East Coast Alerts
By Mel Neale
October 4, 2007

Jordan Bridge , ICW Mile 2.8, Closure:
This is a one day event, but it could be an inconvenient one day. It’s closed to cars also. Notice received from the 5 th District Bridge Branch:* Mariners are advised that major structural repairs will be performed on Saturday, October 6, 2007, from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m., at the Jordan (vertical lift) Bridge, at AIWW mile 2.8, across the Southern Branch of the Elizabeth River, in Chesapeake, VA.  To facilitate the repairs, the bridge will be closed to vessels from 7 a.m. to 1 p.m. and vessel openings will be provided on signal at 1 p.m., 3 p.m., 5 p.m. and 7 p.m.  The available vertical clearance in the closed-to-navigation position is approximately 15 feet, above mean high water.  Mariners able to pass under the closed span may do so and should adjust their transits accordingly.

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

Socastee Bridge , ICW Mile 371, Closure:
The Socastee Swing Bridge, Mile 371, will be closed (for repairs) to all traffic, including commercial, from Oct. 8 through 12, 2007. Small recreational vessels that can fit under the 10 ft. vertical closed clearance can pass through, after coordinating with the repair crew.

George C. Musson Bridge, Mile 845, New Smyrna Beach, FL, Two Openings per Day:
Attention Snowbirds: Plan ahead for this delay. The 7 th District LNMs 37 and 38 give the following schedule for the Coronado Beach Bridge, AKA George C. Musson Bridge (a relatively new ICW bridge): Beginning on September 24 at 7:35 a.m. and ending at 4:50 p.m. on December 21, 2007, the George C. Musson Bridge will open on signal EXCEPT: 7:35 a.m.-4:50 p.m. it will be CLOSED, and will only open at 10:30 a.m. and 1:30 p.m. The vertical clearance will be reduced by 4 feet due to scaffolding. Vessels may pass under the bridge during repairs.

Figure Eight Island Bridge , ICW Mile 278.1, Closure:
From USCG 7 th District LNM 39: Mariners are advised that the Figure Eight Swing Bridge, at AIWW mile 278.1, at Scotts Hill, NC, will be closed to vessels each day beginning November 1, 2007, until January 31, 2008, from 6:30 p.m. to 6 a.m., from 9 a.m. to 11 a.m., and from 1 p.m. to 4 p.m. to facilitate sandblasting and painting operations. In addition, commercial vessel openings will be provided at night if at least three hours notice is given by calling (910) 686-0635 or via marine radio on Channel 13. The available vertical clearance in the closed-to-navigation position is approximately 20 feet, above MHW. Also, the vertical clearance in this location is limited to 85 feet, above MHW, by the overhead power line. Mariners able to pass under the closed span may do so and should adjust their transits accordingly.

Moriches NY DGPS Unusable Time:
From USCG 1 st District LNM 39: UNUSABLE TIME IS APPROVED FOR THE MORICHES, NY DGPS SITE TO INSTALL FIELD CHANGE 18. UNUSABLE TIME AUTHORIZED FOR THE FOLLOWING DATE/TIME: PRIMARY: 1300Z - 1700Z, 16 OCT 07 (0900 - 1300 EDT) ALTERNATE: 1300Z - 1700Z, 17 OCT 07.

Drought Causes Change in Dismal Swamp Canal Schedule:
The severe drought in Southeastern Virginia and Northeastern North Carolina continues. The 5 th District USCG LNM 40 continues to announce that due to lack of rain and subsequent low water levels in Lake Drummond and the Dismal Swamp, beginning September 24, 2007, and until further notice, the locks at Deep Creek, VA and South Mills, NC, will be operated only at 9:00 a.m. and 3:00 p.m., 7 days a week. The draw bridges adjacent to these locations will be operated in coordination with the locks.

Anyone wishing to transit this route should check for the further reduction in scheduled openings or possible closure of the route altogether, which is necessitated at times due to lack of water.You can call the USACE at 757-201-7500 (option 3) to check the status.

Live Firing Off Camp Pendleton, Southern Virginia Coast:
For those of you cruising or fishing offshore of Virginia take heed. We haven’t seen actual times and dates given for real live firing from this base for quite a while. From USCG 5 th District LNM 40: The Camp Pendleton State Military Reservation Live Fire Small Arms Range described as all of the waters seaward of the mean high water shore line within a sector between radial lines extending 13,500 yards seaward and bearing 090 degrees true and 150 degrees true, respectively, from a point on shore at 36- 49- 09N, 075- 58- 45W. All vessel operators are reminded to review Navigation Regulations as described in paragraph 334.380 of Chapter 2, of U.S. Coast Pilot 4, Atlantic Coast: Cape Henry to Key West (37th) Edition when operating south of the entrance to the Chesapeake Bay. Firing will take place only during daylight hours and red flags will be displayed at conspicuous locations on the beach at the facility. Vessels shall proceed through the area with caution and shall remain in the area no longer than necessary for transit.

