Special Critical ICW Salty Southeast Supplement #2
March 11, 2004

Hello Fellow Cruisers:

I'm very sorry to report that the Atlantic ICW crisis has grown WORSE
since my last message to you about this serious problem. Now, as you
will see below, in addition to the 3-foot depths at Lockwoods Folly,
I'm hearing that there are problems with the Waterway at its passage
behind Carolina Beach Inlet, and at its intersection with New River,
both of which are on the North Carolina coastline, south of Morehead
City and Swansborough.
Everyone please take a good, long look at the important note below
from fellow cruiser, Philip Odom. It will bring the deteriorating
situation into an all too clear focus!


Claiborne,
We are currently headed for Bucksport SC today and will be going
thorough Lockwood Follys tomorrow.
I had spoke with Bob Satin from the Army Corp of Engineers/ Wilmington
(910)251-4819 about the conditions. He has informed me that they have
surveyed reported 4' depths at not only Lockwood Folly but at Carolina
Beach Inlet and New River Inlet also. The 4' soundings were at MLW not
MLLW so the problems are getting worse. He also informed me that they
had met with the Coast Guard and they are almost at the point that
they will remove the navigation buoys at those areas and we will be on
our own. I guess as of then they consider it to be non-navigable.
He gave me this site to look up survey info and centerline waypoints
through the bad areas http://www.saw.usace.army.mil/nav/nav.htm
I will let you know what I find out but we are trying to run them at
close to high water.
He was very helpful and you may want to give him a call if you have
any further questions.
Thanks,
Philip Odom
DF 41 "Latitude Adjustment"
Havelock, NC


So, the question arises as to what else the cruising community can do.
Obviously, we need action NOW!!!! Rosemary, with the Atlantic
Intracoastal Waterway Association sent me the following
recommendation. I strongly advise that everyone receiving this missive
take action as she suggests!

Attached is a letter that you can download and use to send to Chairman
Hobson or other members of the Energy & Water Development Committee.
Also attached is an update on the Lockwood's Folly situation and
better contact information for members of the committee. Sorry, US
mail is not an option because of security issues that keep disrupting
mail service to Congress. Thank you for your support. Don't stop now!
Keep making those calls and sending those letters. Rosemary

Hon. David L. Hobson
Chairman
Committee on Appropriations
Energy & Water Development Subcommittee
US House of Representatives
Washington, DC 20515

Dear Chairman Hobson:

The President's FY 05 budget did not authorize any funds to maintain
the Atlantic Intracoastal Waterway (AIWW). This waterway runs through
five southern states and is critical to the nation and the local
economies in Virginia, North Carolina, South Carolina, Georgia and
Florida.

The US Army Corps of Engineers has declared the AIWW a "low use"
waterway using flawed methodologies. The number of ton miles
traveled is the criteria used to determine whether or not a waterway
is to be funded. Commercial use such as construction vessels,
commercial fishing boats and cruise ships are not even considered when
deciding the fate of the AIWW. Recreational boaters don't even count!
The AIWW has been closed in North Carolina at Lockwood's Folly Inlet
since early December and the Corps lacks the funds to re-open it.

The following is just a brief list of problems caused by the closing:
· One of the biggest suppliers of fuel to US military bases along the
AIWW is not able to get full fuel barges through North Carolina.
These bases are critical to the nation's security. · A major cruise
line is seriously considering canceling its popular cruise through the
AIWW because of the depth problems in some areas. This will certainly
have an impact on the local economy. · Recreational boaters come from
all over the nation to travel the AIWW during the warmer months.
Because of the shallow drafts, many of these travelers will be faced
with the extremely dangerous choice of going into the ocean to get to
their destinations. · Commercial shipments that cannot get through the
AIWW are being shipped by truck using I-95 and local roads. Just one
barge can add 58 more trucks to the highway and we are not ready to
deal with the pollution and congestion this will cause. The estimate
to restore the waterway to its authorized depth of 12feet in each
state is: Virginia, $4.2M; North Carolina, $11M; South Carolina, $6M;
Georgia, $19.2M; and Florida$3.2M.

The AIWW is closing and nobody seems to care! You can save the AIWW
and ensure that our children will enjoy its beauty and benefits in the
years to come. Please allocate the needed funds to the Corps of
Engineers FY05 budget.

