Category: Destinations

Destinations: Looking for information for your next cruising destinations? Whether you’re planning a sail in the Caribbean or summering in Newport, our destinations resources will help you plan the perfect excursion. Our expansive cache of destination information includes Monthly regional reports filled with seasonal tips and travel itineraries,  Local knowledge on great boating locales, Cruiser resources—complete with photos, Insider tips, marina information and more!

St. Lucia’s Carnival, Poker Runs and Maritime History in Bequia

Enjoy island-style partying during St. Lucia’s Carnival celebrations taking place throughout the month. The fun kicks off on July 2nd and runs through July 19th, with shows, events and parades filling the streets of St. Lucia’s capital city, Castries. In between the festivities, the Kings and Queens of the Band competition entertains with dancers wearing huge, extravagant costumes that take an entire year to construct. This competition is held at the National Cultural Centre, inland from Castries Harbor. If you appreciate steel pan music, head further inland to the Darren Sammy National Cricket Stadium for the National Panorama Competition on July 15th. Located near Gros Islet, the stadium is only a 5-minute drive or 30-minute walk from Island Global Yachting’s 253-slip Rodney Bay Marina. The official event website (stluciacarnival.com) is a great resource, but be sure to call the Carnival Planning Management Agency (758-452-5646) for the most up-to-date event information. For tips on yachting navigation and anchorages, browse avid Caribbean cruiser Frank Virgintino’s free online cruising guides, particularly the guide to the Lesser Antilles, Vol. III: The Windward Islands, which has a wealth of up-to-date information on St. Lucia. freecruisingguides.com

Multi-island poker run

Hands down, powerboating rallies called Poker Runs are surging in popularity throughout the Caribbean. This month, the second Annual SXM Poker Run takes place on July 24th out of the Port de Plaisance Marina, a 90-slip facility in Simpson Bay, St. Maarten. “We expect 30 to 50 boats coming from St. Maarten as well as the B.V.I., U.S.V.I., Guadeloupe, Martinique, and [we hope], the U.S. mainland,” says event organizer, Colin Conner. The five-stop run begins with the first card pickup in Great Bay, Phillipsburg, St. Maarten. Next, the fleet cruises north to Grand Case, St. Martin. Watch the sleek powerboats roar in and join the crews for a chicken, ribs and lobster lunch at the famous beachside barbecue shack, Lolo’s. Next, card picks three and four take the fleet north to the breathtaking Rendezvous Bay and the village of Sandy Ground on the neighboring island of Anguilla. The fifth card stop is back in St. Maarten at Mullet Bay, and then everyone returns to the Port de Plaisance Marina for the prize announcements and a party. A total of up to $5,000 is designated for the winner. “Next year, we plan to add a land race division as well so [that] more people can participate,” says Conner. sxmpokerrun.com

Maritime history in Bequia

The seven-square-mile island of Bequia, the second largest island in the Grenadines located south of St. Vincent and north of Grenada, is a treasure trove of nautical history. It’s known as the model boat capital of the world, and is home to several boating workshops around the island, including the Sargeant Brothers Model Boat Shop in Port Elizabeth. Here, with handheld tools such as chisels and machetes, the Lawson brothers convert locally grown white pine into extraordinarily detailed vessels, including a 5-foot replica of the Royal Yacht Britannia. Models at the shop are for both show and sale. Nearby, the Bequia Maritime Museum boasts an intriguing collection of art and artifacts, including aged photos of the island’s whaling past. If you’re up for a hike, explore the ruins of the 18th-century Fort Hamilton where old cannons rest and a panoramic view of the harbor reigns. bequiatourism.com

By Carol Bareuther, Southern Boating Magazine July 2016

Moonlight sails on Charleston Harbor

Schooner Pride sails into the moonlight July 19-20 on Charleston Harbor in South Carolina. The classic 84-foot tall ship sails for an hour and a half with live acoustic music on board. Guests may hoist and trim sails or simply relax and enjoy the atmosphere. Beautiful views of the Ravenel Bridge, the Battery’s historic residences and pelicans are highlights along the ride, and it’s common to see dolphins playing and racing along the bow throughout the sail. schoonerpride.com

New name, same waters

Off the ICW just north of the Surf City Bridge, the dormant Beach House Marina came to life as Topsail Island Marina this spring. An 8-foot-deep channel leads to the protected facility’s floating docks with depths of the same range. Two dozen restaurants, a marine store, retail shops, an IGA grocery store, and the beach are only two blocks from the family-owned and operated business. Pets are welcome and Topsail highlights its superfast Wi-Fi. Ten transient berths handle boats up to 100 feet at $2 per foot. topsailislandmarina.com

Sail Away

The South Carolina Maritime Museum holds youth sailing camp sessions throughout the summer to prepare your little ones for life on the water. Sessions last half a day (morning and afternoon sessions) and are offered Monday through Friday, July 4-8, 11-15, 18-22, and 25-29. Each session has 6-10 campers and takes place aboard the Optimist Prams, a sailboat designed with kids under 16 years of age in mind—simple enough for an 8-year-old yet challenging enough for a 15-year-old, and a certified instructor evaluates the sailing knowledge and experience of each camper to place them in the most appropriate group before beginning each session. While in sessions, campers learn the basics and essentials of sailing as well as boat safety. Registration fees come with a U.S. Sailing Course book, a skills logbook and a T-shirt. Visit the museum’s website to register. scmaritimemuseum.org

Morningstar Marinas upgrades

Increased shore power and enhanced Wi-Fi greet visiting cruisers at Golden Isles’ Morningstar Marinas, St. Simons, Georgia. General manager Chris Ferguson says, “The new 100-amp shore power will allow the marina to cater to vessels ranging from 25 feet to more than 100 feet on a daily basis.” Also, the vast marina now has onSpot Wi-Fi. “OnSpot is the foremost expert in marine Wi-Fi…[it is] fast, reliable and secure…throughout the entire marina,” adds Ferguson. morningstarmarinas.com/golden-isles

