PLEASE CAREFULLY READ OUR DISCLAIMER!
Please Note That Postings Below From Fellow Cruisers Are Listed in Chronological Order, Based on Publication Date
Yellow Background Denotes Navigation Alert Postings
New Smyrna Beach Daybeacon 43 destroyed
FLORIDA – AICW – INDIAN RIVER- SR 44 / AIA / NORTH CAUSEWAY BRIDGE: Bridge Repairs / Temporary Deviation UPDATE 4/10/2024
Seacoast INC on behalf of the bridge owner, FDOT, has been contracted to conduct the replacement of four hydraulic cylinders on the George
Musson/Coronado Beach (SR 44/North Cswy) Bridge over the AICW (Indian River) mile 845 at New Smyrna Beach. The project began during March
2024, and is expected to end in August 2024. Mariners are advised to transit the area with caution. For waterways related questions, contact Coast
Guard Sector Jacksonville Waterways Management Division at (904) 714-7631 or via email at D07-DG-SECJAX-WATERWAYS@uscg.mil. UPDATE
4/10/2024:
– From 7 p.m. on April 15, 2024, until 7 a.m. on April 16, 2024, the drawbridge will be in the open position; however, the contractor will have a
barge partially obstructing half the channel (45ft). The full channel (90ft) will not be available for vessels requiring the full channel to pass.
– From 7 p.m. on April 18, 2024, until 7 a.m. on April 19, 2024, the drawbridge will be in the open position; however, the contractor will have a
barge partially obstructing half the channel (45ft). The full channel (90ft) will not be available for vessels requiring the full channel to pass.
All in-water equipment shall be lighted in accordance with Inland Navigation Rules. Public vessels of the United States and vessels in distress shall be
passed as soon as safely possible. LNM: 05/24
Halifax River Daybeacon 72 destroyed
Halifax River Daybeacon 60 damaged
Mosquito Lagoon Daybeacon 9A destroyed
FLORIDA – AICW – INDIAN RIVER- SR 44 / AIA / SOUTH CAUSEWAY BRIDGE: Bridge Repairs
Seacoast INC on behalf of the bridge owner, FDOT, has been contracted to conduct the replacement of four hydraulic cylinders on the South Causeway (SR 44/A1A) Bridge over the AICW (Indian River) mile 846.5 at New Smyrna Beach. The project is slated to begin during March 2024 and end in August 2024. Exact start date and work hours is still TBD as well as the actual date of any partial obstruction(s) of the channel by equipment. This notice will be
updated with more details when the schedule has been determined more accurately.
Click Here To View the Florida Cruisers Net Bridge Directory Listing For SR 44 Bridge
Click Here To Open A Chart View Window Zoomed To the Location of SR 44 Bridge
The Ponce has two access routes from the Waterway. Buoy 18 is an ICW marker at the end of the southern inlet access route. Buoys 2 and 3 are at the end of the northern access route. Chartview is centered on Buoy 18; scroll north to find buoys 2 and 3. Our thanks to Richard Ross for this alert.
| Less than 5 ft depths at low tide in mid channel near red 18. There is slightly deeper water about 50 ft off red 18. Also there is 6 ft depth at low tide between red 2 and green 3. Richard Ross
|
This extension work applies to both north and south jetties. No completion date is included.
FLORIDA – TOLOMATO RIVER TO PALM SHORES – PONCE DE LEON INLET: Jetty extension
Kiewit Construction is conducting construction to extend the Ponce De Leon Inlet jetties eastward. Construction equipment will be located on the north side of the jetties, and occasionally on the south side potentially impacting the channel. Mariners are advised to use caution when transiting the area. For waterways related questions, contact Coast Guard Sector Jacksonville Waterways Management Division at (904) 714-7661 or via email at Shawn.R.Keeman@uscg.mil. Chart 11485
Among our readers there must be several who are experienced in cruising the AICW in a vessel this size. If so, please let us hear from you. Maybe Chief Officer Perks will take you along as Pilot!
Good morning,
I am currently trying to find any information I can about cruising in Northern Florida. We are a 151ft vessel with a 8ft draft. We would like to cruise the Jacksonville, St Augustine and Cape Canaveral areas. Is there anyone you recommend for me to talk with about the ICW routes and Marinas that could accommodate us?
Thanks in advance,
Andrew Perks
Chief Officer – Motor Yacht Time for Us
Hope you have good anchors. Just plan on staying near the inlets, any venture up or down the ICW from Jax or St Aug would be most difficult with your draft. Plenty of dockage for you in downtown Jax on the St Johns, but watch the currents since it rips thru downtown on the outgoing tide. Call ahead in St Aug for assistance with the inlet as it shoals as fast as they move the buoys. Port Canaveral is your best shot, no current, extremely safe inlet and once into the Indian River you will have deep ICW north and south for at least 20 miles, but no marinas outside Port Canaveral that will accommodate your size (both length and mass) pushing on their docks.
