The problem: the charted shoal west of flashing daybeacon #8 has been building farther to the south and east. The markers have been moved accordingly. Some non-updated electronic charts will take you too far west as you approach the gap between #7 and #8.
More recently, the latest edition of chart 11553, as of 10/8/12, shows the infamous magenta line passing west of newly installed marker #8A. DO NOT follow the magenta line, through this stretch, as is often the case along the AICW.

The solution: BE SURE TO PASS MARKER #8A TO ITS EASTERLY SIDE, AND IGNORE THE PLACEMENT OF THE MAGENTA LINE ON CHART 11553, WHICH SHOWS THE LINE PASSING WEST OF THIS AID TO NAVIGATION.
Do NOT blindly follow your chartplotter. WATCH FOR NEW, UNCHARTED AIDS TO NAVIGATION AND CAREFULLY STAY TO THE CORRECT SIDE OF ANY SUCH MARKERS YOU SPOT, BASED ON THEIR COLOR!

Click Here For Updates and To See What Your Fellow Cruisers Are Saying About the Northern Mouth of the Alligator River

Click Chartlet Below To Open A Chart View Windows Zoomed to the Location of This AICW Problem Stretch

The Problem: The Waterway channel classically shoals quickly between makers #45 and #46. Fortunately, this “AICW Problem Stretch” is being dredged in late January, 2013. This project is due for completion by 2/1/13.
Additionally, Bogue Inlet marker #20 is often mistaken for an AICW aid to navigation.

The Solution: With the completion of the late January, 2013 dredging projects, depths should not be a major concern at this intersection, for a few months at least. However, if past history is any judge, shallows will redevelop here. Watch carefully for any new or relocated markers as you pass through this stretch.
Be SURE to ignore Bogue Inlet marker #20. and continue following the AICW channel!

Click Here For Updates and To See What Your Fellow Cruisers Are Saying About the Intersection of AICW and Bogue Inlet!

Click Chartlet Below To Open A Chart View Windows Zoomed to the Location of This AICW Problem Stretch”

Intersection of AICW and Browns Inlet
Statute Mile 237, North Carolina AICW

The Problem: The AICW waters from the Waterway’s intersection with shallow Browns Inlet to a point just north of the Onslow Bridge, have been shoaling badly for only the last several years. Happily, this Problem Stretch was dredged in late 2012!

The Solution: As of mid-January, 2013, depths are not a problem at this AICW Problem Stretch, due to the recently completed dredging project. HOWEVER, it is likely that shallow depths will reappear here by mid to late 2013. Monitor the SSECN carefully for updates, and proceed through this stretch of the Waterway with caution, observing carefully any new or relocated markers.

Click Here For Updates and To See What Your Fellow Cruisers Are Saying About the Intersection of AICW and Browns Inlet!

Click Chartlet Below To Open A Chart View Windows Zoomed to the Location of This AICW Problem Stretch”

The Problem: Even though this problem stretch was dredged in late 2012, as of May, 2013, shoaling is beginning to reappear at the four way intersection with New River and New River Inlet, in the vicinity of markers #72A and #72B.

The Solution: For the moment, favor the “red” (northern) side of the AICW channel between markers #72A and #72B. Watch for relocated markers or temporary, uncharted markers placed to warn of new encroachments by the surrounding shallows. Captains piloting vessels which draw more than 5 feet would be wise to time their passage for mid to high tide.

Click Here For Updates and To See What Your Fellow Cruisers Are Saying the Intersection of AICW, New River and New River Inlet

Click Chartlet Below To Open A Chart View Window Zoomed to the Location of This AICW Problem Stretch”

The Problem: This AICW Problem Stretch is being dredged in May of 2013.

The Solution: Upon completion of the May, 2013 dredging project, depths should not be an undue concern at this intersection until shoaling begins to reappear, which it inevitably will! Watch for notices here on the Cruisers’ Net, and be on the alert for any new, temporary markers placed to warn of encroaching shallows.

