ICW Planning Guide

14/04/2022

Yes, St Lucie Lock on the Okeechobee Waterway was just entirely rebuilt and finally reopened at the end of March. No, it’s not working, not today, April 14, anyway, stranding eastbound and westbound boats. How do we know? We’re among those unfortunate westbound boats who almost but not quite made it to the east coast. Electricians are coming tomorrow. Meanwhile we have plenty of thunderstorms to keep us entertained. Stay tuned. UPDATE: Back in working order at least for the moment by 9:30 Friday. Much relief all round.

26/03/2022

The Okeechobee Waterway's St. Lucie Lock will reopen Tuesday, March 29!

The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers Jacksonville announced Friday evening that the work on the St. Lucie Lock is coming to an end and that the lock will reopen on its regular schedule on Tuesday, March 29. This effectively reopens the Okeechobee Waterway for through traffic.

The lock, which is the first one for westbound traffic—and the last one for eastbound traffic—has been closed for a rebuild since the beginning of the year. This has meant that no traffic could complete the trip between Stuart and Fort Myers. Boats wishing to cross the state were forced to make the trip around the bottom of the state.

For more information, you can contact the lock tender from 7 a.m. to 5 p.m. at 772-287-2665 or 863-662-9148.

23/11/2021

FOLLOW THE MARKS IN THE WATER!
Here is an excellent example of why it's crucial to follow the markers you see in the water rather than the markers shown on your charts, no matter how recently you updated them. This is the ICW passage across Lockwoods Folly inlet in NC. Note the red and green cans shown south of the current channel. They no longer exist. The yellow line marks the new route.

Happy trails and remember to keep your eyes on the water.

(Chart shown is Navionics with sonar soundings and colors added by me in the fishing depth map option. Running on an iPad mounted at the helm.)

02/11/2021

Hey fellow travelers, time for some annoying railroad bridge News:

Norfolk Southern Railroad Bridge #7 at mile 5.8 in Chesapeake VA will be have extended closings on the following dates:
• 7 p.m. on Saturday, November 6 until 11 a.m. on Tuesday, November 9;
• 7 p.m. on Saturday, November 20 until 11 a.m. on Tuesday, November 23.
Following the both Tuesday openings, the bridge will stay open for 2 hours to clear traffic before resuming its regular schedule.

Also in Norfolk, Belt Line Road Road Bridge at mile 2.6 will be closed from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. on November 18. The bridge will open at 10:30 a.m. and 2:30 to clear traffic. Weather date for closing is November 16.

03/09/2021

Look everyone, the St. Lucie Lock is closing for 3 months!

Yes, I'm afraid we're back with more bad news from the Okeechobee Waterway. The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers has announced that St. Lucie Lock, the first lock for west-bound boaters, will be closed for maintenance from January 2 to March 31, 2022. This will be the first total closure in 10 years.

This means that all vessels, large and small, will have to plan around the closing or make the long trek down around the south end of Florida. Here are phone numbers for the St. Lucie Lock: 772-287-2665 or 863-662-9148

As a side-note, if you are headed through before or after those dates, you'll find a very nice, entirely peaceful anchorage in the St. Lucie pool on the west side of the lock. It does, however, come with its own very large alligator.

02/04/2021

Broadcast Notices to Mariners by Email? YES!

Tired of being frustrated by muddled and muffled marine radio notices of hazards, bridge closures and other really useful stuff? Now you can receive all that information by email, daily and bulletins as they happen. No more wondering just where that dangerous floating %zagr$!!0*, located near ^&%":)! Creek, actually is.

I am all signed up and ready to receive! Try it. You'll find plenty of options to try.

Here's how you do it:

Simply go to https://www.navcen.uscg.gov/?pageName=feeds

16/11/2020

UPDATE
CENTERVILLE BRIDGE NOW OPEN TO MARINE TRAFFIC

The Coast Guard has dropped its security zone around the Centerville Bridge on the Albemarle & Chesapeake route of the ICW. The swing bridge was struck early Saturday by a barge. The bridge, which was struck in the open position, was closed to all boats while the investigation was under way. Now boats may transit the bridge, though it remains closed to vehicle traffic.

