Planning Your ICW Trip

Take the time to enjoy the road less traveled when planning your ICW trip.

When it comes to cruising the ICW, the oft-quoted phrase “getting there is half the fun” is apropos. From historic towns and peaceful anchorages to big city bustle and vibrant nightlight, there’s so much to see and do along its 1,100-mile length that you’d be hard-pressed not to find something enjoyable for every member of the crew. Here is some helpful information on planning your ICW trip.

However, keep in mind that entering a new anchorage or harbor after a long day on the ICW is exciting, it can also carry a considerable amount of stress, particularly if entered at dusk or in less than ideal weather conditions. There are navigational issues to contend with as well as all the other need-to-know answers once you arrive.

Where’s the best place to anchor or the location of that recommended marina? Where can I get supplies or buy fuel? If tonight is all-you-can-eat ribs night at Hawg Heaven Restaurant, is there a dinghy dock or public shore access nearby so the crew can get their pork on?

Plan, Plan, Plan

The answers and the key to safe and less stressful journey is proper planning for your ICW trip, which starts with the most up-to-date ICW guidebooks and charts for the area and studying them well in advance.

Every extended ICW trip should include a general timeline and list of the desired stops to make along the way, but it’s the day-to-day progress that should actually drive the schedule.

I always plan out the next day’s run prior to heading out, typically the night before, which also gives me a chance to review the latest weather forecasts and their potential effects on my travel plans.

When you plan the next day’s run, comb through the charts and guidebooks, and note things like marina locations, possible anchorages, bridge or lock schedules, and potential ICW trouble spots, such as shoals, sunken vessels, disabled lights, markers, etc. Know these things ahead of time to help generate both peace of mind and a more enjoyable trip. Include contingency plans for anchorages or stopovers in case you are delayed or, in some cases, if you make better than expected time and decide to push on a bit further.

Nightly Routine

Part of my nightly routine is to trace the route for the next day’s run and review notes and comments provided on online apps and programs (see sidebar), such as Garmin’s Active Captain, a popular interactive online cruising guide. Programs such as this can be a very useful tool as long as you take into consideration the double-edged-sword nature of the comments themselves.

The author runs through his itinerary the night before.

Be aware that generic reports of a “great” anchorage with plenty of water or statements like “We ran aground here!” don’t do you much good if the poster fails to include basic info such as their boat’s draft, the state of the tide, etc. Facility reviews should also be viewed with a grain of salt at times: “The dock master hates Algerian Snaggle-tooth Poodles (like our Fluffy) so we’re never coming back and you shouldn’t either!”

In addition to weather, the number of miles I plan for each day depends on a variety of factors, from distances between suitable anchorages to towns or areas I want to visit. Depending on your draft, tide schedules will also play a major role when transiting known shallow spots.

Many ICW cruisers become destination driven and hurry to get from point A to point B as quickly as possible. Time and schedules are a major factor here, but my philosophy is that the trip itself is just as important and should, therefore, be as enjoyable as the destination.

Be Reasonable When Planning Your ICW Trip

On my vessel’s average speed of six knots, I typically plan for a run of around 40 statute miles each day. Viewing my trip as a whole, this allows me to progress along the ICW at a reasonable clip but also provides stopover days for rest, sightseeing, weather delays, etc. Although I experience shorter and longer daily runs (60 to 70 miles in some cases), 40 miles is a good average for my boat and one that provides additional time to arrive at my planned destination before dark should unexpected delays crop up.

I don’t like traveling the ICW at night because I often travel solo. I’ve done it before (both as a recreational boater and while in the U.S. Coast Guard), but it adds a whole new level of stress and unnecessarily increases the chances of getting lost, running aground or having an accident.

Take Breaks

Finally, I also try to schedule one layover day for every three to four travel days—more if I’m someplace nice with a lot to see and do. These layover days provide time to catch up on boat chores as well as allow me time to simply decompress and enjoy the journey on my way to the destination.

Useful Sites

Active Captain
activecaptain.garmin.com

Dozier’s Waterway Guide
waterwayguide.com

Navionics
navionics.com

Richardson’s Maptech
richardsonscharts.com

Tips for the Intercoastal Waterway

Always keep a sharp lookout for “prop inspectors” (floating logs, branches, other debris), particularly when transiting narrow channels and canals. The same goes for other hazards, such as crab pots, which can be found anywhere.
Always have your anchor ready to deploy at a moment’s notice.
Always monitor VHF channel 16 (general hailing and distress) and if possible, channel 13 (bridge to bridge).
When anchoring, the key is to be seen. Use an appropriate anchor light; however, they can be difficult to see, particularly if located atop the mast of a sailboat. I purchased a 12-inch neon light bar from an auto parts store and hang it in the cockpit as well to increase visibility to others.
Make marina reservations ahead of time, preferably a day or two in advance if your schedule is accurate enough. At a minimum, I like to call the morning of my projected arrival day to confirm.

