East Coast Alerts
By Mel Neale
December 28, 2007

More Problems at the George C. Musson Bridge , Mile 845:

January 7, 2008 

The following is the text from a Broadcast Notice to Mariners from USCG Sector Jacksonville. It concerns an unscheduled closure of the George C. Musson Bridge at New Smyrna Beach/Coronado Beach, Florida, ICW Mile 845. This bridge had been closed for several months for painting during the fall until late December, with a few openings during the day. Apparently they didn't get finished with the work. While this notice states that the bridge will open with two hours notice, boaters are reporting today that the bridge is closed and will only open at 4:50 in the afternoon, almost at dark.

The USCG 7 th District Bridge Branch says that the contractor had been advised that the bridge can remain closed to vessel traffic during the day and the two hour notice for a bridge opening only pertains to tugs and tows and public vessels of the United States. 

THE CAPTAIN OF THE PORT JACKSONVILLE ADVISES ALL MARINERS THAT THE NAVIGABLE CHANNEL IN THE VICINITY OF THE SR 44 BRIDGE IN THE INDIAN RIVER WILL BE PARITALLY CLOSED ON ONE SIDE WHILE REPAIRS TO THE BRIDGE COMPLETED. RESTRICTIONS ARE IN EFFECT ON JANUARY 7 UNTIL JANUARY 24, 2008 FROM 5:00 A.M UNTIL 5:00 P.M. TO ARRANGE FOR SAFE PASSAGE CONTACT THE BRIDGE TENDER BY VHF-FM CHANNEL 16 WITH AT LEAST 2 HOUR NOTICE FROM MARINE TRAFFIC FOR A BRIDGE OPENING OR FOR PASSAGE THAT REQUIRES THE FULL CHANNEL WIDTH IN ADVANCE OF EXPECTED TRANSIT.  ALL MARINE TRAFFIC SHOULD TAKE CAUTION WHEN PASSING THROUGH THIS PORTION OF THE INDIAN RIVER .

Congress Approves Funding for ICW Dredging:
Congress has approved some funding for some maintenance dredging of the ICW in Fiscal Year 2008. According to a chart published by the Atlantic Intracoastal Waterway Association ( AICWA), the total is $13, 283,000, with $5,494,000 going to North Carolina, $2,180,000 to South Carolina, $1,870,000 to Georgia and $3,739,000 to Florida. You can view the chart at http://data.memberclicks.com/site/aiwa/CONGRESS%20APPROVES%20the%20FY%2008%20OMNIBUS%20BILL.pdf . *  

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

Lockwoods Folly Inlet Crossing, Mile 321, Shoaling Again:
The USACE Wilmington has reported in a survey dated December 10, 2007, that the ICW crossing at Lockwoods Folly Inlet has again shoaled to between 2 and 4.7 ft, about one third of the distance across the channel on the green side, between markers “47” and “47A.” The survey can be viewed at http://www.saw.usace.army.mil/nav/AIWW/CFLR/T11.pdf. Waypoints are given on the survey to help mariners find the deeper water towards the red side of the channel. Depths may change at any time.

Ben Sawyer Bridge to Close:

In the previous East Coast Alerts we announced this closure, but the date was uncertain. Now we know the date. Note that the vertical clearance in this updated announcement is now given as 31 feet, rather than 32 feet stated earlier. From a Marine Safety Information Bulletin, Coast Guard Charleston:

Smith Point Light, Chesapeake Bay, Changes Proposed:
From the 5 th District LNM 52: The Coast Guard is soliciting for comments on a proposal to reduce the nominal range of the white light from 22NM to 15NM, remove the red sector and discontinue the sound signal on Smith Point Light. Due to the catastrophic failure of the submarine power cable and the substantial cost to replace it with a buried submarine cable the Coast Guard is exploring means to decrease the cost to restore the lighted aid to navigation and decrease electrical loads while simultaneously providing a lighted signal that would meet user operational needs. Discontinuing the sound signal will remove a substantial electrical load and its removal is not anticipated to adversely affect navigation safety. The replacement optic will retain the flash characteristic of FL W 10; however the flash length will increase from the current 0.1 sec to 1.0 second in a ten second interval. The light source will change from an incandescent lamp optic powered via a submarine cable to a solar powered, high power Light Emitting Diode optic, attaining a 15 NM nominal range. Comments on the proposals to discontinue the horn, discontinue the red sector and reduce the nominal range are solicited and can be provided to the following address not later than 05 February, 2008: Commander (dpw) Fifth Coast Guard District, 431 Crawford Street, Rm.100 Portsmouth, VA. 23704, Attn.: Albert Grimes. Or email to: Albert.L.Grimes@uscg.mil

In your comments, please address the impacts these proposed changes may impose on your operations. Please also include in your correspondence the means you are using to navigate in the area of Smith Point Light and any electronic sensors used while traversing the waters of Chesapeake Bay.

