East Coast Alerts
By Mel Neale
July 12, 2007

Bridge of Lions, St. Augustine, FL, July 2007, Bridge Closure:
We received the following information from the Bridge of Lions Rehabilitation Project: *

The channel will be closed at the Bridge of Lions temporary bridge in St. Augustine as follows:

July 16-19, 2007 (Monday through Thursday) Channel Closed 24 hours, except designated openings provided only at: 7:00 a.m., 11:30 a.m. and 6:00 p.m.

 NIGHT Closures July 9 – Aug. 3, 2007, 7:00 p.m. to 7:00 a.m. (Monday through Thursday Nights) and 7:00 p.m. – 2:00 a.m. (Friday Nights). Channel closed at night, Monday through Friday nights every week through August 3, 2007.

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

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

I spoke with Laurie Sanderson (she’s the POC with the rehabilitation project) regarding the closure of the channel. She said that the actual channel beneath the bridge will be blocked by barges most of the time during the closure periods, so even boats that can normally pass under the bridge will not be able to go through. The side spans outside the channel will be open.

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

 Boston Approach Channel Changed for Right Whales to Feed:
We had previously mentioned that the Approach Channel to Boston would be changed, but we didn’t know why. Now we do.This is from the USCG 1 st District LNM 27: In conjunction with the International Maritime Organization’s approved relocation of the Boston Approach Lanes to accommodate the Northern Right Whale feeding grounds, The Coast Guard will be making the following changes on or about 06 July 2007;

RELOCATE Boston Approach Lighted Whistle Buoy BD (LLNR 495) to (PA) 42-18.232N 070-00.399W.

RELOCATE Boston Approach Lighted Buoy BE (LLNR 470) to (PA) 42-19.431N 070-18.907W.

RELOCATE Boston Approach Lighted Whistle Buoy BF (NOAA 44013) (LLNR 495) to (PA) 42-20.710N 070-39.064W.

Attention Loran Users in Northeast US:
USCG 1 st District LNM 28 announces that LORSTA Caribou (RATE 5930-M/9960-W) will be unusable from 1200Z 16 July to 1900Z 18 July 2007 continuous. Address inquiries to the Eastern Canadian Loran-C Chain Operations Control Officer, ph# (709)454-2392.

Buzzards Bay Boaters--Look Out for Barge:
First District USCG LNMs have recently advised that Patriot Renewables, LLC (PATRIOT) will site a meteorological observation barge north of Cuttyhunk Island within Buzzards Bay. This project work area will be located on the following schedule: July 1st - October 1st, 41-30.36N, 070-47.4W; and October 1st - December 31st, 41-28.39N, 070-49.21W.

Sunken Sailboat West of Beavertail Point, Narragansett Bay, RI:
From USCG 1 st District LNM 28: Mariners are advised to use caution when transiting in the vicinity of a 69-foot sunken sailing vessel in position: 41-26.7N 071-24.26W. Approximately 4-feet of the vessels mast remains above the waterline. All vessels are to keep a sharp look out and use caution when transiting west of Beavertail Point.

Sunken Fishing Boat and Other Debris, Mount Hope Bay, RI:
Also from the same LNM as above: Mariners are advised to use caution when transiting in the vicinity of a sunken fishing vessel in position: 41-38.29.20N 071-14.57.09W. The vessel is marked with a white and orange colored buoy with a white flashing light. All vessels are to keep a sharp look out and use caution in the vicinity of Mount Hope Bay Marine Terminal in Portsmouth, RI: 41-37N 071-15W. There is a possibility that pier debris might be in this area.

Narragansett Bay , RI, and Connecticut River, CT, and Bridgeport Harbor, CT Waterways Analysis:
From the USCG 1 st District LNM 27:

The Coast Guard will be conducting a review of the following waterways in this area: 1) Narragansett Bay East and West Passage/Newport Harbor/Wickford Harbor/Quonset Channel/Hope Island/Allen Harbor/Greenwich Bay/Warwick Cove, and 2) Mount Hope Bay/Brayton PT Channel/Taunton River/Cole River/Kickamuit River/Sakonnet River/Bristol Harbor/Tiverton Channel. Please fill out the attached survey and return it to the address provided on the survey, by 20 July 2007. Check http://www.navcen.uscg.gov/LNM/d1/lnm01272007.pdf for a copy of the survey.