West Palm Beach channel closures

Due to ongoing bridge construction in South Florida, the channel in the Flagler Memorial Bridge area will be completely closed July 5-13. Half-channel closures are set for July 14th to August 1st. flaglerbridge.com

Salty coast

Washington Oaks Gardens State Park in Palm Coast, Florida, provides the opportunity for youth ages 8-17 to experience hands-on saltwater fishing to develop their skills through a series of workshops. The workshop costs $20 per person and runs for three hours (9AM-12PM) each Friday from July 8-29. In addition to learning standard fishing techniques, participants are educated on the importance of conservation and safety practices. All necessary supplies are provided by the park. Call (386) 446-6783 for details. floridastateparks.org

By Nancy E. Spraker, Southern Boating Magazine July 2016

Beautiful blooms festival

The annual Mt. Harmon Lotus Blossom Art & Nature Festival is scheduled for Saturday, August 6th, from 10AM to 4PM. The historic Tidewater Plantation near Earleville, Maryland, offers docking for cruisers visiting the 200-acre nature preserve. Arriving by boat on Back Creek, a branch of the Sassafras River, is a much more pleasant ride than trying to navigate the long, winding, unpaved, single lane road leading to the property. The festival showcases the rare American Lotus, which is usually in full bloom along the shallows bordering the plantation. Artisans and vendors display nature-inspired fine arts and crafts, and historic reenactors entertain visitors with old-time cooking and homesteading. For a full list of exhibitors and activities, email info@mountharmon.org; mountharmon.org
Gone fishing!
This year’s Dare County Boat Builders Foundation fishing tournament will honor Sonny Briggs, one of the most experienced boatbuilders on North Carolina’s Outer Banks. Proceeds from the offshore fishing tournament promote awareness of the historical and cultural heritage of boatbuilding in Dare County, North Carolina, and support educational opportunities for students. This year’s 30 deserving students received a total of $27,250 to help fund the cost of their education. Lines can go into the water beginning at 8:30AM on Thursday, July 28th, and will be pulled out by 2:30PM on Saturday, July 30th. Sign up during registration night at the Pirate’s Cove Marina Tournament Pavilion in Manteo on Wednesday, July 27th, from 5-8PM, mingle with fellow anglers while enjoying cocktails and hors d’oeuvres beginning at 6:30PM, and attend the captain’s meeting at 7:30PM. An advance registration form can also be downloaded from the event’s website. The tournament is open to all boats—custom and production. An awards banquet caps the tournament on Saturday night from 6-8PM. Complete rules and entry information can be found on the official tournament website. dcbbf.org

City purchases tall ship

Mariners get to see the schooner Virginia sailing along the Elizabeth River for many years to come as the Norfolk City Council approved a plan for the Nauticus Foundation to buy the tall ship. Docking for the 122-foot vessel is planned to be near the battleship USS Wisconsin, and the public may tour it for free. The foundation received $1 million in state funding—rebated money from a city roads project—to buy the ship. They plan to use it to teach underprivileged children how to sail. Launched in 2005, Virginia is a reproduction of a ship that first set sail in 1917. nauticus.org

Funding for the Hall

The National Sailing Hall of Fame (NSHOF) announced that the Merrill Family Foundation donated $250,000 to match a state grant for the planning, design and permitting of a new facility at the site of its current location at the Annapolis City Dock adjacent to the Naval Academy. The new facility intends to boost the educational and public programming of NSHOF, which includes curricula for middle/high school students, a free public sailing program, boat exhibitions, regattas for injured veterans, and public access to Spa Creek. nationalsailinghalloffame.org

Island life and tings

The Bahamas National Trust installed new signs around Conception Island to help cruisers enjoy the island, stay safe and respect the wildlife. The three moorings in West Bay have been reset and inspected. Boats over 100 feet are strongly encouraged to use these moorings; the southernmost mooring is a 3,000-pound Danforth for vessels up to 200 feet.

Sea Turtle Network

Sea turtle nesting season runs roughly from April to September. Reports of nesting activity are especially important in The Bahamas because there are so many nesting beaches scattered throughout the islands and only a few people regularly monitor them. The Department of Marine Resources has partnered with several non-governmental organizations (NGO) to form the Sea Turtle Network, the purpose of which is to reduce the illegal harvest of sea turtles that continues despite the complete ban in 2009. The Network also provides an important means of disseminating information and receiving important sea turtle observations. All cruisers are asked to report sightings of mating or nesting turtles, injured turtles, turtles found with tags, and any violations of the ban on the harvest of turtles. Reports can be made on Facebook: Bahamas Sea Turtle Network.

The Island School

Parents and grandparents interested in a rewarding experience for high school students should visit the Island School in South Eleuthera. The school and its partner, the Cape Eleuthera Institute, are located within walking distance of the Cape Eleuthera Marina.
Founded by Chris Maxey, the Island School offers full semester programs for about 50 students and offers special scholarships for Bahamians. The organization also runs a middle school in Deep Creek for local children. Spend time investigating the school’s extraordinary opportunities at islandschool.org.
The Cape Eleuthera Institute is a research facility where senior scientists conduct important oceanographic research and involve the Island School students in their projects, including ongoing studies of sharks, rays, sea turtles, lionfish, conch, and bonefish.