The Camp Pendleton Live Fire Range will be active during the following periods:

13-14 Oct, 2007 0800-1600

08-09 Dec, 2007 0800-1600

12-13 Jan, 2008 0800-1600

09-10 Feb, 2008 0800-1600

08-09 Mar, 2008 0800-1600

12-13 Apr, 2007 0800-1600

A Reminder for Snowbirds, Chesapeake City, MD:
From the USCG 5 th District LNM 40: Mariners are advised that repairs are in progress at the MD-213/Chesapeake City Bridge, at mile 13.9, across the C&D Canal in Chesapeake City, MD. The work involves bearing and expansion seal replacements along with miscellaneous repairs. The first operation will be the installation of shielding/work platform system under the bridge. However, mariners are also advised to exercise extreme caution when transiting the area due to potential hazards such as objects that may fall from the bridge onto the waterway. The project will alternate work between days and nights hours, Monday to Friday, from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. and 9 p.m. and 5 p.m. through October 31, 2007.

Patuxent River, Middle Chesapeake Bay, Temporary Lighted Buoys: Snowbirds transiting the Chesapeake Bay southbound, be on the lookout for these uncharted buoys: Atlantic Targets and Marine Operations- U.S. Navy - Patuxent River has established the following temporary lighted data buoys until 31 December, 2007:

1. Chesapeake Bay - ATMOD Lighted Data Buoy A at 38-16-36.0N/ 076-20-30.W, Fl (2) Y 4s.

2. Chesapeake Bay - ATMOD Lighted Data Buoy B at 38-15-24.0N/ 076-19-51.6.W, Fl (2) Y 4s.

3. Chesapeake Bay - ATMOD Lighted Data Buoy C at 38-15-18.0N/ 076-19-00.W, Fl (2) Y 4s.

4. Chesapeake Bay - ATMOD Lighted Data Buoy D at 38-14-00.0N/ 076-20-00.W, Fl (2) Y 4s.

Hampton Roads Demolition:
For those traveling through Hampton Roads southbound in the fall and again northbound in the spring, be aware t hat the Ammunition Mooring Facility at Hampton Flats will be demolished from 01 October, 2007 until 01 June, 2008. Numerous crane and material barges will be on site and showing proper lights and dayshapes during operations and lighted during darkness and inclement weather. The tugs VIRGINIA (call sign WCX 6646) and MARY HOPE (call sign WDD3837) will be assisting and can be reached on VHF-FM channels 13 and 16. (From the 5 th District LNM 40.)

Dredging Notice:
The following information is usually contained in the dredging notices in the USCG Local Notices to Mariners (such as the two notices below). For the purpose of brevity, it’s usually deleted in totality or part. But here it is, just so you know:

All mariners are requested to stay clear of the dredge, barges, scows, tugs, derricks and operating wires about the dredge. Operators of vessels of all types should be aware that the barges are held in place by cables, attached to anchors some distance away from the equipment. Buoys are attached to the anchor so that the anchor can be moved if needed. Mariners are cautioned to strictly comply with the Inland rules of the Road when approaching, passing and leaving the area of operations, and remain a safe distance away from the dredge, buoys, cables, barges, derricks, wires and related equipment. All fishnet, crabpots and structures in the general area must be removed prior to the commencement of the work. Owners and lessees of fishnet, crabpots and other structures that may be in the vicinity and that may hinder the free navigation of attending vessels and equipment must remove these from the area where tugs, tenderboats and other equipment will be navigation.

Dredging, Cape Fear River, NC:
From the USCG 5 th District LNM 40: The dredge CHEROKEE will be conducting dredging operations in the Cape Fear River in the vicinity of the Anchorage Basin and Upper and Lower Brunswick Reaches from 26 September thru 31 January, 2007. To ensure safe passage in the vicinity of the operations, vessels should contact the dredge on VHF-FM channels 13 and 16. Mariners are cautioned to stay clear of dredge, booster, floating (pontoon) and submerged pipelines, barges, derricks and operating wires associated with dredging and marine construction operations. Dredging projects are usually conducted twenty-four (24) hours a day seven (7) days a week, all fishnets, crabpots and structures in the general area must be removed prior to commencement of any work.

