Southern Tides February 2020 by Southern Tides Magazine

all about the water February 2020

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mem ual bersh ip

I n the T ides

all about the water CREW Publisher/Editor Amy Thurman amy@southerntidesmagazine.com

Issue No. 54

Around the Reef Columnists Michelle Riley michelle.riley@noaa.gov Ebb & Flow Columnist Trey Leggett info@southerntidesmagazine.com

Editor's Note

Ebb & Flow Hog Wild!

11 Around the Reef Expo 12 Right Whales Palmetto & Calf

Consulting Naturalist John "Crawfish" Crawford crawfish@uga.edu

14 Know Your Georgia Coast?

Contributing Writer Erin Weeks weekse@dnr.sc.gov

16 Guide to Coastal Georgia 19 Cold Water Boating Safety 20 C Community Updates 22 T The Bitter End Cabin Fever

Copyright ÂŠ 2015-2020 All content herein is copyright protected and may not be reproduced in whole or part without express written permission. Southern Tides is a free magazine, published monthly, and can be found at multiple locations from St. Marys, Ga., to Beaufort, S.C.

(912) 484-3611 info@southerntidesmagazine.com Visit us on social media: www.issuu.com/SouthernTidesMagazine.com Facebook.com/southern-tides-magazine Instagram @ southerntides_mag Southern Tides Magazine is printed by Walton Press, Monroe, Ga.

Subscribe to Southern Tides: Visit www.squareup.com/store/ southern-tides-magazine $25 for one year/12 issues. (plus $1.15 credit card processing fee) Thank you for your support!

About the Cover: A br brown pelican comes in for a landing. These birds are a frequent fliers in coastal Georgia and many folks consider them emblematic of our coastal environment. Test your knowledge of our region on page 14. Photo by Amy Thurman

Letters to the Editor: We love hearing from you! Questions, comments, ideas, or whatever you'd like to share, please do! Send your thoughts to any of our email addresses listed above. February 2020

Southern Tides Magazine

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Marina: (912) 897-2896 Boatyard: (912) 897-1914 606 Wilmington Island Road Savannah, GA 31410 www.sailharbormarina.com

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E ditor’s N ote L

ast month I talked a bit about advertising and I want to go into it a little more here. DO NOT TURN THE PAGE! If you’re reading this magazine, you have some interest in the water or the coast, and advertising is what prints these pages every month. Please, keep reading. Southern Tides focuses on all things water – fishing, recreational boating, marine sciences, conservation, education, and coastal culture and lifestyle. We work closely with our community partners – those organizations that share our dedication to those topics – to bring you news, and we get out there in the community ourselves to bring you articles and features of interest. That dedication has paid off – in the past four years our readership and recognition has grown. Our readers are the target market for most coastal businesses. They live and work here, shop here and utilize services here. In addition, current advertisers see results from their ads. All of which make Southern Tides a valuable marketing tool. But there are other solid reasons to advertise with us as well. • 82% of consumers trust print ads over social media and other online marketing. From a survey conducted by Marketing Sherpa. • Magazines rank first in influencing consumers to start an online search. From BIGresearch Simultaneous Media usage study. • The average magazine reader spends 43 minutes reading each issue. From research conducted by Mediamark Research and Intelligence (MRI). Studies have shown that when reading online, we’re more likely to skim, leave the page to follow other links, even talking on our phones or text. But while reading a magazine we’re holding in our hands, we’re more focused on what we’re reading. We read more slowly and have a higher comprehension and recall than when reading on a computer or phone screen. In other words, print is not dead! Add to that our competitive pricing, no-charge ad design, and the fact that we reach a broader market than TV or radio, and advertising in Southern Tides is a win-win option. So why did I want you to keep reading even if you don’t own a coastal business? Because you are the other part of the equation. It does our advertisers no good to spend their marketing budgets with us if they don’t hear from you. When you spend money with our advertisers, tell them you saw their ad in the magazine or even thank them for continuing to support the publication. When your hear of someone needing a product or service our advertisers provide, please refer them. And if you do own a business that could benefit from being included in Southern Tides, get in touch. We’ll work with you to develop the best ad possible and promote your business as if it were our own. We’re all in this together!

Thank You to our Current Advertisers! Altamaha Riverkeeper The Burger Boat Dark Arc Marine Fish Tales & Fort McAllister Marina Goodbread House Hale Marine Services Hogans' Marina Isle of Hope Marina Jekyll Harbor Marina Ken's Seafood Lyn McCuen Real Estate Maricom Navigation Okefenokee Adventures Prop Doctors River Supply & River Services Safe Harbor Rigging Sail Harbor Sea Kayak Georgia St. Marys Boat Services Thunderbolt Bait Thunderbolt Boat & Motor Sales Tortugas Island Grille Towboat Savannah Waterline Up Zachry's Riverhouse Zulu Marine Services

Amy Thurman

Editor in Chief

See you out there!