Left to right: Maria Cartwright, Molly Dean and Hermie Cartwright talkin’ Bahamian at the Outer Edge in Clarence Town

Talkin’ Bahamian

The Bahamas’ linguistic treasures are part of a rich culture. Here are a few of our island-lingo favorites we’ve learned over the years:
• Day clean: first light, dawn
• Me-one/you-one: by myself. “Who sailed here with you?” “Nobody. Just me-one.”
• I ain’ know, you know: answer to any question with an unknown answer.
• God spare life: answer to remarks like “See you tomorrow.”
• Done reach: has arrived, “The mailboat done reach.”
• One time ago: sometime in the past
• Tief: steal, “Someone done tief ma boat last night.”
• Owned: used with the name of the owner, “That Pam-owned car.”
• Next: another, “You want a next beer?”
• Tingum: all-purpose designation of an object the listener is supposed to know. “Fetch me another tingum.”
More Talkin’ Bahamian by Patricia Glinton-Meicholas has an excellent collection of words and phrases with good explanations of meanings and usage. Glinton-Meicholas’ How to Be a True-True Bahamian explains much of the context of these gems.

Stolen dinghies

Dinghy theft continues to rise throughout The Bahamas. There is no absolute way to prevent your dinghy from being stolen, but basic seaman’s preparedness may surely help especially as the season of thunderstorms and hurricanes is upon us. At the end of the day’s activities it is good practice to secure the boat for the night and ensure that all equipment is stowed, anchor is holding, dinghy is on deck, and so on. Be ready to react quickly to surprises that may come in the night. If you tow a larger center console boat, invest in an alarm/tracking system such as the SeaTrax II from AtlasTrax (atlastrax.com). To report theft and other crimes to the Bahamian Police, dial 911 or 919.

Dean’s Blue Hole

Dean’s Blue Hole just north of Clarence Town, Long Island, is one of the most exciting natural features in The Bahamas and is now a major location for freediving training and competition. At the annual Vertical Blue competition on Saturday, April 30th, William Trubridge broke the world record in the free immersion category of freediving. More incredible is that on Monday he went down again and added another 2 meters to his record; he reached 124 meters on a single breath lasting 4 minutes 34 seconds.
NOTE: Freediving to extraordinary depths is dangerous and should not be practiced without considerable instruction and extensive safety precautions. verticalblue.net

Navigation and safety

As everyone knows we are now well into hurricane season and the season of severe thunderstorms and water spouts. Be extra careful when selecting your anchorages as sudden squalls with shifting winds can ruin more than a good night’s sleep. Choose marinas that have good protection, always keep a short list of hurricane holes on hand, and make sure that you pay close attention to forecasts to access one of these holes in plenty of time if need be. Be sure to call these protected marinas well in advance as many marinas do not allow boats at their docks if there is a hurricane threat.
Remember how much trouble it was for meteorologists to predict Hurricane Joaquin last year? That hurricane was expected to be a category 1-2 but quickly became a category 3-5 and caused as much or more devastation than many memorable hurricanes. As the English proverb goes, “Prepare for the worst and hope for the best.”

By Stephen Connett, Southern Boating Magazine July 2016

Protect Our Reef grants help tackle threats to reefs.

Scientists and educators from a variety of institutions across the country gathered at Florida Keys Community College in Key West, Florida, on April 28th to present the latest research on protective measures against a multitude of threats facing Florida’s coral reefs ranging from pollution to disease and bleaching caused by ocean acidification.
The University of North Florida, University of Miami, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, Smithsonian Marine Station, Jacksonville University, Florida Atlantic University, and Northeastern University were represented at the meeting, as were Key West’s nonprofit organization Reef Relief and Sarasota, Florida-based Mote Marine Laboratory. What do they all have in common? Each are recipients of Protect Our Reef grants funded by sales of the “Protect Our Reefs” specialty license plates in Florida—a program introduced in 2004 that has raised more than $4 million for the preservation and restoration of Florida’s coral reefs.
Each grant ranges from $10,000-$30,000 according to David Vaughan, the executive director of Mote Marine’s tropical research laboratory in Summerland Key, Florida. He adds that nearly a third of a million dollars is awarded annually as part of the Protect Our Reefs program administered by Mote Marine. Grant recipients are required to submit an eight-page proposal detailing the principle objectives of the project, including the past experience and methods of the staff as well as how they plan to carry out the research. The proposal also highlights deliverables, a timeline and a detailed budget.
Some of the most interesting material presented, Vaughan adds, concerns black band disease, an affliction that can devastate entire coral colonies within months. It’s a problem that has vexed scientists for a long time, but researchers are finally getting closer to its root cause. Max Teplitski of the Smithsonian Marine Station and Sara Williams of Northeastern University both presented new findings about black band disease that they were able to discover thanks to grants afforded by Protect Our Reef. “We now have a better understanding that [black band] disease is not caused by one single microbe, virus or fungi, but it is a combination of over a dozen organisms working together,” says Vaughan. “Two of the organisms have to be present in order [for coral] to get the disease, but if any one of them is present, without any of the others, the corals don’t get the disease. Also, a certain bacteria and a certain blue-green algae has to be present.”
Vaughan adds that increased media coverage of coral bleaching in major media outlets is helping raise awareness of how weather and climate events such as El Niño and ocean acidification affect the planet’s vital yet precious reef systems. Much remains to be done, says Vaughan, but adds that Protect Our Reefs is a big step in the right direction. “It’s a shame that things like devastating conditions in the Pacific and Australia’s Great Barrier Reef is what it takes for people to understand how important coral reefs are to our oceans’ health,” he contends, referring to a mass-bleaching event discovered in March 2016 along some 600 miles of the Great Barrier Reef. “But people are understanding that bleaching is a condition that affects corals when the temperatures get too high. A decent amount of our Protect Our Reefs grants address bleaching, seeing that there are some genetic strains of corals that seem to tolerate those conditions better than others. So we’re able to better understand how we can hopefully live with [healthy] coral reef systems in the future, because it’s the habitat for all of our fish and the other beautiful things we like to view when we’re on and in the water.”