By Frank Lanier, Southern Boating November 2018

ICW Dredging

Hurricane remnants lead to ICW Dredging

At the end of this year, our thoughts are still with those in the Southeast who were so badly affected by Hurricane Florence which came through the Carolinas in September. Much hard work has been put into rebuilding homes in North and South Carolina, and seasonal cruisers heading south this fall have dealt with Intracoastal Waterway (ICW) restrictions, shoaling and favorite ports of call closed due to the storm. The iconic “boater’s Route 66,” commonly called the ICW (aka “the Ditch”), where mud shoals and sandbars build up in channels as maintenance dollars for dredging ebb and flow.

A lot of effort has been put into opening the ICW dredging through the affected states, and there is good news aside from applauding the effort expended in clearing the waterways: increased ICW dredging. According to the Atlantic Intracoastal Waterway Association (AIWA) and the National Marine Manufacturers Association (NMMA), the United States Army Corps of Engineers (USACE) has had $25 million in supplemental disaster funds added to their budget.

The money has been allocated for restoration of sections of the ICW damaged by the past year’s hurricanes as well as dredging that was previously planned. As reported in an NMMA statement, the USACE Wilmington, North Carolina District will use the funds to improve conditions at the southern end in North Carolina. The USACE Charleston District will focus on the stretch of the ICW dredging between Charleston and Georgetown, South Carolina.

The Jekyll Creek area of Georgia will also receive attention in areas where depths are below the controlled minimum. Ongoing dredging under the USACE Jacksonville District will continue into early 2019 for portions of the ICW near the Ponce de Leon Inlet in Volusia County, FL.

atlanticintracoastal.org

By Bob Arrington, Southern Boating December 2018

Festival and Food in Oriental, North Carolina

Cruisers migrating south along the ICW this fall should time their stops in Oriental, North Carolina, to coincide with a few special weekends. The 3^rd Annual “Ol’ Front Porch Music Festival” takes place on Saturday, October 15^th. The town invites musicians from around the region to play from the porches of homes and businesses along the waterfront with a selection of folk, blues, country, and pop features. Shiloh Hills and The Carmonas are headlining the festival this year and will take the main stage overlooking the Neuse River at 3:30PM. The festival will take place rain or shine since alternate indoor locations have been arrranged.

On October 22^nd a seasonal favorite spices up Oriental Harbor with the 9^th Annual Chili Cook-Off from 11AM to 2PM at the Oriental Marina and Inn. Local chefs offer a variety of chili to taste, and proceeds from the $10 admission tickets support the local theatre. At the conclusion of the event, visitors vote for their favorite chili.

If you don’t get enough to eat at the Chili Cook-Off there’s a new grocery store in Oriental. This favorite ICW stop has been without a grocery store for some time, but the owner of a nearby Piggly Wiggly opened a well-stocked, brand new store in town. Locally and lovingly referred to as the “Piglet”, it’s only a short drive or bike ride from the nearby marinas.

ICW Local Knowledge
A prized possession of all boating enthusiasts is “local knowledge”—a familiarity with conditions in their home waters. Knowing where they may run aground at low tide keeps local cruisers out of trouble, but cruising in unknown waters presents a challenge. Hank Pomeranz is making cruises in unknown waters much easier. Pomeranz offers a free seminar sponsored by Zimmerman Marine and Southport Marina titled Weather and Navigation Briefs on the Dock every evening during peak ICW cruising season. Transient mariners get “local knowledge” of the shifting ICW channel north and south of the marina’s location near the mouth of Cape Fear River. Pomeranz refines his seminar each day by taking reports from cruisers that call in conditions. Attendees also receive a detailed weather forecast for the following 36 hours, which Pomeranz is uniquely qualified to present as a retired U.S. Navy meteorologist. The seminars are scheduled to begin in mid-October and will run every evening at 6PM for two months.

Long Awaited Seagate Yacht Club
Delray Beach has one of the most vibrant downtown centers in all of Florida and will be even easier to visit by boat with the opening of the Seagate Yacht Club on November 1^st with a new clubhouse, pool and captain’s lounge. The Seagate Yacht Club is on the property of the former Delray Beach Yacht Club only a few blocks south of the Atlantic Avenue Bridge over the ICW. The club is open to both members and transient cruisers and is an easy walk away from great shopping and award-winning restaurants along Atlantic Avenue.