Dredging, St. Johns River, Mayport to ICW Intersection, Florida:
The 7 th District LNM 40 announces that the Norfolk Dredging Company will commence dredging operations in the St Johns River on or about October 5, 2007. The dredge VIRGINIAN will be dredging in the main channel between Mayport Basin Channel Buoy 2 and the intersection of the Intracoastal Waterway (ICW) in the vicinity of Miles Point Lighted Buoy 22. The dredge operator will standby on VHF Channel 13 and 16. Traffic should call thirty (30) minutes prior to expected time of passage. This project will be conducted twenty-four (24) hours per day, seven (7) days a week until completion on or about October 22, 2007. For further information please contact Mr. Steve Newton at (757) 547-9391.

New Markers, East River, Brunswick, St Simons Sound, Georgia:
From the 7 th District LNM 39:

The following changes will be made to the aids to navigation system in the East River:

EAST RIVER TURNING BASIN LIGHT A will be established in approximate position 31-07-40.287N/081-29-40.956W displaying Flashing Yellow 2.5-s characteristics and NY on a pile.

EAST RIVER TURNING BASIN LIGHT B will be established in approximate position 31-07-42.413N/081-29-45.462W displaying Flashing Yellow 6-s characteristics and NY on a pile.

EAST RIVER TURNING BASIN LIGHT C will be established in approximate position 31-07-52.368N/081-29-48.824W displaying Flashing Yellow 6-s characteristics and NY on a pile.

EAST RIVER TURNING BASIN LIGHT D will be established in approximate position 31-07-58.580N/081-29-45.073W displaying Flashing Yellow 4-s characteristics and NY on a pile.

This project will be completed the week of 15 October 2007.

DGPS Savannah, GA Off Air Times:
From the USCG 7 th District LNM 40: DGPS Savannah, GA site will be off air/unusable on October 29, 2007, from 1300Z - 1900Z (0900 - 1500), for field change number eighteen (18) and semi-annual PMS. Alternate date is October 30, 2007, from 1300Z - 1900Z (0900 - 1500). For further information please contact: USCG NAVCEN DGPS EAST OPS POC at (703) 313-5902.

LORAN-C Operations, LORSTA Jupiter, FL:
From the 7 th District LNM 40: This is a proposal to authorize LORSTA JUPITER (RATE 7980-Y) unusable time from 1300Z to 2300Z on November 13, 2007 and 1300Z to 2300Z on November 14, 2007. The alternate time will be from 1300Z to 2300Z on November 15, 2007 and 1300Z to 2300Z on November 16, 2007. Objections will be considered until 1300Z November 8, 2007. Users shall address inquiries to the southeast U.S. LORAN-C Chain Operations Control officer at (703) 313-54873/5900. Current LORAN-C status is available 24 hours per day through internet address: HTTP://WWW.NAVCEN.USCG.GOV

Lake Okeechobee Still Shallow:
The 7 th District LNMs continue to carry the same warning. We updated with the most current information: Due to extremely restricted channel depths in Lake Okeechobee, mariners are strongly advised that the following should be taken in consideration whether transiting the Lake or stopping for recreational activities such as fishing.

We checked http://www.saj.usace.army.mil/conops/structures/navbulln.htm for the latest figures:

As of October 2, 2007: Lake level is 9.96 feet.

Route 1: Navigational depths: 3.90 feet.

Route 2 (the Rim Canal) is closed with navigation depths of 1.30 feet.

There has been lots of rain over the past few weeks. It’s up by .37 feet, or 3.6 inches since the last East Coast Alerts.

Bird Stakes, Everglades National Park:
While this is not a navigational area for most of us, as it’s very shoal, the concept is interesting. If you see them off to the side of the ICW channel, you might like to know what they are. They’re Bird Stakesfor Bird “you know what.” From the 7th District LNM 40: Everglades National Park, Monroe County, Florida is commencing a seagrass restoration plan that includes the temporary installation of bird stakes. Bird stakes may be placed in restoration areas to encourage roosting of waterfowl and provide natural fertilizer to the seagrass beds. Bird stakes are constructed of ¾ inch grey PVC poles and 4 inch X 4 inch X 2 inch treated wood blocks attached to poles. Birds stakes will be placed just inside the immediate edge of injuries and throughout the interior of the injury area at 6.6 feet intervals. To aid in detection by passing mariners -No Boating/Restoration Area- signs will be posted at the restored area.

The sites are listed below.

Stiver Site: 24 deg 59-37.620N 080 deg 37-51.180W

Liebowitz Site: 25 deg 00-21.420N 080 deg 34-26.880W

Blonder Site: 25 deg 00-35.300N 080 deg 36-33.600W

For further information please contact Mr. Patrick Zuloaga at (772) 781-3425. See Enclosure Number 10 (to USCG 7 th District LNM 40) for Chartlett (Blackwater Sound to Matecumbe) of area.

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.