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

Thanks to Larry and Kathryn Putt on “Blue Lagoon” for passing along this information today.

“Please be advised that the Kingsley Creek RR bridge mile 720.8 will be
closed Monday, May 14 -Friday,May 18,2012 from 8:00AM-11:30AM and
1:00PM-5:30PM and opened 11:30AM-1:00PM.

I had to call the Coast Guard in Jacksonville to verify. They did not know about the
closing but took my phone number and called me back with the information.”

We made way from St. Augustine, Fl to St. Mary’s, Ga yesterday. Passed 2 trawlers hard aground in Sisters Creek, 3 sailboats aground and 1 barge on the Amelia River. Tides were about 2 foot lower than predicted. With Supermoon Saturday here, it will be even lower today. Please be careful if on the southeast portion of the ICW, especially north FL, GA, and South Carolina. /Larry and Christine onboard BlueSkies/
____________________
Larry and Christine Hayden
BlueSkies

Larry and Christine…..thanks for the post.

Just to let you know, the post office is no longer on the waterfront but has been moved to SR 70. Also, the museum is no longer loaning out their car.

-Melinda Schell

Hit submerged tree just north of mile marker 120 with keel of 5-ft draft. Tide was near zero. The impact was about 15-20 feet green side of center. Advise staying red side of center through this area.

Arnstein Mustad

Arnstein, thanks for the report.

Ted Stehle

We just completed the NJ-ICW in a 32 foot trawler with a 3.6 foot draft.
We had no trouble from Cape May to Beach Haven. We travelled from Beach
Haven to Bay Head without paying attention to tides and we bumped and
churned up mud just north of Atlantic City. We ran hard aground in Great
Bay at R130 at mid tide.
We managed to get off after waiting half an hour. We called Tow Boat US
for advice. He said there is considerable shoaling well into the channel
and we should go well away where our chart shows 1 foot. We were aground 30
feet away from R130 where the chart showed 6-11 feet with the mark on our
port while travelling north.
We found some skinny water from Bay Head to Manasquan but had no trouble
since we paid attention to the tide.
Pay attention to tides, go slow and ignore the magenta line and you may not
have any trouble. I would take the outside route next time.

Simone and jerry on North Star

Motts Channal: The afternoon of May 2, going into the Banks Channel anchorage via Motts Channal at near low we had a minimum of 7 feet all the way through except for a brief 6 foot spot right by the Green 25 at the ICW junction. Coming out in the morning near high we had about 10 feet all the way out except, again, right at the junction. On our way in a young girl on a stand-up paddle board shot out from between two of the boats on the Seapath Yacht Clubs face dock, right in front of us - she never looked, Betty had to do a sudden reverse or we might have hit her. Wrightsville Beach is a resort and there were paddle boards, kayaks and several swimmers in the banks channal anchorage with local small craft zipping through at high speed.

Shinn Creek: As we were approaching Wrightsville Beach a deep draft sailboat called Sea Tow and asked about Motts Channel, he was advised to use Shinn Creek instead and to treat ICW Green 129 as though it was also a Shinn Creek Green, keep it on the right going in.

Red Walkabout

Bill, many thanks for the report.

Thursday, 3 May 2012, headed north from Wrightsville Beach to Beaufort we reached the New River Inlet just after low tide and from the inlet north to past Bear Creek there were frequent thin spots. Two notible areas were at Browns Inlet, north of Green 61, and for several hundred yards on either side of the turn at Bear Creek. The least we saw was 6.2 feet but, particularly near Bear Creek the channel was narrow and the strong current coming in the inlet made paying attention critical.

Red Walkabout

Bill, many thanks for the report.

We received the following via email today from the CG 5th District.

Mariners are advised that Marine Contracting Corporation will be replacing the fender system at the Emerald Isle Bridge on SR 58 Bridge over the AIWW mile 226.0 between NC 24 and Emerald Isle, NC beginning the week of 14 MAY 2012 through 31 OCT 2012. There will be a tug, a crane barge, and a deck barge moored in the area, will periodically cross the channel, and will obstruct a portion of the channel while operating below the bridge. During periods of severe weather and/or sea conditions the floating equipment will be relocated elsewhere out of the waterway and display all required navigational lights. The crane barge and tug will monitor VHF channels 16 and 13. Mariners are requested to stay clear of the equipment, exercise extreme caution, and produce no wake when approaching, passing, and leaving the area. Chart 11541

this T-Pier Free Dock has been repaired but some boater has hit the new ladder and almost tore it off! You can still access the rustic dock from your boat tho! 24 hour rule is not enforced, the locals say most boaters stay up to a week there.Still you need to call and let the police department you are there and give your name and your boat name. Great historical town, a must see if you have not been there yet!

