Southern Tides January 2020

Page 1

all about the water January 2020


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I n the T ides

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

Issue No. 53

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

7

Editor's Note

9

Ebb & Flow

11 Around the Reef 12 Looking Back: 2019 in Pictures

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

17 Record Woodstork Nests in SC

Contributing Writer Rick Lavender rick.lavender@dnr.ga.gov

19 Remembering a Matriarch 20 Ocean to Table: Cannonball Jellies

Contributing Writer Kaley Lawrimore lawrimorek@dnr.sc.gov

22 Th The Bitter End Farewell Tom

Copyright Š 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 wood wo stork returns from a foraging trip and rejoins iits mate and chicks in a rookery in South Carolina. Both male and female wood storks take turns caring for their chicks in the nest and bringing food to feed their chicks. See story on page 17. Photo by Christy Hand/SCDNR

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. January 2020

Southern Tides Magazine

5


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E ditor’s N ote Bring on 2020!

O

ver the course of this past year or so, I’ve been pulled in multiple directions and at times, have had to operate the magazine on autopilot. Ideas have been brewing though, and I look forward to implementing some of them and giving Southern Tides a new surge of life in this new year! For starters, we’ll be focusing on new ad sales. Over the past four years Southern Tides has become well-known in the coastal region. Readers tell me frequently how much they enjoy the magazine and advertisers tell me their ads are bringing results. These two facts demonstrate that the magazine is a valuable marketing venue for any boating or water-focused business or organization. We’ll also be working with our existing advertisers to help make their ads eye-catching, pertinent, and to better reach their target customers. An increase in advertising will also bring an increase in content. In 2020, we’ll be rebooting our “something for everyone” goal of achieving a balance between recreational boating, marine business, marine science, conservation and education, as well as general coastal lifestyle stories and even destination articles. No drastic changes, just more of what you enjoy each month and maybe a couple new regular features too. We’ll be making some adjustments to the look and style of the magazine too, over the course of this year. Selecting fonts that are easier to read, having some fun with the layouts, and more photos – maybe even some of yours, like the one by my dear friends, Lancy and Emily, shown at top right! To go along with these improvements, you’ll also begin seeing an increase in our social media presence and participation at local events. We were thrilled to attend the Ocean to Table series at the UGA Aquarium on Skidaway in December, and look forward to seeing you all out there at other functions in our communities soon. Southern Tides is in its fifth year of publication now and still going strong. Our goal with these small changes is to keep it fresh and interesting, and to remain relevant and beneficial to each of you. I hope you’ll continue to enjoy every issue, and please don’t hesitate to reach out to any of us to share ideas, stories, photos, or news. We love hearing from you!

Sunrise over Daufuskie. Photo by Lancy & Emily Burn

Happy New Year - we'll see you out there!

Amy Thurman

Editor in Chief

amy@southerntidesmagazine.com January 2020

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7


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well into the grass flats. The shrimp and baitfish are in that area both for protection, and searching the grass for food. As the tide goes out, the shrimp and baitfish are funneled into smaller sources of water until they eventually have to exit the grass shelter, usually through a small feeder creek or finger. Many inshore species set up ambush spots at these outflows and around structure like oysters, points, and crab pots, where baitfish congregate. These areas can be as shallow as a couple inches or as deep as a few feet. As the water flows back on an incoming tide, the bait follows, moving back into the flooding marsh grass for protection and food. When fishing through the tides, I like to target specific areas. At high tide, fish the grass lines for trout or in the grass (provided there is enough water) for redfish. At mid-tide, around structure (oysters, points, or depressions) for trout and flounder. At low tide also around structure (if there’s at least a foot of water) for flounder or in deeper water troughs for trout. Once you fish an area a few times and throughout several tide cycles, you’ll see patterns in where the baitfish and fish are going to be in relation to the tide level. There are typically two larger tide cycles each month, at the full moon and new moon, which create much lower low tides and much higher high tides. Always be mindful of where you’re going to fish and what the tide cycle is for that area. Being stuck in the mud is not fun when you could still be fishing. There are numerous tide charts on the Internet and apps for your smart phone that will give you tide information on your location. Many folks say that if you can successfully catch fish inshore in the coastal empire and lowcountry, you can catch fish anywhere.