Thank you,



I would also like to note that members of the cruising community ARE
trying to do something about this situation, particularly this
writer's good friend, Penny Leary Smith, director of North Carolina's
Dismal Swamp Canal Welcome Center. Just take a look at what she's been
up to.

SAVE THE WATERWAY
What we have done
February 27, 2004

1. Contacted local NC & VA leaders for their support
a. NC legislators
b. Camden & Pasquotank county managers & commissioners; Elizabeth City
Council members, Committee of 100, Museum of the Albemarle, Tourism
Board, Downtown Business & Professional Assn., Elizabeth City
Downtown, Inc. c. USCG Auxiliary d. Pasquotank Yacht Club e. Local
marinas (Pelican Marina, Alligator River Marina) f. Contacted leaders
with the City of Chesapeake for their support

2. Sought support from outside the region
a. Emailed & spoke with boaters from across the country for their
support b. Contacted others on the Carolina Coast for their support

3. Organized an educational forum for Tuesday, March 2, 2004, in
Elizabeth City
with representatives from the US Army Corps of Engineers. Packets of
information containing contact information have been prepared by the
Dismal Swamp Canal Welcome Center for meeting participants.

4. Contacted Congressional legislators for support, inviting them to
the meeting

5. Contacted Waterway Publications
a. Emailed Claiborne Young of Watermark Publications ~ published a
special edition of his on-line newsletter asking for support, with
meeting info b. Spoke with a writer from Soundings Magazine ~ will put
this info on their website and in newsletter c. Contacted Mike Bradley
of NCwaterways.com ~ published a plea for support on his website

6. Contacted Waterway Organizations
a. Contacted BoatUS and spoke with Ryck Lydecker, Asst. Legislative
Affairs Director, who said they have been successful in establishing a
Congressional Waterways Caucus, chaired by Congressman Mike McIntyre
of Wilmington, NC. 1. Faxed all13 NC Congressional representatives to
support and join this caucus

b. Spoke with Rosemary Lynch, Executive Director of Atlantic
Intracoastal Waterway Association (AIWA), to join in their Save the
Waterway Campaign c. Solicited support from Virginia Navigation and
Canals Society 1. Contacted their local Congressmen Schrock, Scott &
Forbes 2. Contacted Senators Warner and Allen 3. Distributed
educational material at Executive Board meeting with a commitment from
the President to write to Congressmen d. Director Penny Leary-Smith
will attend the National Waterways Conference, Inc., in Washington,
DC, March 9-10

7. Contacted Local Media
a. Several articles in both local papers
b. Following the March 2 meeting, the Corps representatives will be
interviewed by a local radio station c. Contacting the 3 Hampton Roads
TV stations for coverage of the meeting d. A supporter in Deep Creek,
VA, has purchased www.DismalSwamp.net and is constructing a new
website pleading our case

8. Resolution of Support
a. Have contacted Camden, Pasquotank & Elizabeth City bodies of
government requesting they adopt a Resolution in support of the Dismal
Swamp Canal b. Contacted organizations to adopt a Resolution also c.
If there are any other groups of entities that would consider a
Resolution, please contact Penny Leary-Smith at the Dismal Swamp Canal
Welcome Center 252.771.8333.


I can only add that the entire cruising community, diverse as we all
are, need to come together on this issue NOW. If funding can't be
found in Washington right away, we are ALL facing a situation in which
our on-the-water experience will be changed for the rest of our lives.
If we don't have a reliable Intracoastal Waterway, whether it be from
Norfolk to Miami, or from the Caloosahatchee River to Anclote Key, or
from Carrabelle, FL to New Orleans, then pleasure boating in the
Southeastern USA will never be the same again. PLEASE write, call,
and/or e-mail your congressman and US Senators. I suggest we make a
real nuisance of ourselves!!! And, if any of you have the good fortune
to know some of your representatives personally, this is THE time to
make use of those up close and personal contacts. Let them know that
the cruising community is broad, numerous and that it has financial
and voting POWER!
Thank you soooo much for your time and attention. I ask that everyone
PLEASE send any and all developments that come to your ears concerning
this situation to . I'll do my best to keep the
cruising community informed. Oh yes, I once again ask that anyone
receiving this issue who edits or is involved in any way with other
nautically oriented newsletters, publish these remarks in their media.
You have my permission to reproduce any part of these remarks, and
edit for length as necessary! Let's ALL pull together. Good luck and
good cruising!