February 2020

Southern Tides Magazine

amy@southerntidesmagazine.com 7

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The first ones to notice the growing menace of wild pigs were probably farmers, as their crops were eaten and fields were torn up by large teams of these swine. A sizable group of pigs can destroy a quarter acre of land overnight. They don’t just stop there; they move off to a fresh spot to demolish while resting and feeding. Wild pigs will eat grubs, worms, grass, acorns, birds, young deer, squirrels, oats, grains, corn, watermelons and other reachable fruits. After farmers began spending too much time trying to get rid of the pesky pigs instead of tending their crops, they began contracting hunters to eradicate these creatures from their lands. Hunters soon learned that as dumb and ugly as pigs might look, they sure were smart and resilient. Ferals have a pretty good sense of smell and good hearing but lack sharp eyesight. Despite the lack of good vision, they’re still effective at sniffing out trouble and avoiding it. Many hunters have discovered that night-hunting pigs with green lights, baited areas, and night vision scopes have improved their ability to somewhat even the odds. Hunting wild pigs with a firearm is still a popular method, but some landowners and hunters have turned to live catch traps and pens. There are also commercially sold scents that pigs don’t like that act as repellants. What to do with all the wild hogs you eradicate? Many hunters eat the pigs they take from their property. My experiences over many years have refined my tastes: I don’t eat a wild pig that weighs more than 150 pounds and prefer those in the range of 50 to 90 pounds. To me these smaller hogs taste better and have more tender meat. Just like any wild game processing, I make sure to wear gloves, keep a sharp knife, avoid getting hair and dirt on the meat, ice the meat immediately, and wash knives and other utensils thoroughly. Many wild game processors will not process your wild hog for you, but some of them will. Wild pig is a very good and clean tasting meat, as long as you cook it to the proper pork temperature. There are many recipes on the internet to prepare your pork feast in different ways. Hunting for wild pigs is a year-round event even when other game is out of season. You can do your part in controlling the numbers of this invasive species, have fun doing it, and enjoy some fine table fare. Be safe around these creatures though, they are very protective and have long tusks that can cut you up rather effectively.

Ebb & F low Hog Wild! By Trey Leggett

ince the days when visitors first came to North America, there has been a subtle and often unnoticed epidemic growing. From what history has revealed, most explorers and colonists (even our early adversaries) landed and occupied areas on the east coast of the U.S. They brought their own clothing, cooking recipes, living structure styles, plants, trees, agricultural foods to grow, and even their own meat. The most prolific meat stock brought over were pigs. Over the years and centuries families, colonists, and troops have been displaced, moved, or were wiped out due to disease, fighting, and various other reasons. Many times, when these people left or migrated to other regions, they had to leave many items behind, including their livestock, namely pigs. The pigs didn’t simply die; they thrived and reverted to the wild. No longer being domesticated and under man’s control, they became wild, or feral. Feral pigs, also known as wild pigs, feral hogs, wild hogs, ferals, razorbacks, swamp pigs, etc., have become very adaptable over the years. They’ve spread and their numbers have climbed as their range has grown. The gestation period for wild hogs is 115 days (an easier way to remember it is three months, three weeks and three days), allowing them to reproduce rapidly and frequently.

Stay safe and tight lines.

Hoof prints can be fairly easily distinguished if you know what to look for. Cow print on left, feral hog in center and deer tracks on right. Image provided by River Valley Regional Commission

February 2020

Southern Tides Magazine

Trey Leggett is an avid outdoorsman sponsored by Engel Coolers and Hobie Polarized sunglasses. Email: info@southerntidesmagazine.com 9

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A round the Reef By Vanly Dang Communications Intern Gray’s Reef National Marine Sanctuary

ince the late 1990s, Gray’s Reef National Marine Sanctuary has been fortunate in its ability to depend on a devoted volunteer corps. One may ask, “Why do so many people volunteer for nothing in return?” “It gives people an opportunity to give back to their ocean,” says Benjamin Prueitt at Gray’s Reef. “Volunteering provides ordinary citizens the power to help without holding official positions.” Indeed, sanctuary volunteers run the gamut from serving as social media posters, to citizen scientists, to advanced divers. On May 23 and 24, the Gray’s Reef Expo: Celebrating NOAA’s 50th Anniversary will be held on River Street in Savannah. The event is free and open to everyone in the commuity. Visitors will be invited to explore the many wonders of Gray's Reef National Marine Sanctuary and celebrate NOAA’s golden anniversary. At the Expo, people can learn about the sharks, sea turtles, whales, and fish found at Gray’s Reef; they can touch live ocean creatures, immerse themselves in virtual reality; discover the best fishing and diving spots at the reef; catch up on cutting edge science; and more! Volunteers are essential for making the Expo a success. Last semester, professors from Savannah Technical College worked with students to design, draft, and build a large, 120-foot-long outdoor exhibit structure for the Expo. The exhibit is an integral element of the overall Expo, and without their generous contribution of time and expertise, Gray’s Reef would not have been able to afford it. Other volunteers have conducted research on the history of Gray’s Reef, back when it was known as the Sapelo Live Bottom. Several key figures in the history of the sanctuary are volunteering their time to participate in a new short film about Gray’s Reef, and others volunteered their boats and fishing expertise. In 2017,more than 50 people donated over 2,000 volunteer hours to Gray’s Reef. Beyond events, there are many other ways to