15/11/2020

CENTERVILLE BRIDGE (ICW MM15.2) CLOSED AFTER DAMAGE FROM BARGE

Whew, it' been a tough year for the northern end of the ICW, especially the Albemarle & Chesapeake Route. Now it's the Centerville Bridge that has been closed to marine traffic after being stuck by a barge early Saturday morning, according to the Coast Guard. No word yet when it will again be open. A security zone has been established within 100' of the bridge, which has only a 6' vertical clearance when closed.

Remember too that the Great Bridge Lock is undergoing repairs with some extra closures.

Hope everyone is well south of Albemarle Sound by this time, ready to pull those shorts and flip-flops back out!

01/11/2020

IT’S OPEN! Norfolk Southern Bridge #7 is back in operation!

There will still likely be plenty of wait time while backed up train traffic rolls through, but at least repairs are complete and the bridge will be opening in between times. Good news for ICW travelers taking off from the Chesapeake this week!

30/10/2020

NORFOLK SOUTHERN RR Bridge #7 (MM 5.8) CLOSED FOR REPAIRS

Norfolk RR Bridge #7, adjacent to the Gilmerton Bridge in Norfolk, was hit Thursday, Oct. 29, by a breakaway barge, which caused a 6-inch misalignment to the tracks. The bridge will remain closed while repairs are made. On Friday, Oct. 30, a construction company was working onsite, according to the Gilmerton Highway Bridge operator. If you are headed south through Norfolk, your options for the current status are to (1) monitor channel 16 for an update by the Coast Guard; (2) call the Gilmerton Highway Bridge operator at 757-485-5488; (3) contact the Norfolk Southern on VHS 13. The bridge has a closed clearance of 6 feet.

06/10/2020

MOORE HAVEN LOCK RE-OPENS WED. OCT. 7
The Army Corps of Engineers, Jacksonville, announced Tuesday afternoon that Moore Haven Lock will resume its regular schedule of operation beginning Wednesday, October 7. Hours are 7 a.m. to 5 p.m., with the last locking beginning at 4:30 p.m. The route from Clewiston to Moore Haven will re-open as well. The lock and adjoining leg of the Okeechobee Waterway had been closed so that floating vegetation, which was clogging machinery of the lock, could be cleared.

02/10/2020

Anyone who has ever done the Dismal Swamp Canal remembers Locktender Robert Peek. He was the friendly and caring introduction to locks and the canal for thousands southbound boaters. And, with morning coffee and doughnuts, he kept the history of the Dismal alive for hundreds. Let the conchs sound in his memory.

Our hearts are heavy, as we mourn the loss of our dear friend and colleague, Deep Creek Lockmaster Robert Peek. Please keep his beloved wife Jackie and family, friends and co-workers in your thoughts in this time of loss. No one will ever fill his shoes. Jackie Peek

28/09/2020

UPDATE: OKEECHOBEE WATERWAY
Moore Haven Lock and canal closure may last weeks

The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers has updated its closure of Moore Haven Lock to say that it may take days or even weeks to clear the area in front of the locks of floating vegetation blown in by high winds. In addition, the waterway is now closed from Clewiston north to Moore Haven Lock. Navigation can continue from Fort Myers to Ortona Lock on the west and from Stuart to Port Mayaca on the east.

28/09/2020

OKEECHOBEE WATEWAY: MOORE HAVEN LOCK
Floating Vegetation is Blocking Lake-Side Entry to the Lock

The water levels on Okeechobee Lake are rising and that is causing a bloom of floating vegetation. That vegetation is now blocking lakeside (western) access to the Moore Haven Lock, the first lock west of the lake. While the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers is working to unblock the lock, we recommend that you call ahead before coming across the lake. If you have crossed the lake but can't get through, there is an anchorage in the old canal just past the lock. Alternatively, you can go into Roland Martin Marina in Clewiston, just as you come off the lake westbound. If you are caught eastbound, tie up at the town of Moore Haven bulkhead just before the lock.
For daily updated reports of progress check http://w3.saj.usace.army.mil/h2o/currentLL.shtml

The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (USACE) is responsible for investigating, developing and maintaining the nation's water and related environmental resources.