By Bob Arrington, Southern Boating Magazine October 2016

Haulover Marine Center, North Miami Beach, Florida

Improvements are coming to a South Florida marina

Westrec Marinas Haulover Marine Center in North Miami Beach, Florida, has been getting a major makeover that is set for completion by spring 2016. Haulover Marine Center on the ICW at Bakers-Haulover Inlet is nestled between Sunny Isles and Bal Harbor, directly across from South Florida’s popular inland sandbar and one of Miami-Dade County’s nicest beaches.

Split into two sites—Haulover Marine Center on the northern end and Haulover Point at the southern end—the center, which provides dry storage for boats and personal watercraft, is getting a bevy of enhancements to its already long list of amenities.

To enhance and modernize Haulover Marine Center, Westrec is adding nearly double the dry storage with a new building slated to withstand a category 5 hurricane and offers 500 racks. The new five-rack-high dry storage building is designed to hold larger multi-outboard engine boats in the 30 to 50-foot range that are popular today and too cumbersome to trailer. The center will also have a new office, retail store and bathhouse.

Amenities:

Bait and tackle shop
Boat launching ramps
Boat rentals
Boat wash-down facilities
Charter fishing
Commercial slips
Electric maximum 50 amps
Fish cleaning area
Freshwater hookups
Gas and Diesel Fuel
Marine store
Pump out
In/out dry storage
Restrooms
Showers

Westrec Marinas
Southern Regional Office
801 N. E. Third Street
Dania Beach, Florida 33004
(954) 926-0300 ext 4
Fax: (954) 922-5485
Westrec.com

By Nathalie Gouillou, Southern Exposure, April 2016

Gourmet food scraps

The Cajuns of South Louisiana are known for their interest in spicy food and exotic flavors, but fishermen all along the northern Gulf Coast have their secret culinary delicacies as well. Most anglers who have grilled a monster blackfish appreciate the fish’s sweet and delicate cheek meat, but only the truly old school fully uses the bounty of these waters and can turn a fish carcass into blackfish jelly. Generations on the coast have long kept this culinary knowledge secret, yet it was fading into “culinary backwaters” until a revival of interest saved these savory treats from vanishing. These are some of my favorites.

Perhaps shrimp throats, aka “spiders,” are among the more common and likely the easiest to go mainstream. On the larger, jumbo to colossal-sized white shrimp, there is a bit of sweet meat that is nearly always wasted. Easily freed by placing an index finger into the head along the bottom and pushing down, this tasty nugget when washed, spiced, breaded, and fried is an amazing twist on shrimp meat with a unique texture and becomes a perfect and delicious finger food.

Mullets are one of the rare species of fish to have a gizzard, similar to a bird. Mullets are bottom feeders and it is best to only use the gizzard from mullets caught near the islands offshore where bottoms are sandy and not full of mud. The mullet gizzard is a small little nodule about the size of a fingernail and located after the throat. It must be sliced open and thoroughly washed before being simply spiced, battered and fried, just like the shrimp “spiders”—a tasty treat.

Red snapper are highly prized along the entire Gulf Coast, but from the piers of Galveston, Texas, to Orange Beach, Alabama, the snapper throats are simply tossed out. Yet these throats on the larger snappers are filled with delicate meat between the pectoral fins and are almost always scraped off the fish stations into the water for crabs or pelicans. I knew of a group of cruisers from Pascagoula, Mississippi, that would often do the voyage to Destin, Florida, along the ICW and arrive as the Destin charter boats were docking and the fish was being cleaned. Florida’s charter captains always found it a bit curious that these Mississippi natives would walk up and ask for these discarded portions of the large snappers. That was until they tasted the snapper throats scaled, spiced, breaded, and fried.

There is obviously a theme here regarding the frying of these tiny leftover morsels of meat, but with reason: They’re delicious and have a sweetness to them not found in the other meatier portions of fish or shrimp that is accentuated by the spicy batters of the Gulf Coast. Ask anyone who’s tried the little thumb-sized scallop of meat above and behind a redfish’s eyes.

Go for it and try one of these Gulf Coast’s unique delicacies. A nice comeback sauce and saltines will certainly help for that first sampling.

By Troy Gilbert, Southern Boating Magazine April 2016

Florida governor recommends GPS emergency beacons.