Click Here For Updates and To See What Your Fellow Cruisers Are Saying About the Intersection of AICW and Carolina Beach Inlet

Click Chartlet Below To Open A Chart View Windows Zoomed to the Location of This AICW Problem Stretch”

The Problem: This problem stretch was last dredged in late January – February of 2012. As of the spring, 2013 cruising season, MLW depths have deteriorated to 4.5 feet at MLW, in a portion of the marked channel

The Solution: Time your passage through these waters for mid to high tide, and be sure to read remarks from your fellow cruisers about navigating these waters, linked below!

Click Here For Updates and To See What Your Fellow Cruisers Are Saying About the Intersection of AICW and Lockwoods Folly Inlet

Click Chartlet Below To Open A Chart View Windows Zoomed to the Location of This AICW Problem Stretch”

The Problem – This problem stretch was dredged in late January – February of 2012. In the fall of 2013, we are receiving consistent reports of MLW shoaling near markers #80 and #81 in the 5 1/2 foot range! This worst of this shoaling is taking place on the ocean (southeastern) side of the Waterway channel.

The Solution – Time their passage through these waters for mid to high tide, and take note of any new, uncharted or relocated markers, particularly #81, placed to warn of the shoaling reported above. For the moment, favor the red/mainland (northern and northwestern) side of the passage, passing close by marker #80, when traversing the stretch between markers #80A and #82.

Click Here For Updates and To See What Your Fellow Cruisers Are Saying About the Intersection of ICW and Shallotte Inlet

Click Chartlet Below To Open A Chart View Windows Zoomed to the Location of This AICW Problem Stretch”

The Problem – over the past two years (at least), we have received numerous reports of shallow depths in the AICW channel, moving south from an intersection with Jeremy Creek and McClellanville to Statute Mile 435, near Awendaw Creek. Reported sounding have ranged from 5 feet to grounding depths, and these shallows still seem to be as much of a problem as ever, as of August, 2012

The Solution – Transit this section of the AICW with maximum caution, and stick strictly to the middle of the channel. Be careful not to cut any corners, nor encroach on the channel’s edge. Try to time your passage through this section for mid to high tide

Click Here For Updates and To See What Your Fellow Cruisers Are Saying About the AICW Channel South of McClellanville, SC to Awendaw Creek

Click Chartlet Below To Open A Chart View Windows Zoomed to the Location of This AICW Problem Stretch”

The problem: The AICW is shoaling badly along its southern and southeastern flank between the Ben Sawyer and Isle of Palms Bridges. MLW depths of as little as 2 feet have been noted by an official November, 2012 US Army Corps of Engineers survey.

The solution: Time your passage through this section of the AICW for mid to high tide. Beginning about .4 of a nautical miles northeast of marker #117A,and continuing south and southwest to marker 119, favor the northern side of the Waterway channel, but don’t approach this shoreline too closely either. Proceed at maximum caution, and keep an eagle eye on the sounder

Click Here For Updates and To See What Your Fellow Cruisers Are Saying About the AICW North of Ben Sawyer Bridge to Isle of Palms Bridge

Click Chartlet Below To Open A Chart View Windows Zoomed to the Location of This AICW Problem Stretch

The Problem – this stretch of the Waterway was last dredged in November – December, 2008. As of April, 2013 shoaling lies between makers #184 and #185. Some dead low water depths of 4 feet may be possible between these two aids to navigation.

The Solution – Time your passage through this section for mid to high tide. Try slightly favoring the northwestern side of the channel between markers #184 and #185.

Click Here For Updates and To See What Your Fellow Cruisers Are Saying About the Ashepoo Coosaw Cutoff Into Coosaw River

Click Chartlet Below To Open A Chart View Windows Zoomed to the Location of This AICW Problem Stretch”

The Problem: The intersection of northern Fields Cut and Wright River was dredged in early January, 2010, but as of April, 2013, shoaling has reappeared at this intersection!

The Solution: Time your passage for this section of the Waterway for mid to high tide! Between the northern mouth of Fields Cut, and marker #48, favor the southeastern and southern side of the channel.

