Float Free Channels

J

jbiddle

New Member
Jun 3, 2008
47
Edgewater, MD
Boat Info
Sundancer 250
Engines
Mercruiser 5.7, Bravo 2
I was looking at a marina web site which had a link to the chart of the area which had the float-free channel clearly marked. The NOAA charts don't seem to have that, unless I just don't know how they are marked. Where can I find charts with the Float Free Channels marked (Chesapeake Bay, South River area) Thanks.
 
I was wondering the same thing. Isn't illegal to have them in the channel??
 
I've never seen crab pots in the channel that would be crazy.

That would be like driving down the road with trees in the middle of it.
 
Morpheus said:
I've never seen crab pots in the channel that would be crazy.

That would be like driving down the road with trees in the middle of it.
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You must not boat in the Chesapeake Bay. Crab Pots are everywhere including marked channels. “Float Free Channel” markers are sometimes placed out there. That means float free, no pots. Does not always mean it will be float free, but it is supposed to be.
 
A friend of mine bought my old 26' Sea Ray and keeps it off Middle River. Last summer I went down to help him with an engine tuning issue. We went out for a test run afterwards. I was running the boat, beautiful calm afternoon. In the distance I could see "dots" on the surface all along the horizon. I asked what they were and he said, "oh, those are just the crab pots". It looked like a cargo plane filled with styrofoam cups had crashed on the bay. I handed the boat back to him since I didn't want to be the one to foul the prop. We had to weave thru them like a mine field. I can't imagine running thru there in rough water or at night. There had to be a thousand of those floats as far as the eye could see. I don't seriously think I could boat in that area, I wouldn't have any fun. I'd be so uptight about fouling the props I couldn't enjoy the area or the day.
JMHO
 
SCORPIO said:
A friend of mine bought my old 26' Sea Ray and keeps it off Middle River. Last summer I went down to help him with an engine tuning issue. We went out for a test run afterwards. I was running the boat, beautiful calm afternoon. In the distance I could see "dots" on the surface all along the horizon. I asked what they were and he said, "oh, those are just the crab pots". It looked like a cargo plane filled with styrofoam cups had crashed on the bay. I handed the boat back to him since I didn't want to be the one to foul the prop. We had to weave thru them like a mine field. I can't imagine running thru there in rough water or at night. There had to be a thousand of those floats as far as the eye could see. I don't seriously think I could boat in that area, I wouldn't have any fun. I'd be so uptight about fouling the props I couldn't enjoy the area or the day.
JMHO
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The funny thing is the area you are talking about has a “Float Free Channel” going out from Middle River to the Bay and the one I use cutting behind Spry Shoals into the Gunpowder. That is why they have them marked so you should have a save passage back into the river. I just would not bet on it. Commercial Crabers are not allowed to place overnight pots in the rivers, so Middle River and Gunpowder are clear at night. It is coming in that you have to watch for them.
 
jbiddle said:
I was looking at a marina web site which had a link to the chart of the area which had the float-free channel clearly marked. The NOAA charts don't seem to have that, unless I just don't know how they are marked. Where can I find charts with the Float Free Channels marked (Chesapeake Bay, South River area) Thanks.
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It would also be nice to have access to a site to get updated info. on these channels.

DNR apparently removed some of the white float free channel markers from Red "2" at the mouth of South River, out to Thomas Point Light. They used to be in pairs directly accross from each other. Now there is only one on each side, alternately staggered, down to the lighthouse.

The problem is now the crabbers seem to have redefined the boundaries of the "float free channel", and what used to be a no brainer run back home in the evening is now in need of an occasional burst of spotlight to look out for pots.

Just curious why they were removed, and more importantly, why is the channel boundary not being enforced.
 
headexpress,

I noticed that change, too. I get fouled up trying to get down to the West River without dodging. I could see the markers coming out of the West river but never going in. Now it sounds like it will be harder.

Where in Edgewater are you? We are in Londontowne.
 
jbiddle said:
headexpress,

I noticed that change, too. I get fouled up trying to get down to the West River without dodging. I could see the markers coming out of the West river but never going in. Now it sounds like it will be harder.

Where in Edgewater are you? We are in Londontowne.
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I keep the boat in Ramsey Lake at my house, which is under the Turkey Point Bridge.

That run over to West River is a few channel markers short of last year also. Made the trip 2 weeks ago to Casa Rio marina off Cadle Creek.

I guess DNR figures they can help balance the state budget by re-locating some markers. :grin:. I don't like it.
 
I sent an email to DNR, asking where I get get the location of the "Float-Free Channels". I was told the only place it was distributed through was the Code of Maryland Regulations (COMAR). Seems odd but I did get some very useful information. The channel locations can be obtained in text format (but it is better then nothing) from http://www.dsd.state.md.us/comar/comarhtml/08/08.02.03.07.htm

I hope this helps others.
 
Do you guys *really* think the dolts running crab pots read any publication on "float free channels"? Give me a break...

I noticed, however, when crossing the Albemarle Sound this past weekend that when the wind/waves kick up, the floats seem to go away... Especially the black ones.
 
I was coming back from the Annapolis area on Monday 9/13 and as I got to the southern entrance to "the cut" I saw a float bobbing right smack in the middle, directly between the red and green markers. The cut ain't that wide. I had about 2 feet between me and the float, and about 10" between me and the marker. As I turned to port into my marina I looked back and saw something big and ugly (I think it was an old Carver) coming through. There's no way he got through without snagging it. One of the guys came back from fishing about an hour later and I asked him if it was still there. He didn't see it. Makes me wonder if that is how it got there in the first place.
 
jbiddle,
Exiting the South River to go towards the Bay Bridge, at the mouth of the river you have red marker "4" on port side turn towards Thomas Point Light House. The floating channel may have a few crab pots in the beginning.
To get to the West River from the South River red marker "4" on port side turn towards green/red "2+1" on starboard side roughly 2 o'clock in the distance. Once you pass marker "1A" on starboard turn to your starboard and head toward red marker "2" at the mouth of the West River and continue through floating channel.

Jon
 
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