Boating tragedies in Florida’s waters prompted Governor Rick Scott to write a letter to the state constituents supporting proposed boating safety legislation. The legislation encourages emergency position indicating radio beacons (EPIRBs) and personal locator beacons (PLB) to be part of all boaters’ onboard safety equipment, reducing registration fees for all classes of boats with the equipment.

Proposed law for FWC pullovers

Some say that overzealous Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC) officers ruin great days on the water with their random checks. Others say they are necessary to deter illegal fishing, hunting and safety violations. Under a law proposed by Florida State Representative Ritch Workman, officers would need probable cause before stopping boaters. Workman said he wants to see more reasonable stops with FWC officers checking boats only if suspicious activity is observed. Workman said he envisions a safe boating sticker placed next to the boat’s registration after it passes inspection to limit boaters being hassled. If the proposed law (House Bill 703) passes, it would take effect July 1, 2016.

Improved Cuba charts

With increased cruising to Cuba from the U.S., the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) and Cuba are working together to improve nautical charts especially in the Straits of Florida. Following up on a Spring 2015 meeting with U.S. and Cuban chartmakers in Havana to work on a new international paper chart—INT Chart 4149 covering south Florida, The Bahamas, and north Cuba—the group then met in Maryland to discuss future collaboration and improving nautical charts.

Shipwreck artifacts returned

Updating the discovery of items from the Confederate CSS Georgia shipwreck, 30,000 articles were raised. Unique items kept for archiving by the U.S. government include small buttons, hilts of knives and swords, an intact glass bottle, leather boots, and an earring. Texas A&M is studying 13,000 articles at their lab, and 16,697 non-unique articles were returned to the mud of the Savannah River in plastic boxes, which, according to U.S. Army Corps of Engineers archaeologist Julie Morgan, will help preserve them. The Confederate gunship was sunk in 1864 in the Savannah River by its own crew to prevent the ship’s capture by Union troops during the Civil War.

Shoaling at Lockwoods Folly Inlet

North Carolina’s Lockwoods Folly Inlet Intersection near Cape Fear River, Little River Buoy 47, has a 250-yard shoal extending into the federal channel with depths from less than one foot to five feet at mean low water.

Handicapped sailor sails solo

Be on the lookout for Cliff Kyle aboard his 26′ Pearson Abby Normal traveling south on the ICW. Sailing solo can be challenging and for a man with one leg it could be more so, but Kyle throttles full steam ahead with a cheery disposition. “One thing sailing teaches you is how to handle what’s thrown at you and navigate through it,” says Kyle. When his house in Kentucky was foreclosed a couple of years ago, 40-something Kyle headed back to the sea and lived off the coast of Florida in the 1990s. He personally made several modifications on his vessel while sailing to Block Island, Mystic and the Chesapeake Bay. His final destination this season is St. Augustine or possibly The Bahamas.

By Nancy E. Spraker, Southern Boating Magazine April 2016

Urban wetland planned for National Aquarium campus

Cruisers to Baltimore’s Inner Harbor will see more green and more wildlife by the end of this decade.The National Aquarium has unveiled a plan to create an urban wetland to demonstrate how natural ecosystems can improve the health of the harbor and the Chesapeake Bay.

The urban wetland will be in the water between Piers 3 and 4 and consist of habitats such as floating wetlands and underwater shelves with bay grasses and terraced edges. The project’s goal is to showcase natural ecosystems as an aesthetic and practical method to improve water quality.

The 2.5-acre area would be free and open to the public. Work is expected to begin by the end of this year, with completion set for 2019. The project includes interactive exhibits, kayaking, picnic spaces, and educational activities in the middle of the aquarium’s campus off Pratt Street. “We see this as an opportunity for a second renaissance for Baltimore’s harbor by creating not only a commercially thriving place, but also one that is thriving in terms of its health and green space, and as a habitat for animals and humans to enjoy themselves,” said John Racanelli, the aquarium’s CEO.

Laurie Schwartz, president of the Waterfront Partnership, said her group fully supports the aquarium’s plans. “We’re excited about bringing the National Aquarium’s conservation and educational components outside,” she said. “It really helps advance the Inner Harbor 2.0 objective of creating a more dynamic harborfront area.”

Judge the soup

Crab soup lovers will get their fill at the East Coast She Crab Soup Classic at the 24^thStreet Park in Virginia Beach on April 9^th. The rain or shine event showcases an open competition among local restaurants who serve their individual recipes and compete for People’s Choice Awards, the winners of which are determined by the ballots of those attending and a panel of four regional cuisine experts. Tickets are sold in advance and offered at the gate if available. (The event is limited to 1,500 paying guests.) Children 12 and younger who are not sampling and are accompanied by an adult are free. Dogs and beach chairs are not permitted in the tasting area.

