East Coast Alerts
By Mel Neale
September 21, 2006

Italicized text indicates our comment. Plain text is copied from the Notices to Mariners or other sources given.

Torpedo (Inert) Exercise Offshore of Cape Cod:
If you are cruising offshore waters east of Cape Cod, be aware that, according to USCG 1 st District LNM 37, U.S. Navy ships will be conducting surface and subsurface exercise including launching and recovery of inert exercise torpedoes from 24 September - 1 Oct 2006 in an area bounded by 42-00N / 069-45W; 42-00N / 068-45W; 40-55N / 068-45W; and 40-55N / 069-02W. Mariners transiting this area are advised to proceed with caution and are requested to cooperate with patrolling Navy vessels and aircraft. TWR 841 and TSV-1 prevail will be stationed in the area while operations are in progress and will monitor VHF-FM channels 13 and 16.

West Passage, Narragansett Bay, RI, Main Channel Open at Old Jamestown Bridge:
USCG 1 st District LNM 37 announces that the main navigation channel in the West Passage of Narragansett Bay has been closed at the old Jamestown Bridge due to demolition and debris recovery operations. Although these operations are continuing along the entire length of the old Jamestown Bridge, the main navigation channel is free of debris, allowing the Coast Guard to establish a temporary channel for use by vessels subject to certain restrictions. Because barges and cranes continue to work on the outside edges of the 600-foot wide channel to remove concrete bridge piers, the Coast Guard has established a temporary channel extending 150 feet from each side of the centerline of the main channel. This creates a temporary channel which is a total of 300 feet wide. The channel is marked with green buoys (9A, 9B, 9C) on the west side of the temporary channel, and red buoys (8A, 8B, 8C) on the east side.

Use of this temporary channel is subject to the following restrictions:

1. Daylight transit only (between sunrise and sunset)

2. Vessels with a draft no greater than 15 feet.

3. One-way traffic only within the temporary channel; no passing or overtaking of another vessel permitted.

Deviations of the above restrictions may be granted on a case-by-case basis by the Captain of the Port. Workers for the demolition contractor, Cashman Equipment Corporation, are operating from barges positioned in the vicinity of the main navigation channel and adjacent to the various bridge piers. Lighted white can buoys have been placed in a line 1000 feet north and south of, and parallel to, the Old Jamestown Bridge to mark the demolition work area. Questions regarding this temporary channel should be referred to Mr. Edward LeBlanc, Chief, Waterways Management Division, Coast Guard Sector Southeastern New England, at 401-435-2351, or Edward.G.LeBlanc@uscg.mil.

Delaware Bridges Opening Schedule Changes:
USGC 5 th District LNM 37 reports that effective on October 11, 2006, the Coast Guard is changing the drawbridge operation regulations of four Delaware Department of Transportation bridges: the Poplar Street Bridge, at mile 8.2, and the US 13A Bridge, at mile 8.2 both across Broad Creek in Laurel; the SR 36 Bridge, at mile 0.5, over Cedar Creek in Cedar Beach; and SR 13 Bridge, at mile 39.6, across Nanticoke River in Seaford, Delaware. The new regulations allow the bridges to open on signal if advance notice is given at different times from 4 to 48 hours. This change eliminates the continual attendance of draw tender services during the non-peak boating periods while still providing for the reasonable needs of navigation. Copies of PUBLIC NOTICE 5-1073 which describes the changes in detail can be obtained by writing to the above address or by calling (757) 398-6222. Charts: 12261

Pier Demolition in Baltimore Harbor:
From USCG 5 th District LNM 37: Mariners are advised that Corman-Imbach Marine, Inc. will conduct demolition (no explosives) of the Maryland Port Administration's Fairfield Marine Terminal Piers 1 and 3, located at 2900 Childs Street, Baltimore, Maryland, from September 23, 2006 through December 31, 2006. Pier removal and disposal operations will occur Monday through Friday, from 7 AM to 5 PM, using floating cranes, support barges and tugs. Mariners are urged to use caution when transiting the area. Interested traffic may contact the tug CAPT MAC on marine band radio channels 16 or 13 VHF-FM, if necessary. For any comments or questions, contact Mr. Ron Houck at Coast Guard Sector Baltimore, telephone number (410) 576-2674.