Click Here For Updates and To See What Your Fellow Cruisers Are Saying About the Intersection of Wright River and Northern Fields Cut

Click Chartlet Below To Open A Chart View Windows Zoomed to the Location of This AICW Problem Stretch”

The Problem: Severe shoaling has shelved out from the southern and southeastern banks, just north of the Fields Cut/ICW’s intersection with Savannah River

The Solution: Favor the northern and northwestern banks as you cruise south and round the last turn to the south, north of Savannah River.

Click Here For Updates and To See What Your Fellow Cruisers Are Saying About the Fields Cut area

Click Chartlet Below To Open A Chart View Windows Zoomed to the Location of This AICW Problem Stretch”

The Problem: The Little Mud River section of the ICW, particularly the section just north of the Waterway’s intersection with Altamaha Sound, is universally considered to be the WORST single stretch of the AICW, and this assessment is till very much the case as of August, 2012

The Solution:Time your passage through Little Mud River for high tide – NO FOOLING!

Click Here For Updates and To See What Your Fellow Cruisers Are Saying About the Little Mud River area

Click Chartlet Below To Open A Chart View Windows Zoomed to the Location of This AICW Problem Stretch”

Click Here For Updates and To See What Your Fellow Cruisers Are Saying About Jekyll Creek

Click Chartlet Below To Open A Chart View Windows Zoomed to the Location of This AICW Problem Stretch”

The Problem: The Waterway channel near the southern tip of the “Cumberland Dividings, just north of where the AICW intersects the southerly reaches of the Brickhill River, has multiple problems. First, some charts and chartplotters show the magenta fairway line running on the western side of the red markers in this area. Those who blindly follow this erroneous magenta line will run aground every time. Also, and perhaps even worse, the Waterway is shoaling badly along its western flank, north of marker #63.

The Solution: Time your passage through these waters for mid to high tide. FOR THE MOMENT (subject to change WITHOUT NOTICE), heavily favor the easterly side of the channel between #59A and #60A. Be on the lookout for missing, temporary or uncharted markers along this stretch, and carefully observe any which are spotted. Proceed with MAXIMUM caution, and be SURE to read the remarks of our fellow cruisers who have recently passed through this AICW stretch, by clicking the “Click Here For Updates and To See What Your Fellow Cruisers Are Saying About the AICW Channel Through the Cumberland Dividings” link below!

Click Here For Updates and To See What Your Fellow Cruisers Are Saying About the AICW Channel Through the Cumberland Dividings

Click Chartlet Below To Open A Chart View Windows Zoomed to the Location of This AICW Problem Stretch”

The Problem: Back in April, 2010, the Waterway was shoaling badly along its eastern flank, south of marker #80. Dredging of this AICW Problem Stretch was completed as of 9/20/11, and as August, 2012, no navigational problems other than the placement of a few new markers has been reported.

The Solution: For the moment, with the completion of dredging in the fall of 2011, traversing this intersection should have no more than usual problems for stretches where the AICW runs behind a tidal inlet. Eventually, shoaling will reappear here, but let’s hope that sad event lies well into the future.
Be SURE to observe and properly pass any new, uncharted markers you may encounter as you cruise through this problem stretch!

Click Here For Updates and To See What Your Fellow Cruisers Are Saying About the Intersection of AICW and Mantanzas Inlet

Click Chartlet Below To Open A Chart View Windows Zoomed to the Location of This AICW Problem Stretch”

The Problem – As of May, 2013, there is “severe shoaling” along the AICW’s run past shallow Baker’s Haulover Inlet. Until this stretch is finally dredged, these waters are currently the worst single section of the Eastern Florida AICW!

The Solution If your vessel draws 3 feet or more, you MUST time your passage of the Waterway behind Bakers Haulover Inlet for mid to high tide, and carefully observe any new or relocated markers, even if they differ from the latest configuration of aids to navigation shown on chart 11467.

Click Here For Updates and To See What Your Fellow Cruisers Are Saying About the Intersection of AICW and Bakers Haulover Inlet

Click Chartlet Below To Open A Chart View Windows Zoomed to the Location of This AICW Problem Stretch