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And Renewing Sponsors!   
Jacksonville In The Water Boat Show at Ortega Landing On the weekend of May 17 and May 18, the Marina at Ortega Landing in Jacksonville will be hosting an in water boat show. Approximately 15 boats will be available for tour. Various types of boats will be presented, including the 43 foot Tiara 4300 Sovran with IPS drive. IPS drive uses fly-by-wire technology allowing the captain to dock, moor and maneuver the vessel with a joystick. Come feel the fun! Gates open Saturday, May 17 at10:00 a.m. and close at 7:00 p.m. Sunday hours are from 10:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. Ortega Landing is located at 4234 Lakeside Drive in Jacksonville.For directions to Ortega Landing, visit www.ortegalanding.com or call 904-387-5538.
Department of Homeland Security Small Vessel Security Strategy
In the last year, the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) held a National Small Vessel Security Summit and several regional summits to which you may have been invited. We are following up with the recommendations of those attending the summits who requested that DHS develop a strategy and keep stakeholders apprised of their progress regarding work on small vessel security.
Yesterday, DHS Secretary Michael Chertoff announced the release of the DHS Small Vessel Security Strategy at the American Boating Congress Legislative Conference 2008 in Washington, DC. Here is a link to that Strategy on the DHS website which also hosts all small vessel security actions, documents and information on upcoming regional summits.
We invite you to visit the website and read this new DHS document to understand the expectations of the Department to educate, communicate and coordinate with the small vessel stakeholder community as well as State, local and Tribal governments in taking action to reduce the small vessel security threat. If there is an upcoming event you wish to attend, please contact us through the web site and request an invitation.
Regards,
-Kathryn Dunbar, LCDR
U.S. Coast Guard
BREAKING NEWS IN THE BAHAMAS
Old Bahama Bay - West EndWe . . . want to tell you all about a great spot in the Bahamas. We are currently at Old Bahama Bay in West End, Grand Bahama Island. The facilities were revamped a few years ago from the old "Jack Tar" days by Ginn Sur Mer. Read more.... Lost Bass Boat - White Sound, Hopetown Subject: LOST: Bass Raider 8 in Hopetown, Abaco Islands, Bahamas
Cruising News: LOST: Bass Raider 8, a small green fishing boat
Three oars inside, as well as a yellow life jacket. Help us find.... BREAKING NEWS IN THE NORTHERN GULF & OKEECHOBEEManatees "Zoned Out" on Weekend & Holidays
For many years, Florida has used “Manatee Zones” to control boat speed and wakes in various areas. If we are to believe the signs, Florida manatees are a rather exclusive group who tend to hang out...Read the rest of the story. BREAKING NEWS IN WESTERN FLORIDAThe Magic of CruisingAh Captain Sterling - wish I was along!
Waters Visited Because of Okeechobee Waterway ShallowsWell, maybe there is a good side to the current shallow state of the Okeechobee Waterway!
Anchoring on Little Shark River - South of Marco Island
While I usually enjoy anchoring of the wild, primeval reaches of Little Shark River, you do NOT want to do this when the wind dies. The little winged guys will pick up your boat, take it out in the glades, and eat it there! During other conditions, anchoring here can be quite nice, and a truly backwater experience!
Anchoring on Indian Key Channel and the Rod and Gun Club in Everglades City
I have no doubt that the Rod and Gun Club appears "a bit more shabby" than during my last visit a year or so ago. This has been the trend for some time now. Also, note good words about anchoring on Russell Pass (off Indian Key Pass). This is a superb anchorage!
Good Visit to Tarpon Springs Municipal MarinaPersonally, I have always enjoyed visiting Tarpon Springs. on the Anclote River. There has been some questions raised in the cruising community over the past several years about the city marina at Tarpon Springs, but, based on this account , they must be doing something right.
Good Times at Laishley Park Marina (Punta Gorda)
Yessir, the picture painted below of newly minted Laishely Park Marina is entirely accurate. Go see! Fort Myers Beach Announces "Cruiser Appreciation Day" (May 3, 2008) What a wonderful way to start off a Monday morning! I open an e-mail and discover a message about a Western Florida community that is actually planning a day long celebration in APPRECIATION of the cruising community. Read more....
