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NEW YORK TO GREAT LAKES & GREAT LAKES UPDATES

26 August 2010

Champlain Canal, environmental sensor platform

On August 26, 2010 Clarkson University will be mooring an environmental sensor platform on the Champlain Canal north of Lock 5 in position 43-06-47.00N / 073-34-34.0W. The platform is labeled "B3" and will have a white flashing light. This sensor will be in place until November 30, 2010.

NY: Jamaica Bay,

On August 23, 2010, Biohabitats Inc. will be deploying 12 oyster reef balls in the vicinity of Gerritsen Beach in position 40-35-23N, 073-54-43W. The oyster reef balls will be underwater on the ocean bed and outside of the navigable channel. The balls will be made of concrete and are 1.5 feet x 1 foot. Biohabitats Inc. will also be deploying an oyster reef bed in the vicinity of Conchs Hole point in position 40-36-09N, 073-47-23W. The oyster reef bed will be out of the navigable channel and is 10 feet x 15 feet. The oyster reef bed will be visible above the water line by 2 feet. The reefs will not be marked with buoys. These reefs will be in place until April 2012 POC for this project is Mr. Terry Doss at 973-748-9800.

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21 August 2010

Lake Michigan, low water levels

Cruisers, especially those on the east shore of Lake Michigan should be cautious when entering harbors as water levels this year are back to the lows of two years ago. The low water is complicated by more weed growth in some areas, a result of the trend to clearer water (thanks to the zebra mussel's voracious appetite) encouraging weed growth in shallow harbors.

Bob Kunath, Cruising Editor
Waterway Guide

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26 July 2010

Oswego Canal, nav aids off station

Navigation aids on the Oswego Canal have been pushed towards the shore by strong currents caused by heavy rainfall. Vessels should stay near the center of the channel except when passing other boats, use caution and proceed at lower speeds. Check the NY Canals website or this site for updates.

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15 July 2010

Lake Michigan, Saugatuck Harbor, dredging

The King Co., Inc. will be conducting maintenance dredging in Saugatuck Harbor, MI. Operations will commence July 16, 2010 thru August 16, 2010. Hours of operation are 24 hours a day seven days a week.The KACEY LYNN can be contacted on VHF-FM channel 73. For further information contact Mike Petrus at (616) 399-1784.

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08 July 2010

Lake Erie, Fairport Harbor, dredging

The N.G.W. Dock and Dredge Company will be conducting dredging in Fairport Harbor, OH. Operations will commence on July 1, 2010 thru July 30, 2010. The hours of operation are 0700-1900 seven days a week. The DREDGE N.G.W. DREDGE VESSEL ONE may be contacted VHF-FM channel 13 and 16. For further information contact Capt. Bruce Wright at (440) 935-1234.

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30 June 2010

Lake Erie, Lorain Harbor, dredging

The Luedtke Engineering Co. will be conducting dredging in Lorain, OH. Operations will commence on July 15, 2010 thru August 15, 2010. The hours of operation are 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. The TUG ANN MARIE or DERRICK BOAT 10 may be contacted VHF - FM channel 19 and 16. Barge traffic will be encountered between the outer harbor and the upstream limit of the federal navigation channel. For further information contact Jon Keillor at (231) 352-9631 ext 15.

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24 June 2010

NY: Champlain Canal,

On June 22, 2010 Clarkson University will be mooring an environmental sensor platform on the Champlain Canal north of Lock 6 in position 43-11-30.00N / 073-35-10.39W. The platform is labeled "B2" and will have a white flashing light. This sensor will be in place until November 30, 2010. POC for this project is Mr. William Kirkey at 315-261-2171.

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20 June 2010

NY: Harlem River, Willis Avenue Bridge, bridge work

Kiewit Constructors will have floating work stages in the Manhattan Channel of the Harlem River at the Willis Avenue Bridge from 6 am to 10 am on
Tuesdays, Wednesdays, and Thursdays from June 15 to July 1, 2010. The Horizontal Clearance will be reduced to 60 feet during these times.
Additionally, Kiewit will have a picket boat and/or barge, north or south of the bridge, to provide on scene notification of the work vessel locations
and can move WITH 5 MINUTES NOTICE by contacting the Tug F. Dawson on CH 65, 13, or 908.400.6550. Each recreational and commercial
vessel transiting the area should transit at NO WAKE or reduced speed to maintain maneuverability while minimizing the effects of wake and surge.