Logistical Exercises Offshore of Hampton Roads, VA:
USCG 5 th District LNM 37 states that the U.S. Military Sealift Command will be conducting logistical exercises within the Captain of the Port Hampton Roads zone from August 7 to October 7 of 2006. These exercises will take place approximately 15 NM off shore inside an operational area bound by coordinates 36-10.0N/075-35.7W, 36-10.0N/075-29.0W, 36-50.0N/075-29.0W, 36-50.0N/075-40.0W, and 37-03.1N/075-37.8W as well as within Anchorages A and G3. During these exercises, temporary lighted buoys may be placed in Anchorages A and G3 as well as off shore in approximate position 36° 55' N /075° 30' W. All mariners are requested to provide a 3 NM closest point of approach for these vessels offshore and are reminded to comply with the 500 yard Naval Vessel Protection Zone established for all U.S. Navy vessels over 100' in length. Mariners are further requested to operate their vessels at slowest safest speed while transiting in the vicinity of these exercises in the Port of Hampton Roads. Chart: 12222.

Dredging in Norfolk Harbor Reach, VA:
From USCG 5 th District LNM 37: The Dredge ATLANTIC will be conducting dredging operations in the vicinity of Norfolk International Terminal, North Wharf Extension from 06 October until 07 January, 2007. A pipeline will (run) from the project area to the Craney Island Disposal Area. The dredge can be contacted on VHFFM channels 13 and 16. Chart: 12245.

Rudee Inlet , VA Coast, Again:
At least it’s deeper now. The USCG 5 th District LNM 37 reports that the City of Virginia Beach Survey of Rudee Inlet, dated September 7, 2006, indicates a least depth of 8.0 feet, MLLW across the channel just West of the inside South Jetty. Marine are advised to use caution. Charts: 12205, 12207, 12208 and 12221.

 New River , NC Crossing of the ICW (Mile 246) Finally Dredged Deep:
A September 13, 2006 survey by the USACE Wilmington District of the New River Crossing between ICW markers “72” and “74” shows MLW depths of 14-15 feet throughout this stretch, after dredging was completed. Check it at http://www.saw.usace.army.mil/nav/bftcfr-s2.htm . This September 13 survey replaces the September 1, 2006 survey reported in our last East Coast Alerts on September 7 (that survey was taken before dredging was completed, but showed depths after the passage of TS Ernesto). The markers “72A” and “72 B” are shown correctly on the new survey.

This is good news for all who use the ICW. The summer 2006 dredging of four problem areas of the ICW in North Carolina is now complete. These include the New River Crossing, Lockwoods Folly Inlet Crossing, Shallotte Inlet Crossing and Bogue Inlet Crossing. As always, expect shoaling to continue, so check for latest conditions before you transit these areas. All it takes is one hurricane or tropical storm to undo what the USACE has accomplished. It’s too bad that the many shoaling areas in South Carolina and especially Georgia are not also being dredged.

 Dredging in Winyah Bay, Georgetown SC:
USCG 7 th District LNM 37 advises that the dredge LEXINGTON and associated equipment has commenced dredging operations in the vicinity of Winyah Bay Range E between Winyah Bay Channel Lighted Buoy 23 (LLNR 2065) and Winyah Bay Channel Light 28 (LLNR 2095), Georgetown, South Carolina. All mariners are requested to stay clear of the dredge, pipeline, barge, derricks, and operating wires about the dredge. All operators should be aware that the dredge and pontoon lines are held in place by cables, which are attached to the anchors some distance from the dredge and pontoons. Buoys are attached to the anchors so that they may be moved as the dredge moves. Submerged lines should be avoided. Mariners are requested to exercise extreme caution when approaching, passing, and leaving the dredge plant. The dredge LEXINGTON will monitor VFH

Charleston Harbor , SC , Closes for Sunfish World Championship Races:
Charleston Harbor will be the site of the 2006 Sunfish World Championship Sailing Regatta on Oct. 1 through Oct. 6, 2006. Portions of the main channel (South Channel, which leads to the Ashley River and its marinas, and the ICW) will be closed to all vessel traffic for short periods during the races. For complete details check the USCG Charleston Marine Safety Information Bulletin at https://homeport.uscg.mil/mycg/portal/ep/home.do Click on Port Directory, then select Coast Guard Charleston, then click Notice to Mariners for Sunfish World Championship Races on the right.

Charleston District USACE Survey Shows Skinny Water:
USACE Charleston District survey completed in April 2006, but not reported till August 2006, and just published in USCG 7 th District 7 LNM 38 on September 19 showed depths from Winyah Bay to Charleston Harbor. I called the contact person, Doug Holmes of the Charleston District USACE, for an explanation of their process as I was alarmed that there was no survey of the channel centerline. He told me that they survey down the outside of the middle 60 feet of the 90 ft wide channel, one leg along the right quarter (30 feet from center) and one along the left quarter (30 feet from center), in a north to south orientation. They do not run down the center as the Savannah District does. There has been no dredging there for more than a year and none planned for the near future as there is no money. He told me that depths in center have to be estimated and are assumed to be somewhere between the depths of the two quarters.