Ebb & F low Crazy Tides By Trey Leggett

T

here have been many a day when I’ve fished for hours with little or nothing to show for it. Sometimes it has to do with moon phases, atmospheric pressures, not holding your mouth right, or not knowing what the heck you’re doing. More times than not, the problem is the tides and not knowing what to do and where to be during each phase of the tide. As many of you know, our coastal tides have anywhere from a 6 1/2- to 8-foot swing in depth change in a 6-hour period. One minute you can be sitting in a few feet of water and a few hours later that same spot is nothing but a mud flat. Having large tidal swings adds a degree of difficulty to fishing the inshore waters of our pristine coastline. Whatever your targeted species, you have to know how that species acts, eats and hunts for their prey. Fish move in and out with the tides, chasing bait and seeking cover from other predators. Imagine it’s high tide and the water is

Trey's

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tin son Aus eggett

Stay safe and tight lines.

.

sunrise

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

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January 2020

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A round the Reef By Michelle Riley Communications & Public Outreach Coordinator Gray’s Reef National Marine Sanctuary

J

anuary at Telfair Museums' Jepson Center for the Arts is a great month for Southern Tides readers, who are “all about the water!” Right now Telfair has several different water-related offerings that are free to many visitors. First up is the PULSE Art + Technology Festival, Jan 23-26. We are delighted to participate in PULSE this year, offering visitors an immersive experience using brand-new underwater virtual reality footage of Gray's Reef National Marine Sanctuary. Dr. Peter Auster, one of the scientists who conducts long-term research at the sanctuary, and his team captured the video. Dr. Auster is observing predators and their prey in the wild. Local filmmakers edited the footage and Telfair has loaded it into Oculus virtual reality headsets as part of the “TechSpace: Second Nature” exhibit at PULSE. Also at PULSE, scientist Catherine Edwards of the University of Georgia Skidaway Institute of Oceanography (SkIO) will discuss the gliders that she deploys in Gray's Reef and other locations. Dr. Edwards will focus on the gliders as marine robots used to help predict storms and hurricanes. She will speak as part of PULSE's “Tech Talks for Students: Technology, Design and Climate Change” on Jan. 24 at 11:00 a.m. The talk is free for students in grades 4 and up, but they must register in advance. Last June, Dr. Edwards deployed a new glider named Franklin in Gray's Reef, and it was joined by SkIO's other glider, named Angus. Franklin was named after Benjamin Franklin, who was the first to chart the Gulf Stream. In addition to attending the discussion at PULSE, you can learn more about Dr. Edwards' work with gliders on the SkIO website at www.skio.uga.edu. While you're looking at the cutting-edge technology at PULSE,

you can also wander in to see the Jepson Center's “Summon the Sea” art exhibit for free during the day, Jan 23-26. Based on the famous novel Moby Dick, “Summon the Sea” includes a huge 52-foot whale made of felt, which takes up almost an entire room! Gray's Reef staff participated in the museum's Free Family Day for “Summon the Sea” two months ago and enjoyed seeing artists' interpretations of the famous book. To check out all of these great ocean-related events, go to www.telfair.org/event/pulse-art-technology-festival/ or call Telfair Museums at (912) 790-8880.

For more information, email:

michelle.riley@noaa.gov or call (912) 598-2345

Top: A felt whale, "Mocha Dick," by Artist Tristin Lowe. Photo provided byWilliam College Museum of Art This photo: Atlantic Spadefish. Photo by Bill Goodwin/NOAA, in collaboration with The Ocean Agency VR.