volunteer. Administrative and social media positions are open to help things run smoothly at the office and to help spread awareness of the sanctuary. Marine science internships allow students to learn more about science undertaken in various divisions of NOAA. The “Street Team” allows people to share their experiences with the ocean and their work with Gray’s Reef, and the “Education Team” helps the staff educate the public. Volunteers can even participate in ocean dives and vessel operations, if they are properly trained to NOAA specifications. Won’t you join Team Gray’s Reef? The Expo will be on Memorial Day weekend, May 23 and 24, from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. We will need volunteers to help with everything from live animal health and welfare at the touch tanks, to mastering the virtual reality headsets, to helping local artists display their artwork, to directing Expo visitors to various displays and stations. The staff will train many volunteers about various aspects of the Expo – for example, how about getting trained on the sharks found at Gray’s Reef? This and other topics are important for volunteers to be able to discuss with visitors. Currently, Gray’s Reef staff estimates each volunteer will work for one shift over the weekend, for a total of about 5 hours. Several jobs need to be filled that do not require advanced training. For example, sanctuary staff will be grateful to volunteers that help load-in and load-out the event on Sept. 22 and 25, respectively. Others could help with city-wide poster and flyer distributions. We thank all of our past volunteers for their hard work. We invite future volunteers to make a difference: not just for Gray’s Reef, but for the entire ocean. For information about volunteering, please contact: Ben Prueitt at ben.prueitt@noaa.gov or call Ben at (912) 598-2434. For general Expo inquiries, including sponsorships, contact: Michelle Riley at michelle.riley@noaa.gov or call Michelle at (912) 598-2417.

Volunteers dressed as sharks and jellyfish walk with NOAA Corps oﬃcers in 2018 St. Patrick's Day Parade. Photo by Jody Patterson/GRNMS

February 2020

Southern Tides Magazine

Palmetto and Calf

In this 2009 image of ‘Palmetto’ and a calf, you can see the palmetto tree-like pattern on the Atlantic right whale’s head that helped her earn her nickname. This image was taken under scientific permits. Photo by Sea to Shore Alliance/Clearwater Marine Aquarium under permit #594-1759

By Erin Weeks Media & Communications Coordinator SCDNR Marine Resources Division

n early February, park ranger Ann Malys Wilson got the call that something incredible was happening off the coast of the Grand Strand. In over two decades at Myrtle Beach State Park, Wilson has educated countless visitors, responded to dozens of sea turtle rescue calls, and witnessed all manner of unusual wildlife events. But this was the first time she’d ever had the chance to see one of the world’s largest and rarest species: the Atlantic right whale. Beach patrol members first sighted a mother and newborn calf right whale pair just off North Myrtle Beach. Atlantic right whales migrate as far south as Florida in the winter to breed, but the black, finless animals are rarely seen as they pass through South Carolina waters. Wilson and Scott Hartley raced to Apache Pier to catch a glimpse of the pair as they swam south. “By the time we arrived, they had moved at least a quarter mile offshore and seemed to be moving even farther out,” Wilson said. But with a spotting scope and binoculars, Wilson and Hartley were able to make out the mother and calf before dusk. “We watched the calf spyhop [peek its head above water], roll over, slap its pectoral fin, and even saw the fluke a couple of times. The callosities on the female were very easy to see,” she said, referring to the unique white patches seen on right whales that allow researchers to identify individuals.

It was, in short, she said, “the coolest thing ever.” Wilson and others who saw the pair reported their sightings to the federal agency that oversees the protection of marine mammals, setting off excited chatter as biologists across the coast worked to identify the mother. First recorded in 1989, the mother’s age is unknown – but a distinctive, palm-shaped pattern on her head, along with repeated wintertime sightings off the coast of South Carolina, led to the nickname Palmetto. “Palmetto isn't observed very often and seems to prefer Georgia and South Carolina waters,” Wilson said after learning more about the whale’s identity from Florida Fish and Wildlife Commission biologists. Georgia Department of Natural Resources biologist Clay George confirmed that Palmetto has typically been sighted in South Carolina and Georgia in years that she gives birth. She was last spotted in the Gulf of Maine in 2018. (The New England Aquarium hosts a remarkable catalog of all known Atlantic right whales, where you can learn more about Palmetto: http://rwcatalog.neaq.org/Terms.aspx) Now, Palmetto has returned to the waters of her namesake state with her fifth known calf. At birth, right whale calves average 14 feet in length, about as long as a standard sedan. Experts estimated Palmetto’s calf at just a few weeks of age. It’s difficult to overstate the importance of such calving events. 12

Southern Tides Magazine February 2020

Atlantic right whale mothers gave birth to just 12 calves from 2017 to 2019, “less than one-third the previous average annual birth rate for right whales,” according to NOAA Fisheries. “This, together with an unprecedented 30 mortalities since 2017, accelerates the downward trend that began around 2010, with deaths outpacing births in this population.” Palmetto exemplifies another growing concern among biologists. In a healthy population, right whale mothers give birth about every three years. But now, on average, females are having calves every 6 to 10 years, according to NOAA. Palmetto last gave birth eleven years ago, in 2009. In such a critically imperiled population, every single calf makes a difference. That’s why experts were troubled to learn that a newly born calf off the coast of Florida was injured by a boat propeller on January 8, 2020. Researchers were able to administer antibiotics to the calf, but its prognosis remains poor, and the calf and its mother have not been spotted again since January 16. The injured calf notwithstanding, 2020 may still provide a muchneeded bright spot for right whales. As of print time, ten right whale calves have been born this season, nearly as many as were born in the three previous seasons combined. The survival of Palmetto’s calf and others like them is what stands between a future in which our grandchildren might catch a spectacular glimpse of the ocean’s greatest inhabitants – and one in which they’re relegated to bygone legends in the book of extinction.