Claiborne Young
Watermark Publishing

http://www.CruisingGuide.com

guys, I hate to tell you this, but the use of boats by the public has been
dropping for a long time (according to the US Dept of Parks who survey's
outdoor recreational activety each year). I seem to recall that sailing is not
even in the top 60 anymore and powerboating is around 45 (?) and still
dropping.

The governmental budget planners may have noticed this and decided to spent the
(limited) money on something else, such as schools or cops or highways.

It seems that those who wish to go north/south along the east coast should bone
up on there offshore skills.

Special Critical ICW Salty Southeast Supplement #2
March 11, 2004

Hello Fellow Cruisers:

I'm very sorry to report that the Atlantic ICW crisis has grown WORSE
since my last message to you about this serious problem. Now, as you
will see below, in addition to the 3-foot depths at Lockwoods Folly,
I'm hearing that there are problems with the Waterway at its passage
behind Carolina Beach Inlet, and at its intersection with New River,
both of which are on the North Carolina coastline, south of Morehead
City and Swansborough.
Everyone please take a good, long look at the important note below
from fellow cruiser, Philip Odom. It will bring the deteriorating
situation into an all too clear focus!


Claiborne,
We are currently headed for Bucksport SC today and will be going
thorough Lockwood Follys tomorrow.
I had spoke with Bob Satin from the Army Corp of Engineers/ Wilmington
(910)251-4819 about the conditions. He has informed me that they have
surveyed reported 4' depths at not only Lockwood Folly but at Carolina
Beach Inlet and New River Inlet also. The 4' soundings were at MLW not
MLLW so the problems are getting worse. He also informed me that they
had met with the Coast Guard and they are almost at the point that
they will remove the navigation buoys at those areas and we will be on
our own. I guess as of then they consider it to be non-navigable.
He gave me this site to look up survey info and centerline waypoints
through the bad areas http://www.saw.usace.army.mil/nav/nav.htm
I will let you know what I find out but we are trying to run them at
close to high water.
He was very helpful and you may want to give him a call if you have
any further questions.
Thanks,
Philip Odom
DF 41 "Latitude Adjustment"
Havelock, NC


So, the question arises as to what else the cruising community can do.
Obviously, we need action NOW!!!! Rosemary, with the Atlantic
Intracoastal Waterway Association sent me the following
recommendation. I strongly advise that everyone receiving this missive
take action as she suggests!

Attached is a letter that you can download and use to send to Chairman
Hobson or other members of the Energy & Water Development Committee.
Also attached is an update on the Lockwood's Folly situation and
better contact information for members of the committee. Sorry, US
mail is not an option because of security issues that keep disrupting
mail service to Congress. Thank you for your support. Don't stop now!
Keep making those calls and sending those letters. Rosemary

Hon. David L. Hobson
Chairman
Committee on Appropriations
Energy & Water Development Subcommittee
US House of Representatives
Washington, DC 20515

Dear Chairman Hobson:

The President's FY 05 budget did not authorize any funds to maintain
the Atlantic Intracoastal Waterway (AIWW). This waterway runs through
five southern states and is critical to the nation and the local
economies in Virginia, North Carolina, South Carolina, Georgia and
Florida.

The US Army Corps of Engineers has declared the AIWW a "low use"
waterway using flawed methodologies. The number of ton miles
traveled is the criteria used to determine whether or not a waterway
is to be funded. Commercial use such as construction vessels,
commercial fishing boats and cruise ships are not even considered when
deciding the fate of the AIWW. Recreational boaters don't even count!
The AIWW has been closed in North Carolina at Lockwood's Folly Inlet
since early December and the Corps lacks the funds to re-open it.

The following is just a brief list of problems caused by the closing:
· One of the biggest suppliers of fuel to US military bases along the
AIWW is not able to get full fuel barges through North Carolina.
These bases are critical to the nation's security. · A major cruise
line is seriously considering canceling its popular cruise through the
AIWW because of the depth problems in some areas. This will certainly
have an impact on the local economy. · Recreational boaters come from
all over the nation to travel the AIWW during the warmer months.
Because of the shallow drafts, many of these travelers will be faced
with the extremely dangerous choice of going into the ocean to get to
their destinations. · Commercial shipments that cannot get through the
AIWW are being shipped by truck using I-95 and local roads. Just one
barge can add 58 more trucks to the highway and we are not ready to
deal with the pollution and congestion this will cause. The estimate
to restore the waterway to its authorized depth of 12feet in each
state is: Virginia, $4.2M; North Carolina, $11M; South Carolina, $6M;
Georgia, $19.2M; and Florida$3.2M.