Looking Back: 2019 in Pictures


Opposite page, clockwise from top left: The first right whale calf spotted in 2019, on January 7, near Amelia Island. Photo by Sea to Shore Alliance under NOAA permit #20556-01 A shrimp boat returning to port just after the season reopened in 2019. Photo by Southern Tides Sta Wild horses on Cumberland Island and Tybee Island Lighthouse, both from the article on fun winter weekends, February 2019. Photos by Amy Thurman The 56-foot tug Miss Addison, that sank in Jekyll Creek. The tug was refloated in late January 2019. Photo provided by GADNR

This page, clockwise from top left: The front beacon for Sapelo Light. Photo by Southern Tides Sta Man-of-war fish swimming below a Portuguese man o' war jellyfish. Photo by Evan D'Alessandro/NOAA Cockspur Light from the May paddling issue. Photo by Captain J. Gary "Gator" Hill Battle of the Birds, osprey vs. eagle, also from the paddling issue. Photo by Marsh Henson Paddling the Okefenokee, May issue. Photo by Amy Thurman A fledgling Bald Eagle, found in the back yard of a Wilmington Island resident in April. Photo by Shannon Marino, Zulu Marine


Clockwise from top left: A diamondback terrapin, June issue. Photo by Amy Thurman A Wilson plove chick, from "Sharing our Beach with Shorebirds" in June. Photo by Brad Winn/GADNR Humpback whales feeding on anchovies - first place winner in the Sanctuary Life category of the National Marine Sanctuary annual photo contest. Photo by Douglas Croft Mama loggerhead on Ossabaw Island, July issue. Photo by Caleigh Quick/GADNR Loggerhead hatchlings heading for open water, August issue. Photo provided by GADNR

A young male gator hanging out in Goose Pond on Little St. Simons Island. Photo by Southern Tides Sta


Clockwise from top left: A meteorite found on the beach on Daufuskie Island by Lancy and Emily Burn. Photo by Amy Thurman Pilot whales, similar to those that beached on St. Simons Island in July, shown here "spy hopping." Photo by Adam U./NOAA A rescue team loads an adult female manatee aboard a boat in the Savannah River. Photo provided by Clearwater Marine Aquarium Research under USFWS permit #770191 Isle of Hope Marina, from November's "For the Love of Marinas" article by Dan Foulds. Photo provided by Isle of Hope Marina Pelicans on posts, from November's Ebb & Flow (cover). Photo by Trey Leggett

A roseate spoonbill perched on a branch on Little St. Simon's Island. Photo by LSSI Sta

January 2020

Southern Tides Magazine

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Record Number of Wood Stork Nests in SC in 2019 Kaley Lawrimore Public Information/Social Media Coordinator SCDNR Marine Resources Division Wood storks (Mycteria americana) are the only stork species that breed in the U.S. They have a wingspan of 59 - 65 inches. They were placed on the endangered species list in 1984, but were downlisted to threatened in 2014. Photos by Christy Hand/SCDNR

I

n 2019, South Carolina Department of Natural Resources (SCDNR) biologists and technicians counted the highest number of wood stork nests ever recorded in the state’s history. SCDNR’s Wading Bird Program counted 3,075 wood stork nests at 26 colonies in South Carolina, breaking the record high of 2,512 nests set during 2016. However, this increase likely reflects widespread nesting failure documented in south Florida. According to Mark Cook, lead environmental scientist with the South Florida Water Management District, heavy rain in both January and April of 2019 caused established nests to fail in south Florida. In the 268 nests monitored in South Carolina this year, an average of two chicks per nest site survived to fledging age, and at least one chick survived to fledging age in 84% the nest sites. The federal recovery goal for wood storks is an average of 1.5 fledglings per nest, and nesting success exceeded the goal this year at all but one of the six index colonies where nests are monitored on a weekly basis throughout the breeding season. “At Dungannon Plantation Heritage Preserve, wood stork nesting was unsuccessful in the area of the colony where nest monitoring was conducted, but an additional 73 nests were counted later during the season in an unmonitored area of the colony and many of these nesting attempts were successful,” said Christy Hand, SCDNR wildlife biologist. SCDNR has been surveying the wood stork nests since they began to nest in South Carolina during 1981. For more information about the SCDNR Wading Bird Program, visit: bit.ly/scdnr_ wadingbirds