-Colleen &stan Anderson

Facing dock in 36' water depth is now open to transient traffic. Free 30/50 amp power, city water and clean bathrooms and showers available.

-Carl Schwandt

Please refer to page 111, Mile 145.7.

The Publix supermarket has been replaced by the Sweetbay supermarket. In addition, another pharmacy has opend. The last sentence should now read, “15 minute walk to Sweetbay supermarket, 2 pharmacies, Ace Hardware, West Marine and other shopping.

Please refer to page 109, Mile 89.0.

Glades Boat Storage has specials on a regular basis so you could call ahead or check their website for pricing and availability.

The following is from the CG 5th District.

Mariners are advised that the Norfolk Southern #7 Railroad Bridge, at AIWW mile 5.8, across the Southern Branch of the Elizabeth River in Chesapeake VA, will be maintained in the closed-to-navigation position on the following dates and times to facilitate mechanical repairs:
1. From 6 a.m. to 8 p.m. on Tuesday, May 8, 2012
2. From 6 a.m. to 8 p.m. on Wednesday, May 9, 2012, and
3. From 6 a.m. to 8 p.m. on Thursday, May 10, 2012
At all other times, the drawbridge will operate in accordance with the operating drawbridge regulations set out in Title 33 Code of Federal Regulations Part 117.997(d). Mariners should adjust their transits accordingly.

Peck Lake (probably the 2nd most popular stop north after North Palm) - there is a large barge with dredge here pumping the sandbars from Peck Lake to the ocean side. This will significantly enlarge the anchoring at Peck Lake, but for now, the barge has areas of the lake marked off with white poles and runs 24 hours a day. It is very noisy and stinky!

In addition, a sailboat in “storage” has sunk, west of the 2-story wooden structure marked “Danger.” It is almost submerged at high tide with just the tops of the port stanchions showing. It is a significant problem that has not been addressed in over a month. No orange signs on it, so it’s here for awhile more.

Janice Callum

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.

Leland Oil Co. has completed the update to our docks. We have 450' new floating docks with new power post. We are open for business.

-Duane Merritt

Please refer to page 23, Mile 267.0, Adams Bayou. This has become a provisioning stop for towboats who stop at the store near the bridge. This should no longer be considered as a potential anchorage. Do not consider laying on the barge dock either.

Please refer to page 29, Mile 96.0, Morgan City. It is not necessary for pleasure craft to contact VTS.

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.

We went through Stuart yesterday (3/15) and as we approached the ICW from the OWW at markers 3A & 4 we noticed, on our depth sounder, a shallow spot with about 6 feet of water about 1 hour before low tide. I think it is just a narrow hump. We certainly didn’t see any real issue with it, but sailboats should be aware of it. The bottom is soft in this area.
We also saw the dredges working in the inlet. They are going to be done with dredging later this month, and hopefully the problems with the St. Lucie Inlet will be solved for a while.
Bud and Elaine
Diamond Girl
Waterway Guide Cruising Editors

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

Please refer to page 23, mile 267.0, Adam’s Bayou.

We received this email on March 3, 2012.

We anchored in Adams Bayou. As we waited to be sure anchor set, a Tug Captain came by and told us that we probably didn’t want to anchor there since the tugs come up the bayou to provision at a store at the top near the bridge. We told him that the anchorage was recommended in Waterway Guide and he replied that the provisioning there was a new thing. It was too late for us to backtrack to the Intracoastal and find another anchorage. The Captain helped us by showing us an old shrimp boat to tie up to for the night.
Thought that we should share this information so some else doesn’t have a surprise. By the way, a tug went up the Bayou at daybreak - sure glad that Captain came by!
Sincerely,
Ozel and Maryann Cox
M/V Freya
AGLCA Member

Many thanks to Ozel and Maryann for the report.

The following is from the CG 8th District (Gulf) NTM 09/12.

Continuing until further notice, the Dredge E. STROUD will be operating in the GIWW from Rollover Pass to the Galveston Causeway. Dredging will
be performed 24-hours a day, 7-days a week. The Dredge E. STROUD will be monitoring VHF-FM Channel 16. Mariners transiting the area will not
have tows exceeding 70 feet in width and are urged to use caution. Mariners are also urged to transit the area at their slowest safe speed to
minimize wake and proceed with caution after passing arrangements have been made.