The AIWW is closing and nobody seems to care! You can save the AIWW
and ensure that our children will enjoy its beauty and benefits in the
years to come. Please allocate the needed funds to the Corps of
Engineers FY05 budget.

Thank you,



I would also like to note that members of the cruising community ARE
trying to do something about this situation, particularly this
writer's good friend, Penny Leary Smith, director of North Carolina's
Dismal Swamp Canal Welcome Center. Just take a look at what she's been
up to.

SAVE THE WATERWAY
What we have done
February 27, 2004

1. Contacted local NC & VA leaders for their support
a. NC legislators
b. Camden & Pasquotank county managers & commissioners; Elizabeth City
Council members, Committee of 100, Museum of the Albemarle, Tourism
Board, Downtown Business & Professional Assn., Elizabeth City
Downtown, Inc. c. USCG Auxiliary d. Pasquotank Yacht Club e. Local
marinas (Pelican Marina, Alligator River Marina) f. Contacted leaders
with the City of Chesapeake for their support

2. Sought support from outside the region
a. Emailed & spoke with boaters from across the country for their
support b. Contacted others on the Carolina Coast for their support

3. Organized an educational forum for Tuesday, March 2, 2004, in
Elizabeth City
with representatives from the US Army Corps of Engineers. Packets of
information containing contact information have been prepared by the
Dismal Swamp Canal Welcome Center for meeting participants.

4. Contacted Congressional legislators for support, inviting them to
the meeting

5. Contacted Waterway Publications
a. Emailed Claiborne Young of Watermark Publications ~ published a
special edition of his on-line newsletter asking for support, with
meeting info b. Spoke with a writer from Soundings Magazine ~ will put
this info on their website and in newsletter c. Contacted Mike Bradley
of NCwaterways.com ~ published a plea for support on his website

6. Contacted Waterway Organizations
a. Contacted BoatUS and spoke with Ryck Lydecker, Asst. Legislative
Affairs Director, who said they have been successful in establishing a
Congressional Waterways Caucus, chaired by Congressman Mike McIntyre
of Wilmington, NC. 1. Faxed all13 NC Congressional representatives to
support and join this caucus

b. Spoke with Rosemary Lynch, Executive Director of Atlantic
Intracoastal Waterway Association (AIWA), to join in their Save the
Waterway Campaign c. Solicited support from Virginia Navigation and
Canals Society 1. Contacted their local Congressmen Schrock, Scott &
Forbes 2. Contacted Senators Warner and Allen 3. Distributed
educational material at Executive Board meeting with a commitment from
the President to write to Congressmen d. Director Penny Leary-Smith
will attend the National Waterways Conference, Inc., in Washington,
DC, March 9-10

7. Contacted Local Media
a. Several articles in both local papers
b. Following the March 2 meeting, the Corps representatives will be
interviewed by a local radio station c. Contacting the 3 Hampton Roads
TV stations for coverage of the meeting d. A supporter in Deep Creek,
VA, has purchased www.DismalSwamp.net and is constructing a new
website pleading our case

8. Resolution of Support
a. Have contacted Camden, Pasquotank & Elizabeth City bodies of
government requesting they adopt a Resolution in support of the Dismal
Swamp Canal b. Contacted organizations to adopt a Resolution also c.
If there are any other groups of entities that would consider a
Resolution, please contact Penny Leary-Smith at the Dismal Swamp Canal
Welcome Center 252.771.8333.


I can only add that the entire cruising community, diverse as we all
are, need to come together on this issue NOW. If funding can't be
found in Washington right away, we are ALL facing a situation in which
our on-the-water experience will be changed for the rest of our lives.
If we don't have a reliable Intracoastal Waterway, whether it be from
Norfolk to Miami, or from the Caloosahatchee River to Anclote Key, or
from Carrabelle, FL to New Orleans, then pleasure boating in the
Southeastern USA will never be the same again. PLEASE write, call,
and/or e-mail your congressman and US Senators. I suggest we make a
real nuisance of ourselves!!! And, if any of you have the good fortune
to know some of your representatives personally, this is THE time to
make use of those up close and personal contacts. Let them know that
the cruising community is broad, numerous and that it has financial
and voting POWER!
Thank you soooo much for your time and attention. I ask that everyone
PLEASE send any and all developments that come to your ears concerning
this situation to . I'll do my best to keep the
cruising community informed. Oh yes, I once again ask that anyone
receiving this issue who edits or is involved in any way with other
nautically oriented newsletters, publish these remarks in their media.
You have my permission to reproduce any part of these remarks, and
edit for length as necessary! Let's ALL pull together. Good luck and
good cruising!

