While the deep waters off Cape Charles Harbor create an excellent opportunity for maritime economics, they also provide a prime location for large ship anchorages. Since ships currently use waters off of Cape Charles for temporary anchorages (and have for many years), the US Coast Guard is proposing a formal anchorage that will be located just outside the town harbor. Current use cases predict little or no uptick in traffic, however, this is hard to predict for certain.
USCG representatives were in Cape Charles Wednesday to brief the public on the current proposal. Public comments and questions were robust, mainly focused on the impact to tourism, town commerce, local fishing, and of course the environment. Local fisherman Butch Vest noted that, after many years of being abused by the Omega Menhaden fleet, recreational fisherman are leery of large ships anchoring in midst of local fishing grounds, especially during rockfish season. Vest also voiced concern that commercial activity, such as crabbing could also be effected. While the USCG made efforts to present a big picture scenario, offering the fundamental role that cargo ships play in the regional and national economy, Nancy Vest countered, “I can appreciate that, but what I’m concerned about is our economy and how it will be effected. I’m concerned about the survival of this town.”
It is important to note that this is still in the proposal phase, and the Coast Guard is actively seeking community input on the matter, pros and con. Comments may be submitted in writing at the federal e-rulemaking portal at http://regulations.gov using the code USCG-2015-1118. On line comments must be entered by August 28.
All comments will be reviewed, and according USCG representatives, are a fundamental part of the decision making process. Any concerns by citizens should be posted as soon as possible. According to USGG representatives, alternative locations and designs are also suggested; that is, use the chart below, or another chart of the lower bay, and draw what you feel is a more appropriate location, take a picture with your phone, and attach it to your comment. The Coast Guard is looking for an area with an average depth of 25 to 45 feet. The image below indicates the area that the USCG is proposing for the anchorage.
Once public comment is closed, the USCG will move on to the environmental and economic impact statements before a final decision is made. This can take 3 to 6 months to complete.
Proposed anchorage outside Cape Charles Harbor (USCG image)
Comments from Industry have already been received, especially by Captain J. William Coffer of the Virginia Pilots Association, “While we strongly agree with the need for a new deep-water anchorage ground for commercial vessels, we do not agree with the USCG’s proposed anchorage boundaries. To become a “new deep-water anchorage,” it must encompass the deeper water to the north of the proposed boundary. Historically, this is where state pilots anchor deep- water vessels. In the current proposal this space is not included. In addition to the boundary extension to the north, we would request consideration to extend the anchorage slightly south to support lighter draft vessel s that would not be required to travel as far north to secure a safe anchorage ground.
Without including this critically important deeper water as part of the proposed anchorage, we would adamantly oppose this proposed anchorage as there is no need to create a limited shallow water anchorage. The importance of the lower Chesapeake Bay commercial anchorage is the inclusion of shallow and deep draft areas, allowing choices for secure anchoring, adequate spacing between ships and safe entry and exit from the anchorage.”
The area proposed by the VPA is much broader than that proposed by the USCG:
Proposed anchorage by Virginia Pilots Association
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i was in the Navy aboard a large ship and when anchored near small islands in the Pacific our body waste (po po) when’t , into there water to swim, clean clothes , cook, children play and the Coast Guard is ok with that, YUK
who the hell is planning all of this, and where is the CBES to protect rhe health of our citizens and children this is an organization that is “deaf, dumb and blind all B/S and no action, all they care about is your money for their paper of nonsense.