By Brian Hartz, Southern Boating Magazine July 2016

Loophole that lets anglers exceed snapper limits draws fire

Anglers in Texas are unleashing their creativity when it comes to getting around shortening seasons and shrinking quotas for red snapper in the Gulf of Mexico, but their actions are facing criticism.
The popular species has become a flashpoint in the debate over federal vs. regional management of fisheries in the Gulf of Mexico. In February, the Gulf of Mexico Fishery Management Council introduced the final draft of Amendment 39 to Fishery Management Plan for the Reef Fish Resources of the Gulf of Mexico, which would establish a regional management program for recreational red snapper fishing.
For now, though, the NOAA’s Fisheries Service sets the length of the federal recreational red snapper fishing season. Historically, the season began June 1st and continued until the quota was met. But 2014 saw one of the shortest federal seasons on record—just nine days. However, individual states can set their own season length for anglers fishing in state waters, and this is where things get interesting.
Texas, for example, pretty much ignores the federal season altogether. Recreational anglers in Texan waters, which extend nine miles out from the coastline, can fish for snapper year-round as long as they stay within their bag limit.
However, catch limits are routinely exceeded thanks to charter fishing companies operating what they call “catch share fishing experiences.” These companies, such as Galveston Sea Ventures in Galveston, Texas, have been allocated a set portion of the commercial red snapper fishery—a catch share—in the Gulf, but they do not operate as commercial fishermen. Instead, they ferry recreational anglers out to the fishing grounds and back, and when they return, their customers can buy as many fish as they’d like to take home. Call it what you will—a loophole or a gray area—it’s stirring passions on both sides.
According to Scott Hickman, owner of Circle H Outfitters and Charters in Galveston—another catch share fishing experience company—they sought out the legal requirements prior to launching their first trip and continue to strictly follow the rules as to what is mandated by both federal and Texas law enforcement. Hickman reiterates that his trips are not charters but commercial fishing trips during which people can enjoy the experience and only reel in fish if they want to.
The Coastal Conservation Association (CCA), however, says that the growing popularity of catch share fishing does not bode well for the future of the fishery, as companies with commercial permits will be able to relentlessly fish near-shore fishing grounds. CCA Conservation Director, Ted Venker, claims the line between recreational and commercial fishing is no longer distinct, and that no one is protecting the public.
In April, the Gulf of Mexico Fishery Management Council stated that the 2016 recreational red snapper season is likely to be another short one running for as little as eight days, while charter boats operating in federal waters should see a longer season, between 38 and 56 days. For more information, visit: Sustainable Fisheries

By Del Gillis, Southern Boating Magazine June 2016

Threat From Invasive Species Grows

The lion might be the greatly awed and admired king of the jungle, but the lionfish is quickly becoming the much-despised scourge of the Gulf of Mexico. The invasive species is on the rise.

The lionfish is an invasive species that are wreaking havoc in the eastern Gulf as well as along the U.S. Atlantic coast and throughout the Caribbean. With their beautiful stripes, jutted-out jaws and protruding spike-like fin rays, lionfish are exotic sights. You’ve surely seen them in saltwater aquariums and pet stores. That—and their native Indian Ocean and western Pacific Ocean waters—is where they belong, not the Gulf, where they have few natural predators to slow their explosive population growth and bring balance to the region’s biodiversity.

Lionfish eat juvenile members of sportfish species that help sustain the region’s economy and are popular with anglers in the Gulf. What’s more, the venomous spines found on lionfish are a threat to humans. A sting from one of their fin rays can be fatal to young children and elderly people. Though rare, adults can also be killed by a lionfish sting, whose other effects include nausea, vomiting, fever, dizziness, and even temporary paralysis.

In less than 10 years, the invasive species have firmly established themselves as a force to be reckoned with in North American waters. How they got here and rose to prominence so quickly is being investigated, but the National Ocean Service believes the species’ ascendancy can be attributed, at least in part, to people dumping unwanted lionfish out of their home aquariums and into the Gulf and the Atlantic Ocean.

The lionfish problem has become so rampant that it’s come to the attention of Republican Carlos Curbelo, a U.S. Representative of Florida’s 26th District. Working with fishermen in the Florida Keys, Curbelo has crafted a bill that, if enacted, will direct the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) to award $1.5 million in competitive higher education grants for the purpose of studying and combating lionfish.

Introduced in March and co-sponsored by U.S. Representatives Curt Clawson, R-Fla., and Alcee Hastings, D-Fla., the bill is named the Finding Innovative Lionfish Elimination Technologies (FILET) Act of 2016. Should it become law, the FILET Act will use funds from NOAA’s existing budget to help researchers develop lionfish mitigation technologies, including traps and countermeasures.

Lionfish have been in Clawson’s sight for nearly a year. He introduced his own federal legislation in July 2015 that would add lionfish to a list of “injurious species that are prohibited from being imported or shipped,” according to the bill’s title. Curbelo, who is supporting the bill as a co-sponsor, cites a bevy of reasons for going after lionfish, including their prodigious ability to reproduce: a single female lionfish is capable of laying millions of eggs each year.

Moreover, an adult lionfish can consume large quantities of sportfish—as many as 40 in a single day. These impressive pests also feed on marine herbivores that help protect coral reefs by removing excess algae.

The lionfish problem has become so bad that organizations like the Reef Environmental Education Foundation (REEF), based in Key Largo, Florida, are sponsoring organized lionfish hunts in which divers can take home cash prizes based on the number of lionfish they bag (and yes, lionfish can be cooked and eaten).

