-249-0359), in downtown Oriental. It is within easy walking distance of SALTY SOUTHEAST CRUISERS' NET SPONSOR, Oriental Marina and Condos, and Oriental Harbor Marina, plus the town's two free docks. From Whittaker Creek, you will need to have auto transportation available for a visit.
How to describe Oriental Nautical Wheelers? I could say that this unique establishment contains everything "coastal" from clothing, to shoes, to home furnishings and accessories, to Adirondack chairs. However, that would overlook the wine section, the voluminous selection of all types of gifts and personal items, not to mention the "revolutionary Keira Watering Cans."
The selection and range of merchandise is staggering, in a very good way, you understand! EVERY cruiser visiting Oriental will want to be SURE to include a stroll to "Oriental Nautical Wheelers." Don't believe me? Well, then just follow the photo gallery link in the below linked article!
Please visit:
http://cruisersnet.net/?p=139391
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Eastern Florida
IX. A New, High Volume Dredge Arrives at Amelia Island Yacht Basin (Statute Mile 720.5)
In December of this year, after a personal visit, we reported that SALTY SOUTHEAST CRUISERS' NET SPONSOR, Amelia Island Yacht Basin, was awaiting the arrival of a new, high-volume dredge that would be permanently located here. Amelia Island has always offered superbly sheltered dockage, and full on-site services, including repairs. The rub has been depths both on the canal-like entrance channel and in the dockage basin. Well, all that will begin to change very soon.
While attending the just completed MTOA Spring Rendezvous in Fernandina Beach, I again made a personal visit to Amelia Island Yacht Basin, and had a most informative conversation with General Manager, Bill Galloway and Office Manager, Kristen Galloway. I was very pleased to learn that the NEW DREDGE HAS JUST ARRIVED! Some piping must still be delivered, but in a few weeks, dredging of the entrance channel will begin.
Bill explained to me that this new dredge can "do in a few hours what took our old dredge a few weeks to accomplish." While it will take a bit of time to get the entrance channel and harbor to the depth targets set by marina management, once that is accomplished the on-site dredge will only need to do a bit of maintenance dredging from time to time.
Wow, what a wonderful improvement to an already excellent facility. We'll keep you informed as the dredging operations proceed!
Full details and a photo of the bridge can be accessed at:
http://cruisersnet.net/?p=139385
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North Carolina
X. More Information on Bridge Pointe Marina (New Bern, NC, on the Trent River)
We announced a few months ago, that SALTY SOUTHEAST CRUISERS' NET SPONSOR, Bridge Pointe Marina in New Bern, NC, had reopened after a year-long rebuilding project. I have twice undertaken a personal inspection of Bridge Pointe's new reincarnation, and it can be stated with no fear of inaccuracy, that this is now a state-of-the-art facility. In the below linked article, we hear more details from dockmaster, Jesse Schmucher, about his newly revamped marina.
Please visit:
http://cruisersnet.net/?p=139313
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Eastern Florida
XI. Flagler Memorial Bridge Set To Remain In Open Position For Six Months, AICW Statute Mile 1021
Since construction began, Flagler Memorial Bridge in West Palm Beach has been in a state of almost constant change, (see http://cruisersnet.net/?p=127999). The locked-in-open-position may seem to be good news for tall vessels, but the added vehicular traffic on the Royal Park Bridge and Southern Boulevard Bridge, just to the south, and their necessarily restricted openings, may actually slow vessel traffic through West Palm Beach; time will tell. ALL Eastern Florida cruisers will want to get the FULL details on these complicated bridge hour opening changes at: http://cruisersnet.net/?p=139289
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North Carolina XII. Oregon Inlet Too Shoaled to Dredge - Inlet Will Now Be Left "To the Elements" - Pamlico Sound, Outer Banks, NC
Since I penned the first editon of my "Cruising Guide to Coastal North Carolina" in the early 1980's, I have strongly urged that NO cruising size craft attempt to navigate Oregion Inlet. This seaward cut pierces North Carolina's Outer Banks south of Nags Head, NC. Well, things have gotten even worse, and it now looks as if all attempts to maintain a navigable channel in Oregon Inlet will be abandoned. Shoaling has been steadily increasing in the main channel of Oregon Inlet for several years (see http://cruisersnet.net/?p=52021). This shallowing became so severe a few months ago that the Herbert C. Bonner Bridge over Oregon Inlet was closed to road traffic (see http://cruisersnet.net/?p=129461). The state rushed a dredge to the scene and pumped tons and tons of sand around the bridge pilings, and the span did reopen to vehicular traffic. Now, Oregon Inlet shoaling is so severe, the dredges cannot operate, and all such efforts have been abandoned. What a sad end to what has, at times, seemed a never ending struggle. Full details at:
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South Carolina
XIV. More Tender Woes at Little River Swing Bridge, AICW Statute Mile 347, Myrtle Beach, SC
Skippers Susan and Tom Constantine phoned SSECN in April to relate another incident in which the bridge tender at Little River Swing Bridge refusing to open, creating a dangerous situation and resulting in damaged steering gear on their vessel. The owner of this bridge was contacted in August of 2013 with complaints about the unprofessional and inconsiderate behavior of the tender. (see http://cruisersnet.net/?p=120963). Whether the tender was the same person in both cases, we do not know, but the Constantines can certainly verify the risk to which a vessel is exposed when ignored by a tender.
Since this article was first published on the SSECN in April, we have heard from quite a few fellow cruisers on this subject. Some have defended the bridge tenders at this span, and this had led to a general discussion about bridge tenders and a captain's responsibility in regards to bridge openings. This all makes very interesting and informative reading.
Please visit:
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