On or about 10 March, 2012 the following changes will be made in the Big Thorofare Channel:
A. Big Thorofare Channel Light 1 (LLNR 23015) will be changed to Warning Daybeacon A, NW on pile.
B. Big Thorofare Channel Light 1T (LLNR 23018) established in approximate position 37 57 54.285N, 075-58-39.953W, FL G 2.5S. Horn 1 blast ev
30s(3s bl).
C. Big Thorofare Channel Daybeacon 2 (LLNR 23020) will be discontinued.
D. Big Thorofare Channel Buoy 9 (LLNR 23037) will be established in approximate position 37 58 02. 254N, 075-59-31.781W, green can.
Chart: 12231

Just north of Barefoot Landing Bridge the green mile marker post "21" has been hit and bent over. At low tide it is just visible. At high tide it will under water and not visible as boat come around the curve after passing through Barefoot Landing Swing Bridge.

-Anna Armstrong

We have received an unconfirmed report that marker “R210”, which marks a shoal, has been removed. We would appreciate additional reports.

The following is from the CG 7th District NTM 05/12.

Norfolk Dredging Company will commence dredging operations in the St Lucie Inlet on or about February 19, 2012. The dredge “CHARLESTON” will
be working in the Federal Navigation Channel of the St Lucie Inlet and the Impoundment Basin in the north side if the channel. A pipeline will be
placed from the dredging area to the vessel PULLEN which will be stationed near the south bank of the St Lucie Inlet. From the vessel PULLEN, the
pipeline runs to St Lucie Inlet State park near South point. The project will continue until approximately April 10, 2010. The dredge operator will
standby in VHF-FM channels 13 and 16. Vessel traffic should call 30 minutes prior to expected time of passage.

Please refer to the top of page 25 and the text about Lake Charles. The update to this paragraph was left out during the edit process. Please replace with the following:

The waterfron at Lake Charles has undergone a major makeover. The new L’Auberge du Lac Hotel, Casino and Marina is located at the southern mouth of Contraband Bayou as it empties into the Calcasieu River. A new waterfront promenade (Lake Charles Civic Center) and marina (Bord du Lac) on the SE shore of Lakes Charles has been completed. The marina is within walking distance of many restaurants and other attractions.

Please refer to the bottom of page 28.

If the last paragraph the city of Chesapeake, VA is incorrectly refered to as Chesapeake City. We all know that Chesapeake City is located in NC and we apologize to the residents of Chesapeake, VA.

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 8th District (Gulf) NTM 02/12.

The Black Bayou Pontoon Bridge across the GIWW will be removed from service and the barge will be taken to a dry dock for inspection and
repairs. Mariners are urged to exercise caution when transiting through the bridge site as all other portions of the bridge structure will remain. It
is anticipated that the repairs will take 3 months to complete. During this time period, the Grand Lake Pontoon Bridge across the GIWW, Mile
231.4, WHL, at Grand Lake, Louisiana, will be closed to navigation from 6:30 a.m. until 8:00 a.m. and from 3:00 p.m. until 5:00 p.m., Monday
through Friday, from Monday, January 9, 2012 through Friday, March 30, 2012. During the closure period, the bridge can open for navigation in
the case of an emergency. Mariners are urged to transit the area with extreme caution.

Ed Note: The hours of operation for the Grand Lake Bridge are a change from those currently published.

The following is from the CG 8th District (Gulf) NTM 03/12.

Continuing until approximately June 30, 2012, a Safety Zone is in effect from approximate Mile 35.2, WHL to Mile 35.5, WHL, on the GIWW. This
Safety Zone is for the installation of rip-rap adjacent to the new floodwall, along the southeast bank of the GIWW. Mariners are urged to transit
at the slowest safe speed to minimize wake. For up-to-date information, mariners can contact the M/V YAYA on VHF-FM Channel 69.

The following is from the CG 7th District NTM 03/12.

The Coast Guard received a report of a submerged object approximately 6ft beneath the water in position 29-31.9N 081-09.3W between Fox Cut
Light 3 (LLNR 39680) and Fox Cut Daybeacon 4 (LLNR 39683) in vicinity of Beverly Beach. Mariners are advised to stay alert and transit the area
with extreme caution.

The Coast Guard received a report of a 30ft partially submerged sailing vessel in Niles Channel in the vicinity of Ramrod Key and Summerland Key
in position 24-39.114N 081-25.686W. Mariners are advised to stay alert and transit the area with caution.