NY/VT: Lake Champlain, Lake Champlain Bridge construction zone (revised)

The United States Coast Guard has established a regulated navigation area around the construction zone of the Lake Champlain Bridge between Crown Point, NY and Chimney Point, VT. This regulated area is bound by four, white and orange-striped NO WAKE buoys in positions: 44-02-00.672 N, 073-25-35.705 W and 44-02-11.396 N, 073-25.27.127 W to the north, and 44-01-56.575 N, 073-25.05.522 W and 44-01-49.909 N,073-25-09.110 W to the south. All vessels must transit through this area at a speed under 5 knots and in a manner so as to produce no wake. The new bridge construction involves large machinery and operations which, by their nature, are hazardous and pose risks to vessel traffic and construction crews. The no wake zone is intended to minimize the risks a vessel wake could pose to both construction workers and boat operators in the area. In addition to the regulated navigation area, the New York State Department of Transportation has marked the main channel for safe passage through the construction zone with lighted red and green buoys. Concrete piers remaining from the old Lake Champlain Bridge have been marked with warning marks (white dayboards with orange-diamond and warning) and fixed, amber lights. All vessels are advised to transit the area with extreme caution.

This regulated navigation area is in effect until December 31, 2011. In addition, this rule provides for the temporary suspension of all vessel traffic within the regulated navigation area during certain periods of construction. Notification of such closure will be made on VHF Channel 16 and 22.

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10 June 2010

Lake Huron, Les Cheneaux Islands, dredging

Malcom Marine, INC. will be conducting dredging operations at Les Cheneaux Islands, MI. Operations will commence June 22, 2010 thru December 31, 2010 the hours of operation are 0600-2200, Monday thru Sunday. For further information contact Captain Dave Malcolm at (810) 329- 9013.

Lake Erie, Cleveland Harbor, dredging

Ryba Marine Construction, CO. will be conducting dredging operations at Cuyahoga River, OH. Operations will commence June 21, 2010 thru July 25, 2010 the hours of operation are 24 hours a day, Monday thru Sunday. For further information contact Ralph W. Farver, II at (231) 420-4352.

Lake Huron, Lexington harbor, dredging

The Geo. Gradel Co. will be conducting dredging in the Lexington Harbor, Lexington, MI. Operations will commence on June 3, 2010 thru July 1, 2010. The hours of operation are 0700 - 1930, Monday - Saturday. The TUG PRAIRELAND may be contacted VHF - FM channel 18 and 16. For further information contact Dave Finger at (419) 691-7123.

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03 June 2010

Western Lake Erie, Detroit River Channel, dredging

The Luedtke Engineering Co. will be conducting maintenance dredging in the Detroit River Channel at Detroit River Light. Operations will commence on June 2, 2010 thru July 20, 2010. The hours of operation are 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. The TUG KURT LUEDTKE or DB #16 may be contacted VHF - FM channel 19 and 16. Use caution when transiting area. For further information contact Tom Zatkovic at (517) 575-
7022 or Craig Argue at (231) 740-1253.

Harlem River, Willis Avenue bridge replacement

Replacement of the new truss swing span for the for Willis Avenue Bridge across the Harlem River at mile 1.5, is in progress. Bridge is operational; however, work will require periodic, alternating, half channel closures. Signs posted on the up and downstream sides of the bridge will indicate the open and closed channels. Two work barges several vessels will be moored at the Manhattan side of Harlem River between the Willis Avenue and Third Avenue Bridges. Work barges will also be moored downstream of the bridge along the Bronx side draw. At times intermittent short term channel closures might occur, for up to date information concerning restrictions/closures contact the contractor at 908-305-4088. Hours of operation are between 0700 to 1700, Mondays to Fridays. This project is expected to be completed by the end of 2011. More information will be published as received. Mariners are advised to proceed with extreme caution and reduce wake when transiting the area. Chart 12342

NY/NJ - Operation Clear Channel

The "Operation Clear Channel" program is designed to educate boaters about the hazards of navigating small vessels and personal water craft in the confines of the navigational channels used by larger commercial ships that enter and depart the various ports in New York Harbor. The federal navigation rules, also known as "Rules of the Road", address this safety concern by giving commercial vessels priority, or right-ofway, over smaller vessels when navigating in narrow channels. Every day an average of 1,400 commercial vessels navigate the waters of the Port of NY/NJ. The masters of these vessels, while always on the lookout, cannot always see smaller vessels when they cross the channels. For safety reasons, recreational boaters should keep a sharp lookout for other vessels and always be prepared to give way to ships constrained in their ability to maneuver when transiting within close proximity to a channel. Coast Guard units in New York and New Jersey actively promote boater awareness through vessel enforcement patrols and visits to local marinas. The Coast Guard targets high-traffic regions, such as the Ambrose Channel, Sandy Hook Channel and Raritan Bay, but also includes all of New York Harbor. Mariners interested in increasing their knowledge of boating safety, including the Rules of the Road, should
consider a Coast Guard Auxiliary boating safety course. Course information is available online at http://www.cgaux.org in the "Take a Boating Course" section, or by calling 1-800-336-BOAT. Further information regarding Operation Clear Channel can be found at http://homeport.uscg.mil/newyork > Waterways Management > 10.Recreational Boating Information and Internet Links.