With an 8 foot draft , parts of the ICW can only be safely run at high tide. After leaving Haulover as you arrive at Daytona, do not take any of the side channels. Just before Matanzas, make sure you hug the GREEN side of the channel. Recommend taking bridge of lions at the start of an incoming tide. You will be pushed to the west side of the bridge during transit.
I’ve pushed 200’ barges on the route with a 7 foot draft so it’s doable with care
Our thanks to Austin Harrell for replying to an earlier report of groundings in this Waterway/Ponce de Leon Inlet southern intersection: /158393. With his 4’9″ draft, he offers good advice as to speed and marker observance.
Following the notice here I took my time and proceeded with caution. Fortunately at a slack high tide. After passing green 17 you see floating reds and a combination red green can that appears to marking the port side of the channel. (It has a yellow square) The shallowest water is to stbd of this mark “southbound” if treating this as it’s intended green most vessels drawing 5 or more feet could be aground at mid to low tides. I highly recommend keeping it to stbd. No need to pass it close. Then just slowly proceed through the intersection. It begins to get deep and wide fast after the last floating red to stbd (Baba 30) 4’9″ draft fully loaded.
Austin Harrell
Click Here To Open A Chart View Window, Zoomed To the Location of Marker GR C
Our thanks to Captain Richard Holtz who was able to get out on the Waterway and submit this report.
Cruised this weekend 101616 from New Smyrna Beach to Daytona Beach and back.
Heavy damage noted to Docks from Ponce inlet south to South of the North Causeway on the East side of the ICW. While some of the newest ones survived, more than 80% are in shambles. The CG Station Roof had issues, however the docks seems fine.
The condominium marina just to the south {of the CG Station] was wiped out.
Many commercial docks are total destroyed including Riverview Charlies and to the North of the inlet much of Inlet Harbor’s Fishing pier is gone. The floating gas dock at Inlet Harbor is OK however the restaurant took a significant hit. The floating docks at Down the Hatch seem fine, however the restaurant took a hit. The New Smyrna Marina-Outriggers Restaurant has no significant damage. In Daytona Beach Caribbean Jacks’ slips took a major hit.
Surprisingly the Halifax River has somewhat cleaned itself and has less debris than expected.
New shoaling South of Daymark Red “12” to Daymark Red “14” on the backside of Rockhouse Creek where Hunter Creek enters the ICW is significant. See /158393
The Green Daymark “11” at the CG station is gone. The North End Jetty Beacon Ponce Inlet is gone. Many floating markers appear off station. The area to West of inlet know as Disappearing Island has significant sand shifting occurring. With the very high tides it is hard to tell what will be once normalcy returns.
Thanks!
Captain Richard Holtz
Click Here To Open A Chart View Window, Zoomed To the Location of Ponce de Leon Inlet
The “Ponce” is a popular, heavily traveled inlet which intersects the Waterway at Statute Mile 839.5, with a second southerly intersection near St. M. 843. Other than the Nav Alerts currently posted on SSECN, Rick is asking for “local knowledge” for the area around the Inlet. If you are a frequent navigator of the Inlet and the ICW/Inlet intersection, let us hear from you.
Thanks for your quick reply. A few years ago we were traveling around Ponse Inlet or New Smyrna Beach where there was reported shoaling and frequent marker relocations, is this still a problem and can the area be identified?
Thanks again
Rick Scheinert
43’ Tiara “Rock On”
SSECN’s answer:
Hi Rick,
There were reports of groundings in the Ponce back in July (/157074) which resulted in our posting a Nav Alert (/158393) immediately after the initial report.
Note that these groundings are in the ICW west and south of the Inlet proper. We have not received reports of shoaling in the Ponce Inlet itself.
Click Here To Open A Chart View Window, Zoomed To the Location of Ponce de Leon Inlet
Ponce Inlet South to New Smyrna Beach is fine. Once you turn South best water is closer to the eastern shore We are local and this wasn’t as if last weekend
Charted depths in this area do not suggest good anchorage. However, if you have found suitable depths, let Jerry and SSECN hear from you. The nearest SSECN recommended anchorage in that area is ten miles south of Haulover Canal at Titusville/Mwx Brewer Bridge.
Good morning,
Would anyone know if anchorages are still available in the Haulover Canal, Florida @ Mile 869.5 in the basin just past the bridge southbound?
Best regards,
Jerry
Gerald Gerlitzki
33’ Pearson with a 4’ 2” draft.
jerry@gerlitzkidesign.com
410-546-9685
Click Here To Open A Chart View Window, Zoomed To the Location of Haulover Canal
Can’t speak to the depth, but when we came through on 9/8/16, it appeared suitable for using the new dock for an alongside tie. Other sources say that there is 10′ at the eastern end of the new dock. We saw several manatee diving in the basin, but did not see any obvious obstructions.