Even if you’re not an angler or diver, you can still help fight the lionfish scourge. The Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission has created an online form for the public to submit lionfish sightings as well as a lionfish tracking app for smartphones to support the cause. For more information, visit their website at: myfwc.com/fishing/saltwater/recreational/lionfish/report.

By Brian Hartz, Southern Boating Magazine June 2016

When school’s out the kids go sailing!

Kids from around the Caribbean and world will head to St. Thomas, U.S.V.I., June 13 to 19, for the International Optimist Regatta (IOR) presented by EMS Virgin Islands and the TOTE Maritime Clinic and Team Race. The big draw this year is the chance to use this event as a tune-up for the Optimist North American Championships, which take place in Antigua, July 10 to 18. The perennially favorite feature of the IOR is an opportunity for junior sailors, both novices and advanced, to participate in a three-day clinic taught by top Opti coaches. Add a chance to team race and then fleet race some of the best local, regional and international sailors, plus delight in a destination where younger siblings can play on the beach, and moms and dads can enjoy some family-friendly sightseeing, watersports and dining, and you’ve got one great summer sailing vacation. styc.club/international-optimist-regatta.html 

Summer sailing camps

Swap a tent for a boat at one of the many Caribbean-based sailing camps each summer. Sail Caribbean, based in Northport, New York, offers a number of adventures designed for students 11 to 22 years of age. The Alpha two-week program provides junior high and high school students with a chance to learn to sail aboard a 50-foot monohull in the B.V.I. Days are also filled with watersports such as snorkeling and wakeboarding, hands-on marine biology lessons, and hikes ashore on deserted islands and cays. The cost is $3,995 per camper. Those looking for a longer cruise can sign up for the Caribbean Arc Sailing Voyage, a 31-day camp for high schoolers offered by Raleigh, North Carolina-based Broadreach, Inc. This 500-nautical-mile passage starts in St. Martin and ends in Grenada. Along the way, campers can earn several International Yacht Training (IYT) sailing certifications. The cost is $6,480 to $7,280 per camper. School may be out, but camps like these provide incredible life-skills learning experiences for kids. sailcaribbean.com; gobroadreach.com

Summer sailing school

Families can go back to school together by taking one of the region’s many fun learn-to-sail courses. For example, Grenada Bluewater Sailing (GBS) offers a number of classes under the Royal Yachting Association (RYA) scheme aboard its Beneteau Oceanis 461. “Dad or Mom will normally aim for the Day Skipper qualification (minimum age 16) while the kids take the Competent Crew course (no age minimum),” says GBS’s Polly Philipson. Both courses run 5-7 days and cost $1,060 to $1,345 per person, respectively. OnDeck Antigua offers a 2-day beginner Start Yachting course with a choice of living aboard or ashore, and a 5-day liveaboard beginner Competent Crew course, both on Dehler 39s. There is no age restriction on either of these courses as long as a family books the whole boat. Otherwise, Start Yachting is for those ages 16 and older. Rates start at $940 per person for five days. “Learning to sail is a great family holiday,” says OnDeck Antigua owner Peter Anthony. “It’s not all hard work. There is plenty of time for relaxation, and often families will book a night or two shoreside at either end to sightsee the island.” grenadabluewatersailing.com; ondecksailing.com 

By Carol Bareuther, Southern Boating Magazine June 2016

Little islands, big wildlife

Great Inagua is a popular port in The Bahamas where you can clear Customs and find fuel,water and groceries. Here, wildlife is abundant and home to some of the most intriguing species in The Bahamas. For those interested in dining ashore, there are several tasty restaurants from which to choose. The island specialty is wild boar, and “kicking beef” commonly appears on the menu.

Birdwatchers travel from all over the world to observe the burrowing owls, Bahamian parrots, spoonbills, and the amazing 60,000-flamingo spectacle during nesting season. This population of West Indian Flamingos is one of world’s great conservation success stories. A vast area of Inagua is a preserved national park under the Bahamas National Trust’s supervision led by Wardens Henry Nixon and Casper Burrows. Contact either Nixon or Burrows for a tour, and bring your best camera with a telephoto lens. Be sure to ask the wardens how to prepare for the expedition, and you’ll certainly want to pack plenty of water and sun protection.

Morton Bahamas, a major producer of sea salt, is the chief employer on the island. Burrows previously worked there, so he knows all about the industry and systems. Most importantly, the marina is finally getting cleaned up, rebuilt and expanded to make room for larger Defense Force vessels, mail boats and yachts. All wrecked and sunken boats have been removed, and the controlling depth is set at 15′. The south wall, available to yachts and commercial vessels, is projected to extend 300′. This work in progress should be completed by fall 2016. In the meantime, boats will be able to go into the marina for fuel, water and possibly even a quick stay as long as they’re not in the way of the construction.

The best place to anchor for diving (and peace and quiet) is Man-O-War Cay, but if you prefer being closer to town, anchoring by the airport is the way to go. Prior to inclement weather, move your vessel into the safer waters of the marina. Westerly winds may cause small surges and discomfort in the marina, but you will be safe.

 

Little Inagua

Little Inagua, situated slightly northeast of Great Inagua, is one of the most beautiful islands in the world. Weather permitting, a trip out to the cay is guaranteed to be one of your most memorable cruising experiences. If you end up wandering inland, watch out for the poisonwood that grows around the cay. The anchorage is comfortable in easterly weather, so you can stay a while. The entirety of Little Inagua is a national park and also considered a no-take area out to 100 fathoms. If you visit during turtle nesting season (April through September), please report nesting tracks to the Bahamas Sea Turtle Network Facebook page: Tracking Sea Turtles in The Bahamas.