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27 May 2010

NY: Hudson River observed tides differ from predictions

The observed tides along the Hudson River have been reported to differ significantly from the Published tide predictions; particularly in the northern section of the river from Newburgh to Albany, New York. Based on limited reports and comparisons to USGS stream gauges, it appears that high tides are occurring approximately 1 hour earlier than predicted.

NOAA has no information on what may be causing the difference between predictions and observations. This could be the result of natural changes (shoaling, erosion, etc) or artificial changes (dredging, construction, etc) in the Hudson River. Based on preliminary evidence, this does not appear to be a temporary condition and may indicate a long term change in the tidal conditions of the Hudson River.

NOAA does not have any water level stations operating along the length of the Hudson River, with the nearest operating station being located at The Battery, New York. Without observational data in the area, the extent of the difference between predictions and observations cannot be confirmed; neither can the areas affected by this change. Resources are not available for the installation and operation of water level stations along the Hudson River. Mariners operating in this area are urged to use caution.

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26 May 2010

Hudson River, Erie Canal, debris

We have heard numerous reports from our visiting boats that there is a lot of debris in the Hudson River and also some in the Erie Canal. Please use caution when traveling and keep a sharp look-out for partially submerged debris.

Tom Pirro
 Winter Harbor Marina, Brewerton

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01 April 2010

VT: Lake Champlain, Lake Champlain Bridge construction zone

The Coast Guard has established a Lighted Danger Buoy in position 44-01.87N 44-073-25.46W to mark a concrete pier that is submerged part of the time. Mariners are requested to proceed with caution while transiting the area.

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16 January 2010

NY: Long Island, Fire Island Inlet, severe shoaling

Severe shoaling has been reported in Fire Island Inlet.  The shoaling has been reported to extend the entire width of the inlet in the vicinity of buoys 4, 5, and 6 with water depths of less than 4 feet at high tide and less than 2 feet at mean low water.

NY: Long Island, Jones Beach Inlet, shoaling

Shoaling has been reported in the vicinity of Jones Inlet Buoys 1, 2, 3 and 4. The depths were not reported.

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16 August 2009

Western Erie Canal, Cross Lake, green marker 419

Thanks to Steve Formel for this report.

In Cross Lake, green marker 419 is much further to the North of Little Island than is shown on the NYS Canal System chart. Even so, there is only 7' of depth on the North side, not the 36' that you would expect from the chart. This is a heart stopper. The island must be building to the North. The chart shows nearly a straight line passage from East to West. This is not accurate at the moment. You must take a route decidedly North and turn back South again in the middle of the Lake.

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22 July 2009

Trent-Severn, Buckhorn Lake, submerged rock

Just wanted to let the list know that there is a "phantom" rock in Buckhorn
Lake on the Trent-Severn smack in the middle of the channel. The coordinates
are 44 28.543N, and 078 24.751W. The fishfinder and depth sounder agreed that
we had 3 feet under the keel. The rock did not. We expect just minor damage,
but it got our hearts thumping!

Bob, Vicki and Rosie
"Blue Moon" at Bobcaygeon, on the Trent-Severn Waterway

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02 July 2009

Trent-Severn Canal, weed problem near Kirkfield

We received this cruiser's report....

The Trent canal, after the Kirkfield lift lock
is so weed choked that three boats (out of 6), including ours, had severe
problems. Merely backing up did not always release the weeds and one
boat was belching black smoke and we simply lost the ability to move
either forward or backward with our port engine. The weeds, once
you sat for a while, seemed to release and you could get rid of them
through the forward/reverse cycle.

If you are using older Trent Severn charts, as
we are (4 years old), you will find a number of buoys no longer present
due to cost cutting by the Canadian Coast Guard. We never ran into
real problems as a result of this new program since the buoys removed
were not critical, but it is disconcerting not to find buoys on your
chart. I know about using up to date charts, but cost does factor
into these decisions and the important buoys are still
there.

We paid $24.50 for a pump out at
Rosedale: the highest
amount we have ever paid for such service. Fuel there was $1.10 per
liter Canadian.

Bill and Birute
Fleck
MV B & B
Port of Orillia for Canada
Day

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13 June 2009

Lake Michigan, WI, Sturgeon Bay, Maple-Oregon Bridge operating schedule

From June 1, 2009 through November 15, 2010, the Maple-Oregon Bridge at Mile 4.17 over the Sturgeon Bay Ship Canal will only open for recreational vessels every hour, on the hour, twenty-four hours a day, seven days a week. Commercial and Public vessels will be granted an opening on signal at all times. A Temporary Final Rule was published in the Federal Register on June 5, 2009 (74 FR 26952).

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03 May 2009

NY: Long Island, Stony Brook Harbor, aids to navigation

The following aids will not be seasonally established due to severe shoaling at the mouth of the channel: Stony Brook Harbor Channel Buoy 1 and Stony Brook Harbor Channel Buoy 2.