East Coast Alerts
By Mel Neale
November 17, 2006

THERE IS AN UNUSUALLY LARGE NUMBER OF IMPORTANT ALERTS BELOW.

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

Notes From Chez Nous’ ICW Trip:
Our trip south from the Chesapeake started late and has been slow, mostly due to weather. We’re now waiting out a severe weather system at the new Morehead City Yacht Basin. There are very nice new floating docks, easily approached fuel dock/transient area, a new courtesy van with only 35,000 miles, wi-fi, beautiful captains’ lounge, restrooms, and laundry. And best of all, very nice, friendly people.

There has been a lot of fuss (Notices to Mariners, cruisers’ discussions, etc) about shoaling in the mouth of the Alligator River, NC, off Long Shoal. In the 25+ years we’ve cruised in the ICW, there has always been a shoal there, building out from the west (red side). However, we have always found plenty of water to get through by staying on the green side of the channel between markers “7” and “9”. We observed between 12 and 18 ft of depth there a few days ago. Marker “3” is to the west of its former position on the dredged channel and is shown correctly on my C-Map electronic chart. (Depths change with winds and other factors.) In other words, stay away from the shoal.

We found shoaling in the Alligator River-Pungo River Canal on the starboard side of the channel, southbound, opposite the “Danger/Shoal” beacon at Mile 121. The sounder briefly showed around 7 feet. We may have been too close to the red side of the channel.

Marker “PR” at the junction of the Pungo River and the Pamlico River was previously reported destroyed, but has been rebuilt in the same place. It has the same red light, but is now on nested pilings with three red/green triangular boards (red at top for preferred channel up the Pamlico River, green at bottom, for the ICW channel up the Pungo River).

A frequent stop after Beaufort/Morehead City area (in the short daylight hours this time of year) is at Harbour Village Marina, Mile 267. This is the only place to go when slow boats are delayed at the timed bridges at Surf City, Figure Eight Island and Wrightsville Beach. There are no suitable anchorages for larger boats in this area. When we called the marina to make a reservation, we got only a recording saying that they no longer take transients. Boaters with slow vessels now risk having to travel in the dark on this stretch.

New Local Boater Option for Reporting into Some US Ports Offered by CBP:
Check http://www.cbp.gov/xp/cgov/newsroom/news_releases/11082006.xml (for South Florida/East Coast) for details. Basically, boaters returning to Tampa, Miami, Puerto Rico and USVI from trips out of the country can choose to supply information and be reviewed before leaving and if approved, can check back into the US by phone, unless directed to do otherwise, rather than reporting in person to the nearest Port of Entry.

New Schedule for Amtrak Bridge, Thames River, CT:
USCG 1 st District LNM 45:

Notice of Proposed Rulemaking – The Coast Guard proposes to temporarily change the drawbridge operating regulations governing the operation of the Amtrak Bridge, at mile 3.0, across Thames River. Under this notice of proposed rulemaking would allow the bridge owner to operate the Amtrak Bridge on temporary schedule from November 15, 2006 through May 15, 2007, in the full open position for the passage of vessel traffic as follows:

Monday through Friday: 5 a.m. to 5:40 a.m., 11:20 a.m. to 11:55 a.m., 3:35 p.m. to 4:15 p.m. and 8:30 p.m. to 8:55 p.m.

Saturday 8:30 a.m. to 9:10 a.m., 12:35 p.m. to 1:05 p.m., 3:40 p.m. to 4:10 p.m., 5:35 p.m. to 6:05 p.m. and 7:35 p.m. to 8:40 p.m.

Sunday 8:30 a.m., to 9:20 a.m., 11:35 a.m. to 12:15 p.m., 1:30 p.m. to 1:55 p.m., 6:30 p.m. to 7:10 p.m. and 8:30 p.m. to 9:15 p.m.

The bridge shall open on signal at any time for the passage of U.S. Navy submarines, Navy escort vessels and commercial vessels. At all other times the draw shall remain in the closed position. Vessels that can pass under the draw without a bridge opening may do so at all times.

More LED Lanterns (With Reduced Nominal Range) Proposed for District 1:
USCG 1 st District LNM 45 asks for comments regarding the following:

The Coast Guard is considering making the following changes to this waterway:

Change the range of the following aids from a nominal range of 4nm to 3nm using light emitting diode (LED) lanterns:

Ambrose Ch Ent LGB 1 (LLNR 34800)

Ambrose Ch Ent LBB 2 (LLNR 34805)

Ambrose Ch LB 3 (LLNR 34815)

Ambrose Ch LB 4 (LLNR 34825)

Ambrose Ch LGB 5 (LLNR 34835)

Ambrose Ch LBB 6 (LLNR 34840)

Ambrose Ch LB 7 (LLNR 34850)

Ambrose Ch LB 8 (LLNR 34860)

Ambrose Ch LGB 9 (LLNR 34865)

Ambrose Ch LBB 10 (LLNR 34870)

Ambrose Ch LB 11 (LLNR 34875)

Ambrose Ch LB 12 (LLNR 34880)

Ambrose Ch LGB 13 (LLNR 34885)