The report is contained in an enclosure to the above LNM at http://www.navcen.uscg.gov/LNM/d7/default.htm. Find it on the last two pages of the LNM. According to this, in April 2006, there were four areas where the minimum depth centerline at mean low water would have been somewhere between 6 ft and 6.8 feet: Minium Creek to the South Santee River, Jeremy Creek to Buck Hall Landing, Price Inlet to Capers Inlet and Capers Inlet to Dewes Inlet. There is no indication of where along these stretches the shallow water is located.

 Florida Bridge News:

Bridge of Lions, St. Augustine, Florida, Channel Closures (Nighttime Only):
According to a Notice to Mariners issued by the Bridge of Lions Rehabilitation Project, the channel at the Bridge of Lions and adjacent temporary bridge in St. Augustine, Florida, Mile 777.9, will be closed according to the following schedule:

Dates: October 2-6, 2006

Closure Times: 10:00 p.m. to 6:00 a.m.

Comment: Channel closed. An opening can be provided at 2:00 a.m. upon request. Requests for a channel opening according to the above schedule must be made via marine radio to the Bridge Tender on Channel 9.

For questions regarding this notice, please call 904 825-3647. The above schedule has been approved by the U.S. Coast Guard.

From USCG 7 th District LNM 38:
ERNEST F. LYONS BRIDGE Demolition:
The demolition of the Ernest F. Lyons ( Ocean Boulevard) Bridge, Atlantic Intracoastal Waterway mile 984.9, Martin County, Florida is scheduled to begin on September 27, 2006 and will continue until November 8, 2006. During this time period there will be periodic waterway closures. Updates will be provided via future Broadcasts and Local Notice to Mariners. Demolition blasting is tentatively scheduled for October 9th, October 23rd and November 14th, 2006. These dates may change depending on weather conditions and will be updated in future Notice to Mariners. Ref: LNM 34 through 37-06 CG File: 3839 Chart: 11472

SOUTHERN BOULEVARD BRIDGE: Notice of Proposed Rulemaking:
The Coast Guard proposes to change the regulation governing the operation of the Southern Boulevard (SR 700/80) Bridge across the Atlantic Intracoastal Waterway mile 1024.7, Palm Beach, Florida. The proposed rule would require the drawbridge to open twice an hour. The proposed schedule is based on requests from vessel operators along the Atlantic Intracoastal Waterway. The proposed schedule would require the bridge to open on the quarter and three quarter-hour and would meet the reasonable needs of navigation while not impacting vehicular traffic. Comments and related material must reach the Coast Guard on or before October 16, 2006. You may mail comments and related material to Commander (dpb), Seventh Coast Guard District, 909 S.E. 1st Avenue, Room 432, Miami, Florida 33131-3050. You may also email your comments to Michael.b.lieberum@uscg.mil . Please include your name and address on all correspondence. Ref: LNM 36 and 37-06 and Federal Register Docket #CGD07-06-130 Chart: 11467

Ed. Comment: This bridge currently opens on the hour and half hour. It is 2.1 miles from the Royal Park Bridge which opens on the hour and half hour. The request is to have it open on the quarter and three quarter hour. Our “fast” motorsailer (faster than most sailboats) would normally not be able to make this bridge opening in 15 minutes from the previous one. Slow boats would then have to take 45 minutes to make the 2.1 miles. That’s about 20 minutes to travel one mile (we normally take eight minutes for one mile; passing through a bridge usually takes at least five minutes). This is going to make for either speeding (and therefore wakes passing fine marinas), or lots of circling in the narrow channel which is difficult and sometimes dangerous when there are numerous boats involved. The notice stated that vessel operators have requested this change. I guess these are local fast boats, surely not us snowbirds in sailboats and trawlers.

SPANISH RIVER BRIDGE Repairs:
Mariners may expect minor delays at the Spanish River Bridge, Atlantic Intracoastal Waterway mile 1044.9, Palm Beach, Florida, due to repairs. Chart: 11467 CG File: 3225

This information is not to be used for navigation. Consult the latest charts and Local Notices to Mariners and use prudent seamanship. Conditions may change. Any person or entity that uses this information in any way, as a condition of that use, agrees to waive and does waive and also hold authors harmless from any and all claims which may arise from or be related to that use.

Copyright 2004-2008 Tom Neale