NOTICE TO NAVIGATION INTERESTS
Date:04/03/2020
US ARMY CORPS OF ENGINEERS
JACKSONVILLE DISTRICT
ATTN: CESAJ-OD-SN
PO Box 4970
JACKSONVILLE, FL 32232-0019863-983-8101
NOTICE NUMBER: 2020-003
LOCAL NUMBER: 2020003
WATERWAY: CANAVERAL HARBOR
EFFECTIVE: 4/03/2020 00:00 thru 07/01/2020 24:00 EST
POC: Gary Hipkins, South Florida Operations Office, 863-983-8101
http://www.saj.usace.army.mil/Missions/CivilWorks/Navigation/NoticestoNavigation.aspx
CANAVERAL LOCK
OPEN FOR PASSAGE
3 April 2020 to 1 July 2020
REFERENCE:
a. 33 CFR Navigation and Navigable Waters
Notice to Navigation
Reference revised Regulations, 33 C.F.R. 207.300, and their tributaries; use, administration, and navigation, and 33C.F.R. 207.800, Collection of navigation statistics.
The following information is furnished in addition to the above-referenced regulations to provide guidance about the procedures, control, and management of the locks on the Okeechobee Waterway and Canaveral Lock. Suggested towboat operations are also included that will enhance safety and reduce damage to Government structures, commercial vessels, and recreational craft.
NAVIGATION NOTICE: CANAVERAL LOCK OPENED FOR PASSAGE
Canaveral Lock opened to vessel traffic at 06:00 April 3rd, 2020. All major construction items have been completed on the western sector gates.
There will be short term periodic closures to install equipment upgrades as it is received. These dates are TBD and an amendment will be made to this navigation notice as equipment arrives.
SPECIAL NOTICE: REQUIREMENTS FOR LOCKING DURING THE COVID-19 RESTRICTIONS SAFETY:
Due to the COVID-19 outbreak, for the safety of both the public and lock staff, the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, Jacksonville District is issuing the following guidance for safe passage through our locks on the Okeechobee Waterway and at Canaveral. Federally mandated social distancing requirements will be observed. Vessel operators will be required to contact the lock staff prior to making an approach to the facility. This can be accomplished by either Marine radio Channel 13 or calling the lock telephone numbers listed below. Lock staff will not be handling mooring lines, but instead the lines will be available for the boaters. The requirements for two lines is in effect as well as the Personal Floatation Device requirement. The number of vessels allowed to lock at one time will be limited by emergency mandate issued by the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission.
Per Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission:
“Closures and Updates Related to COVID-19
As COVID-19 (Coronavirus) continues to impact our communities, the FWC is taking proactive measures to protect stakeholders, staff and volunteers. In addition, all recreational boats must be at least 50 feet apart, and each recreational vessel must not have more than 10 people on board.”
You can get further information by going to https://myfwc.com/recreation/notices/
Locking hours will remain the same until otherwise directed. They are:
Canaveral Lock 6:00 AM to 9:30 PM Daily (Last lockage starting at 9:00PM)
Telephone numbers to contact the Lock and Dam operator at: Canaveral Lock 863-662-0298 or 321-783-5421
Please feel free to call any of the numbers above for questions or concerns.
signed
Gary L. Hipkins
Chief Navigation & Flood Risk Management
South Florida Operations