January 2020

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Punctuation Loss of a Matriarch

killed or seriously injured from 2010 to 2016. During that time, 110 calves were born. In the last three years, that downward trend has accelerated. Only 12 calves have been seen compared to 30 whales found dead, most from vessel strikes and entanglement in Canada and New England waters. “It’s like we’ve traded harpoons for prop blades and fishing rope,” George said. And births aren’t an even trade for the loss of adult whales, particularly females. Factoring in survival and gender rates, scientists say it takes about four calves to equal one breeding-age female. With deaths outpacing right whales reaching maturity, the population has dropped to about 412. A WHALE’S LIFE Punctuation both bucked and bore those trends. She was a survivor and one of the era’s most successful right whale moms. Photographed in 1981 off Massachusetts’ coast, over the next 38 years she would shed entanglements in fishing rope five times, survive two minor vessel strikes and raise eight calves, young that can be 14 feet long at birth and nurse for almost a year. Punctuation also was a regular in Georgia, even seen here in 1986 with her first calf. Her life, however, was shadowed by the pain and disaster common to right whales. In addition to being run over by vessels and getting snagged in fishing rope, she outlived at least two of her young and two of theirs. One died from entanglement; another from a vessel strike. Two, including a whale seen with deep propeller wounds on its back, simply disappeared. (NOAA estimates that 62 percent of right whale carcasses go undetected.) Punctuation last gave birth to a male calf. It was seen near St. Simons Island in January 2016. Five months later, the calf died off Massachusetts after being hit by a vessel. None of the females Punctuation gave birth to are alive today. The shortage of right whale females makes the species’ potential recovery more tenuous. It takes nine years on average for females to reach sexual maturity. There are now fewer than 100 breeding females alive. Compounding the issue, NOAA says the lifespan of females has shrunk from at least 70 years to about 45, while birthing rates have stretched from a calf every three years to one every six to 10. For Barb Zoodsma, right whale biologist for NOAA Fisheries, the result of shorter lives and longer calving intervals is clear. “Right whales are producing fewer and fewer calves,” Zoodsma said. “If we don’t fix this, things could spiral out of control pretty quickly.” DARK SUMMER In February 2018, a Clearwater Marine Aquarium team flying surveys for DNR photographed Punctuation in a social group with seven other whales. They were about 30 miles east of Jekyll Island. She was not seen with a calf that winter, so it’s unclear why she migrated to the Southeast. What is clear is that it was her final trip here. Last summer, on June 5 and 6, Punctuation was swimming in Canada’s Gulf of St. Lawrence, more than 1,500 miles from Georgia. Two weeks later, her carcass was discovered sliced open and floating in the Gulf of St. Lawrence. A necropsy revealed that she died from a collision with a vessel. Punctuation would not be the only casualty. That June and July, eight more right whales were found dead in the Gulf of St. Lawrence. Three were adult females. At least two died from ship strikes. A 10th whale seen entangled but alive in Canada turned up dead off New York in September. Possibly because of shifting populations of copepods – the tiny crustaceans right whales eat in masses called blooms – many whales are bypassing traditional summer feeding grounds in the Gulf of Maine and swimming into Canadian waters, where vessel traffic is heavy and thick synthetic ropes are used to catch lobster and snow crab. Rope from lobster pots is also a serious threat in U.S. waters. The plight of North Atlantic right whales has spurred calls for increased protections in both nations. Meanwhile, researchers in the Southeast hope for a strong calving season. Many of the females seen have calved before and could be pregnant. One of those is Slalom, right whale no. 1245. Slalom is 38 years old and has had five calves. She has yet to match Punctuation. But given time, maybe she can.