24/09/2020

Noreen May Light
Wed 10:19 PM

Hello,
Do you have any recommendations for a marina in the Norfolk area with a Travel Lift or sling hoist of some type?
We will be trailering our boat to the Norfolk area near the end of October, and will need to launch, re-step the mast (with crane-assist), and need transient moorage on the dock for 3 or 4 days. Our boat is a 1983 Flicka 20, LOA 24, 3 tons.
We have never been to the area, and are hoping someone with local knowledge will be able to provide suggestions.
Thanks so much.
Noreen and Myron

22/09/2020

ICW: GREAT BRIDGE LOCK CLOSURE
The lock will be closed most of the day the week of Sept. 28 to Oct. 2

The Great Bridge Lock, Chesapeake, Virginia, will be closed to navigation between 7:10 a.m. and 3:50 p.m. from Monday September 28 to Friday October 2, 2020. This means that the Albemarle and Chesapeake Canal, the ICW's main route, will be closed to through vessel traffic during these time periods. the lock is being closed to allow divers to clear debris from the valve chamber screens and gate areas. Contact the Great Bridge Lock operator at 757-547-3311 for updates on the operation. You can also call on VHF Channel 13.

13/09/2020

ICW NORTH-END CLOSED SEPT. 19-21

At 7 a.m. on September 19, navigation on the South Branch of the Elizabeth River Southern will come to an abrupt halt with the closure of the Norfolk Southern (Old Virginian) Railroad Bridge at ICW Mile 3.6. The bridge will be undergoing maintenance that will leave it closed, even for emergencies, until 7 p.m. September 21., when it is due to reopen to marine traffic.

This effectively closes the north end of the ICW as far as Beaufort NC., since there is no alternative route short of going outside. The first good inlet south is at Beaufort, well south of Cape Hatteras. So heads up to those of you hoping to get a jump on the trip south.

If work on the bridge is completed earlier, the announcement will be made as a broadcast Notice to Mariners. Note: A contingency closing schedule of September 27 to September 28 has been established.

21/08/2020

UPDATE: MAYACA LOCK REPAIRED & OPERATIONAL
Well that was quick! The Army Corps of Engineers managed to repair the Port Mayaca Lock all in the same day. Here's the announcement:

PORT MAYACA LOCK IS NOW OPEN FOR NAVIGATION!

Corps of Engineers operations crews were able to successfully complete repairs on the Port Mayaca Lock and Dam, and it is fully operational and open for navigation. The team did a great job of getting the lock repaired and reopened, so that boaters may seek safe harbor in advance of Tropical Storm Laura.

21/08/2020

Notice to Navigation: Emergency closure of Port Mayaca Lock and Dam for repairs

Notice is given that emergency closure at Port Mayaca Lock and Dam has been issued. Lightning struck the facility yesterday evening damaging a transformer and other electrical components. Maintenance crews are at the site to assess damage and perform repairs. Currently no estimated time of completion.

https://www.saj.usace.army.mil/Missions/Civil-Works/Navigation/Notices-to-Navigation/Notice-to-Navigation-2020-008-Emergency-Closure-for-Port-Mayaca-Corrective-Maintenance/

15/07/2020

This notice about dangerous blue-green algae on the Okeechobee Waterway just arrived from the Jacksonville U.S. Army Corps of Engineers.

Be careful out there, folks!

http://www.saj.usace.army.mil/Missions/CivilWorks/Navigation/NoticestoNavigation.aspx

Okeechobee Waterway
Public Awareness Notice
15 JULY 2020 to 31 DECEMBER 2020

Based on information provided by the Florida Department of Environmental Protection and the Florida Department of Health, the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers advises the public, marinas, and those operating commercial and recreational vessels through the Okeechobee Waterway that there is the potential of encountering Blue Green Algae. According to the Florida Department of Health, visitors should be aware that water from areas with blue-green algae can make animals and people sick, and they should stay away from these areas. This algae may be blue, bright green, brown or red, and can have a strong odor like rotting plants. People who are very sensitive to smells may have respiratory irritation. If you come into contact with blue-green algae, get out of the area and wash off with soap and water. See your doctor if you think blue-green algae has made you sick.