The Coast Guard will be conducting an analysis of the Connecticut River and a separate one for Bridgeport Harborwith the intent of optimizing the waterway and the aids to navigation therein. The study focuses on the area-s aids to navigation system, waterborne commerce, marine casualty information, port/harbor resources, emergency response plans, routine and emergency communication capabilities, and future development projects. Mariners and other concerned parties are encouraged to comment by 13 July 2007. Any interested company or individual wishing to provide comments or participate in a user survey should contact ENS Stephanie Pitts at: U.S. Coast Guard Sector Long Island Sound, 120 Woodward Avenue, New Haven, CT 06512, ATTN: Waterways Management (203) 468-4420.

Dredging of Ambrose Channel, New York Harbor, Resumes:
USCG First District LNM 27 states that dredging is being done in Ambrose channel from 22 June - 15 September 2007. The hours of operation are 7 days a week, 24 hours a day. A mooring barge will be installed at the end of the West cut between Military Ocean Terminal and Global Marine Terminal directly West of the USCG station. A submerged pipeline will be installed southwest over the dike to the rehandling area at MOTBY. Work will be done between these areas. On scene will the hopper dredge LIBERTY ISLAND, survey vessel WOLF RIVER, launch ST. JOHNS RIVER, tug SEA BEAR, derrick WEEKS 508 or Weeks 534 and the spud barge HUGHES 990. Mariners are requested to proceed with extreme caution while transiting the area.

Survey of Offshore Delaware and Maryland Waters:
From the USCG 5 th District LNM 27: The Survey Vessel M/V ATLANTIC SURVEYOR will be conducting hydrographic surveying operations in the following areas:

12 July- Nov 2007 Cape Henlopen, DE and extending southward to Mallard Island, Ocean City, MD. The eastern edge of the survey area extends offshore approximately 13.5 NMs abeam of Ocean City, MD and tapers northward along the western edge of the Henlopen-Delaware Traffic Separation Zone.

The M/V ATLANTIC SURVEYOR is a 110, steel hulled survey vessel, black hull/ white deckhouse, (call sign WTR5417). The vessel will be equipped with a keel mounted sonar transducer and a towed side scan sonar. The vessel will be conducting 24 hour operations and will be displaying restricted maneuvering day shapes and/or lights as appropriate and will maintain a watch on VHF-FM channels 13, 16 & 10. It is requested that all vessels give M/V ATLANTIC SURVEYOR a wide berth in order to avoid becoming fouled in the towed equipment or otherwise interfering with surveying operations.

Hobucken , NC ICW Area Possible Obstruction in Channel:
In May 2007 a sailboat reported to the Coast Guard Station at Hobucken that it hit something very hard in the middle of the channel at approximate ICW Mile 160.5, between red daybeacon “24” and green can “25,” south of Hobucken, NC. The chart indicates an “obstruction reported” in this area. We were a few miles away, within VHF range, so we followed the conversations between the captain and the US Coast Guard Station at Hobucken. Apparently a woman aboard the boat was injured seriously when the boat stopped so suddenly. The boat was tied up at the Hobucken Coast Guard Station when we passed. It was a sailboat, approximately 40 feet long, with estimated draft of around 5 feet (our guess).

We just read of another sailboat (there was no information given as to type or size of boat) that went very hard aground in the channel (the writer reported that he was just to the west of the channel centerline) and about a mile south of Hobucken. The captain reported that he had to grab his wife to keep her from being thrown down the stairs head first. He reported that ten feet to the east of his position, the water was plenty deep.

We do not know if the two boats hit the same “obstruction” or what the obstruction was. This area calls for careful navigation.

