Great Loop: Gulf Coast Navigation Guide

The Gulf Coast region plays a vital role in the Great Loop in connection with the inland rivers around Mobile and Florida and provides some of the most diverse cruising grounds for the Great Loop trip. Many Loopers take the Gulf Coast region route from the inland rivers to Mobile, Alabama, then proceed through portions of the Gulf Intracoastal Waterway (GIWW) to Florida. However, the exact course can change since the Great Loop is not a single set course.

For Great Loopers, the Gulf Coast region includes the Mobile Bay region, parts of the Gulf Intracoastal Waterway (GIWW), Florida's Panhandle, and Florida's Gulf Coast. The AGLCA confirms that the Gulf region is part of the Great Loop course and that there are different route alternatives.

Since this is a coastal navigation region, current charts, weather forecast, water level, navigation advisories, and other conditions must be checked before setting out.

Where Does the Gulf Coast Section Begin?

For those Loopers who are making the journey clockwise, the Gulf Coast part begins at or near Mobile Bay, Alabama, from the Tennessee-Tombigbee Waterway. From there, they can follow the Gulf Intracoastal Waterway to Florida.

The GIWW is one of the major inland navigation systems along the Gulf Coast. According to NOAA, the Gulf Intracoastal Waterway is roughly 1,050 miles in length, stretching across the Gulf Coast states. This waterway includes canals, bays, rivers, and other protected waterways but not one continuous artificial canal. Parts of this extensive waterway are used for the Great Loop journey.

This is important for the Great Loop plan since the conditions may vary significantly for different parts of this waterway.

Navigating the Gulf Intracoastal Waterway

GIWW is navigated by both recreational and commercial traffic. The traffic includes tows, barges, working vessels, fishing vessels, and others that may share the waterway with the recreational cruiser.

Loopers need to familiarize themselves with the channel, keep a proper lookout, and be ready for meeting commercial vessels. Useful information regarding channels, aids, rules, and hazards is provided by current NOAA Charts and U.S. Coast Pilots. NOAA's Coast Pilot 5 describes the Gulf Coast region from Key West to Rio Grande; the most recent edition needs to be consulted when going through the waterway.

Don't take it for granted that your previous route will look the same way next time. Navigation conditions such as depths of channels, aids, construction areas, and others can differ.

Gulf Coast Navigation Aids

Knowing the aids used to mark the Intracoastal Waterway is important.

The identification markers of ICW consist of the yellow color or yellow symbol to denote the Intracoastal Waterway route. The yellow identification helps the mariners to differentiate between the ICW and any other waterway channels that may be found in proximity. As far as buoys and channel markings should be understood according to the context, one should use not just the memory of a particular rule, but the actual aid to navigation along with the current chart and direction of the vessel movement.

Never navigate according to one rule only.

NOAA notes that the "historic magenta line of ICW" is just an advising marker of directions, and not a guarantor of the safe water.

Mariners should always use actual aids to navigation.

Mobile Bay and the Florida Panhandle

The area around Mobile Bay is a critical junction point for Loopers moving into or out of the Gulf Coast region. From here, the journey will move towards Florida through various protected waters and coastal regions.

Upon nearing the Florida Panhandle, navigational factors become more weather-dependent, being based upon wind, weather, tide, currents, and channels. The Gulf Coast is not one single inland waterway, thus making planning vital each day.

The Gulf Coast resources available at AGLCA include route information for locations ranging from Dog River to Panama City, but its current Gulf Coast segment extends further south to cover the Florida coast.

The Florida Gulf Coast

There are several important waypoints to the Loop in the Florida Gulf Coast including areas near Panama City, Apalachicola, Carrabelle, Tarpon Springs, and the west coast of Florida as a whole.

One of the most important decisions that have to be made is related to the route selection at the Florida Panhandle. According to AGLCA there are two possible choices of the way from Carrabelle to Tarpon Springs - the direct Gulf way and the Big Bend way. Both of these are the different routes and neither of these ways can be considered more preferable than the other for all boats and crews.

The direct route means that you will navigate in the open Gulf waters while the Big Bend route will involve several legs along the coast. AGLCA estimates the distance between Carrabelle and Tarpon Springs by direct passage at 170 miles.