The following precautions should be taken if you see algae:
◾Do not swim at this location.
◾Avoid getting water in your eyes, nose or mouth.
◾Do not eat shellfish from affected area.
◾Rinse fish fillets with tap or bottled water. Throw out the guts. Cook fish well.
◾Keep pets and livestock away from affected location.

Notices to Navigation for the Okeechobee Waterway, including the St. Lucie Lock, Port Mayaca Lock, Moore Haven Lock, Ortona Lock, W.P. Franklin Lock, and Canaveral Lock.

05/06/2020

A Safey Zone (no wake zone) of about 10 miles has been established for the ICW through Myrtle Beach because of high water. Here are the particulars:

ATLANTIC INTRACOASTAL WATERWAY SAFETY ZONE - HORRY COUNTY, SC

The Captain of the Port Charleston (COTP) has established a temporary safety zone on all waters of the Atlantic Intracoastal Waterway (AICW) from mile marker 375 near Enterprise Landing to mile marker 366 near Fantasy Island Bridge. Entry of vessels or persons into this zone is prohibited unless vessels proceed at speeds that do not create a wake. State and Federal authorities have determined that wakes from vessels transitting the area create increased hazards associated with high waters present in the area.

This rule is effective from June 4, 2020, through June 30, 2020, or until waters recede and conditions allow for safe navigation, whichever occurs first. The duration of the safety zone is intended to protect personnel, vessels, and the marine environment while this area experiences high water conditions.

This MSIB can be viewed at https://homeport.uscg.mil/port-directory/charleston. For questions or concerns regarding this MSIB, please contact Sector Charleston Waterways Management Division at (843) 323-7761 or the Sector's 24-hour Command Center at (843) 740-7050.

This is from the Atlantic Watetway Assn.

23/05/2020

Oh, yes, it's that time of year. High temperatures, especially in the south, are setting up wicked late afternoon squalls. Now is the time to keep an eye on the horizon in every direction. And use your favorite radar app to track the storms. Get off the water before the storms roll through.

This was the view to the east from Maximo Marina in St. Petersburg on Friday about 7 p.m. A few minutes later, this powerful storm barrelled through east to west with high winds, rain and lightening strikes. A lot of boaters were caught out on the water. Don't be one of them!

If you do get caught and don't have time to run for shelter, don't panic. Turn your bow toward the wind. Slow down so that you have just enough headway to control the boat. Take the waves at a 45-degree angle. Don't let them push you broadside. As the wind shifts, shift your bow with it. If the lightening is close, you may want to switch off your instruments.

Happily, these storms don't last long. But they are a lot more fun to watch from the dock!

07/05/2020

Hey, Sammy, did you hear? Gov. Hogan has lifted the ban on recreational boating in Maryland. Hooray!

01/05/2020

UPDATE May 3, 2020:

CENTREVILLE and NORTH LANDING BRIDGES NOW OPEN

The Coast Guard reports that both bridges are again operational after having been closed earlier because of high water.

This was sent out by the Coast Guard on April 30:

Albemarle and Chesapeake Canal - Bridge Closures

Mariners are advised of the closure to marine traffic of the North Landing Bridge (6 ft vertical clearance) and Centerville Turnpike Bridge (4 ft vertical clearance) across the Albemarle and Chesapeake Canal / Atlantic Intracoastal Waterway until further notice. The bridges are unable to operate and open due to high water from the today's storm. These closures may last several days. This office will release another bulletin once the operators of both bridges report that they are able to operate.

Should you have any questions or concerns regarding this matter, contact United States Coast Guard Sector Virginia Waterways Management Division duty phone at (757) 374-3408 or [email protected]. For any urgent issues, please contact the Sector Virginia Command Center on VHF-FM Channel 16 or at 757-483-8567.