Dredging in Georgetown, SC, Pipes Near Marina and in Anchorage:
From the USCG 7 th District LNM 28: Marcol Dredging Company has commenced maintenance dredging in the vicinity of the Sampit River adjacent to Georgetown County, South Carolina. Submerged pipeline will be located approximately one (1) mile east of the Sampit River bridge crossing the Sampit River. Additionally, there will be floating pipeline in the vicinity of the Georgetown Harborwalk Marina, as well as the Sampit River boat anchorage. All vessels transiting this area need to operate their vessels at a safe speed and keep a sharp lookout for floating and submerged pipelines. The dredge CAPTAIN LEO will be monitoring VHF Channel 16. This project will be completed on or about August 15, 2007. For further information please contact Mr. Jack Walker at (843) 747-2177, during normal working hours and at (843) 224-2618 after working hours.

Shoaling in St. Lucie River:
USCG 7 th District LNM 28 states that shoaling has been reported in the vicinity of St Lucie River Daybeacon 8 (LLNR 50710). The approximately position is 27-09-56.371N 080-11- 28.363W. All mariners are urged to use extreme caution while transiting the area. No depth was given.

Dredging in Port Everglades:
The 7 th District LNM 28 states that Subaqueous Services, Inc., will commence maintenance dredging at Port Everglades Berth 29, Fort Lauderdale, Florida, on or about July 22, 2007. This project will consist of dredging 12,600 cubic yards of material within Port Everglades Berth 29 to a depth of -44.5 feet, with completion date of August 16, 2007. The dredge will monitor VHF-FM Channel 16 and 9. Appropriate safety/warning signs and lights will be displayed and used at the job site during all hours of operation, from sun up to sun down, Monday through Saturday. For further information please contact Mr. David P. May at (954) 658-3767.

Local Boaters Option Pilot Program Available in South Florida:
Before leaving South Florida (if you are also returning to Florida) to head to the Bahamas or other foreign port by boat, boaters may apply for the Local Boaters Option Pilot Program (in effect starting in November, 2006) to receive a card and number so that they may not have to physically report to a CBP office upon return, but just call in. One has to make an appointment in advance of leaving the U.S. at a CBP office in South Florida and then go in person for an interview and present one’s passport and ship’s information. Information is available at http://www.cbp.gov/xp/cgov/travel/pleasure_boats/boats/pleasure_locations/.

If you have a Local Boaters Option card and have guests aboard your vessel who do not have a card, they will still have to go to the CBP office. Various individual circumstances may result in a different procedure and regulations may change. Check for the latest information and comply with all orders from CBP personnel.

Possible Delays on Miami River:
The USCG Seventh District LNM 28 reports the following construction and possible delays/restrictions in the following areas on the Miami River:

Until July 27, 2007, electrical cables are being replaced at NW 11 th Ave, SW 1 st St, SW 4 th St, and SW 1 st Ave.

The NW 12 th Avenue Bridge at Mile 2.1 across the Miami River is being replaced. Work will continue until August 30, 2008.

NOAA's CORAL REEF CONSERVATION PROGRAM EVALUATION:
From the USCG 7 th District LNM 27: To evaluate and improve the success of its efforts to understand and conserve coral reefs, NOAA's Coral Reef Conservation Program hhtp://www.coralreef.noaa.gov/, (CRCP) http://www.coralreef.noaa.gov/ is undertaking a comprehensive external review of the program. The purpose of the review is to:

* Evaluate the success of the CRCP in meeting the purposes of the

Coral Reef Conservation Act of 2000 (Section 202) and the National

Coral Reef Action Strategy during the period 2002-2006

* Provide recommendations that the CRCP may use to improve the Program

The review will take place in September 2007 and will be conducted by a seven-member Blue Ribbon Panel of experts in natural resource science and management. For complete text of the Federal Register Notice, see the Enclosure Section Number 7 at http://www.navcen.uscg.gov/LNM/d7/lnm07272007.pdf

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.