East Coast Alerts
By Mel Neale
May 17, 2007

ICW BRIDGE UPDATE

Centerville Turnpike Bridge , Mile 15.2, Proposed Schedule Change:

This is a reminder that there is a public comment period for this proposal that ends May 21, 2007. Your comments do make a difference. They helped defeat the proposed change for the Little River Swing Bridge in SC (see below).*

Check April 19 East Coast Alerts for Important Commentary regarding the consequences of this proposal. This is from USCG 5 th District LNMs 16-20:

The Coast Guard is proposing to change the regulations governing the operation of the Centerville Turnpike (SR 170) Bridge, at AIWW 15.2, across the Albemarle and Chesapeake Canal in Chesapeake, VA. The proposal would allow the bridge to open on signal every hour on the half hour from 6:30 a.m. to 6:30 p.m., year round. The reason for this change would be to improve the schedule for both roadway and waterway users. Comments on this proposal should be forwarded to the above address attention (dpb) (5th Coast Guard District, 431 Crawford Street, Rm.100, Portsmouth, VA. 23704-5004) no later than May 21, 2007. A copy of Public Notice 5-1092, which describes the proposal in detail, can be obtained by writing to the address above or by calling (757) 398-6422.

If you don’t have time to write, send an email to Bill.H.Brazier@uscg.mil or Waverly.W.Gregory@uscg.mil .

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

New Restrictions Proposed for Sunset Beach Pontoon Bridge, Mile 337.9:
From USCG 5 th District LNM 20: The Coast Guard is proposing to change the drawbridge operating regulations that govern the S.R. 1172 Bridge, at AIWW 337.9, Sunset Beach, NC. The proposal would allow the bridge to open on signal on the hour from 7 a.m. to 9 p.m., year round. The reason for this change would be to improve the schedule for both roadway and waterway users. Comments on this proposal should be forwarded to the above address attention (dpb) (5th Coast Guard District, 431 Crawford Street, Rm.100, Portsmouth, VA. 23704-5004) no later than June 22, 2007. A copy of Public Notice 5-1094, which describes the proposal in detail, can be obtained by writing to the address above or by calling (757) 398-6629. Chart: 11537.

Commentary: While ordinarily we would object to further restrictions on bridges across the ICW, this bridge is so old and so difficult to open, and is currently under this same restriction for most of the year, we do not object to this proposal. There is a concurrent proposal to build a new high level 65 ft. bridge to replace this ancient bridge. If that proposal is denied, then there should NOT be further restrictions on this bridge.

Little River Swing Bridge, SC, Mile 347.3:

Your comments made a difference. As of May, 15, 2007, (according to the 7 th District LNM 20) the Coast Guard has withdrawn its notice of proposed change in the opening schedule for this bridge from on request to opening every 20 minutes.

But currently it is in the OPEN to NAVIGATION position until May 30, 2007 for repairs.

When we passed through in early May, the bridge was not operating with its own electric motor and gears, but was being opened with cables, blocks and sheaves operated from the shore by a crew of two or three men with a truck and some type of winch powered by generator. It was time-consuming and primitive. This is one of several bridges in the area that have new high level bridges within a few hundred feet and which should have replaced the old bridge. Is this obstruction to navigation because of pork barrel politics?

Socastee Bridge , SC , Mile 371.0:

USCG 7 th District LNM 20 also states that this bridge is also in the OPEN to NAVIGATION position until May 30, 2007 for repairs.

Both the Socastee and Little River Swing Bridges are very old and frequently break down. Both have very nearby high level bridges. Parts for repairs are difficult to find, and sometimes parts are taken from one to use on the other. These ancient dinosaurs should not continue to be allowed to impede vessel traffic as they so often do. Let them stay in their current position.

Lady’s Island Bridge, ICW Mile 536, SC Schedule Change:
As reported in the last East Coast Alerts (May 1, 2007), the high level bridge at ICW Mile 639.7 in Beaufort, SC has been damaged and closed to vehicular traffic. The increased traffic on the Lady’s Island Swing Bridge ( Woods Memorial Bridge) at Mile 536 (now the only connection between the mainland and Ladys Island/ St Helena Island area) has necessitated restricting its openings for boats. The following is the latest from Coast Guard Sector Charleston:

Effective 14:15 on May 11, 2007 the Coast Guard has modified temporary amendments to the opening schedule in 33 CFR 117.911 for the Lady’s Isl and Swing Bridge across the Beaufort River, Mile 536.0, Beaufort, SC. This latest amendment changes the closing time from 12:59 to 1:59 on Saturday, Sunday and Federal holidays. No other changes have been made. We appreciate the cooperation from boaters and mariners to adjust their schedules.