Folks i’m from Brooklyn, Catholic, Italian American, gave up my life at 17 to fight in WW2 for a better America, i don’t see that happening at all.
it’s predicted the U.S. Transportation will build U.S. 1 connecting Maryland straight to the Chesapeake Bridge, bypassing 13,, is there any planning for that,,,, of course not.
also predicted Eastern Shore will be under water in less then a hundred years, any plannibg for that. of course not
you want more good news, we will continue to be one of the poorest counties in the U.S. due to our crack unintelligence planning board, the CBES will not tell you that because they are “deaf, dumb, and blind” and a part in our decline.
look at all the loses they (CBES) advocated, the lost of over 200 business, population decline, home values pointed downward, drop out school rate one of the worst in the Country, school test scores the lowest in the nation our religious institutions closing, young people leaving the Shore, putting the burden of taxes to the poor (farmers don’t pay their fair share of taxes), they control the Board. all under the watchful eye of the dishonable CBES.
why am i writing this,, because at near 90 it’s the only peace of mind i have left in my heart and soul to be a champion of all the people, come hell or high water i alone will suffer the consequences under God if i’m wrong with what i confess to my report to you all.
God Bless
Tony Sacco
Mr.Sacco, I first allerted the former BoS regarding this issue in July 2015 and submitted those comments to the Mirror, at that time. I am a CBES member; what are you talking about?
http://www.capecharlesmirror.com/opinion/sommer-sturgis-analysis-of-industrial-maritime-sewage-2/
The anchorage move first came to light over a year ago.
Thank you for your service and concern, but please do not paint us with such a wide, tainted brush.
What am I talking about first your paper is a fraud, second your control by the farming lobby here in Northampton they pay low wages, allow no sick days with pay, no benefits , no vacation with pay, there children co to college, farm workers children go on welfare , farming is 3% of GDP, farm labor is 2% of the labor force, so what am I talking about mr. Sturgis you and your CBES are yesterday’s mistakes and if your bunch continue to control then God help Northampton it will further decline into oblivion into Mary Miller’s world.
If true what you said in the mirror ( nobody reads) how come nothing was done , I’ll tell you why Mr. Sturgis currupt politicians fill there pockets with big bucks.
God help us
We need more Tony Sacco’s here
And while I’m at it I was bringing computer training to our head start children made of 100% Black students and your paper would not lift a finger to make it a reality , ask Mr. Willie Randell a spokesman for the Black community, this is why we need Mr Sacco on the Board, too late I’m almost 90 years old.
Also Mr Sturgis I’ll match my service to the people over your any day and you can throw all of the CBES in with you
To better understand and visualize how these proposals would affect our view from the beaches, it would be helpful to see on a single chart the existing anchorage area (which seems acceptable to me visually) along with the proposed changes. It appears that the proposed areas extend much closer to the shoreline.
As a a Merchant Mariner with a 100 Ton License, I would not want to be delivering mega yachts to Cape Charles for dockage or repairs with the proposed Anchorage Footprint. I suggest the southern boundary be moved NORTH of the Harbor Entrance. Now is the time to keep future options open for the Marine Industry.
,
Let us get something straight right now. You will not get on here and bad mouth The United States Coast Guard. If you would like to discuss this further, please leave me a phone number or an address. I will call or visit you to discuss your views on that branch of our military.
Semper Paratus
My mistake I did not mean the mirror is a fraud I thaught Sturges was talking for CBES that paper is a fraud, nobody reads the Miller no growth rag, sorry CC Mirror
The proposed area for anchorage imposes what appears to be a “restriction” on recreational boating in the area. Who will manage the anchorage? Will it be full of cargo ships at all times? What will be its impact on normal boating traffic into and out of the Town Harbor and Kings Creek?
It seems like USCG is attempting to make Cape Charles the dumping ground for this problem. The occasional ship traffic is not an inconvenience, but an aggregation of cargo ships will change the landscape. skf
i understand the ship’s crew cannot get shore leave, so what do they do for entrainment , simple they invite prostitution to come aboard, or board their boats.
during the WW2, my ship put into a small island in the Pacific, allowed to go to shore, i joined my shipmates to go into the jungle where there was two medical ambulances with single lines too each one,, the nurses were charging $5.00
so dont tell me their will be no hanky panky from those merchants ships,, who are a long way from home.