The following is from the CG 7th District NTM 04/12.
St Lucie River South Fork Light 25 (LLNR 51005) is destroyed. A temporary LB “WR25” displaying Q FL G characteristics has been set 6 yards
channelward of remains in position 27-11-40.345N 080-15-53.596W. Remains pose a hazard to navigation and mariners are advised to avoid this
area.
The following is from the CG 7th District NTM 01/12.
Pine Island Sound Light 45A (LLNR 55900) is destroyed and sitting approximately 2ft above the waterline. The aid has been temporarily replaced
with a TRLB displaying Q Fl G characteristics and set 15 yards channel ward in position 26-35-35.682N 082-11-42.640W. Mariners are advised to
use extreme caution while transiting the area.
The Mar-Good Resort no longer exists. It is evident it has not been in existence for some years now. There is no evidence of a marina, the supposed building housing the restaurant and bar is nearly a shell of what used to be.
However, Goodland does offer 4 restaurant and a small fish market. The Little Bar has wonderful fare, a full bar and the restaurant itself is magnificent with artifacts brought from all over the country and displayed within. Marker 8 is another find with good food and serving beer and wine. The Old Marco Lodge is another and last but not least would be Stan’s Idle Hour. On Sundays from 1 PM till whenever, during the winter months, several bands perform and hundreds of people gather for the entertainment. There is also a small farmer’s market adjacent to Stan’s that sells fresh produce every Sunday. In addition, there is the Island Woman. It is a tourist attraction providing clothing and accessories. All are directly on the water and provide spendid view
5 years ago this morning I had to tell my children that their dad had died. It seems like yesterday but still like forever ago. 5 years ago today I lost the best friend I ever had.
Elaine Reib
Exactly five years ago today, I got out of bed and checked my email and saw
there was one from Skipper Bob. The evening before, I had sent him my
latest batch of updates for the New York Canals book. The email was a
short thank you note from Bob, time-stamped exactly 8 AM that morning. I
could picture Bob sitting at his desk, probably looking forward to doing
some editing on the books that morning.
It turned out sending me that email was the last thing Bob did … and then
he slumped to the floor and died. The email remained on his screen
afterwards.
Bob is a great guy. He wrote the Skipper Bob books to asist the long
distance cruisers, and with the help of his wife Elaine Reib, he did a
mighty fine job.
I first saw a copy of the New York Canals book, on my first visit up here
in 2003. I was amazed how it contained absolutely everything I needed to
know for my cruise, and I got my own copy the first chance I had. Kathy
and I spend many days planning our future trips with the Skipper Bob book
open as the ultimate reference. It wasn’t very wordy, but it was concise
and to the point, the perfect cruiser’s helm reference. I loved the book,
so I contacted Bob and started helping with it.
Since about 2004, I had been sending Bob all kinds of updates and
corrections, so that the book might be correct and complete and benefit
future boaters, as it had done for me. The books are now continued by Ted
Stehle, who continues Bob’s excellent work, and I continue to send Ted
updates for it. Bob is often in my mind as I gather info for the next
updates.
When Bob died, he left a big gap, but I always talk about Bob in the
present tense as he will always be around. He will live on in the memory
of those who knew him, those who worked with him, and his family. Skipper
Bob is out there on the canals and waterways somewhere even now. You may
not see him on your cruises, but he’s out there with you.
Skipper Bob, December 11th, 2006. May he cruise with us forever.
Fred Wehner
We again crossed Lake Okeechobee a couple of days ago and didn’t encounter any real problems.
There are a couple of things to look out for though. In the canal that goes from Moore Haven to Clewiston just before you get to Uncle Joes fish camp at Liberty Point, there is some construction taking place that encroaches into the channel. There is plenty of room to pass and plenty of water, but you should go slow with no wake. We haven’t been able to find out what the construction is, but we will strive to find out.
The depth of the Lake was still fine, with the shallowest spot being in the marked channel leaving or approaching Clewiston. Stay in the middle and find at least 7 feet of water.
Bud and Elaine
Waterway Guide Cruising Editors
Due to the lake level falling below 12.5 feet the Franklin and St. Lucie locks are on a two hour locking schedule effective immediately. Lockage times are 0700, 0900, 1100, 1300, 1500, 1700, 1900 for both locks. This schedule will remain in effect until the water level exceeds 12.5 feet. In the event of a further decline below 11.5 feet lockages will be restricted to three per day.
We monitor and report on the lake daily.
The Moore Haven lock on the Okeechobee Waterway is now scheduled to be closed from June 11 - Aug. 6, but stay tuned…businesses are pressuring the Corps to push the project back even further. During the installation period, no boats can pass, and there is no alternate route.
Ted Stehle, editor
The following is from the Corps of Engineers Jacksonville District website.
The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers has postponed the start date for installation of the Manatee Protection System (MPS) at the Moore Haven Lock as a result of concerns expressed by the public at a meeting held Feb. 16 in Clewiston.
The lock on the Okeechobee Waterway is now scheduled to be temporarily closed from May 14 – July 9, 2012. The adjustment comes after local business owners, recreational boaters and residents expressed concerns about closing the locks earlier in the spring due to heavy usage of the facilities.
“After hearing the economic and recreational concerns expressed at last night’s meeting, the Corps has adjusted the scheduled lock closure to reduce the impact to the local communities,” said Lt. Col. Michael Kinard, deputy district commander. “This timeframe will allow the lock to remain open further into the boating season, while allowing us to complete the installation at the beginning of the hurricane season when the risk is low. It’s all about balancing impacts and risks.”
Installation of the MPS is part of the Manatee Pass Gates project. The primary goal of the project is to safeguard Florida’s endangered manatees from serious injury or death at water control structures and navigation locks by modifying these structures with a MPS. Using a set of acoustic transmitters and receivers, the MPS detects the West Indian manatee and prevents the gates from closing and harming the protected animal.
The Manatee Protection System has been manufactured and above-ground fixtures have been installed at Moore Haven Lock. The remaining work includes dewatering the lock, installing the MPS to the lock gates, testing the system, and re-watering the lock. Work is expected to be complete within two months.
The lake stage this morning is 11.61 feet (NGVD29). This provides a navigation depth for Route 1 of 5.55 feet. Route 2 is 3.75 feet. The locks continue to operate on a two hour schedule due to the water level being below 12.5 feet. For the US Army Corps of Engineers Navigation Depth Report, click here. Note: Should the lake level drop below 11.5 feet the locks will operate three times daily; 0700, 1300, 1900.
Ted Stehle, editor