General opening requirements:

1. In accordance with 33 CFR 117.911, the draw shall open on signal to:
   
   • Tugs with tows (e.g. pushing or pulling equipment); and
   • Vessels in a situation where a delay would endanger life or property.
     
2. As a reminder, in accordance with 33 CFR 117.31, the drawtender will take all reasonable measures to have the draw closed for approaching emergency vehicles.

On Monday through Friday, except Federal holidays:

1. The draw need not open during the following hours:
   
   • 05:30 a.m – 10:14 a.m.
   • 10:30 a.m – 2:14.m.
   • 2:30 p.m. – 7:59 p.m.
     
2. The draw will open at the following times:
   
   • 05:15 a.m., 10:15 a.m., 2:15 p.m., & 8:00 p.m.
     
3. During the night, the bridge will open on the hour, with the exception that no opening will occur at 05:00 a.m. on weekdays.

Note: Per the general opening regulations, the draw shall open on signal to tugs pushing or pulling tows throughout the day. Recreational boaters are reminded to stay out of the way of tugs and tows lining up to maneuver through the bridge. Recreational boaters that pass through a bridge opening with a tug and tow, shall pass behind the tug and tow in order to ensure safe transit through the bridge.

On Saturday, Sunday and Federal holidays:

1. The draw need not open during the following hours:
   
   • 07:16 a.m – 9:44 a.m. (Adjusted May 11, 2007)
   • 10:00 a.m – 1:59 p.m. (Adjusted May 11, 2007).
   • 2:16 p.m. – 3:59 p.m. (Adjusted May 11, 2007).
   • 4:16 p.m. – 6:59 p.m.
     
2. The draw will open at the following times:
   
• 7:00 a.m., 9:45 a.m. 2:00 p.m., 4:00 p.m. & 7:00 p.m.

During the night, the bridge will open on the hour, with the exception that no opening will occur at 05:00 a.m. on weekdays.

Bridge of Lions, St. Augustine, FL, May and June, 2007, Bridge Closures:

From the Bridge of Lions Rehabilitation Project:

NIGHT Closures

May 9 – June 30, 2007

7:00 p.m. to 7:00 a.m. (Monday through Thursday Nights)
7:00 p.m. – 2:00 a.m. (Friday Nights)

Channel closed at night, Monday through Friday nights every week until June 30, 2007. (Exception: Channel will remain open Memorial Day weekend.)

DAY Closures

June 4-7, 2007 (Monday through Thursday)

Channel Closed 24 hours, except designated openings listed in this table.
Openings provided only at: 7:00 a.m.,12:30 p.m., ** 7:30 p.m.

June 11-14, 2007 (Monday through Thursday)

Channel Closed 24 hours, except designated openings listed in this table.
Openings provided only at: 7:00 a.m., 1:30 p.m., ** 7:00 p.m.

*Requests for all bridge openings, even at designated opening times, must be made via marine radio to the Bridge Tender on Channel 9.

** During the June daytime closures, these openings will still be provided even though they overlap into a scheduled night closure.

These closures have been reviewed and approved by the U.S. Coast Guard. Questions? Call (904) 825-3647 or (904) 669-1165.

OTHER ALERTS

Do Mariners Still Need Weather Information on HF Radio?

The following is from USCG 5 th District LNMs 18-20:

PUBLIC COMMENT PERIOD ON CONTINUED NEED FOR HF RADIO BROADCAST OF WEATHER WARNINGS
The US Coast Guard is seeking public comment on the need to continue providing high frequency (HF) radio broadcasts of weather forecasts and warnings. Public comment is necessary in order to assess the demand for the HF radio broadcasts in each of three forms: (1) radiofacsimile; (2) voice; and (3) simplex teletype over radio (SITOR), also known as narrow band direct printing (NBDP). The infrastructure necessary to provide these services has exceeded its useful life expectancy; the equipment is no longer manufactured, repairs are difficult to accomplish, and spare parts generally are not available. Comments should be submitted by August 24, 2007 and addressed to Commander (dpw) 5th Coast Guard District., 431 Crawford Street, Rm.100, Portsmouth, VA. 23704-5004.