The masthead

It’s possible to spot an osprey soaring over the shorelines of The Bahamas. However, this is no dreamy, meditative Ishmael standing his watch in search of whales. Unique among North American raptors for its ability to dive into the water to catch live fish, observers can identify the North American Osprey (Pandion haliaetus) by its black mask wrapping around the head, while its West Indian subspecies (P.h. ridgwayi) has a much fainter mask.

Bimini Big Game Club

Complete Marine Services of Spanish Wells recently finished rebuilding the docks at the Bimini Big Game Club. The upgrade is especially important as this summer’s billfish season approaches. As the Big Game Club mentions on their website, the sands in the channel approaching Bimini are constantly shifting. They strongly advise that vessels call the marina for the latest information on how to safely navigate the channel. biggameclubbimini.com

LeoRose Sunset Beach Bar & Grill

Former Defense Force Officer Leo Kirby opened LeoRose, a new waterfront restaurant and bar in James Cistern (about 6 miles south of Hatchet Bay). The new spot serves breakfast, lunch and dinner. Lawrent Saunders, who cooked some great meals for us in Sandy Point, Abaco, moved back home to run the kitchen. Ask Saunders to whip up some of his conch-fried rice and you are in for a culinary treat! To make your LeoRose experience even better, the property has rooms as well as rental cars and small boats. With permitting weather, you may anchor your boat near the shore, dinghy in to the small dock and tie up for a meal. The location is perfect for sundowners and a green flash.

Navigation notes:

The western entrance to Spanish Wells is dredged to a controlling depth of 10′. This important channel allows deep draft boats to enter and exit the Spanish Wells harbor, even at low tide. When approaching Spanish Wells from the south, stay about a half mile off of Royal Island, and then head toward the power plant on Russell Island. About 100 yards off the power plant, turn to run parallel to Russell until you can turn into the marked opening of Mouth Sound channel (western entrance to Spanish Wells harbor). This is the best track for a 9-foot draft at half tide

By Stephen Connett, Southern Boating Magazine June 2016

Florida anchoring ban bill and at-risk vessel bills effective July 1

Despite fervent opposition from cruisers, Florida passed a law banning overnight anchoring in several popular locations, with a few exceptions. Starting July 1st, anchoring from one-half hour after sunset to one-half hour before sunrise is banned on the section of Middle River between Northeast 21st Court and the ICW in Broward County, Sunset Lake in Miami-Dade County and sections of Biscayne Bay in Miami-Dade County lying between Rivo Alto Island and Di Lido Island, San Marino Island and San Marco Island, and Biscayne Island. Exceptions pertain to mechanical failures, certain weather conditions, special events, government vessels, construction or dredging vessels, and recreational fishing. Fines start at $50. The law may be offset by the results of the FWC’s Anchoring & Mooring Pilot Program in January 2017.
Also effective July 1st, at-risk vessels will be fined from $50-$250 in Florida. At-risk vessels are described as follows: vessels taking on or have taken on water without an effective means to dewater, vessels with spaces on the vessel that are designed to be enclosed that are incapable of being sealed or remain open to the elements for extended periods of time, vessels that have broken loose or are in danger of breaking loose from anchor, vessels that are left unattended or stored aground in such a state that would prevent the vessels from getting underway, or vessels that are listing due to water intrusion, are sunk or partially sunk.

Miami Science Barge

A floating ecological laboratory and environmental education center sits atop a 30- by 120-foot barge next to the Perez Art Museum at Museum Park. Cages encircling the barge contain developing oysters, crabs, seagrass and mangroves, while remotely operated underwater cameras capture action below the surface. Solar panels, biodiesel generators and batteries provide renewable energy, as local seawater and rainwater enable zero discharge. It is the sole Miami winner of the 2015 Knight Cities Challenge that strives to make the 26 Knight communities “more vibrant places to live and work”. Program Director Matt Haggman says the barge is “an exciting way to connect and focus our community on creative ways to think about innovation and sustainability.”

North Carolina bridge construction

A new bridge will replace the Herbert C. Bonner Bridge that crosses the Oregon Inlet. Construction began in March with completion expected in August 2019. Broadcasts and bulletins convey information and updates to mariners on work conducted 24/7. Construction equipment including a work trestle/loading dock with a lit 245′ breast-line surround the bridges. Civil Constructors’ tugs and vessels monitor VHF-FM channels 13 and 16. For details, visit: ncdot.gov/projects/bonnerbridgereplace.

Free entertainment at Carolina Beach, NC

Why wait another month for fireworks? Visit Carolina Beach, North Carolina’s Boardwalk, and enjoy music from the gazebo every Thursday this summer at 6:30PM and then fireworks at 9PM. Both are free and open to all. Carolina Beach Harbor’s dock at Gibby’s Dock and Dining is a suggested tie-up spot.

By Nancy E. Spraker, Southern Boating Magazine June 2016

Harborfest celebrates its 40th year along the Elizabeth

There’s no shortage of things to do June 9-12 along the water in Norfolk. That’s when the largest, longest-running, free maritime festival in the country, Norfolk Harborfest, returns for its 40th year. The festival’s four days of activities and attractions include a massive Parade of Sail on Friday with tall ships, character vessels, power cruisers, sailing craft, antique and classic wooden boats, military vessels, tugs, and more.

The parade draws thousands of onlookers stationed at vantage points along the Elizabeth River as the fleet travels down the river toward Town Point Park. Public tours of the ships begin at noon on Saturday and Sunday and conclude at sunset. Other festival attractions include fireworks, musical entertainment, mermaids, Fly Board propulsion, tugboat contest, workboat race, build-a-boat challenge, wine and craft beer garden, boardwalk arcade, and the acrobats of The Red Trouser Show.

Visiting mariners can dock alongside the park promenade for easy access to the festivities. Advance registration is highly recommended. Transient docking is also available at the nearby Waterside Marina.

