The following is the the CG 7th District NTM 25/11.

All mariners are advised to use extreme caution when transiting in the vicinity of St. Lucie River (South Fork) area between St. Lucie River South Fork Daybeacon 29 (LLNR 51085) and St. Lucie River South Fork Buoy 30 (LLNR 51090). Due to Shoaling the channel has been narrowed by approximately 30 yards. Best water is near the green side of the channel

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.

The following is from the CG 7th District NTM 43/11.

The Coast Guard has received a report of shoaling channelward of Amelia River Lighted Buoy 6 (LLNR 7070). Reported depth at low tide is 6ft. All mariners are advised to exercise caution while transiting this area.

Ted Stehle, editor

I always favor the green side there, never had a problem passing about 100’ from G3 and 200’ from G5.

Thanks to Pascal Gademer aboard m/v Charmer for this report.

Pascal Gademer aboard the m/v Charmer sent in the following. Thanks Pascal.

Favor the green side around G21-23 as it shoals on centerline. I found 
15MLW 150’ off G21, 
10MLW 100’ off G23 
10MLW 100’ off G25

We transited Sisters Creek northbound yesterday on our way to Fernandina Beach. The Waterway Guide noted potential shoaling between Red “74” and Green “73” about MM 735.5. As we approached Red “74” we slowed down to 5 knots (Far Niente is an Island Packet 45 and draws 5’) and began to monitor depth. At the time we were between Red “74” and Green “73” the tide was about 1/2 way up and rising. The depth started to rise from about 10-11’ to 7-8’ as we moved north. Then a couple hundred yards from Green “73” the depth fell again and we saw as much as 13-14’. I relaxed and increased the speed.

Suddenly about 100-150’ south of Green “73” and about 50’ west of the east side of the channel, our bow swung rapidly about 20-30 degrees to the west. We slowed noticeably and of course the depth sounder indicated 0’ feet (beneath the keel). We went from 13’ of water to 5’ during mid-tide. The boat plowed through the soft bottom and then the depth dropped rapidly back to 10-12’

I don’t know if favoring the Red side would have solved the problem, but the shoaling noted in the guide is real.

Jeff Graham
s/v Far Niente
IP45 #33
Lying Fernandina Harbor Marina

The following is from the CG 7th District NTM 29/11.

St Augustine Inlet Lighted Buoy 5 (LLNR 9495) has been removed.
St Augustine Temporary Lighted Buoy 5A has been renumbered to Temporary Lighted Buoy 5.
St Augustine Temporary Lighted Buoy 5B has been renumbered to Temporary Lighted Buoy 5A. [Ref JAX BNM 232-11]
The entrance channel is subject to frequent changes in depth and direction due to dangerous and shifting shoals. Buoys are not charted due to frequent changes in position. Mariners are advised to seek local knowledge prior to entering the channel.

St. Augustine Inlet can be very challenging, shoaling is common and markers are moved frequently. Current charts do not always portray the current nav aids locations. A dredging project is underway, however, many shoals still exist. Many thanks to Capt. Bliss for his report.

As of sometime yesterday noon, and perhaps days prior, marker 5A disappeared from the channel entrance at StAugustine. It is a critical marker: it was right off a shoal that might be a foot underwater. Despite the recent dredging action of the Currituck, steer WELL CLEAR of the green side, especially between 5 and 7. Favor the reds and you’ll have no trouble. Controlling depth was 14’ mllw.

We’re working on a prompt replacement and we will alert when 5A is placed. Do NOT follow a straight line course 5 to 7. Favor the reds.

Jay Bliss, USCG lic. captain
StAugustine Port Commissioner Seat 5

Also, the following is from the CG 7th District NTM 33/11.

St Augustine Inlet Temp Buoy 6 is damaged and Temp LB 5A is missing. The entrance to St Augustine Inlet is subject to dangerous frequent changes in depth and direction due to dangerous and shifting shoals. Buoys are not charted due to frequent changes in position. Passage through
the inlet is not recommended without local knowledge [Ref JAX BNM 263/266-11].

This nav aid has been replaced.

Pascal Gademer aboard the m/v Charmer sent in this important update. The location is just below where the San Sebastian River enters the Matanzas River.

G17 missing, don’t cut the corner!