By Rick Lavender Communications Specialist

GADNR Wildlife Resources Division

Punctuation seen swimming off the Georgia coast for the last time in February 2018. Photo by Clearwater Marine Aquarium under NOAA Permit #20556-0079

T

he seasonal return of North Atlantic right whales to the Southeast has started like clockwork. At least seven adult females have been seen from North Carolina to north Florida since late November, and the season’s first calf was spotted off Sapelo Island in mid-December. The news is encouraging for a species considered among the world’s most endangered whales. But it is also tempered by the awareness that one well-known right whale will not return this winter. Female no. 1281, nicknamed Punctuation for a unique pattern of white scars on her head, died last summer in Canada’s Gulf of St. Lawrence. She was hit by a vessel. Over nearly four decades, Punctuation had been seen at least 250 times along the eastern seaboard. More importantly, she had been prolific, giving birth to eight calves. Yet even in death she stands out, a testament to the dangers right whales face and the growing fear they are heading toward extinction. Clay George, a senior biologist with the Georgia Department of Natural Resources, said that at the rate right whales are dying, they could be “functionally extinct by the end of this century. We’ve got to stop killing them, and fast.” TO THE BRINK AND BACK North Atlantic right whales have been on the brink before. For eons, the bus-sized mammals migrated more than 1,000 miles along the Atlantic seaboard, from feeding grounds off Canada and New England to calving grounds off Georgia and Florida. Yet their proximity to shore and abundant oil and baleen made them the “right” whale to kill. By 1900, commercial whalers had hunted them nearly to extinction. A ban on hunting and other protections helped the species recover slowly during the 20th century. Despite new human threats that emerged in the wake of whaling – primarily vessel collisions and entanglement in commercial fishing rope – the population grew. From 2001 to 2010, the number of right whales increased from some 330 to more than 480, boosted by an average of 24 calves a year. Then, about 10 years ago, the recovery stalled. According to NOAA estimates, more than 100 right whales were January 2020

Southern Tides Magazine

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Ocean to Table: Cannonball Jellies

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In December, UGA Marine Extension and Georgia Sea Grant hosted another seminar in their Ocean to Table series. This one was on cannonball jellyfish - something that probably hasn't crossed most people's minds when thinking of fresh local seafood! To find out what it was all about, Southern Tides attended and sampled the fare. Result? Hmmm ... we'll let y'all be your own judges! But first some information about these fascinating critters.

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Quick Facts • Scientific Name: Stomolophus meleagris. Common names include jellyball and cabbagehead jelly • One of the most common jellyfish in the South Atlantic and Gulf of Mexico • Key food source for sea turtles • Have been used medicinally for blood pressure and bronchitis medications • First harvested in the U.S. in Florida, in the early 1990s • First commercial fishing permit issued in Georgia for jellyballs in 1998 Jellyfish lifecycle. Image provided by UGA • Became legislatively regulated Marine Extention & Georgia Sea Grant fishery in Georgia in 2013 • Makes up largest commercial seafood commodity by landings in Georgia • First Turtle Excluder Device (TED) was created by Georgia shrimper Sinkey Boone to exclude jellyfish from his catch • Commercial season is open in Georgia waters year round, but peak harvest season is November through May • There is currently only one cannonball jellyfish processing facility in Georgia, located in McIntosh County

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Bivavle Larvae Mullusk Larvae Gastropod Larvae Fish Eggs Red Drum Larvae

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Southern Tides Magazine

January 2020


Multiple marine species, like the juvenile spider crab seen here, can be found taking shelter in the cannonball jelly's bell. Photo by Amy Thurman

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Ways to Eat Jellyfish Around the World

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• Jellyfish salad - thinly sliced, cold marinated (this is a standard first course in Chinese wedding feasts!) • In Japan they're eaten as sushi, as the "salty" in sweet-salty caramels, and in vanilla and jellyfish ice cream • As crunchy noodles in Thailand • As a meal or a snack in Vietnam • Chef Matt Marcus, with Waterford in Atlanta, Ga. served fresh jellies as "Georgia Carbonara" • For more ideas visit the Golden Island International Seafood website where you'll find recipes for salads, burgers and more. www.giiseafood.com

Call Ahead

Heirloom Tomato and Jellyfish Salad

For Oysters!