Palmetto’s newborn calf 'spyhopping,’ a behavior whereby whales and dolphins stick their heads vertically above water in order to better see their surroundings. Photo by Scott Hartley

This 2005 profile of Palmetto’s head (nostrils visible at left) shows a close-up of the callused pattern that allows researchers to identify her. Callosities are fascinating rough patches found on the heads of right whales that do not change during a whale’s lifetime and are colonized by unique species of barnacles and crustaceans. Photo taken under federal permits by the New England Aquarium

WHAT CAN YOU DO? Palmetto and her calf may still be in South Carolina or Georgia waters. If you are fortunate enough to see them or any whales while on the water or beach, please report your sighting immediately by calling 877-WHALE-HELP or (877) 942-5343. Right whale sightings in any location may also be reported to the U.S. Coast Guard via channel 16 or through the WhaleAlert app. Per NOAA Fisheries: To protect right whales, NOAA Fisheries has regulations that prohibit approaching or remaining within 500 yards (1,500 feet) of a right whale—500 yards is the length of about four football fields. These regulations apply to vessels and aircraft (including drones), and to people using other watercraft such as sur oards, kayaks, and jet skis. Any vessel within 500 yards of a right whale must depart immediately at a safe, slow speed. Call the NOAA Fisheries Enforcement Hotline at (800) 853-1964 to report a federal marine resource violation. This hotline is available 24 hours a day, 7 days week for anyone in the United States. February 2020

Southern Tides Magazine

Your Georgia Coast?

Photo by Captain Gary "Gator" Hill

Know

5 Lighthouses

We live in one of the most beautiful and unspoiled stretches of the east coast but how well do you know it? Test your knowledge with the information compiled here!

Cockspur Light Tybee Island Light Sapelo Island Light St. Simons Island Light Little Cumberland Island Light

368,000 Acres of Salt Marsh

6 - 9 Feet Avg. Tidal Range

â&#x20AC;˘ â&#x20AC;˘ Photo by Amy Thurman

14 Barrier Islands Tybee Island Little Tybee Island Wassaw Island Ossabaw Island St. Catherines Island Blackbeard Island Sapelo Island Wolf Island Little St. Simons Island Sea Island St. Simons Island Jekyll Island Little Cumberland Island Cumberland Island

The South Atlantic Bight runs from Cape Fear, N.C. to Cape Canaveral, Fla. Our coast sits right at the curve and is the furthest western coastaline on the eastern seaboard. This also creates the largest tidal range on the east coast aside from the Bay of Fundy. Our twice daily tides range from 6 to 9 feet and can be even more extreme during new and full moons.

Home to two National Monuments: Fort Pulaski, shown below, bel and Fort Frederica.

Photo courtesy of National Park Service 14

Southern Tides Magazine February 2020

100 Miles of Sand Beaches

3,400 Miles of Tidal Shoreline

138.2 Miles of Intracoastal Waterway

(ICW) running from the Savannah River to the St. Marys River

Watersheds Savannah River Ogeechee River Altamaha River Satilla River St. Marys River

1 National Seashore on Cumberland Island

Gray's Reef National Marine Sanctuary

1 National Marine Sanctuary 19 miles east of Sapelo Island State Sea Shell: Knobbed Whelk

State Marine Mammal: North Atlantic Right Whale

sil: State Fossil: th Shark Tooth Photo by Captain G Gator ator

State Saltwater Fish: Redfish

Photo by Sea to Shore Alliance under permit number 20556

Image by Raver Duane, USFWS

Emerged hatchlings in Georgia in 2019

Photo by Clay George, GADNR

turtle nests 3,956 Sea in Georgia in 2019 244,045

Active Bald Eagle nests being monitored in coastal Georgia by GADNR Wildlife Biologist Bob Sargent.

February 2020

Southern Tides Magazine

Photo by Sara Weaver, GADNR 15

All About the Water - A Guide to Coastal Georgia

All of us at Fish Tales & Ft. McAllister Marina wish you and yours a happy and prosperous New Year!

Join us at the Tiki Bar all winter long!

hen you have a free weekend and want to do something fun, close by, with family and friends, what do you do? Most of us get online and search by location or activity until we find something that appeals, and it could take a while to piece together a fun trip. What if you trailered your boat to St. Marys for a day or two of fishing and you needed a part? You could cut the day short, haul it out and head for home, or you could search online on your phone and hope for the best. But what if you had a list of pretty much everything pertaining to the water in one handy little book? Southern Tides is compiling a list of every boating and waterrelated business and organization in coastal Georgia and will publish it in a compact, 6- by 9-inch softbound format that you can stow in your glovebox or your gear bag and take anywhere. The guide will be divided into two sections – area and category – making it easy to search for your needs. If you want to find a fishing charter, you can look either in the fishing charter section, or under the area where you want to fish. If you need a marina to launch your boat, you can search by marina or by area. The book will be attractively designed with local photos and easy to read fonts. It will include other useful information such as how to get a fishing license, information about tide apps, and even notes on where to stay or eat. Every business we can find will be included as a basic listing (business name only) at no charge. Businesses can opt to upgrade their listings to increase their visibility and ease of contact for a reasonable rate with a couple options available to meet the budget. The books will be distributed throughout coastal Georgia (including welcome and visitor centers), reprinted as demand requires, and updated annually. y If you would like information on includingg yyour business, lease contact us ASAP! please

Oysters (as available) Drink specials and of course Great dinner specials!