Commentary: While most people we know on boats with SSB radios (HF transceivers) now rely on other means to receive weather information than the traditional weather fax and voice broadcasts, there are still some boaters who use HF receivers (much less expensive that a transceiver) to access these services. We don’t now how many. HF receivers also provide a helpful alternative when other sources fail. We hope that those of you who still rely on these methods for receiving weather information will respond to the call for Public Comment.

Hart Miller Island , MD , Buoys Mark Buried Pipeline:
From USCG 5 th District LNM 20: Constellation Generation Group and Langenfelder Marine has establish the following warning buoys to mark their buried pipeline, to Hart Miller Island, until July 1, 2007. All buoys are white and orange NW worded "Hazard Pipeline" and all lights are flashing white 5 seconds.

1. Middle River Temporary Lighted Warning Buoy A (no LLNR) 39 16 59.70 N - 076 21 09.90 W, Fl W 5s
2. Middle River Temporary Warning Buoy B (no LLNR) 39 16 41.94 N -0 76 21 13.62 W
3. Middle River Temporary Lighted Warning Buoy C (no LLNR) 39 16 21.96 N - 076 21 18.60 W, Fl W 5s
4. Middle River Temporary Warning Buoy D (no LLNR) 39 16 04.38 N - 076 21 23.64 W
5. Middle River Temporary Lighted Warning Buoy E (no LLNR) 39 15 51.42 N -076 21 27.12 W, Fl W 5s

NOAA Surveys in Lower Chesapeake Bay:
The 5 th district LNM 20 announces that beginning 21 May and lasting until mid- October, 2007 the survey vessel R/V SEALTH, a 55 foot, white hulled catamaran, under contract to NOAA will be conducting surveying operations in the lower Chesapeake Bay. Operations will involve towing instrumentation that will restrict the vessels ability to maneuver. The vessel will be constrained to defined survey tracks at a transit speed of 6 knots and will generally transit in a North-South direction with some East-West direction. Mariners are requested to give R/V SEALTH a wide berth to minimize sonar noise and if necessary R/V SEALTH can be contacted on VHF-FM channels 13 and 16. A SECURITE broadcast will be given to indicate position and activity updates. The following is a survey schedule:

A. May to mid June area bounded by 37-34-33N, 076-17-17W and 37-40-36N, 076-12-43W.
B. Mid June to mid July area bounded by 37-28-45N, 076-14-42W and 37-34-15N, 076-11-56W.
C. Mid July to mid August area bounded by 37-27-19N, 076-11-56W and 37-34-18N, 076-07-14W.
D. Mid August to mid September area bounded by 37-37-10N, 076-03-02W and 37-40-35N, 075-56-14W.
E. Mid September to mid October area bounded by 37-34-36N, 076-03-02W and 37-37-10N, 075-56-57W.

Dredging in the Cape Fear River, NC, at Sunny Point:
From USCG 5 th District LNM 20: The DREDGE ATLANTIC will be conducting dredging operations in the Cape Fear River at the Military Ocean Terminal, Sunny Point from 23 May until 10 October, 2007. The dredge operator will be standing by on channels 13 and 16 VHF-FM. Traffic should call 30 minutes prior to expected time of passage.

St Lucie Inlet, FL, Dredging Complete, Channel Realigned:
From USCG 7 th District LNM 20: Due to channel realigning after dredging in St Lucie Inlet, St Lucie, Florida, Great Lakes Dredge and Dock Company has placed temporary buoys in various locations to mark best water within the channel. All mariners are requested to transit the area with caution and monitor marine radio VHF Channel 16 for Broadcast Notice to Mariners pertaining to buoy movements and locations and observe articles in the Local Notice to Mariners.

Change in Schedule for St. Lucie Lock:
The latest lock schedule for the Okeechobee Waterway may be found at: http://www.saj.usace.army.mil/conops/structures/2007NavBull/ntn15may.pdf

The navigational draft available on Route 1 is now reported at around 3.32 feet, due to the drought conditions in Florida. Route 2 remains closed.

As of May 22, 2007, the Franklin and St. Lucie Locks will have one opening each way at 10:00 AM and 15:00 PM.

The Ortona, Moorehaven and Port Mayaca Locks are open from 6:00 AM till 21:30 PM and are on an unrestricted schedule.

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.