By Chef Matthew Raiford, The Farmer and the Larder, Brunswick, Ga. INGREDIENTS 2 lbs jellyfish (soak for 30 minutes, then drain) 3 tbsp roasted garlic and herb seasoning 1 cup rice wine vinegar 12 cloves garlic (roasted) 1 lb heirloom baby tomatoes, quartered 1 red pepper (diced) 2 cippolini onions (diced) 1 tsp sea salt DIRECTIONS • Julienne the jellyfish; in a non-reactive bowl toss in roasted garlic and herb seasoning. Refrigerate for one hour. • Add vinegar and return to refrigerator for 30 minutes. • Drain off vinegar; add garlic, tomatoes, red pepper and onion, and toss. • Salt to taste.

Information provided by Jackie Ogden, Nina Sassano, and Tori Stivers, UGA Marine Extension and Georgia Sea Grant. Visit gacoast.uga.edu.to learn about upcoming events. January 2020

Southern Tides Magazine

21

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T he Bitter End A Fond Farewell By Amy Thurman

T

accumulate in two lifetimes, and I’d best listen up. Since those early days with Tom, I now sit still and listen up when someone is sharing information. When I saw Tom at the GAMBA Christmas party on December 13, I had no idea it would be the last time. We were the first two to arrive and chatted about Gray’s Reef and the magazine. I wish I’d said something more to let him know how much he was appreciated and respected. I wish I’d picked that brain of his for all the wisdom he cared to share. At the first GAMBA meeting this month, we’ll be discussing the creation of a marine trade scholarship fund in honor of Tom. It seems fitting that we attach his name to an award that will help young minds gain knowledge of their own in the industry he was so devoted to. Fair winds and following seas, Tom. You’ll be greatly missed.

he marine community has suffered a tremendous loss with the passing of our friend and associate, Commander Tom Wright (USN, Ret.) on January 3. I knew Tom through the Georgia Marine Business Association (GAMBA). He attended every GAMBA meeting he was able to, representing the Savannah Maritime Association. He was active in several organizations, including the Propeller Club, The Navy League, and, I believe, the Coast Guard Auxilliary, but don’t quote me on that, and there are likely others. He was also actively involved in right whale conservation. I used to tease him when I introduced him to someone. “This is Tom Wright, with Savannah Maritime Association and every other boating or marine organization in Savannah. And he knows everything and everyone.” Tom would smile bashfully and say, “Well, I don’t know everything, but I do belong to a lot of groups.” I once overheard him introduce himself to a guest at a GAMBA meeting with a smile, saying, “I’m with the Savannah Maritime Association and most every other boating or marine organization in Savannah.” That tickled me. He really did know everything though. I’ve only met two people on this planet to whom I’ll give such credit. One of them hates it when I make that claim publicly, so I’ll leave his name out of this, but the other was Tom Wright. If you needed to know something about maritime law, current or past legislation, the Coast Guard, the Navy, the Port Authority, Savannah history, U.S. history, anything related to boating regulations, right whales, or a whole host of other topics, Tom could give you an answer. I shudder to think of the wealth of knowledge, information and understanding he took with him when he left us. On the rare occasions when he didn’t immediately have an answer for you, he knew who did and would put you in touch with them post haste. And an introduction from Tom got you straight through, with no further explanation needed. I really do think he knew everyone related to the marine and boating community in Chatham County and likely far beyond that. When I first met him, I was younger, more brash and typically rushed. I was maybe a wee bit impatient with him the first time or two Tom and I interacted. In spite of being hurried along by me, he remained patient and continued to share his news and information with a thoroughness that’s severely lacking in today’s world. That patience he had with me? That was a big “lead by example” instance and taught me to be patient with him, and with others. Listening to Tom, I realized that he had more knowledge than most people could