"Big" Changes in Big Pass Inlet (Sarasota, FL)No-one has been greater champion of keeping Sarasota's Big Pass Inlet open to cruising craft than Captain Peter van Roekens and the Sarasota Boaters' Coalition. So, when Captain Peter says there have been changes in Big Pass, we had all better sit up and... Read more!
BREAKING NEWS IN EASTERN FLORIDA Important - ICW Closure at Jacksonville Beach (Statute Mile 748) LIMITED TO WEEKDAYS!!!
Many, many thanks to the Cruisers' Net's good friend, Captain Allen Lloyd for providing the info below.
If you have been reading this "Eastern Florida" page, you already know that the spring, 2008 transient season has been disrupted by the closure during daylight hours (except for one hour at mid-day) of the ICW at Jacksonville Beach, near the B. B. McCormich Bridge. This Waterway closure is being brought about to facillitate the removal of the old bridge. NOW, WE LEARN FROM CAPTAIN LLOYD THAT THE WATERWAY IS UNRESTRICTED ON WEEKENDS! Hooray for small things!
St. Augustine Inlet (Statute Mile 776.5) - Multiple Reports
I've stolen the string below from the Nets' "Ask Your Neighbor" page. The various messages contain what could be accurately described as definitive info about St. Augustine Inlet. With the Waterway's tempoary closure at Jacksonville Beach, this seaward cut takes on added importance!
How to Anchor in Miami Beach Longer Than Seven Days
On about our 10th day here the Miami Beach police boat sidled up to Sinterra. Officer Dwayne, politely and humorously explained the town's anchoring rules: seven-day limit, unless... Important - ICW to be CLOSED at McCormick Bridge (Jacksonville Beach, Statute Mile 748) Beginning April 23, 2008
Important - Super Detailed Report on Passage Through ICW/Ponce Inlet Intersection (Statute Mile 840)
Important information on the intersection of the Waterway and Ponce Inlet (north of New Smyrna Beach). Vero Beach Municipal Marina Moorings Now Restricted to 48 Hours For Those NOT Staying Aboard
I have reproduced the posting below from the Nets' "Ask Your Neighbor" page, as it contains info about a recent changes in the mooring field at Vero Beach Municipal Marina.
BREAKING NEWS IN GEORGIAImportant - Living Aboard in Georgia Question Explored
For years I've heard vague rumors that there is some state statute in Georgia that does not allow cruisers to live aboard for more than 30 days. However, I've never heard about anyone being served due to this prohibition. Now, thanks to Captan Rob, we have an in-depth look at this Georgia oddity. Read on! It's Worth the Cruise to Sunbury Crab Company
Of course, I'm a little prejudiced, seeing as Sunbury Crab Company is a SALTY SOUTHEAST CRUISERS' NET SPONSOR, but I could not agree more with sentiments expressed below. It IS worth the trip up Medway River to spend some time at this small, but quaint marina, AND their awesome restaurant! Hopeful Report on Transiting the ICW/Jekyll Creek (Statute Mile 681)
Up until April, 2008, the ICW's run through Jekyll Creek, south of Brunswick, GA and St. Simons Sound, has been known as the #2 worst stretch on the entire run from Norfolk, VA to Florida's St. Johns River. Now, it looks like the natural currents may be doing some GOOD things. Read on! Good Savannah Area Mobile Marine Mechanic
Another GREAT recommendation, and who of us does not need a good, honest mobile marine mechanic from time to time!
BREAKING NEWS IN SOUTH CAROLINAHearty Endorsement of Grand Dunes Marina (Myrtle Beach, Statute Mile 357)
It's great to hear such a ringing endorsement of this fine facility, who is already A SALTY SOUTHEAST CRUISERS' NET SPONSOR! They are located directly on the Pine Island Cut section of the ICW, in the heart of ....