Live bait Dockage Dry Storage

Fish Tales 727.3473 • Ft. McAllister Marina 727.2632 3203 Ft. McAllister Road • Richmond Hill, GA • SM 605

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All

ter a W e h t about e to A Guid

l Coasta

ia Georg Ediࢼon 2020

Get out on the water with one of our Mercury Re-powers! 2604 Causton Bluff Road • Savannah, GA (912) 376-8776 • HaleMarineInc@gmail.com

Southern Tides Magazine February 2020

Additional Content

Categories

Fishing license information Boat registration information Annual events Rainy day activities Local lore Fact Sheets Links to useful website Local regulations (dogs on beach, etc.) Short articles (purchasing seafood, etc.) Advertiser directory Places to stay and eat

Bait & Tackle Shops Beaches Boat Dealers Boat Ramps Boat Rentals Boat Services (mechanics, etc.) Boating Supply Boat Storage (not marinas or dry-stack) Dive Shops Dock Builders Dockside Dining Eco Charters Fishing Charters Fishing Clubs Fishing Piers Jetski Rentals Kayak Rentals/Tours Lighthouses Marinas & Boatyards Marine Sciences Museums (marine-related) Sailing/Boating Clubs Sea Turtle Programs Seafood Markets (Local) Towing & Salvage Companies Water-focused NFPs (Riverkeepers, Gray's Reef, etc.) Other categories may be added as the need arises

Be Included! Basic Listing (name only) - Free! Standard Listing (name, 2 forms contact) - $25 Premium Listing (name, all contact info) - $40 Display ads Quarter page - $200 Half page - $300 Full page - $500 Premium Placements Available All ads full color, design included in price. All prices are annual.

Areas Chatham County Savannah Thunderbolt Islands - Tybee, Wilmington, Whitemarsh South - Isle of Hope, Sandfly, Skidaway

For more information and to make sure your business is included, please contact Southern Tides Magazine TODAY!

Bryan, Liberty and McIntosh Counties Richmond Hill Midway/Sunbury Townsend Darien Glynn County Brunswick Little St. Simons, St. Simons & Sea Island Jekyll Island

amy@southerntidesmagazine.com

Camden County Kingsland St. Marys & Cumberland Island February 2020

Southern Tides Magazine

(912) 484-3611 17

Marine Products, Services and More • Serving the Coastal Empire and Lowcountry

4+8'4 &4+8' /#4+0' )4172 Billy Gartside 912-844-1804 billygartside@yahoo.com

Waterline Up

Boat Protection Experts Serving the Savannah Area since 2003

Justin Hill 912-660-3763 a3opax@gmail.com

Marine Electronics Sales Troubleshooting Service Installation Wiring Installation/Repair

Garmin Authorized Service Center

Keeping you headed in the right direction!

912-777-4139

maricomnavigation@comcast.net

Parties • Open Houses Fishing Tournaments • Poker Runs We’ll come to you! • Catering at your dock • Food cooked fresh to order • Menu designed to your needs • Call ahead service

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t-tops / half towers / bow rails / upper stations / crow’s nests leaning posts /poling platforms / custom aluminum /stainless needs

James Gartside 912-631-4104 j.gartside@comcast.net PROP DOCTORS LLC 3327-B 3327 33 27-B BR Russell usse us sellll SStreet treeet tr eet Thunderbolt, GA 31404

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Now servicing outboard props!

Cold Water Boating Safety

Surviving the Water If you can't make it to the boat or get out of the water: • At the first sign of falling, try to clamp a hand over your nose and mouth to minimize the possibility of inhaling water when your reflexes force you to gasp. • Remain calm and push to the surface as quickly as possible and get your head above water. • While you still have some dexterity in your fingers, button or zip your clothing to maintain a barrier so the water closest to your skin will retain your body heat as long as possible. If you’re wearing a hat or hood, pull it as tight. Kick oﬀ heavy boots. • Assume the Heat Escape Lessening Posture (HELP). Bring your knees up, clasp your hands together at your chest, and keep your head out of the water. This will allow less heat to escape your core and increase your chance of surviving until help arrives. If this position is too diﬃcult or unstable, cross your calves, bend your knees and pull your legs close to your body. Cross your arms and tuck your hands flat under your armpits. Your life jacket or float coat is imperative in helping you maintain these positions, and in signaling with the attached strobe and whistle.