Bill
M/Y Travis McGee
65′ Pacific Mariner
I think I know the little area you are referring to, Jerry. My most recent pass through here was about 6mo ago. There is a tiny cove near the parking for the boat ramp south of the Allenhurst bascule. You might be risking impacting an underwater obstruction to venture into that area with too much depth. There are old broken-off posts just under the surface and tree stumps and all manner of nasty things. And if you did get in there without incident, areas like these collect anchors faster than most other places on the ICW. Stay at Titusville if you’re looking for a good anchorage: from experience, it is VERY good. That being said, you’ll see a number of boats anchored about 10-15 miles farther north (from the Haulover cut) in the Mosquito Lagoon outside some of the fishing camps. I can’t speak to the holding or the conditions there, but people are doing it, even for long-stays.
Waterway marker #17 is on the north side of the east-west channel north of an elbow turn. Our thanks to Richard Holtz for this Alert. See /107845 for earlier reports of shoaling in this area.
Area of Marker 17 New Smyrna Beach three vessels grounded today during low tide. There is water North and East of the marked channel. Recommend you call Sea Tow or Boat US before transiting area. This is at the ICW Western Cut South of Ponce Inlet and Rock House Creek.
Richard Holtz
There were three hard groundings today just North of R18A and RG C at the start of the ICW Western cut south of Rock House Creek.
Richard Holtz
Click Here To Open A Chart View Window, Zoomed To A “Navigation Alert” Position near Ponce Inlet.
This article by Saul Saenz, Volusia County Reporter on News 13 reports shoaling in Ponce de Leon Inlet. The “Ponce” is a popular, heavily traveled inlet which intersects the Waterway at Statute Mile 839.5, with a second southerly intersection near St. M. 843.
Boaters fear growing sandbars in Volusia’s waterways
PONCE INLET —
Dangerous sandbars are growing along the Intracoastal Waterway in Volusia County, and boaters want officials to do something before watercraft lovers hit the area for Memorial Day weekend.
Sandbars around the Intracoastal Waterway and Ponce Inlet are growing past shoaling markers
Volusia County and Army Corp of Engineers aware of problem
Ponce Inlet Port Authority hopes to move shoaling markers before Memorial Day weekend
CLICK HERE for full article
Click Here To Open A Chart View Window, Zoomed To the Location of Ponce de Leon Inlet
There were three hard groundings today just North of R18A and RG C at the start of the ICW Western cut south of Rock House Creek.
Seven Seas Marina & Boatyard lies east-northeast of AICW marker #56 and just north of the Port Orange high-rise bridge.
This our second time here. This time we had an oil leak on one engine and there just happened to be a mechanic available. He found a leaking fitting and fixed us up. The marina has been here since the 80’s and has a mixture of fixed and floating docks. They are a bit worn but in good condition. The channel is narrow but very well marked. We are on the fuel dock for the night. Everyone is helpful and friendly. We will stay here again.
Dave Boxmeyer
Click Here To Open A Chart View Window, Zoomed To the Location of Seven Seas Marina
Seven Seas Marina & Boatyard lies east-northeast of AICW marker #56, and just north of the Port Orange high-rise bridge. And Skipper Charleston is correct, their transient dockage rate is $1.10 for the first night and $1.20 per foot for succeeding nights.
2nd time we have stayed here, same as the first. Cooperative staff. We have a 21 ft beam CAT so we were placed on the fuel dock which is fixed and with a good NE wind, we are rocking a bit. Their fenders are keeping us off the dock adequately. PUBLIX is about a mile, restaurant on site was OK. Nothing is fancy but everything is OK. I will stay here again.
Price was $1.20 per foot, not the 0.90 listed here.
Bill Charleston
Click Here To Open A Chart View Window, Zoomed To the Location of Seven Seas Marina
We have stayed at Seven Seas several times and think it is near the top of places in Florida. The cost is very reasonable, and the onsite restaurant is superb for breakfast. We will certainly return on our next trip south.
Norman Mason
Norfolk, VA
Port Orange Bridge crosses the Waterway at Statute Mile 835.5, south of Daytona Beach and south-southeast of unlighted daybeacon #56.
63′ on the gauge on June 1, 2014 near high tide.
Ken Norris
Click Here To View the Eastern Florida Cruisers’ Net Bridge Directory Listing For Port Orange Bridge
Click Here To Open A Chart View Window, Zoomed To the Location of Port Orange Bridge
This warning of shoaling in Ponce de Leon Inlet comes from SeaTow’s Facebook page. To see that posting, go to:
https://www.facebook.com/SeaTowDaytona/posts/697592116939014:0
Ponce Inlet (as it is known to all the locals) intersects the Waterway at Statute Mile 839.5, with a second southerly intersection near St. M. 843.
Shoal Warning:
Heavy shoaling exists beyond the posted shoaling markers in Ponce Inlet. Please take caution when transiting the area, as shoaling may not be visible. Keep south off the shoal markers and keep them 150′ off your beam to avoid running aground. The yellow line illustrates our recommended course.
***Note: Sand bar conditions can change at anytime and Sea Tow Daytona/Ponce is not responsible for the current accuracy of map.
Ponce Inlet
Click Here To Open A Chart View Window, Zoomed To the Location of Ponce Inlet
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