Smoked duck tacos

The Duck & Wine Festival is slated for April 30^th in the town of Duck on North Carolina’s Northern Outer Banks. Festival attendees are invited to sample each restaurant’s special dish paired with a selected wine. Ticket sales are all online this year and the event has sold out in the past. The price of a ticket includes a reusable wine tote bag, an event wine glass, a wine lanyard, and cork screw. A good place to park your yacht for the rain or shine festival is Coinjock Marina & Restaurant located on the ICW at Mile Marker 50, an ideal stop for mariners traveling north and south along the waterway.

By Christopher Knauss, Southern Boating Magazine April 2016

South Jersey Marina, New Jersey

Tucked in New Jersey’s Cape May Harbor, South Jersey Marina has easy access to the Atlantic Ocean, Delaware Bay and ICW, while providing ample protection from Mother Nature’s outbursts. Among the closest marinas to the historic areas of Cape May, its quaint restaurants, beaches and parks, this full service marina—which earned marinalife Best Small Marina 2015—has been serving boaters for more than two decades. Its state of the art floating piers can accommodate vessels up to 150-foot LOA. Dockside services include local weather and fishing reports and the coordination of boat repairs through their sister facility, Canyon Club Resort Marina, also located on Cape May Harbor.

Let the marina’s trained, uniformed dock attendants assist you in tying up and get situated while the operations staff gets you squared away with dinner arrangements, rental cars, historic tours, and more. The marina also offers a shuttle into town to stretch your sea legs in the streets visiting local breweries, playing a round of golf, or relaxing at a spa.

The South Jersey Marina can handle large yachts up to 150 feet.

Serious about fishing, and located within some of the best deep fishing locations on the East Coast, the marina counts among New Jersey’s largest charter and party boat fleet and some exciting tournaments such as the Mid-Atlantic $500,000 and the Viking/Ocean Showdown.

Amenities
• 75 slips
• Docking for boats UP to 150′ in length
• 800′ of side-to dockage in a sheltered basin
• Deep vessel access
• Experienced dock attendants
• High-speed in-slip fueling
• 100 amp electric service
• Laundry facility
• In-house concierge
• Taxi service
• Restaurant (breakfast/lunch)

Contact:
South Jersey Marina
1231 Route 109
Cape May, NJ 08204
southjerseymarina.com

By Nathalie Gouillou

Movie star cruises Key Largo canals

Movie star cruises Key Largo canals.

An old steam engine sputters along the canals of Key Largo, Florida these days. Lance and Suzanne Holmquist restored the original 30-foot, steel hulled 1912 steamship African Queen used in the film of the same name starring Humphrey Bogart and Katherine Hepburn. They give 80-minute cruises on the vessel for up to six passengers. Captain Wayne toots a steam whistle as it passes homes along Port Largo canals to the Atlantic Ocean. Cruises depart from the Marina Del Mar and cost $49. africanqueenflkeys.com

Bring on the lobster!
Spiny lobster season in Florida, both recreational and commercial, started in late July and continues through March 31st. The Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC) allows up to six lobsters per person per day. Carapace length must be larger than three inches and harvesting of egg-bearing females is not allowed. Lobsters must remain whole until brought ashore—whole lobsters must be kept in a cooler and no tools should alter shells. During the two-day sport season this year (July 29-30) the FWC permitted one extra lobster for every 10 lionfish caught. Divers-down buoys are required when diving.

New marina in historic Wilmington
Port City Marina on the Cape Fear River, North Carolina, 14 miles north of the ICW (Mile 300) opened for business in July. Port City management says, “Due to hard work and dedication we are more than thrilled and proud to be the gateway to historic downtown Wilmington.” The marina handles boats up to 250 feet in their 200 state-of-the-art floating wet slips with a controlled depth of 10 feet in its basin, accommodating deeper drafts in slips along the Cape Fear River. First class amenities—30, 50 and 100-amp electric service, free Wi-Fi, full service fuel dock, and more—as well as concierge services complete the marina. Downtown Wilmington offers restaurants, art galleries and boutiques, and Wilmington International Airport is just 10 minutes away. portcitymarina.com

A spaceport in coastal Georgia?
If Camden County, Georgia, officials have their way, Titusville, Florida, won’t be the only place within the Southeast Seaboard region to be a vantage point for cruisers to view rocket launches. The county has been working to bring a spaceport to a site located on the I-95 corridor next to the Atlantic Ocean for two years. Launches could affect navigable waterways—required to close as per most spaceports’ procedures around the country—and impose timed closures of the ICW. Fallen debris from launch failures might also disturb the birthing of right whales off Georgia’s coast and pose a threat to nearby Kings Bay Naval Base, home to nuclear powered submarines.

