Florida – West Coast Pilot Notes
Dockage/Moorings: Available at several
far as Palantine Shoal, 5nm W of the key
marinas near the inlet, more on the ICW.
and on S side of Egmont Channel entrance.
Anchorage: Little room except for shallow-
Palantine Shoal consists of several small
draft boats, max 3ft, which can enter Dona
lumps with depths of 19-22ft. Spoil areas, for
and Roberts bays. There is limited deep water
the most part unmarked and with reported
with good mud bottom south of Daymark G1.
depths of 10ft or less, border the dredged
Fuel: Available at most marinas.
cuts of the main ship channel in Tampa Bay
Supplies: Most marine supplies and other
and the channels in Old Tampa Bay.
provisions.
Vessel Traffic Advisory System: VTAS
Services: Most repairs and haulouts.
for Tampa Bay is operated by the Tampa
Port Authority Operations Department. The
Sarasota: 27 20N, 82 33W VTAS monitors VHF 16 and 12, works on
Pilotage: Big Sarasota Pass and New Pass channel 12. Small craft should monitor for
are heavily shoaled and largely unnavigable. traffic information.
From the Gulf, enter Longboat Pass to the
Waypoints
N or Venice Inlet to the S and follow the
Southwest Channel Entrance Lighted Bell Buoy 1
marked ICW channels to Sarasota Bay.
Dockage/Moorings: The area has several
27 32.5N, 82 47.9W Fl G 2.5s 4M Green
full-service marinas.
Tampa Bay Lighted Whistle Buoy T
Anchorage: Good anchorage in the deep
water off the marina W of the Ringling
27 35.3N, 83 00.7W Mo (A) W 6M Red/white
Causeway. A beach is available for dinghy
stripes w/ red spherical topmark. RACON T (–).
landings.
Mullet Key Channel Lighted Buoy 21
Fuel: Available at most marinas.
Supplies: Extensive. Some shopping may
27 36.47N, 82 43.0W Fl G 2.5s 3M Green
require a cab or bus ride.
Mullet Key Shoal Daybeacon, on S side of shoal
Services: Most repairs and haulout facilities.
Description: Sarasota offers good anchor-
27 37.5N, 82 41.1W Black/White
age and pleasant sailing on Sarasota Bay.
diamond.
Port of Entry: Customs 813-228-2385.
Tampa/St. Petersburg: 27 46N, 82 38W
Harbormaster: Office located in municipal
(see charts next spread, three pages ahead)
marina, 727-893-7927 for transient dockage.
Pilotage: Enter Tampa Bay by way of the
Dockage/Moorings: Now rebuilt from the
Southwest Channel and the Egmont Key
hurricane damage, St. Pete’s municipal ma-
Channel. Pass. Proceed up the Mullet Key
rina, 727-893-7329, is again one of the best
Channel under the Sunshine Skyway Bridge.
in the nation, with 610 slips and located in
St. Petersburg is located on W side of Tampa
the heart of downtown.
Bay and the approaches are well marked.
Anchorage: Anchorage available in the
Cautions: Shipping traffic is heavy. If
Vinoy Basin. A small beach is convenient for
the sea state permits, pleasure vessels will
dinghy landings. The yacht basin is lined with
experience less commercial traffic in the
solid concrete bulkheads, and the holding is
Southwest Channel.
poor. Use 2 anchors if bad weather threatens.
Hazards: Extensive shoals are located on
Fuel: Available at the marinas.
either side of the entrance to the bay. Shoal
Supplies: Good.
areas extend seaward from Egmont Key as
Services: Good.
Egmont Key
Pilotage: The Intracoastal Waterway
to Cape St. George
emerges into open Gulf waters from the N
end of Anclote Keys Anchorage and contin-
Tides p. 474, Differences p. 531
ues to Carabelle on St. George Sound. Ves-
Currents p. 660, Differences p. 710
sels bound coastwise should remain seaward
of St. Martins Outer Shoal Light, the Cross
180