Claiborne Young
Watermark Publishing

http://www.CruisingGuide.com

guys, I hate to tell you this, but the use of boats by the public has been
dropping for a long time (according to the US Dept of Parks who survey's
outdoor recreational activety each year). I seem to recall that sailing is not
even in the top 60 anymore and powerboating is around 45 (?) and still
dropping.

The governmental budget planners may have noticed this and decided to spent the
(limited) money on something else, such as schools or cops or highways.

It seems that those who wish to go north/south along the east coast should bone
up on there offshore skills.

Special Critical ICW Salty Southeast Supplement #2
March 11, 2004

Hello Fellow Cruisers:

I'm very sorry to report that the Atlantic ICW crisis has grown WORSE
since my last message to you about this serious problem. Now, as you
will see below, in addition to the 3-foot depths at Lockwoods Folly,
I'm hearing that there are problems with the Waterway at its passage
behind Carolina Beach Inlet, and at its intersection with New River,
both of which are on the North Carolina coastline, south of Morehead
City and Swansborough.
Everyone please take a good, long look at the important note below
from fellow cruiser, Philip Odom. It will bring the deteriorating
situation into an all too clear focus!


Claiborne,
We are currently headed for Bucksport SC today and will be going
thorough Lockwood Follys tomorrow.
I had spoke with Bob Satin from the Army Corp of Engineers/ Wilmington
(910)251-4819 about the conditions. He has informed me that they have
surveyed reported 4' depths at not only Lockwood Folly but at Carolina
Beach Inlet and New River Inlet also. The 4' soundings were at MLW not
MLLW so the problems are getting worse. He also informed me that they
had met with the Coast Guard and they are almost at the point that
they will remove the navigation buoys at those areas and we will be on
our own. I guess as of then they consider it to be non-navigable.
He gave me this site to look up survey info and centerline waypoints
through the bad areas http://www.saw.usace.army.mil/nav/nav.htm
I will let you know what I find out but we are trying to run them at
close to high water.
He was very helpful and you may want to give him a call if you have
any further questions.
Thanks,
Philip Odom
DF 41 "Latitude Adjustment"
Havelock, NC


So, the question arises as to what else the cruising community can do.
Obviously, we need action NOW!!!! Rosemary, with the Atlantic
Intracoastal Waterway Association sent me the following
recommendation. I strongly advise that everyone receiving this missive
take action as she suggests!

Attached is a letter that you can download and use to send to Chairman
Hobson or other members of the Energy & Water Development Committee.
Also attached is an update on the Lockwood's Folly situation and
better contact information for members of the committee. Sorry, US
mail is not an option because of security issues that keep disrupting
mail service to Congress. Thank you for your support. Don't stop now!
Keep making those calls and sending those letters. Rosemary

Hon. David L. Hobson
Chairman
Committee on Appropriations
Energy & Water Development Subcommittee
US House of Representatives
Washington, DC 20515

Dear Chairman Hobson:

The President's FY 05 budget did not authorize any funds to maintain
the Atlantic Intracoastal Waterway (AIWW). This waterway runs through
five southern states and is critical to the nation and the local
economies in Virginia, North Carolina, South Carolina, Georgia and
Florida.

The US Army Corps of Engineers has declared the AIWW a "low use"
waterway using flawed methodologies. The number of ton miles
traveled is the criteria used to determine whether or not a waterway
is to be funded. Commercial use such as construction vessels,
commercial fishing boats and cruise ships are not even considered when
deciding the fate of the AIWW. Recreational boaters don't even count!
The AIWW has been closed in North Carolina at Lockwood's Folly Inlet
since early December and the Corps lacks the funds to re-open it.