A temporary buoy has been placed at Niles Channel Bridge in approximate position 24-39-36.0N 081-26-06.0W marking fallen debris from the old
Niles Channel Bridge fishing pier deteriorating. Mariners are advised to remain clear of this structure.

Please refer to page 78, mile 878.1, Titusville.

The West Marine Express has closed.

Please refer to page 101, mile 17.7, Metropolitan Park.

Water (no charge) and electric ($8/day) is now available.

Please refer to page 75, mile 785.2.

In October 2011 a sailboat on a mooring was reportedly in this anchorage. Also, at low tide the depth in the anchorage was 4.5 feet.

Please refer to page 75, mile 786.2, Butler Beach.

The entrance just below green “43” has reportedly shoaled in. In October 2011 a vessel drawing 4.5 feet ran aground twice at low tide.

Please refer to page 62, mile 34, Watkins Glen, Village Marina.

The marina contact is Terry Stewart, 607-742-5100. In addition, they no longer sell gas.

Please refer to page 52, mile 329.5, Shallotte Inlet. This anchorage has shoaled in. The only deep water that exists is on the west bank north of red “76” and this will probably be occupied by shrimp boats. Vessels have reported they anchored just west of red “76”, not going into the creek but out of the intracoastal channel. Two anchors were used due to the strong current.

Please refer to page 114, mile 107.4, Washington, DC.

The last sentence states that you will be required to use 2 anchors. We have been advised that this is no longer a requirement.

Please refer to page 115, Capital Yacht Club. According to a cruiser report in October 2011 there is now a $15.00 charge per day for the dinghy dock. This includes showers and free internet, plus the use of the laundry facility and lounge.

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 following is from the CG 7th District Notice to Mariners 52/11.

The Coast Guard has approved a request from the bridge owner of the FEC Railroad Bridge across the St Johns River mile 24.9,
Jacksonville, Florida to close this bridge to navigation from 8:00 a.m. to 11:30 a.m. and from 12:30 p.m. to 5:00 p.m. daily Sunday through
Thursday starting January 15, 2012 until March 29, 2012. The Coast Guard recognizes that this will place a burden on vessels transiting
through this area during these dates and times. After review of this request with the bridge owner it has been determined that this work
cannot be safely completed during nighttime operations nor would it be beneficial to reduce the amount of time allocated for this requested
closure, doing so, would have the potential of extending this project an additional 4 to 6 months.

Ed note: The closed vertical clearance is 6 feet.

FYI - Day Marker R “210” is missing for over a month now. This is a long, fairly straight section of the Treasure Coast just past the Power Plant on the east side of the channel and before the Jensen Beach Bridge. You may want to hug the greens here as we don’t know why the red is missing. May have been knocked down and broken off below the water line so stay green to avoid “finding” R210 and having a bad day.

Captain Chris Yacht Service

The closure date has been extended to February 28, 2012 per CG 5th District NTM.

The following is from the CG 5th District NTM 33/11.

Mariners are advised that the Coast Guard has issued a temporary deviation from the drawbridge operating regulations for the Route 30/Absecon Boulevard Bridge, at NJICW mile 67.2, across Beach Thorofare in Atlantic City NJ. Under this deviation, the drawbridge will be closed to vessels requiring an opening beginning at 7 a.m. on Friday, September 16, 2011 through 11:59 p.m. on Friday, January 13, 2012. This closure is necessary to facilitate extensive rehabilitation and to maintain the bridge’s operational integrity. The available vertical clearance in the closed position to vessels is approximately 20 feet, above mean high water. The navigable channel will not be obstructed so vessels that can pass under the bridge without a bridge opening may continue to do so at anytime. The Atlantic Ocean is an alternate route for vessels with mast heights greater than 20 feet and the drawbridge will be unable to open in the event of an emergency. At all other times, the bridge will operate in accordance withdrawbridge operating regulations set out in Title 33 Code of Federal Regulations Part 117.733(e). Mariners able to pass under the closed span may do so, adjust their transit accordingly and use caution when transiting the area.

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

Refer to page 101, mile 17.7, Metropolitan Park. Electric and water are available for a fee. Pay by credit card at a kiosk.

Refer to page 74, mile 780.0, San Sebastian River. Oyster Creek Marina is now River’s Edge Marina. Also, be advised that the area for anchoring in the vicinity of the marina is very limited.