Thanks to Pascal Gademer aboard the m/v Charmer for this report.

Stay 125’ off R38 for 15’MLW. reports of grounding close to marker.

There is 1 mooring with a sailboat on it in this anchorage and it is the only deep water. The charted deep water is now only 4’ at low tide. We ran aground multiple times trying to find deeper water and we only draw 4.5’

-Mike Link

The entrance to the anchorage at G43 is shoaling, we could not find any deep water at low tide to enter. We draw 4.5’ and ran aground twice trying to find the deeper water. The charted deep water was only 4.5’

-Mike Link

Dredged 2011, no issues, two green cans mark the channel, split with shoreline for 12 to 15 MLW>

Thanks to Pascal Gademer aboard the m/v Charmer for this report.

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 following is from the CG 7th District NTM 42/11.

All mariners are advised to exercise extreme caution while in the vicinity of and transiting Ponce De Leon Inlet at night due to the North Jetty Light (LLNR 9520) being unlit as a result of being destroyed.

Ted Stehle, editor

Stay close to reds, about 20’ to 30’ away from R18 and R18A for 8’ to 9’ MLW versus 5’ or less on the green side. Just south of the cut, favor center as R20 is clearly set in shallow waters.

Thanks to Pascal Gademer aboard the m/v Charmer.

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

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

St Lucie River crossing: Depths on the ICW route are holding at 10 to 12 ft following extensive dredging. Caution: If turning west off the ICW into the St Lucie River/ Okeechobee route, shoaling to approximately 6 ft may be encountered immediately west of the ICW between the two sets of floating red and green markers. If turning east off the ICW toward the St Lucie inlet shoaling likely will be encountered between the stone jetties. Deepest water, approximately 6 ft, is normally close to the south jetty.

Jack Dozier
Waterway Guide Lady

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.

the anchorage listed at the haulover canal,
icw mm 869.5 is closed. they are installing dockd and a marina. efectively blocking any anchoring. sorry to see this sweet spot go away.

Thanks to Capt Greenwald for this report.

Haulover Inlet to Cutter Bank, Biscayne Bay ICW
I recently transited the ICW to Pumpkin Key from Palm Beach. The usual shallow spot at the ICW near Haulover Inlet was pleasantly deep. I saw no less than 9 foot below the keel at a mean low tide
The channel was well marked with green cans. Farther down the ICW I found no less than 6.5 foot through the Cutter Banks in Biscayne National Monument.

Capt Tedd Greenwald

In the Skipper Bob booklet on Anchorages, there is an anchorage listed in the Florida section of the book east of Green 19 in Pablo Creek south of the St Johns River. East of G-19 is totally shoaled in and at low tide a sandbar is above water. Entrance to the anchorage via G-17 is still valid, but not east of G-19. I ran aground there two months ago. After being towed out I entered the anchorage at G-17 without a problem. I spend the night and watched the shoal east of G-19 appear well above the low tide water level twice. I suggest you immediately correct future versions of the Anchorage guide and place a notice on your website.

The following is from the CG 7th District NTM 21/11.

Due to shifting shoal Biscayne Bay Buoy 6B (LLNR 47823) is off station last know position 25-54-08.219N 080-07-52.126W and Temporary Biscayne Bay Buoy 7B is severely sanded in from shoaling last known position 25-54-07.437N 080-07-51.189W. All mariners are requested to transit the area with extreme caution.

We are an American Tug 34 & members of a yacht club. Seeking a transient mooring at Coconut Grove Sailing Club on 3/9/11 we discovered they DO NOT extend their reciprocal hospitality to POWER BOATS. I was very disappointed as this information is not available anywhere…their website, all the cruiser guides & nets and even the official Register of American Yacht Clubs. I was told they are a SAILING club & only offer reciprocal privileges to SAIL BOATS. So I guess a yacht is not a yacht as far ad they are concerned.

Linda Hughes

Since completion of the rebuilt Bridge of Lions there has been controversy as to what the actual vertical clearance is. Current NOAA charts show it to be 25 feet, mean high water. Many cruisers have reported (see previous posts) that this is not accurate. Waterway Guide called the FDOT and they told us the new bridge is certified at 18.6 feet low steel (outer edges) at mean high water. They do not list nor certify centerline clearance. The tide board on the bridge fender shows clearance at low steel. There is normally a 4 foot rise to maximum clearance in the center, which if true in this instance, would provide a maximum of 22 feet 6 inches at mean high water.