The following is just a brief list of problems caused by the closing:
· One of the biggest suppliers of fuel to US military bases along the
AIWW is not able to get full fuel barges through North Carolina.
These bases are critical to the nation's security. · A major cruise
line is seriously considering canceling its popular cruise through the
AIWW because of the depth problems in some areas. This will certainly
have an impact on the local economy. · Recreational boaters come from
all over the nation to travel the AIWW during the warmer months.
Because of the shallow drafts, many of these travelers will be faced
with the extremely dangerous choice of going into the ocean to get to
their destinations. · Commercial shipments that cannot get through the
AIWW are being shipped by truck using I-95 and local roads. Just one
barge can add 58 more trucks to the highway and we are not ready to
deal with the pollution and congestion this will cause. The estimate
to restore the waterway to its authorized depth of 12feet in each
state is: Virginia, $4.2M; North Carolina, $11M; South Carolina, $6M;
Georgia, $19.2M; and Florida$3.2M.

The AIWW is closing and nobody seems to care! You can save the AIWW
and ensure that our children will enjoy its beauty and benefits in the
years to come. Please allocate the needed funds to the Corps of
Engineers FY05 budget.

Thank you,



I would also like to note that members of the cruising community ARE
trying to do something about this situation, particularly this
writer's good friend, Penny Leary Smith, director of North Carolina's
Dismal Swamp Canal Welcome Center. Just take a look at what she's been
up to.

SAVE THE WATERWAY
What we have done
February 27, 2004

1. Contacted local NC & VA leaders for their support
a. NC legislators
b. Camden & Pasquotank county managers & commissioners; Elizabeth City
Council members, Committee of 100, Museum of the Albemarle, Tourism
Board, Downtown Business & Professional Assn., Elizabeth City
Downtown, Inc. c. USCG Auxiliary d. Pasquotank Yacht Club e. Local
marinas (Pelican Marina, Alligator River Marina) f. Contacted leaders
with the City of Chesapeake for their support

2. Sought support from outside the region
a. Emailed & spoke with boaters from across the country for their
support b. Contacted others on the Carolina Coast for their support

3. Organized an educational forum for Tuesday, March 2, 2004, in
Elizabeth City
with representatives from the US Army Corps of Engineers. Packets of
information containing contact information have been prepared by the
Dismal Swamp Canal Welcome Center for meeting participants.

4. Contacted Congressional legislators for support, inviting them to
the meeting

5. Contacted Waterway Publications
a. Emailed Claiborne Young of Watermark Publications ~ published a
special edition of his on-line newsletter asking for support, with
meeting info b. Spoke with a writer from Soundings Magazine ~ will put
this info on their website and in newsletter c. Contacted Mike Bradley
of NCwaterways.com ~ published a plea for support on his website

6. Contacted Waterway Organizations
a. Contacted BoatUS and spoke with Ryck Lydecker, Asst. Legislative
Affairs Director, who said they have been successful in establishing a
Congressional Waterways Caucus, chaired by Congressman Mike McIntyre
of Wilmington, NC. 1. Faxed all13 NC Congressional representatives to
support and join this caucus

b. Spoke with Rosemary Lynch, Executive Director of Atlantic
Intracoastal Waterway Association (AIWA), to join in their Save the
Waterway Campaign c. Solicited support from Virginia Navigation and
Canals Society 1. Contacted their local Congressmen Schrock, Scott &
Forbes 2. Contacted Senators Warner and Allen 3. Distributed
educational material at Executive Board meeting with a commitment from
the President to write to Congressmen d. Director Penny Leary-Smith
will attend the National Waterways Conference, Inc., in Washington,
DC, March 9-10

7. Contacted Local Media
a. Several articles in both local papers
b. Following the March 2 meeting, the Corps representatives will be
interviewed by a local radio station c. Contacting the 3 Hampton Roads
TV stations for coverage of the meeting d. A supporter in Deep Creek,
VA, has purchased www.DismalSwamp.net and is constructing a new
website pleading our case

8. Resolution of Support
a. Have contacted Camden, Pasquotank & Elizabeth City bodies of
government requesting they adopt a Resolution in support of the Dismal
Swamp Canal b. Contacted organizations to adopt a Resolution also c.
If there are any other groups of entities that would consider a
Resolution, please contact Penny Leary-Smith at the Dismal Swamp Canal
Welcome Center 252.771.8333.