Another View of Georgetown, SC
There is an earlier message here on the Nets' "South Carolina" page about some fellow cruisers who were disappointed in regards to a Georgetown visit. Below, we hear about an entirely different point of view . Report on Little River Inlet
Little River Inlet sits hard by the North Carolna - South Carolina state line. It is the only at least semi-reliable seaward pass between Cape Fear River, NC and Winyah Bay, SC. Glad to hear its channel seems to be... Georgetown Downtown Anchorage Crowded
Sorry to hear that the downtown Georgetown anchorage (on the loop of Sampit River running directly in front of the downtown waterfront) is crowded this year. Georgetown IS a wonderful port of call, with an embarrassment of riches when it comes to shoreside dining. Guess I'll plan on picking up a slip during our next visit to these waters. A good choice would be...
BREAKING NEWS IN NORTH CAROLINASoutheastern NC ICW Conditions
Sounds like the dreding of the ICW's intersection with Carolina Beach Inlet is almost complete. Now, if we could only move the dredge down to the ICW/Lockwoods Folly juncture .
Important - Shoaling on Big Foot Slough Channel (Ocracoke, NC - Pamlico Sound)
Wow, thanks Captian Chuck. This is BIG news. Anyone visiting Ocracoke this summer, and I know that will be MANY of you, avoid #10B like the proverbial black plague....
Beaufort, NC Music Festival (May 9-10)
See you there Captain Frank!
Anchoring in Spooners Creek (Statute Mile 210.5)
Now that the marina has reopened at Spooners Creek (just west and south of Morehead City, NC, directly on the ICW's path through Bogue Sound), and the shores of this once pristine body of water are now overlooked by a solid collection of residential development, I would not put this body of water at the top of happy anchoring spots. But, hey, that's just me!
Another Report of Shoaling at Intersection of ICW/Lockwoods Folly Inlet (Statute Mile 323)
I hope the Corps of Engineers has some dredging money left for North Carolina, as the intersecton of the Waterway and Lockwoods Folly Inlet is clearly going to need some mud and sand removed SOON!
Another Postive Report on Dowry Creek Marina (Statute Mile 131.5)
The accolades just keep piling up here on the Cruisers' Net for Dowry Creek Marina. To paraphrase an OLD television ad, "if you can find a better marina, stay there." I bet you won't!
More On Shoaling at ICW/Lockwoods Folly Intersecton (Statute Mile 323)
This the second report we've had here on the Nets' "North Carolina" page about shoaling at the ICW/Lockwoods Folly intersecton. I guess we shouldn't be surprised, as, classicly, this is one of the most shoal prone sections of the North Carolina Waterway. Looks like this should be next section dredged on the NC portion of the ICW!
Important - Late April, 2008 Report on ICW's Passage Past Shallotte Inlet and Lockwoods Folly Inlet
Wow! This is the very first I've heard in 2008 about shallow water at the Waterway's intersections with both Shallotte Inlet and Lockwoods Folly Inlet. Of course as the author notes... Pamlico River Cruising Notes
I agree completely with Captain Jim's remarks below concerning tiny, but super friendly Bath Harbor Marina. If you can find a better much of marina folks, please let me know.
Docking in Wilmington, NC
Visiting the historic Wilmington waterfront by water calls for a long, but delightful cruise from the ICW, up the Cape Fear River. Wilmington has been trying to entice cruisers to make this trek, but based on Charlie and Jenny's posting below, it looks like they've still got some work to do!
Grounding Reported at the ICW/Mason Inlet Intersection (Statute Mile 280.5)
After a study of chart 11541, it looks like the waters on which Captain Jim is reporting below lie near Statute Mile 280.5 and Howe Point. Though he does not say so, I suspect the shallows in question lie just south of unlighted can buoy #121. HOWEVER, that is JUST A GUESS on my part, so proceed through this entire stretch with the greatest caution!
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ELECTRONIC CHART AND NAUTICAL REFERENCE LIBRARY UPDATED FOR 2008
New England (214 Charts)