lthough our coastal waterways aren’t as crowded during the winter months, many of us still spend quite a bit of time on the water. Whether you fish, sail, or kayak, or if you work on or around boats or docks, accidents can happen in seconds and you could find yourself in the water. At print time, water temperatures in coastal Georgia and South Carolina are still only in the low 60s. In comparison to air temperatures, that may not seem like much, but body heat is lost 25 times faster in cold water than in cold air. Hypothermia begins when your body’s core temperature drops below 95 degrees – which is less than four degrees below normal. When the air temperature and the water temperature equal 100 or less, it’s time to take precautions, especially when boating or working alone. It’s far better to feel a little silly wearing a life jacket or float coat than to slip and fall in the water and not be around later to joke about it. According to the BoatU.S. Foundation website, the body goes through four stages when immersed in cold water: cold shock, swimming failure, hypothermia, and post-rescue collapse. The first two stages can occur within 30 minutes, and 75% of cold-water accident victims don’t live to stage three.

First Aid for Cold Water Immersion and Hypothermia Get medical help immediately for anyone you suspect might be suﬀering from hypothermia, but until help arrives you should perform first aid. It’s imperative to keep the victim as still as possible, avoid jostling and rough handling to avoid serious health hazards, including cardiac arrest and stroke.

Do: •Shelter the victim from the elements as much as possible. If that isn’t possible, carefully move him to a sheltered location and position him face up with a blanket or padding beneath him. •If he’s unconscious, check for breathing and a heartbeat and begin CPR if necessary. •If awake, keep him as still as possible. •If you have dry clothes or blankets, remove wet clothes carefully. Wrap the victim in warm dry clothing, towels or blankets and a warm hat. Hot water bottles wrapped in clothe can be used but only on the torso. If you lack any other means of providing warmth, direct body heat will help. Wrap whatever clothing or material you have around both of you. •If he’s awake, you can give him warm, but not hot, liquids. Warm tea with honey or slightly cooled hot chocolate can help since sugar can still be absorbed into the system even if the stomach has shut down.

• Stage 1, Cold Shock – When falling into cold water, you will involuntarily gasp for air as your muscles contract. The initial shock can result in panic, hyperventilating, and in some cases can lead to heart failure. This stage can last three to five minutes. It’s imperative that you try to keep your wits and focus on staying afloat with your head above water.

Don’t:

• Stage 2, Swimming Failure – Within three to thirty minutes you will lose muscle coordination and swimming will become nearly impossible.

•Don’t apply heat to the legs or arms. This forces cold blood to circulate back toward internal organs, which can lower the core body temperature causing “after drop,” which can be fatal. •Do not massage the victim or allow a hot bath. Rough handling and movement can lead to cardiac arrest. •Don’t allow the victim to consume alcohol, which will cause the body to lose more heat.

• Stage 3, Hypothermia – After about 30 minutes, your core body temperature will drop dangerously low. Your body type, size, physical fitness, or clothing are no longer factors. You will likely lose consciousness and your chances of survival are greatly diminished. • Stage 4, Post Rescue Collapse – Just because you’ve gotten out of the water doesn’t mean you’re in the clear. Your body will react to the surrounding air, and blood from your cold extremities can circulate into your body core. Blood pressure will likely drop and heart problems can develop. February 2020

Southern Tides Magazine

Stay Safe! Wear A PFD or Float Coat! Data compiled by Amy Thurman. Sources include BoatU.S. Foundation and various first aid manuals.

Community Updates Youth Birding Competition T-Shirt Art Contest

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Hey, kids! Do you enjoy nature as well as creating artwork? Georgia’s 15th annual Youth Birding Competition invites resident children and teens to celebrate birds through a T-shirt Art Contest. A winner will be picked from each of these age categories: primary (pre-K-2nd), elementary (thirdfifth), middle school (sixth-eighth) and high school. One winner will be awarded the grand prize – their artwork will appear on the 2020 Youth Birding Competition T-shirt and they’ll receive a $100 Amazon gift card. The three other winners will each receive a $50 Amazon gift card, redeemable for art supplies. To encourage artists to also participate in the 2020 Youth Birding Competition on April 24-25, another award will recognize the best artwork from a member of a team involved in the competition (if a participant doesn’t already place in the regular art contest). Entering is easy. Participants must draw or paint a native Georgia bird that has not been previously featured on a Youth Birding Competition T-shirt. Artwork may be created on paper or sheet canvas, at least 8-by-10 inches but no larger than 11-by-17 inches. Mail or deliver the artwork in a large envelope – flat, not folded – by March 6, 2020 (postmarked), to: GA DNR-WRD, YBC T-shirt Art Contest (Attn: Linda May), 2600 Hwy. 155 SW, Stockbridge, GA 30281. On a separate piece of paper, gently taped to the back of the artwork, include the participant’s name, school, age, grade level, mailing address, phone number, parent or teacher’s e-mail address, and the species name of the bird depicted. The illustrated bird must be a wild species that is native to Georgia. Artwork of exotic or domesticated species (such as European starlings, pigeons, yellow ducks, peacocks and parrots) will be disqualified. Draw or paint the bird’s features as accurately as possible. A simple background that provides habitat context is good to include, but make sure your bird stands out well and is the focus of the artwork. Also keep in mind that deep, contrasting colors scan best for a T-shirt. Only one entry per person is allowed, and it must be the child’s original artwork. For more information on the T-shirt Art Contest, visit www.georgiawildlife.com/ YBCTshirtArtContest. You can also contact art contest coordinator Linda May at (706) 3190211 or linda.may@dnr.ga.gov.