Obstruction in Southern Branch, Elizabeth River, VA ICW:
From the USCG 5 th District LNM 51: Mariners are advised there is a possible obstruction in the Southern Branch of the Elizabeth River at the St. Helena Annex. The debris is located outside the eastern side of the channel at 36-49.54N, 076-17-744W. Water depth may be reduced by 6 feet MLW from charted depth.

Dredging:
The following notices of dredging were given in the USCG 5 th District LNM 52:

Maryland: Mariners are advised that McLean Contracting Corp. will conduct mechanical dredging with pile driving and demolition operations near the Maryland Port Administration's Fairfield Marine Terminal Pier 4, located in the Masonville area at Baltimore, Maryland, from January 15, 2008 through December 1, 2009. These operations will include the installation of a 50 ft x 40 ft cofferdam at approximate position 39-15-12.97 N, 076- 34-56.29 W, occur Mondays through Fridays from 6 a.m. to 6 p.m., and use mooring buoys, sheet pile and H-pile structures, barges and floating cranes. All vessels and structures will be lighted and marked in accordance with the Navigation Rules. Interested traffic may contact the work boats Sweat Pea and WB29 on marine band radio channels 16 or 13 VHF-FM, if necessary. For any comments or questions, contact Mr. Jeff Phillips (Contract Manager) at telephone number (410) 553-6700. Chart: 12281.

Virginia: Dredging will take place in Rudee Inlet from 15 January, 2007 until 15 February, 2008. The dredge will monitor 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.

The Dredge CHARLESTON will be conducting maintenance dredging operations in the Elizabeth River at U.S. Navy Deperming Station/Lamberts Bend from 27 December, 2007 until 15 January, 2008. The dredge will monitor VHF-FM Channels 13 and 16.

Figure Eight Island Swing Bridge Schedule Changes:
The following information was contained in the 5 th District LNM 52:

Revised schedule for the opening of this bridge through January (Changes are in bold): Mariners are advised that the Figure Eight Swing Bridge, at AICW mile 278.1, at Scotts Hill, NC, will remain in the closed position to vessel traffic from 6:30 p.m. to 6 a.m., 8 a.m. to 11 a.m., and 1 p.m. to 4 p.m. from November 1, to January 31, 2007, with openings on the hour and half hour at all other times. Scheduled night opening for commercial vessels are allowed with a 2 hour advance notice by calling the bridge at (910)686-7747 or by UHF radio channel 13. Coast Guard and emergency vessels will pass on demand.

New extended closure period during February: Mariners are advised that the Figure Eight Swing Bridge, at AIWW mile 278.1, at Scotts Hill, NC, will be closed again to vessels each day from February 1, 2008, until February 29, 2008, from 6 p.m. to 9:30 a.m., from 10 a.m. to 1:30 p.m., and from 2 p.m. to 5:30 p.m., to complete 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. (This is an extension of the earlier operating restrictions to the drawbridge that was scheduled to end on January 31, 2008.) At all other times, the drawbridge will operate in accordance with the regulations set out in Title 33 Code of Federal Regulations Part 117.821(a) (3). 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.

 New Markers Charted at ICW Trouble Spot, Mile 238:
Chart 11541 has been corrected to reflect the relocation of Buoy “61A” and the addition of Buoy “60B,” at the intersection of the ICW and Browns Inlet, north of the Onslow Beach Bridge. This is in the area where the USACE Wilmington District survey conducted on September 25 and 26, 2007 shows 3 feet to be the controlling depth in the channel near green can “61A.” You can check the updated chart online at http://www.charts.noaa.gov/OnLineViewer/11541.shtml to view the placement of the new markers. Now there are three red nuns heading south: “60A,” then “60” and the new “60B,” as well as the relocated green can, “61A,” marking the channel. It has been suggested by the local TowBoatUS operator that, if you draw more than five feet, go through at high tide. Note that aids to navigation and depths can change at any time, particularly in areas such as this.