OBITUARY Cdr. Thomas Williams Wright (USN Ret.) 1943 - 2020 On Friday, January 3, 2020, Thomas Williams Wright of Savannah, Ga. passed away at 76. Tom was born on March 3, 1943 in San Francisco, Calif. to Donald Graham and Jean Placak Wright. He was a graduate of the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill where he completed the NROTC Program. After completing his tour in Vietnam, Tom met his future wife, Marilyn Greer Moulton and they were married in 1970. He retired from the U.S. Navy as a Commander after 21 years of dedicated service. While in Savannah, Tom was active in the maritime community and veterans groups. He loved his family and friends as well as watching NASCAR and cheering for UNC sports teams, especially basketball. Tom was preceded in death by his brother, Robert Wright. He is survived by his wife, Lynn Wright; his daughter, Jean Sitkei and her husband, Chris; his two sisters, Laurel Wright and Barbara Manning; and his brother, Peter Wright. A private memorial service will be held. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in his memory to the Savannah Propeller Club Scholarship Fund at Savannah Propeller Club, PO Box 9480, Savannah, GA 31412 or to Operation Homefront (www.operationhomefront.org) 22

Southern Tides Magazine

January 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

HERB RIVER BEND

115 Carolines Retreat REDUCED

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

MONTGOMERY

Cute and recently updated 3BRs 2BAs Bungalow, located on a culde-sac with a huge pie shaped yard. Conveniently located to Truman Parkway for easy access to shopping and all venues. Nice quiet family neighborhood. $192,900

3 Maple Court

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

Recently updated and interior painted

POOLER

6349 Abercorn St. Savannah, GA 912.352.1222

Lyn McCuen 912.224.0927 lyn@coldwellbanker.com www.lynmccuen.com

BURNSIDE ISLAND Beautiful totally renovated 4BRs and 3BAs waterfront cottage on Burnside Island. Located just off the community park for easy family access to the playground and tennis courts. Come join this family oriented community. Burnside Island is one of the few golf cart friendly communities in Savannah. $524,900

355 Island Road

BURNSIDE ISLAND OMG!! 4BRs, 3BAs. That is all you can say about these views over the marsh and Vernon River. The sunsets alone are breathtaking. This traditional Low Country home is located on 2.8 acres and has views out of every window. Inground pool and screened porch overlooking the view as well. This estate is perfect for the discerning owner with privacy and lots of potential for gardens or a family compound. Burnside Island is a unique island with single family homes and lots of walking, riding, etc. Golf cart approved island. Owner may apply for membership in the Burnside Island Yacht Club on the Intracoastal Waterway. $699,900

281 Shipyard Road

ISLE OF HOPE

UNDER CONTRACT

This wonderful 2 BD 2.5 BA home was originally the location of a dairy farm. Two buildings for living. One two story with a wonderful master suite upstairs with new bath and large closet. Separate “bunkhouse� has full bath, bedroom, kitchen and living area. They are joined by a cozy courtyard and expansive deck perfect for back yard enthusiasts. Large detached workshop and several outdoor storage buildings. Welcome to Isle of Hope! Walk everywhere. To the marina, to the community pool, along Bluff Drive with views of the Intracoastal Waterway. The community is one the few golf cart approved areas. This special historic home is for the lover of beautiful and unique properties. Perfect for second residence or investment. $340,000

POOLER

This 4 BD, 2.5 BA home is one of the largest in the neighborhood. All of the family is together upstairs with lots of family rooms to boot. Huge bonus room upstairs. Large open floorplan downstairs with separate dining room, living room, sun room and an additional office. Great open kitchen with two counters for eating and a large breakfast room. Directly off this room is the double sized patio. Private backyard. No building behind you. Located on a cul de sac. The master bedroom is oversized with a sitting area. The master shower is huge and has a separate water closet. Directly off the master bath is a huge walk in closet and with access to the laundry room. Lots of amenities. Playground and pool. $265,900

113 Holcomb Street REDUCED

374 Casey Drive


Living Shorelines

We Prepare and Install Living Shorelines Living shorelines provide a natural and stable alternative to rip rap and sea walls. Zulu is pleased to offer installation where stabilization and shoreline restoration is needed. • • • • • •

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