Sunbury Boat Ramp Temporarily Closed

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The Sunbury Boat Ramp at the end of Ft. Morris Road in Sunbury, Ga., will be closed for 45 days beginning January 23 for a parking lot improvement project. During this time the boat ramp and ﬁshing pier will closed. Other nearby boat ramps can be found at www.GeorgiaOutdoorMap.com or by calling the Coastal Resources Division at (912) 264-7218. During the improvement project, crews will be adding boat parking spaces, repaving the lot, creating a new grass over-ﬂow parking area and adding a restroom facility. The Coastal Resources Division apologizes for any inconvenience and thanks the public for its patience. Anyone with questions may contact CRD's Paul Medders at paul.medders@ dnr.ga.gov or by calling (912) 262-3144. 20

Southern Tides Magazine February 2020

GAMBA Elects 2020 Officers The Georgia Marine Business Association (GAMBA) has elected a new slate of officers for 2020. Bubba Strickland, of Hogans' Marina, will serve as president; Robert Hale, of Hale Marine, will serve as treasurer; Mike Bowie, of Dunbar Yachts, will serve as secretary; Dustin Hartley, of Hinckley Yacht Services, and Ernie D'Alto, of Thunderbolt Marine, will each serve as vice presidents. Amy Thurman, of Southern Tides Magazine, will continue to serve as executive director of the organization. Projects on the table in 2020 include the new anchoring law, a sales tax cap on boat purchases, ICW dredging, the ﬁlm industry tax credit, and a marine trades scholarship, among others. GAMBA was founded in the early 1990s and is made up of marine businesses in coastal Georgia. For more information email amy@southerntidesmagazine.com.

Beware! Scam Fishing License Website Buyer Beware! A scam license website has been detected by the Georgia DNR Law Enforcement Division. This site appears to be active in both North Georgia and on the coast. This scam website appears as an advertisement during a Google Search for “Georgia Fishing License.” The site then allows you to enter your personal information, such as name, date of birth, social security number, drivers license number, phone number, email address and residential address. It gathers this info, but never asks for payment for the license. This website appears to have been created outside the United States, and the Georgia DNR Law Enforcement Division is working to get the site shut down. If you are aware of anyone that has provided personal information to this site, you are encouraged to reach out to the Georgia DNR Law Enforcement Division’s Investigative Unit at (770) 918-6408. Our offices also encourage anyone that may have provided information to this website to ﬁle a police report with their local agency and monitor/freeze their credit. The only legitimate place to purchase a hunting and ﬁshing license online in the State of Georgia is at www.gooutdoorsgeorgia.com.

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• Protects, defends and restores the watershed by monitoring pollution and polluters. • Talks with legislators about bills that could better protect the watershed. • The 14,000 miles of the Altamaha watershed includes Ocmulgee, Oconee, Ohopee and the Golden Isles.

We can’t do it without you, become a member now! www.altamahariverkeeper.org

February 2020

Southern Tides Magazine

Fishable Swimmable Drinkable Water!

T he Bitter End Cabin Fever By Amy Thurman

We're in the process of recruiting a columnist for The Bitter End who will bring you an enjoyable read every month. We appreciate your patience while we find the right fit!

t happens every year about this time. I feel a restlessness, a craving for fresh air and sunshine and getting out on the water. This cabin fever seems to coincide with the first gorgeous, sunny, 72-degree days that pop up in between cold spells in January and February. I find myself coming up with any excuse at all to go outside – a walk to the mailbox, keeping an eye on the pup, sweeping off the front porch, raking leaves, or just sitting in a rocking chair watching the squirrels and birds while contemplating the prospect of a project boat. Yeah, I know, that last bit makes me sound a little addled. But spring is just around the corner and before we know it, it’ll be time to shed our jackets, trade in boots for flip flops, and finally get back out there. I know some of you diehards don’t let a little thing like being chilly keep you indoors through the winter, but I hate cold and I LIVE for warmer weather. This year, I’m going to practice what I’ve been preaching and make time for the things I enjoy. While doing research for some of the articles in this issue, I came across several things I’ve added to my list of potential “adventures” this year. First are some places I want to visit. Of our 14 barrier islands, I still haven’t been to Little Tybee (Marsha Henson, I’ll be coming to see you!), Blackbeard, Sea Island or Wolf Island, and I haven’t properly explored Wassaw. Frankly, Little Tybee and Wassaw are a bit shameful given how close I lived to both of them for years, but time gets away too quickly. I also want to visit Harris Neck Wildlife Refuge, Melon Bluff Nature Center, Hofwyl Plantation, the Pinpoint Heritage Museum and the Savannah-Ogeechee Canal Museum and trails, all of which might result in articles for Southern Tides. Spending some time learning is also on the list for the coming season. I hope to spend time with Savannah Riverkeeper staff, go onsite during a living shoreline installation with Zulu Marine, maybe go on some more field trips with the DNR, and hopefully get on a working shrimp boat to see what that life entails. It isn’t all about the magazine though. While I feel at times as if I live and breathe Southern Tides, and while all of those things are truly enjoyable, I’ll still be making time for things just for the sake of enjoyment.