Later in the month the park will host the 27th annual Bayou Boogaloo and Cajun Food Festival June 24-26. More than 8,000 pounds of live crawfish straight from Louisiana will be boiled up with sausage, corn and potatoes throughout the weekend. Jambalaya, file gumbo, crawfish and shrimp etouffee, po’ boy sandwiches, alligator sausage, Cajun boudin, beignets, and fresh Louisiana Gulf oysters will also be ready to devour or nibble, however y’all please. festevents.org

Fishing on the Banks

It’s peak season for visitors on North Carolina’s Outer Banks and also prime time for inshore and offshore fishing. With blue marlin, white marlin, mahi-mahi, wahoo, cobia, king mackerel, bluefish, tuna, flounder, crabs, shrimp, and croaker roaming the waters, something’s bound to bite. All you need is the right bait, spot, equipment, and a little luck.

A small to mid-size boat will get you to where frying-pan fish are found. If you want to increase your chances, inshore fishing charters are available to fish the sounds, inlets or near-shore waters using light tackle or fly fishing gear. Large yachts and big-game memories can be found through the charter-fishing folks, most notably at Oregon Inlet and Hatteras Island. Split the cost between six anglers and a $1,500 to $1,700 charter becomes reasonable and logical considering all the tackle, fuel and know-how that’s necessary for a successful Gulf Stream fishing expedition. If you want to give it a go yourself, the staff at Frisco Rod and Gun has useful advice and everything you’ll need. obxguides.com/charter-fishing

Opry Thursdays

Coastal breezes and eclectic twang will fill the air at the OBX Island Opry Show at Roanoke Island Festival Island Park on Thursday, July 7. Island Opry music events at the park’s amphitheater are held the first Thursday in June, July, and August. July’s lineup features Emily West, Love Cannon, Malpass Brothers, Boot Rooster, and Jonny Waters & Company. Docking is available for yachts up to 150 feet at the nearby Manteo Waterfront Marina. Manteo also offers free overnight tie-up with no services on a space-available basis, or you can anchor in good holding between the Waterfront Gazebo and Roanoke Marshes Lighthouse and take your dinghy to the dock. islandopry.com

By Christopher Knauss , Southern Boating Magazine June 2016

Group fights back against barge terminal.

A group of recreational boaters and anglers in South Texas are up in arms over the Army Corps of Engineers’ decision to approve a barge terminal in the Lydia Ann Channel near Port Aransas, about 200 miles southwest of Houston. The channel, part of the Gulf Intracoastal Waterway, is popular with fishing enthusiasts because of its abundance of red drum; it’s also home to eight endangered fish species and five endangered sea turtle species. However, the channel is an important thoroughfare for commercial shipping traffic in and out of the nearby Port of Corpus Christi, and therein lies the rub.

The barge terminal features 82 mooring stations in the Lydia Ann Channel along the southwest shore of San Jose Island. The moorings, according to an article in the Port Aransas South Jetty, are spaced “100 feet apart in waters no less than 12 feet deep.” Moorings, the Corps explains, reduce the need for push boats operating in the channel, which, in turn, helps reduce air pollution and protects the shoreline.

According to the Lydia Ann Channel Fleet (LAC Fleet), which operates the barge terminal, “Prior to the establishment of LAC Fleet, barges were pushed up along the banks of San Jose Island by push boats that were then forced to keep their engines running continuously so that the barges would not drift. This wasted thousands of gallons of fuel, damaged the sea grasses and eroded the shoreline.”

A nonprofit group, Friends of Lydia Ann Channel (FLAC), has a different take on the situation. FLAC is adamantly opposed to the terminal and the way it was approved by the Corps, claiming the Corps failed to conduct public hearings and environmental reviews prior to OKing the project. Subsequently, FLAC filed a lawsuit late last year claiming the Corps violated the federal Endangered Species Act and other national laws that protect wildlife, the environment and areas of historic significance. FLAC, mindful of the Deepwater Horizon disaster in 2010, fears that it’s only a matter of time before a barge carrying a hazardous load—tar, asphalt, anhydrous ammonia, or something worse—has an accident and dumps its cargo. The results, the group says, would be catastrophic to both wildlife and humans. A spill would pose a significant health and safety threat if a barge carrying toxic or explosive materials were to founder in the channel, FLAC claims. “FLAC seeks redress for the near total abdication by the (Corps) of its responsibilities under federal law to protect from destruction the environmental, recreational, historical and archaeological treasures located in and near the Lydia Ann Channel,” the group stated in a news release.

Port Aransas, which dubs itself the “Fishing Capital of Texas,” relies heavily on tourism as an economic driver. In addition to red drum, flounder, kingfish, marlin, sailfish, black drum, trout, and tuna abound in its waters. The city plays host to more than 20 fishing tournaments per year, including the popular and long-running Deep Sea Roundup; dolphin-watching tours are also big business in Port Aransas.

 

— By Del Gillis, Southern Boating Magazine May 2016

Critters take center stage

Learn all about otters at a recently opened exhibit, Otters & Their Water, at Mote Marine Laboratory and Aquarium in Sarasota, Florida. The exhibit features three orphaned North American river otters—Huck, Pippi, and Jane—that have been under the careful supervision of Mote staff after arriving at the facility in December 2015.

The exhibit is an opportunity for visitors to learn about the importance of watershed habitats—prime real estate for river otters. Watersheds perform the vital geographical and ecological function of draining water toward oceans, lakes, rivers, and estuaries.

Otters love scooting from land to water and back. With that in mind, Mote Marine staff created a two-level land and water habitat area filled with fun and stimulating features. The habitat also includes a den where the otters can sleep. “The exhibit has a slide that leads into a pool of water,” says Mote biologist Amanda Foltz, who cares for them. “They are like little kids going up and down the slide. It really is fun to watch.”