Dredging in Cape Fear River:
The USCG 5 th District LNM 52 reminds us that the Hopper Dredge LIBERTY ISLAND will be conducting maintenance dredging operations in the Cape Fear River at Baldhead Shoal Range, Southport Channel and Battery Island with disposal at the Wilmington ODMDS from 09 December, 2007 until 30 January, 2008. The Survey Vessel ST. JOHNS RIVER will be assisting. Dredging operations will be conducted 24 hours a day, seven days a week. The dredge will monitor VHF-FM Channels 13 and 16.

Possible Delays Continue, ICW Mile 316.6:
From the USCG 5 th District LNM 50: Mariners are advised to take caution and proceed slowly when approaching the construction site of a new highway bridge (Middleton Avenue) to Oak Island, over the Atlantic Intracoastal Waterway, Mile 316.6, in Brunswick County, NC. Barges will be operating a boom/concrete pump at the edge of the navigable channel from December 15, 2007 through January 7, 2008, from 7 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. The waterway shall remain open, but moving the barge and boom may delay navigation approximately 30 minutes.

Dredging at St. Marys River Entrance, Florida/Georgia Line:
From the USCG 7 th District LNM 52: Weeks Marine, Inc. has advised they will maintenance dredge the entrance channel from Fort Clinch to approximately 3.7 miles east of the jetties. From December 26, 2007 though February 02, 2008 the dredge material will be discharged into the Ocean Disposal Area located approximately eight and one half (8.5) miles offshore of American Beach, Florida. From February 3, 2008 through February 7, 2008 dredged material will be placed along the left descending bank of the St. Mary-s River near Fort Clinch. A Dutch connection will be placed approximately 300 feet from the waters edge. The dredge material will be transported to the bank through a floating pipeline. The Dutch connection will be lighted for a barge at anchor and the floating pipeline will have yellow flashing lights. It will require approximately four (4) days to demobilize all equipment from the project site. The hopper dredge "R.N. WEEKS" will be on scene monitoring VHF channels 13 & 16. All mariners are advised to exercise care and reduced speed in the vicinity of the Kings Bay Entrance Channel and eight and one half (8.5) miles off shore of American Beach, Florida. This project will be operating twenty-four (24) hours per day, seven (7) days per week basis until completion. For further information please contact Mr. Charles Balentine at (985) 875-2525 or crbalentine@weeksmarine.com.

2007 Dredging Projects— Florida ICW:
The following list of dredging projects in the notoriously shallow areas of the Florida ICW has been provided by David K. Roach, Executive Director Florida Inland Navigation District:
Vicinity of Ponce De Leon Inlet from marker 72 north of Ponce Inlet to marker 41 in downtown New Smryna Beach a distance of approximately 7 miles. Dredging is expected to commence in April of 2008 and conclude in December of 2008.

Vicinity of Jupiter Inlet from marker 57 north of the inlet to west of marker 2 at the inlet. Dredging is expected to start on March 14th and conclude on April 30th.

Vicinity of South Lake Worth (Boynton) Inlet from 1200 feet north of marker 46 to 700 feet south of the marker. Dredging is expected to start in February and be completed in March.

This volume of work is expected to cost $14 million with Congress providing $3.78 million and the Florida Inland Navigation District providing $10.12 million.

Reduced Vertical Clearance, St. Johns River, Florida:
From the USCG 7 th District LNM 52: The Captain of the Port advises all mariners in the vicinity North of the Astor Bridge that a power line has been reported lower than the charted 50ft height. All marine traffic should take caution when passing through this portion of the St. Johns River.

Lake Okeechobee Still Shallow, but Passable for Some:
The 7 th District LNMs continue to carry the same warning: 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 December 25, 2007: Lake level is reported at 10.27 feet.

Route 1: Navigational depths: reported at 4.21 feet.

Route 2 (the Rim Canal) is closed with navigation depths reported at 1.61 feet.

We have read reports by several vessels that have successfully, but very carefully, transited the Okeechobee Waterway recently. The vessels were of shallow enough draft to have done this safely. Depths reported were consistent with the above. Remember that depths can change.

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.