Ambrose Ch LBB 14 (LLNR 34890)

Ambrose Ch LB "AC" (LLNR 34895)

Ambrose Ch LB 18 (LLNR 34903)

Ambrose Ch LGB 19 (LLNR 34905)

Ambrose Ch LBB 20 (LLNR 34785)

Ambrose Ch LWB "A" (LLNR 34785)

Chapel Hill South Ch LGB 5 (LLNR 35215)

Chapel Hill South Ch LBB 10 (LLNR 35235)

Chapel Hill North Ch LB 15 (LLNR 35260)

Chapel Hill North Ch LBB 17 (LLNR 35265)

Raritan Bay Ch LBB 6 (LLNR 36120)

Raritan Bay Ch LB 9 (LLNR 36130)

Raritan Bay Ch LBB 10 (LLNR 36135)

Raritan Bay Ch LBB 14 (LLNR 36145)

Interested Mariners are strongly encouraged to comment on this proposal in writing, either personally or through their organization. All comments will be carefully considered and are requested prior to 27 December 2006 to facilitate the process. Refer to Docket No. 01-10-046. Comments can be made to: CWO2 Michael Tomasi, USCGC Juniper (WLB-201), NAVSTA Pier Two, Newport, RI 02841-1716 or mailto: MTomasi@cgcjuniper.uscg.mil.

See editorial comment regarding this type of proposal in previous East Coast Alerts (November 2, 2006). And this is for NEW YORK HARBOR!

Explosives Demolition of Old Woodrow Wilson Bridge:
From USCG LNM 45: Mariners are advised that an explosives demolition is scheduled to occur at the old Woodrow Wilson Memorial Bridge near Jones Point, in Alexandria, Virginia, on Monday, November 20, 2006, at 2:30 a.m. A temporary safety zone will be established upon the waters of the Potomac River, within 500 feet of the demolition site, located in approximate position latitude 38° 47 36 N, longitude 077° 02 19W, effective from 2 a.m. to 3 a.m. on November 20, 2006 (and from 2 a.m. to 3 a.m. on November 21, 2006, if needed). This safety zone is necessary to control vessel traffic for safety of life and property on navigable waters in order to protect mariners from the hazards associated with the explosives demolition. The effect will be to restrict vessel traffic on a certain portion of the Potomac River. Contact Mr. Ron Houck for any comments or questions, at Commander, Coast Guard Sector Baltimore, 2401 Hawkins Point Road, Baltimore, MD, 21226-1791, telephone (410) 576-2674.

Chesapeake Bay, Little Wicomico River, Aids to Navigation Change:
The following proposal is form the 5 th District LNM 46: The Coast Guard is soliciting for comments on changes to the federal aids to navigation for the Little Wicomico as follows: Discontinue Little Wicomico River Light 2LW and rename and relocate Little Wicomico River Light 5 to Little Wicomico River Entrance Light 1LW in approximate position 37 53 23.130 N, 76 14 07.583 W. Send comments to: Commander (dpw). 5th Coast Guard District 431 Crawford Street, Rm.100 Portsmouth, VA. 23704-5004 Attn: Albert Grimes or email to: Albert.L.Grimes@uscg.mil prior to 27 November, 2006.

This creek in Virginia’s Northern Neck has a generally shallow entrance from the Chesapeake Bay, just below Smith Point.

Dredging off New Jersey Coast:
USCG 5 th District LNM 46 advises mariners that dredging and beach nourishment operations will commence off of Long Beach Island and Brigantine Island New Jersey on 15 November 2006 and continue for approximately 12 weeks to 30 January 2007. Work will continue 24 hours a day 7 days a week. The hopper dredge -R.N. WEEKS- will be dredging fill material from an off shore borrow area located offshore of Long Beach Island and then sail to connect to a combination of submerged and floating pipelines at the nourishment area along Brigantine Beach. The limits of the borrow area are bound by the following coordinates:

39-39-53.71N, 074-06-21.67W

39-40-24.10N, 074-05-35.18W

39-40-40.88N, 074-05-03.36W

39-41-02.85N, 074-04-24.72W

39-39-10.02N, 074-05-17.24W

39-39-27.04N, 074-05-45.15W

The submerged and floating pipelines will be moved along the beach as required by the project and will extend from the beach approximately 3000 feet. The dredge and attendant plant will be monitoring VHF FM CH 13 and 16 at all times for any concerned traffic. For any comments or questions, contact CWO Sean McGarigal at Coast Guard Sector Field Office Atlantic City, telephone number (609) 677-2171.

Dredging in Delaware River and C&D Canal Entrance Area:
From USCG 5 th District LNM 45 and 46:

The Dredge PULLEN will be conducting dredging operations in the Delaware River at the Marcus Hook Range to New Castle Range and Deep Water Point Range from 06 November until 07 January, 2007. A pipeline will run from the project to the offshore Disposal Area. The dredges will monitor marine VHF channels 13 and 16.

WEEKS MARINE DREDGING CO. bucket dredges 550 and 551 will be conducting dredging operations from 20 November through 27 January, 2006 in the vicinity of Upper Delaware River Lighted Buoy 29 (LLNR 3835) and Upper Delaware River Channel Buoy 31 (LLNR 3855) and lower vicinity of Upper Delaware River Channel Buoy 25 (LLNR 3813). The dredges will monitor VHF FM Ch. 13, 16 and 5.