24/03/2020

A reminder:
For the latest on the status marinas in the U.S. and Canada, see https://www.waterwayguide.com/covid-19-reports?fbclid=IwAR0G3palGJAf_k4ZZDm9ri-8z-Ep6FQUepufzRAUnhntxGnlfwwGgypCDss

24/03/2020

It's only getting worse out there. In addition to closures of marinas and services up and down the East Coast, cruisers offshore are finding it increasingly difficult to find an open port. The Bahamas, Turks and Caicos, Dominican Republic, Cuba and many other popular destinations are now locked down. Here's a quote from https://www.noonsite.com, which is also where you find the latest international updates.

"Most countries on the popular cruising routes have now closed to visiting yachts in reaction to COVID-19 Coronavirus. Finding a country for safe haven is becoming much harder at this time and best advice is to stay where you are if the situation allows. The majority of countries are either closing their borders or enforcing a 14 day quarantine on arrival, at anchor, with no option of going ashore. Follow the links in this report to stay updated on restrictions on your cruising route, so that you can plan accordingly."

Last Update - March 24, 2020

22/03/2020

We may be stuck at the dock, but happily the exchange of goods between nations continues. Thanks, guys and gals! See that 3rd cargo ship from the left? Toilet paper. (This screen shot was made today on marinetraffic.com, if you'd like to take a look for yourself.)

20/03/2020

TRANSIENTS WILL NEED TO MOVE BOAT FROM FLORIDA KEYS
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This information comes from Marlin Bay Marina by way of the Joan Conover of SSCA. According to the Monroe County Board of Commissioners, anyone without a long-term slip lease (monthly or greater), will now have to move their boat out of Monroe County by 6 p.m. Sunday. Monroe County, Florida, includes the Florida Keys.
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Here is the statement:
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“Update from Monroe County BOCC
Here are some of the commonly asked questions:
Transient rentals of any duration are not allowed: Hotels, motels, guesthouses, campgrounds, RV parks, timeshares, vacation homes, marina slips, etc. If you are staying in lodging that is not your house and not a long term rental and you do not live here or provide essential services here in Monroe County, you are to leave by 6 p.m. on Sunday. If you are in a long term lease at a vacation home property, more than a month, you are allowed to stay for the duration of your lease, you cannot extend the lease at this time.
If you have plans to come down today, tomorrow, next week, you are NOT allowed, it does not matter how long the duration of your stay was going to be. NO ONE SHOULD BE TRAVELING AT THIS TIME FOR LEISURE TRAVEL OR DAY TRIPS!”

Despite that statement, there is confusion on the details of all this. It may be that the different marinas will each interpret rules differently. Also there is some indication that boats will be permitted to remain at anchor.

http://www.monroecountyem.com/1169/COVID-19-Coronavirus

20/03/2020

LATEST IN MARINA CLOSINGS 2.0

There are now so many marinas that are closed, closing or under restrictions, that the decision has been made to keep one master list, available to all. Contributing to the list are the ICW Planning Guide, SSCA, AGLA, Bob 423's Planning Guide, Chesapeake Bay Magazine, Waterway Guide, Dockwa and SAIL. For other news, we recommend all of the above as well as Cruisersnet.net.

Here is the site of the marina list:
https://www.waterwayguide.com/covid-19-reports?fbclid=IwAR0G3palGJAf_k4ZZDm9ri-8z-Ep6FQUepufzRAUnhntxGnlfwwGgypCDss

COVID-19 Updates

20/03/2020

IMPORTANT: If you are on your boat in a marina, make absolutely positively sure you have another slip waiting for you before you move. Here is part of an email from Susan Prichard at Marathon Marina & Resort that will give you an idea of the situation as it now stands:

"At this moment, we are living day to day. Here is all that I know at this minute. Many marinas have closed to all boaters that are not currently in a slip, so boaters that are transitioning from one port to another should definitely call ahead before leaving their current port. We are encouraging all boats currently at Marathon Marina to "shelter in place" for the next two weeks. I have very few available slips, and are evaluating calls for new reservations on a case by case basis. I want to assist with the effort
to keep us all safe, but also do not want to leave transitioning boaters stranded. Any boater that has a current reservation with Marathon Marina that chooses to cancel will be given a full refund of their deposit."

Susan