This button appears at various points throughout the narrative cruising guide text. Clicking on it will bring up one of our “The Dockmaster Speaks” features in which an area dockmaster gives his or her personal perspective on one or more aspects of the region. Reading them is a great way to gain added “local knowledge.”
We hope you enjoy "meeting" dockmasters this way as much as we enjoy bringing them to you...It's good for them to share their expertise and we plan to continue the feature — in print and on line. If you have a favorite DM, ask him — or her — to get in touch with us by phone, fax or email to be in the next FCD! (Already-featured DMs are welcome back!) [Contact Us.]
We again welcome the comments of Millard Collins of Carrabelle's C-Quarters marina. He appears in this issue ... with their mascot "Sammy" in the photograph with him. Captain Collins is a popular fellow and does such a good job, some of his customers have stopped in at C-Quarters to ask him to autograph their FCDs! (That's what got him our title of Godfather of the Dockmasters.)
FCD SCHEDULES, OUR NICHE & OUR MISSION
We want our annual FCD users and site visitors to be aware of our publishing schedule and monthly web site updates ...We often use the term "press time." That, for us, is roughly from early December through January each year. By December, most ads are ready, most editorial has been updated and the new edition has been pretty much laid out. By early February, all pages are with the printer. As our pages are being finalized, we attempt to contact all marinas and boatyards listed on our charts and other businesses, museums, governmental contacts, et cetera, that we mention. Classifieds are mostly updated from marine businesses' replies to our written and verbal queries or from local phone books; unfortunately, we can't call all of the 2000+ companies in our classifieds.) All of that is to make the printed version as up-to-date as possible to present to you each year in February.
After publication, as always, our monthly web site updates (on or about the first ...) WILL advise of changes and news and much of that news will be infused into the interactive web site. Our new E-Book is scheduled for early 2011. Now we'll have three places to correct any mistakes we — or you — may find in our pages. Do we make them? Of course! If you find any, please advise.
There are lots of cruising guides and we don't rival any with color, glitz and pizzazz. There are also other Web sites that have more “Flash,” and we mean that both literally and also figuratively! The FCD's "niche" is being a good, up-to-date and affordable book for cruisers —produced by creative and knowledgeable people who simply love boats and the water. Please support our advertisers — who keep the book and this site going with that low cover price! And thank you for having the FCD aboard.
And, there was something else ... Ah yes, our mission: "... Make Boating More Fun and Less Hassle for Florida Boaters and our Cruising Visitors." That was set 30 years ago, and we're still trying.
About Anchoring Latest news: Study is underway....
The Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC) and its Boating & Waterways office have started the pilot program with the Florida Department of Environmental Protection as instructed by the state legislature in 2009.
Locations have been selected on Florida's east and west coasts, for the study to "... to explore regulatory options that promote public access, enhance navigation safety, protect maritime infrastructure, protect the marine environment, and deter improperly stored, abandoned, or derelict vessels."
Input from the boating public is encouraged. Check the FWC's web site (myfwc.com) and watch the boating press for news. Your comments are welcome to help make the program worthwhile to all involved ... including you!
Statewide anchoring rules (and those covering derelict vessels) should make everything easier — and more pleasant — for Florida boating people and our cruising visitors, no matter what municipality they visit.
The FCD has been concerned about this subject for a while. As mentioned here four years ago ... "Your thoughts are important to FWC."
BOAT RAMPS
The FWC has re-worked its listings for salt and fresh water launching ramps throughout the state. The project (originally scheduled for completion in March, 2011) took longer than expected but by all appearances is well worth the wait We now have a direct link from our “Launch Ramps” page to FWC's updated ramp lists. If you’re a “trailer sailor,” be sure to check them out.
NEW PUBLICATION FOR BOATING & FISHING IN THE BAHAMAS ...YOURS FOR THE ASKING!
The Islands of The Bahamas Boating & Fishing Guide 2012 (second edition of the book first published late in 2010) is now available. More.
PUMPOUT STATIONS, FUEL DOCKS, MARINAS and CHECKING AHEAD ...
As the above header suggests, checking ahead to find items or services important to you is a good idea!
Most marinas are shown on our charts with phone numbers. Some are not listed because they are private or local and not wanting transient visitors. OR, maybe we've missed them!
Marina people are generally IN THE KNOW and very willing to help cruising people with questions. If you are having trouble finding out about anything, contact a marina! The Pumpout lists in each section could be less-than-perfect and we suggest that you check ahead with the marina(s) you plan to visit if you need to be absolutely certain about the pumpout situations.
Several Mobile Pumpout Boats visit particular marinas on schedule and may respond to VHF or telephone calls to come to your boat at dock or anchor. Information on those we know about is included at the beginning of each chart list shown on the “Pumpout” pages.
Fuel docks are listed with a D or a G to indicate Diesel or Gas only.
SECURITY
This is an ever-present concern in these turbulent times. Be sure to check out our Port Security page to be completely up to date on current regulations.
FYI - NO NEW TELEPHONE AREA CODES
The Florida PSC has assured us that there are no new area codes scheduled for Florida or the Bahamas 'til 2013, when a new one will be put into the Orlando area.