Staff members are on hand daily to describe how the otters were rescued, rehabilitated and trained, and demonstrate their intelligence—for example, they’ve been taught to present parts of their bodies for medical checks and walk into a special crate to be weighed.

In school, at sea

Mote Marine also helps at-risk youth in the Tampa Bay region via a “floating classroom” partnership with the AMIkids Boat Program. AMIkids is a Tampa-based nonprofit that helps transform the lives and futures of young juvenile offenders.

The floating classroom is Orlando’s Rose, a 65-foot vessel donated in 2014 by Bill and Carol Barrows that launches near the Gandy Bridge spanning Tampa Bay. She carries AMIkids participants on half-day excursions focusing on biodiversity and watershed education. During their time at sea, program participants gather and identify marine organisms and learn how the specimens interact with their environment. They even get to drive the boat after passing a BoatU.S. safety curriculum, a swimming test and other prerequisites.

“We work with kids that have been part of the court system or those we are trying to keep from going into the court system. These are kids that might not have ever been on a boat before,” said Jordan Carroll, AMIkids boatyard development assistant. “It’s all about promoting them to be better members of society. Maybe they’ll want to be captains or dive instructors; maybe they’ll figure out a career path.”

Mote staff members help the boat program participants perform research tasks such as taking salinity content measurements and studying marine organism specimens under microscopes. The goal, Carroll says, is to encourage the kids to be stewards of the environment and spark in them an interest in waterways and boating safety. “The biggest thing is getting the kids out on the water, and through that, they could form a life passion.”

— By Brian Hartz, Southern Boating Magazine May 2016

 

Marina Palms Yacht Club & Residences, North Miami Beach, FL

The all-new, full-service marina at Marina Palms Yacht Club & Residences is now open and features brand new construction at a prime location on the ICW in North Miami Beach, Florida. Designed for vessels up to 100 feet LOA, the marina and private boat club allow residents to experience the benefits of a waterfront lifestyle. The property’s former marina built on the shores of Maule Lake was a popular boating destination in the 1970s and 80s, but the facility fell into disrepair until 2013 when crew started clearing the marina basin for a current depth of 9′ to 12′. The dock system features two fixed dock fingers that flank the north and south side of the marina and a floating dock spine that cuts down the center of the basin. All 112 slips have electricity and fiber optic cabling for voice, data and high speed Internet. The fuel station and high-speed dispensers are fed from two 12,000-gallon tanks providing both diesel and gasoline service. A fulltime dock master, dockhands and a yacht concierge will arrange for vessel cleaning, maintenance, provision, and even plan entertainment for yacht owners. The marina is the centerpiece of Marina Yacht Club & Residences, a development that features two, 25-story condominium towers with 468 units. marinapalms.com

By Nathalie Gouillou, Southern Exposure May 2016

It’s all about sailing— present and past

Cruisers migrating north for the summer may want to join the Spring Salty Dawg Rally. The rally, free to sailors with blue water experience under their belts, departs on May 15th from the B.V.I. en route to Bermuda and the U.S. east coast’s Chesapeake Bay. “We find cruisers particularly like the Spring Rally because it is a safe way to return to the U.S. for the summer,” says rally spokesman Hank George, who with wife Seale are long term “dawgs” and sail the rally aboard their performance catamaran Flash. “The spring rally especially allows cruisers to build on the friendships made and good times they’ve experienced over the winter cruising with other Salty Dawgs. Plus, it’s a great way for new dawgs to experience the rally.”

New this year, the Spring rally offers an expanded set of activities in the B.V.I. prior to launch. Included is a gathering in North Sound, Virgin Gorda, for musician Michael Beans’ pirate show at the Leverick Bay Resort, and dinner at the famed Bitter End Yacht Club. The fun continues to the west at Nanny Cay Marina in Tortola with a pizza party, beach BBQ and weather briefings by Chris Parker as well as final preparations for the cruise. Bristol, Rhode Island residents and long-time cruisers Bill and Linda Knowles, along with their namesake Salty Dawg, a Jack Russell terrier named Brie, founded the nonprofit Salty Dawg rallies in 2011. Since then, more than 470 boats and 1,880 sailors have participated. saltydawgrally.org

The dying art of Caribbean boatbuilding

Little did Alexis Andrews know that purchasing an old Carriacou sloop that had sunk off Antigua back in 1997 would change his life. Rebuilding this West Indian-style wooden boat and sailing it 300 miles south to meet its original maker launched him on an incredible journey. Now, after 15 years of research and 3 years of filming, the Greek native, long-time Antiguan and professional cinematographer has released his 88-minute feature film Vanishing Sail: The story of a Caribbean tradition. This documentary vibrantly illustrates the nearly lost art of boatbuilding on the island of Carriacou, a tradition that started when Scottish settlers arrived in the 19th century to this Grenadine island located north of Grenada. Inter-island trading served as the lifeblood in the southern Caribbean for centuries.

The storyline follows elder, Alwyn Enoe, who uses all of his family’s resources to build one last boat and hopefully incentivizes his sons to keep this seafaring tradition alive. In his final push, Enoe wants to finish the sloop in time to race in the Antigua Classic Yacht Regatta (ACYR). There’s no spoiler alert here. This is a must-see film if you’re a lover of nautical history and native boats. Vanishing Sail is being screened on April 17th in front of the Copper and Lumber Store in Nelson’s Dockyard, Antigua, as part of the ACYR and will debut to its world premiere at the St. Barths Film Festival, as part of the West Indies Regatta on April 30th in Gustavia, St. Barths. vanishingsail.com

 

— By Carol Bareuther, Southern Boating Magazine May 2016

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