Annapolis , MD Area Bridge Repairs:
From USCG District 5 LNM 46:

Mariners are advised that sandblasting and painting operations will commence on or about November 14, 2006, at the US 50/301 Bridge, at mile 4.3, across Severn River in Annapolis, MD. To facilitate the work, scaffolding will occupy the navigable channel reducing the available vertical clearance to approx 77 feet, above mean high water. Also, barges will be used in the channel later in year. This operation is expected to be completed by December 2008.

Mariners are advised that deck replacement work will commence on or about November 13, 2006, at the William Preston Lane , Jr. Memorial/Chesapeake Bay Bridge (West Suspension), at mile 138.0, between Sandy Point and Kent Island MD. To facilitate the work, a temporary marine access platform will be moored outside the navigable channel (at Pier 34) throughout the deck replacement. This operation is expected to be completed by November 2008. Mariners should use caution when transiting the area.

Sunken Fishing Boat Off SC Coast, South of Charleston:
From District 7 LNM 46: U. S. Coast Guard Sector Charleston, South Carolina has advised that a sixty nine (69) foot fishing vessel burnt and sank in position 32-34.67N, 080-03.67W. The indicated depth at the mean-low water in this position is 17-20 feet. All mariners are urged to use caution while transiting this area and be particularly aware of their navigational draft.

Florida Passage Range (Georgia ICW, Mile 608.5) Removed:
District 7 LNM 46:

FLORIDA PASSAGE RANGE FRONT LIGHT will be permanently discontinued.

FLORIDA PASSAGE RANGE REAR DAYBEACON will be permanently discontinued.

The work is schedule to be completed the week of 18 December 2006.

Florida Bridge Update:

BRIDGE OF LIONS:
The Coast Guard Captain of the Port Jacksonville advises that the channel under the Bridge of Lions, Intracoastal Waterway mile 797.9, St. Augustine, Florida will be closed to navigation between 8:00 p.m. to 2:00 a.m. and 2:05 a.m. to 6:00 a.m. from November 15 to November 17, 2006, from November 21 to November 22, 2006, from November 27 to December 1, 2006, and from December 11 to December 13, 2006. Marine traffic with declared emergency or request for bridge opening should contact the Tug ALBERT PIKE or the bridge tender on VHF FM Channel 9 to arrange for safe passage.

ERNEST F. LYONS BRIDGE:
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 December 30, 2006. During this time period there will be periodic waterway closures and marine traffic delays. Updates will be provided via future Broadcasts and Local Notice to Mariners.

PGA BOULEVARD BRIDGE:
The PGA Boulevard Bridge (SR 786), Intracoastal Waterway mile 1012.6, West Palm Beach, Florida is on single-leaf operations until February 28, 2007. Due to ongoing construction the following bridge restrictions will be in place, at all other times this bridge will open a double-leaf on the hour and half-hour with a two hour notice to the bridge tender:

1. From 7:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. daily between November 13 and November 15, 2006, this bridge will be on single-leaf operations only on the hour and half-hour.

2. From 7:00 a.m. on November 16 through 10:00 a.m. on November 18, 2006, this bridge will be on single-leaf operations only on the hour and half-hour.

3. During the first week of December 2006 the contractor will need two four hour closure periods to align the bridge. The exact dates will be published in a future Local Notice to Mariners.

4. In January 2007, the contractor will need to close the bridge for a 48 hour period. The exact dates will be published in a future Local Notice to Mariners.

Proposal to Prohibit Sailboats From Florida Keys Anchorage:
The final enclosure to the 7 th District LNM 45 contained a Notice of Proposed Rulemaking from the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission to ban anchoring by sailboats and other vessels with masts in the anchorage between Big Pine Key and Little Torch Key, South of US Route 1, for a distance of approximately 6,000 feet (one nautical mile south of the bridge, from shore to shore). The reason given is that when these vessels drag anchor during hurricanes, winter storms and severe thunderstorms their masts come into contact with the high tension power lines causing grave danger to the vessels, and the persons aboard. This also disrupts electricity to the Lower Keys and presents life threatening dangers to persons in hospitals and to other special-needs patients.

There will be a public hearing at the Marriott Key Largo, 103800 Overseas Highway, Key Largo, FL, phone 305 453 0582, on December 6-7, 2006, from 8:30 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. each day.

The person to be contacted regarding the proposed rule is Captain Alan S. Richard, Assistant General Counsel, 620 South Meridian Street, Tallahassee, FL 32399-1600.

DGPS Key West Off Air:
It’s Key West’s turn for Semi-Annual PMS according to the USCG 1 st District LNM 46: DGPS Key West, Florida will be off air November 30, 2006 from 1400Z to 1600Z (0900-1100) for Semi-Annual PMS. Alternate date is December 1, 2006 from 1400Z to1600Z (0900-1100). User shall address inquires to the DGPS Operations Control Officer CWO Thor Banks at (703) 313- 5811.

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