Running the Inlet at Fernandina

[flyingfin]

The prudent mariner finds the Sea Buoy, uses paper charts, GPS devices, USCG NOTM, compass and visual observation to follow the centerline of the channel when entering any inlet. Do not know what happened here, but we can all learn from this photo.

https://www.fbnewsleader.com/local-n...-jetties-sinks

[zboss]

In all likelihood speed and inattention played a huge role in this.

Amateur sport fishers aren't know for being particularly good or friendly pilots when coming into a channel. Yeah, there are some great caps out there but in my experience most of the folks with 1-2 million dollars to spend on a viking have little or no real piloting experience based on my interactions with them at sea.

[Captain Bill]

Been through that inlet many times. The jetties extend out very far and the outer sections are submerged above mid-tide. This could easily happen if someone wasn't paying attention to the charts and tried to cut in too close. The end of the north jetty is marked by a buoy but the south jetty is not. It pays to understand the buoy system at any inlet you are using. Also I've found that there is often a lot of fog in that area this time of year and this could have been the result of someone who got lost in the fog.

[Tin Tin]

Apt name for the boat.

[psk125]

What? The GPS course plotter was set for their slip and the autopilot was working fine. How could they run into anything at 05h00 with everyone sleeping and the boat slipping along nicely at 18 knots?

[skipmac]

Bill I think got it. I've also been in this inlet a couple of times and the jetty's at high tide can be invisible. An entrance where you really have to pay attention to the buoys and markers. Don't cut the corner.

Pretty sure that's exactly what happened with the sport fisherman.

[Sailshabby]

How is this even possible? I mean, he has his cool underwater lights one! Lol!

[skipmac]

Boat shows home port of Fernandina Beach. Seems like the operator would know the deal. Maybe a new captain running the boat?

[wsmurdoch]

When we passed by the St Mary's Inlet on February 29, there was a large dredge and two tugs working in the inlet. If they were still there, the unlucky skipper may have been working his way around them.

We have also entered through this inlet, and as others have said the stone jetties are submerged at high tide.

[Hudson Force]

Others have done this, but it always seems a careless error. I knew a guy on his sailboat that bumped over these jetties without too much damage,- the water was just high enough for him to not to have lost his boat; however; he suffered severe damage when he forgot to have the Jacksonville main street bridge opened. Some people just seem to be "high risk".

[Davie J.]

Originally Posted by flyingfin

The prudent mariner finds the Sea Buoy, uses paper charts, GPS devices, USCG NOTM, compass and visual observation to follow the centerline of the channel when entering any inlet. Do not know what happened here, but we can all learn from this photo.

https://www.fbnewsleader.com/local-n...-jetties-sinks

"Foolish Pleasure"........They got the first part of the name right.

[psk125]

Originally Posted by wsmurdoch

When we passed by the St Mary's Inlet on February 29, there was a large dredge and two tugs working in the inlet. If they were still there, the unlucky skipper may have been working his way around them.

We have also entered through this inlet, and as others have said the stone jetties are submerged at high tide.

Report says this happened Sun 15MAR at approx 05h00. Low tide was at 08h16 that morning, so it would have been dark and the rocks may have been covered. Still, if that is the boat’s homeport, you’d think they’d be aware of the jetties and not run up at a speed to create a 6’ hole.

[Grattaway]

Article said a 62 ft yacht - doesnt look like 62 ft or a yacht to me.
But you guys might have smaller feet than us

[joefults]

I have been through there a few times with a 6’ keel. I think it is one of the easier inlets in Florida if you pay attention to the chart and avoid the shrimpers.

[rslifkin]

Poorly marked submerged jetties are one of those things that always makes me nervous. I don't care how well I know where they are, I still don't like being near them.