Ted Stehle

TCPalm.com reports that Indian River County proposes to rent the 121-year-old home on the property to a caretaker who would maintain it when the county turns the property into a public historic site. According to the article, the county used $3.8 million in voter-approved environmental-historical bonds to buy the property, with an additional $3.1 million in state money, to keep the native land from being sold for condominiums. That deal allowed Jones and his wife, the late Mary Jones, to remain as caretakers under a life estate. The county’s future plans include a walking trail, fishing pier and picnic pavilion. To read the complete TCPalm article, click here.

The post below was dated 4/1/11

Those that travel the Atlantic Intracoastal on a regular basis are well aware of the $10/night dock known as Jones Fruit Dock at mile 945.7. Richard Milton Jones, the citrus grower, commercial fisherman and professional fishing guide who, along with his wife Mary, owned and operated the dock, passed away on March 26th. The dock is presently closed. In recent years an agreement was reached to sell the property to Indian River County and the Nature Conservancy. The future of the dock nor the use of the property is not known.

To read the Obituary in TCPalm.com, click here.

Ted Stehle

From the 7th District Notice to Mariners 04/11. A 4 ft shoal has been reported encroaching approximately 15 yds into the channel in the vicinity of Ponce De Leon Inlet LT 10. 

We would appreciate any cruising reports.

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

St. Augustine, FL, is moving forward to implement a 10-day limit on anchoring following a public workshop held June 30, top city official Jim Piggott tells Skipper Bob Publications.

Once the new restrictions are in place, “those who anchor their boats outside the mooring field and reside on their boat will be required to move into the mooring field after 10 days,” says Piggott, who serves as St. Augustine’s director of general services.

The city commission will consider an ordinance implementing the restrictions in August and could approve it by late that month, he says. As part of that ordinance, St. Augustine likely also will prohibit anchoring in specific shellfish harvesting areas, a move that’s necessary to prevent the state from shutting down those areas to shellfish harvesting, Piggott says.

Last fall, St. Augustine installed mooring fields in three crowded anchorages: above and below the Bridge of Lions just off of downtown, and near the St. Augustine inlet in Salt Run. The moorings are part of a controversial pilot harbor management program run by the Florida Fish and Wildlife Commission.

The workshop, the second on the anchoring restrictions proposal, attracted only about 20 or 25 people, half the number who attended the first worksession, held in late May, Piggott says. Most of those who attended were concerned about the 10-day limit on anchoring, he says.

Many of those who attended wanted to see St. Augustine tie in the number of days allowed at anchor with some existing state law, Piggott said, adding, “we found that if you move to Florida you have 10 days to register your motor vehicle.” Because of that law, the city feels comfortable with the 10-day anchoring limit, he says.

Transient moorings off the historic Bridge of Lions cost $20 per night or $120 for a week, while Salt Run mooring balls cost $14 per night, or $84 per week. Cruisers also can choose to anchor out, although they pay $6 a day to land their dinghy at the city-owned St. Augustine Municipal Marina just south of the Bridge of Lions.

The U.S. Coast Guard has become aware that the information used to chart range structures may not be of sufficient accuracy and as such may depict a range line inaccurately on an electronic navigation chart (ENC). Mariners are advised to use extreme caution and not rely solely on ranges or any other aid to navigation as an exclusive means of navigation.

At mile 897.8, Cocoa Beach, we found the gorgeous 200’ city dock that we have enjoyed in the past, is gone! Along with that all the fingers to tie a dingy to have also been removed.

-Paula

The Blue Heron bridge is published on nautical charts and bridge clearance documents to provide 65 ft from MHT clearance. The construction at the east opening provides 65 ft. The construction at the west side, the main channel provides only 63 ft. From mid tide to high tide, sailboats needing 65 ft use the east opening.

Iracha

Ed note: The official name of this bridge is Jerry Thomas Memorial Bridge.

The following is from the CG 7th District NTM 25/11.

Biscayne Bay Buoy 6B will be Temporarily Disestablished. Temporary Aids Biscayne Bay Buoy 7B and Biscayne Bay Buoy 7C have been relocated to mark edge of shoal.