Reduced vertical clearance
Work on the main channel at Buckman Bridge on the St. Johns River near Jacksonville, Florida, continues through November. Although horizontal clearance in the channel is unchanged, vertical clearance is 60 feet 6 inches on one half of the channel. The original 64 feet 2 inches remains on the other half. Original vertical clearance will be restored throughout at construction’s completion.

By Nancy E. Spraker, Southern Boating, November 2015

Lake Park Harbor Marina, Lake Park, FL

Lake Park Harbor Marina

Lake Park Harbor Marina is a full-service wet storage facility with two boat launch ramps, a fueling facility, ship store, pump-out facilities, as well as floating and fixed piers that can accommodate boats up to 80’ in length.

The marina was built in 1961 and was redeveloped in 2006.

Jamie Hart, an employee of the Town of Lake Park, has been the Marina Director there since June 2012. He was previously the Supervisor of Marine Facilities for the City of Fort Lauderdale for about 25 years.

Hart says cruisers should come to Lake Park Harbor because it offers the second lowest rates in the area (next to the City of Riviera Beach). “We are presently in the process of lowering our rates,” Hart says. “When approved by the Town Commission, we will have the lowest rates in the area, according to a survey previously conducted of marinas within a 2-3 mile radius.”

Lake Park Harbor Marina offers clean facilities, impeccable service, and lots of activities available, including fishing tournaments, charter dive boat operations, and a Sunset Celebration the last Friday of every month.

Rates

Depending on the time of year, Lake Park Harbor Marina in Lake Park, Florida, offers rates from $19.50/foot to $28.50/foot.

Daily Transient
$1.75/foot
Daily Electric
30 Amp $6.00 50 Amp $8.00

Charter Annual (January 1 to December 31)
$21.50/foot
Annual (January 1 to December 31)
$19.50/foot
Summer Monthly (May 1 to October 31)
$19.50/foot
Winter Monthly (November 1 to April 30)
$28.50/foot

Monthly Utility Fee
$30.00
Metered Electric
$0.11 per kilowatt

Hart says most of the marina’s customers prefer the floating docks, due to how easily accessible it is from the ICW. “The facility has a large amount of property and grassy area that is conducive for events and similar activities, unlike most marinas.” They anticipate adding events to the calendar during the next year in order to take advantage of the extra space and increase the exposure of the marina.

There are a lot of things that set Lake Park Marina apart from other marinas in the area. “There are several marinas in the vicinity of the Lake Worth Inlet,” divulges Hart. “But the Lake Park Harbor Marina is the only marina within a close proximity to the inlet that has a breakwater for protection of boats docked along the ICW.”

In other words, the ICW is very rough due to the adjacent boating activity or during a storm. However, the boats docked at their marina are fully protected from wake damage, whereas the boats docked at other marinas are fully exposed to excessive wake because they do not have sufficient breakwater for protection purposes. “This is a big plus for our marina because we are the only marina in the area that can legitimately provide safe harbor for boats during rough conditions or during a hurricane,” Hart says.

It’s also the only marina in the North Palm Beach area that allows overnight boat trailer parking for over 48 hours.

Marina Provisions:

• 103 slips with a majority of the dockage space ranging from 30-60 feet in length with lay-up dockage that can accommodate boats up to 80 feet in length
• Shoreside power
• Each slip is equipped with its own lighted utility pedestal, 30 or 50 amp metered electric service and water
• Pump-out service is available at both the North and South basin
• Easy access marina, located just one mile North of Lake Worth Inlet in Palm Beach County
• Boat ramp and trailer parking
• Fuel Dock
• Transient Dockage available
• Well-stocked Ship’s Store including bait, ice, and beer
• Wireless Internet available

Marina Amenities:

• Personalized service from knowledgeable staff
• Meeting/Event room available for rental. 900 square feet with a capacity of 50 people on the second floor of the marina office with an outstanding 360-degree view of the Intracoastal and surrounding area
• A security guard is on-duty every evening patrolling the property
• Onsite Grocery Store
• Laundry facilities
• Clean restrooms with accommodating showers and coded access
• Snorkeling, Fishing & Dive Charters available

Information:

Marina Spotlight: Lake Park Harbor Marina
105 Lake Shore Drive
Lake Park, Florida 33403
(561) 881-3353
jhart@lakeparkflorida.gov
www.lakeparkmarina.com

By Laura Dunn, Southern Exposure

South Florida amps up the marinas.

