Welcome and thank you for being a part of the 2024 Southport Fourth of July Red, White and Blue Freedom
Flotilla on July 2nd. The Southport Fourth of July Committee sponsors the Flotilla with the Cape Fear Yacht
Club (CFYC) acting as the organizing authority. We hope this year will be an enjoyable experience for you so
that you will consider making your participation a tradition in the future. We also want this to be a SAFE,
incident-free event for you and your fellow Flotilla members. We feel with an organized float plan, we can all
enjoy a safe and fun event. Please take time to make sure you understand all the information in this Captain’s
Letter so we can make things go as smoothly as possible during the event.
Please remember, we have a float plan in place and will attempt to execute it to the best of our ability, but there
will be on-the-water decisions made to allow for the various water conditions and weather. Please be patient and
do not get in a hurry.
Safety First
Our goal is to have a joyous, festive occasion that is accident free and fun. Please keep in mind that the water
temperature will be relatively warm, but a person overboard has dramatic current and wind conditions to be
concerned about. Please make sure all crew members take special precautions not to put themselves in danger
of going overboard. Personal Flotation Devices (PFDs) are highly recommended for all crew and required for
anyone less than 13 years of age. Please have man over-board (MOB) equipment handy and on deck. It is the
captain’s responsibility to brief the crew.
If this is your first time participating in a flotilla, please talk to one of the veterans here today about safety and
vessel operations at slow speed. You should have a designated Forward Watch person to help you spot other
vessels and navigational aids. This crewmember must be able to communicate freely with the helmsman. There
are expected some small difficult to see vessels such as kayaks, skiffs, and john boats.
The weather is generally nice this time of year but can be extremely hot. The possibility for strong currents,
wind and rain exists during July. We will plan for the worst and hope for the best. The Cape Fear River and the
Intra-coastal Waterway (ICW) can surprise us either way. The US Coast Guard (USCG) will help us judge the
weather conditions. The final weather decision will be made in coordination with the USCG. If the final
decision is not to conduct the Flotilla, we will make the announcement as soon as possible. Even if the decision
is to go ahead, each vessel Captain has the final call for their vessel. If you don’t feel comfortable with the
conditions, DO NOT GO! If you experience engine difficulties before the callout, DO NOT GO! Others will
enjoy the decorations on your vessel as it remains in the harbor.
Remember, NO fireworks are allowed!
**All vessels and crew must adhere to USCG boating safety regulations, including those related to the
consumption of alcohol. Please save the alcohol until after the vessel has returned to the berth and been
secured.
If you have questions, please email
patriot@nc4thofjuly.com
- All boats of all sizes are welcome. Come join the Flotilla Tuesday July 2 at 4 PM.
- Mandatory Captain’s meeting 10:00 AM Monday July 1st at Morningstar Marina 606 West St. Southport.
- All captains and crew are encouraged to dress in patriotic attire and decorate their vessels with a patriotic theme. Let your imagination be your guide.
- A few free transient slips may be available at Southport Marina if required.
- There will be a charge for electricity if shore power is utilized.
