After Hurricane Sandy- How to get around the 'new' waterways

by Sail-World Cruising on 8 Mar 2013 Superstorm Sandy dealt a devastating blow to marine facilities, navigation aids and channels along the New Jersey and New York coastlines of the USA. The storm also choked northern New Jersey’s Intracoastal Waterway and other channels with sunken boats, sand, silt and debris from buildings and piers. How will boaters know what services are available or where the navigational hazards exist?

Waterway Guide, the Association of Marina Industries (AMI) and Boat Owners Association of The United States (BoatUS) have teamed up to offer an easy, up-to-date, free online guide for boaters at www.WaterwayGuide.com/superstorm-sandy. But, marinas and other boating service providers need to share their operating information and update it throughout the season by sending an email to superstormsandy@waterwayguide.com.

'The good news is there has been a monumental rebuilding effort and the majority of marine facilities are either open or expect to reopen by the boating season,' said BoatUS Technical Director Beth Leonard, 'In addition, the New Jersey ICW and nearly all channels are open to navigation, although many hazards still exist in shallower areas and will likely remain that way for the 2013 boating season, especially in the northern Barnegat Bay area. Boaters cruising the ICW or just headed out for a Saturday afternoon, however, will need to know where navigational hazards still exist and where they can find fuel, slips, pumpouts, and repair facilities. This online resource is available to any marina, yacht club or boat club in the most storm-damaged areas wishing to post their information. Individual boaters can also send an email to superstormsandy@waterwayguide.com to provide updates on their marinas, boating facilities and any hazards in their local waters.'

The special Superstorm Sandy webpage covers all marinas on the New Jersey coast, New York City, Hudson Valley and Long Island’s South Shore. Marinas and other boating businesses do not need to be currently listed in Waterway Guide to participate. Updates can be sent at any time and will be posted promptly.

'This is a way for BoatUS, Waterway Guide and AMI to help the industry get back on its feet by generating business,' added Leonard.

About Waterway Guide:
Waterway Guide is the time tested, best known and most respected cruising resource available. For over 65 years, boaters have trusted Waterway Guide before making their cruising and buying decisions. Waterway Guide is the boater’s choice for verified and accurate information on thousands of marinas, businesses and attractions along the way. All six print editions (Bahamas, Southern, Atlantic ICW, Chesapeake Bay, Northern and Great Lakes) of Waterway Guide, totaling 3,000 pages, are updated annually by on-the-water cruising editors, each possessing an average of 35 years active boating experience and by our professional production staff in Deltaville, Virginia. www.WaterwayGuide.com adds all the latest cruising news, navigational updates, fuel reports and other resources.

About AMI:
The Association of Marina Industries (AMI) is a nonprofit membership organization that provides management training, education and information about research, legislation and environmental issues affecting the marina industry.

About BoatUS:
Boat Owners Association of The United States (BoatUS) is the nation’s leading advocate for recreational boaters providing its over half-million members with government representation, services such as 24-hour on-the-water boat towing as well as roadside assistance for boat trailers and tow vehicles, feature-rich boat insurance programs, money-saving benefits that include marina and West Marine shopping discounts, and vital information that improves the boating, fishing and sailing lifestyle. Its member-funded BoatUS Foundation is a national leader promoting safe, clean and responsible boating.