St. Augustine Municipal Marina is now the second Clean and Resilient Marina in Florida. The Florida Department of Environmental Protection gave the marina its designation in the fall of 2014 for sustainability, environmental responsibility and the ability to bounce back from manmade and natural disasters. The marina is the first municipal marina out of more than 2,000 Florida marinas to earn the honor.

Riviera Beach, Florida, rolls out the welcome mat for megayachts as the nearby ICW will be widened and deepened from 10 to 15 feet to allow boats up to 330 feet to visit Rybovich Marine Center, Viking Yachts and other local marine businesses. Viking Development plans new shops, restaurants, a boardwalk promenade, and marina improvements to be ready by April 2015.

Fort Lauderdale also lures megayachts to Pier 66 Marina after completion of phase one of the two-phase renovation. A new power distribution with capacity of 480 volt, 400- 600 amp and three-phase power handles the larger yachts. Sixteen yachts up to 150 feet are easily berthed amongst 127 slips plus the deep-water basin accepts yachts up to 295 feet. The renovated yachting venue with a new captain- and-crew clubroom was a host location for the 2014 Fort Lauderdale International Boat Show.

Rescued man dissatisfied
In October 2014 a man in a hydro pod asking for directions to Bermuda was saved by the U.S. Coast Guard 70 miles off the coast of St. Augustine. The disoriented man in the inflatable bubble had only protein bars, bottled water, a GPS and a satellite phone on board, not impressing the Coast Guard with adequate safety. Although taxpayers paid $144,000 for his rescue, he complained that his bubble wasn’t rescued as well. Hearing of a second attempt, an anonymous person remarked that he should be on his own.

Osprey accommodations
“Why can’t we get along?” will no longer be asked after new channel markers like the one erected in Georgia’s Skidaway River are in vogue. The new navigational aid at the Isle of Hope provides a platform for sprawling osprey nests whose gangly sticks block necessary navigational numbers. Built last fall, the nest is ready for returning nesting birds to lay eggs this spring.

Transient cruiser accommodations
In North Carolina the Swansboro Town Dock is open for transients headed to northern locales this spring. No services were offered at time of publication but may be ready now or are soon to come. A floating dock accommodates 10 visiting vessels with a face dock for vessels up to 40 feet. Shoppers or diners dock for free; overnights are $1.25 per foot. Call (910) 326-2600 for reservations Monday-Friday after 5PM and on weekends call (252) 725-5400.

Conch is still on the menu in the Conch Republic and the rest of the U.S. since the U.S. National Marine Fisheries Service did not declare Queen Conch endangered last
fall. Although harvesting conch is still illegal in the U.S., other nations are happy to provide chefs with the delicious delicacy such as The Bahamas, Turks and Caicos, Nicaragua, and Belize.

By Nancy Spraker, Southern Boating February 2015

South Carolina Receives Multiple Boating Grants

Four South Carolina marine businesses received hefty Boating Infrastructure Grants (BIG) this year. The Charleston City Marina replaces electrical receptacles on its MegaDock with about $20,000; The Myrtle Beach Yacht Club replaces its fuel system with nearly $45,000; Beaufort’s Downtown Marina upgrades its transient dock with almost $1 million, and St. Johns Yacht Harbor constructs 50 transient slips and installs a state-of-the-art fueling system with over $953,000. Boating excise duties finance the BIG trust fund.

The aggressive lionfish significantly threatens Florida’s native wildlife and habitat. The Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC) held a Lionfish Summit in 2013 to catalyze the necessary changes for reduction and easy removal of lionfish, and to develop markets for them. The commission launched the free app “Report Florida Lionfish” with educational information, safe handling guidelines and a data-reporting form for public lionfish spotters and harvesters. App users can also share their photos of lionfish in Florida waters. Those without smart devices may submit reports at myfwc.com/fishing/saltwater/recreational/lionfish.

Miami Megayacht Marina will provide much-needed slips for 200-foot megayachts on the Miami River next summer. This 14-slip facility replaces an existing well-worn marina. Each covered slip comes with sheltered parking for three vehicles, indoor storage and quarters for captain and crew (unique in the U.S.). Covered tender storage, an owner’s vault and additional flexible space are also included. Marina amenities include a clubhouse with a coffee shop, internet, dining area, spa, exercise room, media room, and swimming pool. Marine-related businesses are onsite. Dredging and a new seawall are planned. The Miami Megayacht Marina is expected to revitalize the area and its economy.

