jerryk
Captain
When not online I'm likely on Knot Online
Posts: 605
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Post by jerryk on Oct 11, 2022 8:41:15 GMT -5
I'm wondering if anyone has been out on the water since hurricane Ian in any of the hard hit areas. I've been holding out for a number of reasons including not wanting to use gas needlessly, fear of hitting cars, sunk boats and house debris, and frankly have been busy with recovery efforts. Just wondering if channels, markers, etc. are navigable.
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jerryk
Captain
When not online I'm likely on Knot Online
Posts: 605
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Post by jerryk on Nov 1, 2022 10:00:31 GMT -5
Since I haven't seen any responses on this from anyone else I figured I'd update with my own experience yesterday, my first time out in the Caloosahatchee river between Cape Coral and Fort Myers since Ian hit. I had to go over a tree that was across the canal that takes me out to the river--that definitely will need a chain saw and a pull out before I feel good about navigating there again, but I did make it. Many docks and screened-in pool areas are heavily damaged, as are roofs all along the waterways. Some places had boats still hung up on the grass next to the houses or in one case halfway through a fence. Once outside my home canal coming into the river there were two upside down v-hull boats (one twin engine and one single) floating/stuck in the shallows with their props in the air looking like dead dogs. Very sad losses. Also within sight were a number of wrecked sailboats and powerboats all along the river. Downtown Fort Myers has many wrecks in the marinas and the marinas all look like they need to be totally rebuilt. Further towards the coast almost all coastal properties showed damage to house, seawall, docks, lifts, boats or all of the above. Note that these are not the hardest hit areas, this was inland more than 15 miles from the Gulf. Main intracoastal waterway depth in the river seems OK but there are missing markers all over; the dredged side channels leading to navigable canals all seem to have lost at least 2-3 foot of depth and everywhere I would suggest caution since there are sunk boats, cars, dock and house debris in the water. While we were out we saw Seatow pulling a big cruiser that appeared to have sunk (it was fithy and damaged along the side we could see) and one boater hit something and was stuck on it (debris or a newly formed sandbar) and was conversing with the USCG trying to get a tow. I only saw one or two other private boats out there, mostly still USCG, TowBoat US and SeaTow boats, plus a couple of commercial barges that looked like dredges with piping to move sand to rebuild beaches were going by us headed toward the Gulf. Some photos attached.
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Post by hookedup on Nov 1, 2022 11:55:57 GMT -5
Sickening. Hope it all gets put back together soon.
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Post by schlnrnd on Nov 4, 2022 17:31:10 GMT -5
That is terribly sad to see. Unfortunately, it will be a couple of years or longer to repair all the damage. Probably longer as resources are surely allocated to repairing houses and businesses. Glad to see you were able to take the boat for a little spin. I need to take mine out soon. I’ve only run the engines in the yard since July15. Hoping to get a cruise in within the next two weekends.
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Post by outtadblue on Nov 9, 2022 10:13:36 GMT -5
Thanks for the update. Stay safe while boating. It will be a long time before you will feel safe running around that area.
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jerryk
Captain
When not online I'm likely on Knot Online
Posts: 605
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Post by jerryk on Dec 1, 2022 9:02:56 GMT -5
One of my neighbors was out near Captiva and Sanibel a couple of days ago. Hit something (sunken car, boat, dock, house parts, tree trunk?) and did damage to his lower unit, the skeg and cavitation plate both had chunks taken out of the metal. I'm a bit scared to go out there yet...If you go please be careful. This isn't first report I've heard of someone hitting something either. There is a lot of stuff underwater around here!
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