I can only add that the entire cruising community, diverse as we all
are, need to come together on this issue NOW. If funding can't be
found in Washington right away, we are ALL facing a situation in which
our on-the-water experience will be changed for the rest of our lives.
If we don't have a reliable Intracoastal Waterway, whether it be from
Norfolk to Miami, or from the Caloosahatchee River to Anclote Key, or
from Carrabelle, FL to New Orleans, then pleasure boating in the
Southeastern USA will never be the same again. PLEASE write, call,
and/or e-mail your congressman and US Senators. I suggest we make a
real nuisance of ourselves!!! And, if any of you have the good fortune
to know some of your representatives personally, this is THE time to
make use of those up close and personal contacts. Let them know that
the cruising community is broad, numerous and that it has financial
and voting POWER!
Thank you soooo much for your time and attention. I ask that everyone
PLEASE send any and all developments that come to your ears concerning
this situation to . I'll do my best to keep the
cruising community informed. Oh yes, I once again ask that anyone
receiving this issue who edits or is involved in any way with other
nautically oriented newsletters, publish these remarks in their media.
You have my permission to reproduce any part of these remarks, and
edit for length as necessary! Let's ALL pull together. Good luck and
good cruising!

Claiborne Young
Watermark Publishing

http://www.CruisingGuide.com

JAXAshby wrote in message
...
guys, I hate to tell you this, but the use of boats by the public has been
dropping for a long time (according to the US Dept of Parks who survey's
outdoor recreational activety each year). I seem to recall that sailing
is not
even in the top 60 anymore and powerboating is around 45 (?) and still
dropping.

The governmental budget planners may have noticed this and decided to
spent the
(limited) money on something else, such as schools or cops or highways.

It seems that those who wish to go north/south along the east coast should
bone
up on there offshore skills.


Or invest in a smaller sailboat with a retractable keel......such as I will
be doing this spring.

JAXAshby wrote in message
...
guys, I hate to tell you this, but the use of boats by the public has been
dropping for a long time (according to the US Dept of Parks who survey's
outdoor recreational activety each year). I seem to recall that sailing
is not
even in the top 60 anymore and powerboating is around 45 (?) and still
dropping.

The governmental budget planners may have noticed this and decided to
spent the
(limited) money on something else, such as schools or cops or highways.

It seems that those who wish to go north/south along the east coast should
bone
up on there offshore skills.


Or invest in a smaller sailboat with a retractable keel......such as I will
be doing this spring.

"Don White" wrote in message ...
JAXAshby wrote in message
...
guys, I hate to tell you this, but the use of boats by the public has been
dropping for a long time (according to the US Dept of Parks who survey's
outdoor recreational activety each year). I seem to recall that sailing
is not
even in the top 60 anymore and powerboating is around 45 (?) and still
dropping.

The governmental budget planners may have noticed this and decided to
spent the
(limited) money on something else, such as schools or cops or highways.

It seems that those who wish to go north/south along the east coast should
bone
up on there offshore skills.


Or invest in a smaller sailboat with a retractable keel......such as I will
be doing this spring.

(Agree with Jax for once :-)
Been There...Done That... Bought a 1998 Mac 26X last year, and
equipped it for looong distance ICW cruising. PS: I sailed my first 16
ft Comet in 1947 in NY, (Where were YOU in 1947???) and have owned
about 20 boats since, big/small... Delivered many on the ICW AND saw
this coming...adjusting to the deteriorating political climate for
now. I plan to enjoy my retirement as best I can...
....and I DO vote.

"Don White" wrote in message ...
JAXAshby wrote in message
...
guys, I hate to tell you this, but the use of boats by the public has been
dropping for a long time (according to the US Dept of Parks who survey's
outdoor recreational activety each year). I seem to recall that sailing
is not
even in the top 60 anymore and powerboating is around 45 (?) and still
dropping.

The governmental budget planners may have noticed this and decided to
spent the
(limited) money on something else, such as schools or cops or highways.

It seems that those who wish to go north/south along the east coast should
bone
up on there offshore skills.


Or invest in a smaller sailboat with a retractable keel......such as I will
be doing this spring.

(Agree with Jax for once :-)
Been There...Done That... Bought a 1998 Mac 26X last year, and
equipped it for looong distance ICW cruising. PS: I sailed my first 16
ft Comet in 1947 in NY, (Where were YOU in 1947???) and have owned
about 20 boats since, big/small... Delivered many on the ICW AND saw
this coming...adjusting to the deteriorating political climate for
now. I plan to enjoy my retirement as best I can...
....and I DO vote.