New Smyrna Beach, Florida, was the final destination for 67-year-old kayaker Alexander “Olek” Doba. He paddled solo more than 6,000 miles from Portugal over the course of 195 days. After leaving Lisbon last October he encountered storms, mechanical problems, a challenging Gulf Stream, and winds that blew him off course. In April, Doba and his 21-foot kayak was escorted into a New Smyrna Beach harbor by 15 local kayakers. When he kissed Florida’s sandy soil his admirers on shore called him a “tough guy.”

ICW drawbridges in Daytona Beach’s Volusia County and other ICW locales will vanish in future years due to expensive bridge maintenance with custom-made parts and tender costs as much as $400,000 per year. A high-rise bridge replacing a Volusia County drawbridge next year will cost $43 million with mostly federal funds. Although expensive to build, high-rise bridges’ annual costs are less. ICW cruisers will still have to wait for bridge openings since fundraising for new bridges takes time.

S.E. Seaboard boat drivers of certain ages will now be required to take classes on safe boat handling. States’ age requirements are North Carolina, under 26; South Carolina, under 16 if operating a boat with 15 horsepower or more; Georgia, born on or after January 1, 1998; Florida, born on or after January 1, 1988, if the boat has 10 horsepower or more.

By Nancy E. Spraker, Southern Boating August 2014

“All Aboard Florida” Potentially Threatens the Marine Industry

Increased future rail traffic is certain to impact Fort Lauderdale’s marine industry. A high-speed passenger train between Miami and Orlando under the project name “All Aboard Florida,” and projects in Port Everglades and the Port of Miami require building several new bridges over 30 or more waterways. The New River railroad bridge in central downtown Fort Lauderdale is a main concern and when closed offers a slim four-foot clearance. Since many of the area’s refit and repair yards are up the New River, the slow-paced bridge would be closed more often. A 2009 study showed the bridge closing for 20 minutes, 11 times a day. Fear is that with added hindrance to marine traffic, repairs and jobs in the area’s marine industry will go elsewhere. Concerned citizens and boat owners are encouraged to contact Governor Rick Scott, state legislators, and Florida congressional delegation. allaboardflorida.com

Shipwrecks rich with history
A mysterious shipwreck near St. Augustine, Florida, was identified as the Bermuda schooner The Deliverance, wrecked in a brutal 1947 storm. The vessel was named after the original Bermudian Deliverance that helped settlers in Jamestown in 1608. The shipwreck of the SS Central America in 1857 led to the first worldwide financial crisis and is now being raised off the coast of North Carolina. Within its hold is 21 tons of gold worth $100 million. Its recovery by Tommy Thompson in 1988 led to litigation against him and his eventual fugitive status in 2012. And finally, budding maritime archaeologists are measuring and mapping century-old Carolina duck hunting skiffs to create models using 3-D printers at East Carolina University’s Maritime Studies Program. By doing so, students learn how a boat is put together—a prerequisite to examining shipwrecks.ecu.edu/cs-cas/maritime

Free dockage in North Carolina
Mariners Wharf’s free docks in Elizabeth City, North Carolina, are even more inviting to visiting cruisers this season with new restrooms and showers. Elizabeth City is on the ICW halfway between Virginia Beach and the Outer Banks. Restrooms are free and showers are $5, payable at Elizabeth City Area Convention and Visitors Bureau or the Elizabeth City Downtown, Inc. offices. Both offices are closed on weekends. discoverelizabethcity.com

Another friend to ICW transients is the North Carolina Museum in Beaufort, North Carolina, known for its artifacts from Blackbeard’s Queen Anne’s Revenge. The expansion on Gallants Channel just north of downtown brings deep-water fixed 1,500-foot wharfs, 10-slip floating docks, and a 110-foot face dock. Short-term dockage is just $1 per-foot per-night or $10 per foot per month. Water and power are available, but there are no shore-side facilities as of yet.

Biscayne Bay navigation notes
Severe shoaling continues to be a problem along the ICW near Bakers Haulover Inlet near Biscayne Bay Buoy 7B south to DBN 11 and from Biscayne Bay 6A to Biscayne Bay DBN8. Channel depth and width vary, and at any tide boats may be pushed east or west out of the channel. Cruisers should contact dredge Jenni Lea II on VHF channel 13, 16 or 78, or local tow boat operators for information on a good deep water passage around the shoal.

By Nancy E. Spraker, Southern Boating July 2014