Weather Is a Major Navigation Factor

Weather planning is especially critical along the Gulf Coast.

What might seem to be a satisfactory forecast at the departure point will not necessarily hold true down the line. The direction and strength of the winds can affect the waves and handling, and thunderstorms and poor visibility add other difficulties.

In making the determination about crossing the Gulf of Mexico, it must go beyond just making sure that the weather is “good.” A captain needs to look at the forecast winds, waves, visibility, thunderstorms, tropical weather, vessel range, fuel, and alternate routes.

AGLCA’s Gulf Crossing information centers around the typical Gulf crossing period of November through February, during which time many Loopers make this open-water section of their journey. This is merely a planning tool; the captains still need to review the marine forecast and tropical weather conditions, and look up their insurance restrictions on navigation.

Charts and Navigation Planning

Up-to-date navigation information is the most critical component of Gulf Coast preparations.

According to NOAA, the navigational data provided by them consists of data drawn from various sources, such as NOAA surveys, U.S. Army Corps of Engineers data of federal channels, and aids to navigation data.

Prior to departure, verify:

• Up-to-date electronic navigational charts
• Data contained in U.S. Coast Pilot
• Local navigation notices
• Weather and sea forecasts
• Tidal and current data where required
• Bridge and channel data
• The draft and air draft of your vessel
• Range of fuel and suitable stops along the route
• Commercial shipping and restricted waters

Update your primary electronic navigation equipment and have another backup navigation system ready.

Gulf Coast Navigation Tips for Great Loopers

Gulf Coast Navigation requires preparedness as opposed to using an outline plan for navigation.

Firstly, you should never make plans for each day based on a mileage goal since factors such as conditions, commercial shipping, weather, and navigation may vary the plan.

Secondly, keep a conservative approach to both fueling and weather especially when making an offshore section of the voyage.

Thirdly, check out the navigation data just before your departure. According to NOAA, navigational data is always changing due to the changes in depth, obstructions, aids and other information.

Lastly, develop a go/no-go strategy for your Gulf passage especially when you find yourself exposed to adverse weather.

Is the Gulf Coast Difficult to Navigate?

The Gulf Coast itself is not challenging; it is just a different method of operation compared to protected inland river routes and canals due to the fact that it involves commercial activity, ever-changing channel characteristics, weather, currents, and exposed Gulf passages. Your vessel's draft, air draft, range, handling capabilities, and your crew's skills should all determine the chosen route.

Frequently Asked Questions

Which part of the Great Loop is the Gulf Coast?

The Gulf Coast section of the Great Loop route connects the inland river system surrounding Mobile to the Florida side. It may involve the use of Mobile Bay, Gulf Intracoastal Waterway (GIWW), Florida Panhandle, and Florida Gulf Coast area. The exact route is variable, since the Great Loop has alternate routes.

What is the Gulf Intracoastal Waterway?

The Gulf Intracoastal Waterway is a 1,050 mile navigation channel along the Gulf Coast. It consists of natural and man-made waterways and is used for both commercial and recreational purposes.

Should Great Loopers navigate the magenta line?

No. The magenta line must be considered an advisory directional line and should not be taken as the line of safely navigable waters.

What Is the Big Bend Route of the Great Loop?

The Big Bend route is an alternate route of the Gulf Crossing between the Carrabelle and Tarpon Springs areas of Florida. It will depend on the type of the vessel, the weather, crew experience, and captain's navigation plans.

Conclusion

The Gulf Coast part of the Great Loop offers the combination of safe inland waters and the segments when weather and open water may play a very important role in navigation. From Mobile Bay and Gulf Intracoastal Waterway through the Gulf of Mexico and Panhandle of Florida to Tarpon Springs, each of these segments has its own considerations.

For all Great Loopers, the best approach is to never count on some generic mileages, outdated charts, or any assumptions of conditions along the way. Use up-to-date charts, be aware of weather, understand ICW navigation markers, account for commercial traffic, and be conservative when it comes to open water passages in the Gulf.

Proper planning based on accurate navigation information will definitely make the Gulf Coast part of the Great Loop much easier.

Make your Great Loop easy with help of navigation charts and cruising guides from GPS Nautical Charts.