This visit to the Okefenokee with Chip and Joy Campbell, of Okefenokee Adventures, was the last time I had a chance to paddle. But I plan to rectify this lapse in 2020! Photo by Amy Thurman

It’s time for a kayak. I had one for years that eventually outlived its lifespan and I’ve never gotten around to replacing it, but it’s time. There are 3,400 miles of tidal shoreline in coastal Georgia, which means a lot of places to explore in a kayak and I intend to cover as many as time allows. Head’s up Getaway Girls – our camping trip may have been washed out, but we need to get planning for our next adventure! Easter is on April 12 this year, which means I have about two months to plan, prep and plant a garden in the big sunny patch outside my office window. Tomatoes, a variety of peppers, cucumbers, and whatever else sounds tasty are in my immediate future. I haven’t seen any deer tracks in the area, so I’m hopeful! About that project boat I mentioned. Every time the subject comes up, I get looks that range from disbelief to wariness, as if this particular brand of crazy might rub off on the person I’m talking to. That’s okay, think what you will, but I was reading through some articles I wrote while working on a previous boat project some years ago and it brought back memories – mostly happy ones. Yeah, there’s a level of frustration involved – fiberglass dust, scraped knuckles and knees, hard-to-find parts, hidden leaks, and undoing things that were previously done wrong. But when you take a scrap of a boat and give it new life with your own blood, sweat and tears, there’s a sense of accomplishment, a sense of trust in your vessel, and it’s incredibly rewarding when you launch it and it does everything a boat is supposed to do. Call me crazy, but I love it! I hope y’all are looking forward to the coming season and are able to make time to get out there and do things you enjoy. Make it a priority – I am! 22

Southern Tides Magazine February 2020

Bull River Yacht Club Unit 704

This is one of the most unique and special building complexes in the Savannah area. Unending views of the marsh and water. This 3 BR, 3 BA unit is on the far side and upper level. It is waiting for you to enjoy the balcony deck for dinner or drinks. Once you enter the property you will see water from every angle. The high end finishes just top it off. Welcome to the best view with privacy to boot. Enjoy the 4th Fireworks at Tybee from your private unit or come up one floor for rooftop amenities in the pool or table entertaining alcoves. This unit has water views from all of the common areas, one guest room and the master bedroom. Secure building and parking. Coded entry to the unit. This is the property for the discerning buyer. It has it all. Views, privacy, lock and leave potential, upgrades galore et all. $674,000

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The exterior has a distinct Southern Victorian look with a wrap-around balcony and pillars. The veranda is truly stunning and has lots of seating, light fixtures and ceiling fans for a nice evening outside. Inside, youâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;ll continue to feel the rich Southern charm of this property with a living room right out of a novel. Glossy wood floors, brick and wood decorative fireplace, elaborate chandelier, leather furniture and an antique coffee table make up this charming room. However, modern conveniences are not forgotten and youâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;ll also find a large TV in an entertainment center. Head into the next room to find the formal dining area with a dark wood table and seating for six. The galley kitchen offers stainless steel appliances, a double sink and ample counter space. A small laundry room with stacked machines and an ironing board are located in the expansive hall. Two Bedrooms are nicely appointed with lots of windows, two full baths, ceiling fans, seating areas and comfortable beds. 4 years of STVR history.$425,000

HERB RIVER BEND

Here is one the most sought after neighborhoods. Gated but so convenient to everything. This 4BRs 3.5BAs home recently changed hands and now the seller needs to sell due to no fault of his own. Every detail in the house is custom done. Originally built by Ed Johns. Lots of living and entertaining areas. Gourmet kitchen open to the family room and breakfast area. Counter seating as well. Two fireplaces to accent LR and FR. Wonderful covered back porch and courtyard. The neighborhood has wonderful amenities such as pool, exercise, clubhouse and play ground. Hancock School is located at rear of neighborhood. Come enjoy all of the wonderful neighbors. Such a great area for walking. $675,000

MIDTOWN

1205 E. 51st Street

Wow!! No lots like this in Parkside. 4 total lots with amazing outdoor space. This charming bungalow will draw you in and make you want to settle in for life. Two bedrooms and bath down and a fantastic master suite and sitting area with bath on second floor. Hardwood floors and contemporary kitchen. There are two outdoor screened areas. Detached single car garage with lots of extra storage. Parkside is such a welcoming community with lots of friendly neighbors. Walk to Daffin Park for the dog park, watching games or enjoy the Banana games and fireworks. Ready for you now. $349,000

127 Sussex Retreat

This is a very special area and home. Located just off Pooler Parkway with easy access to I-16 and Savannah. A gated community with amenities that just do not stop. Private dinner club, exercise studio, tennis facilities, and a pool entertaining area that far exceeds any expectations. This 4 BR/3.5 BA home is located on one of the wonderful estate lots that is just over an acre. Custom built with two master suites. One upstairs and one down. Perfect for a multi generational family. Four bedrooms and a large bonus room. Multiple living and entertaining areas. There are minumum requirements for the dinner club. Come make this your perfect family home and enjoy all that Westbrook has to offer. $599,000