PLEASE CAREFULLY READ OUR DISCLAIMER!

Below, you will discover our complete listing of what have been reported as the worst problem stretches of the Atlantic Intracoastal Waterway, arranged in a rough, north to south geographic format.
Be sure to click on the links labeled, “Click Here To See What Your Fellow Cruisers Are Saying About . . . ” to check on the latest input from the cruising community, and, don’t miss the links labeled, “Click Chartlet Below To Open A Chart View window zoomed to the Location of This AICW Problem Stretch.” This latter link will bring up a “Chart View” window, zoomed to the location of the problem stretch in question.

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. This problem remains in place as of September, 2011

The solution – download the latest version of chart 11553 from NOAA. Cruise from unlighted daybeacon #9 directly to a point about 50 yards west of flashing daybeacon #7. 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!

Yep the 8A buoy helps BUT dont hug # 7 or you run across the 5′ shoal beside it! Make the turn to the West then shoot down at 8a. giving the 5 foot shoal marked by #7 the honor due it.
JiM Lady Lady

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’s southern flank is shoaling badly between makers #45 and #46, particularly between #45 and #45A. Also, Bogue Inlet marker #20 is often mistaken for an AICW aid to navigation. Waterway cruisers should ignore #20, and continue following the AICW channel

The Solution: Favor the northern (mainland) side of the AICW channel between #45 and #46, and try to traverse this section at mid to high tide. Ignore Bogue Inlet marker #20 (recently renumbered from #21 to #20)

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”

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. During the fall of 2011, this problem stretch was shaping up as the worst section of the Waterway between Norfolk and Miami. Then, confirmed word was received of “spot dredging” undertaken by the US Army Corps of Engineers between the AICW/New River juncture, and Browns Inlet. This project should be completed sometime during the third full week of October, 2011. Thereafter, depths shouldn’t be nearly as much a problem, for several months at least. Eventually, shoaling will reappear here, but let’s enjoy the interim.

The Solution: If you cruise through this section of the AICW prior to 10/21/11, be on the watch for dredging. Otherwise, the fall, 2011 “spot dredging” should make this stretch far easier to navigate, at least until spring of 2012 when shoaling will more than likely once again raise its ugly head

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: The Waterway classically shoals either immediately north or south of the four-way intersection with New River and New River Inlet. This intersection was dredged in April, 2010, and, as of September, 2011 depths are still not a major concern on these waters

The Solution: Watch the Cruisers’ Net for any notices that shoaling is reappearing at this critical intersection

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 Windows Zoomed to the Location of This AICW Problem Stretch”

The Problem: By 2009 several shoaling at the intersection of the AICW and shallow Carolina Beach Inlet, north of Snows Cut, and south of Wrightsville Beach, was well on its way to becoming the #1 problem spot on the Waterway. Happily, these waters were dredged in late March – early April, 2010, and as of September, 2011, shoaling has not again become a major problem

The Solution: 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 section of the AICW was dredged in February of 2011, and, as of September, 2011 depths do not seem to be a problem, YET!

The Solution: Until shoaling reappears, which it inevitably will, cruising this section of the Waterway should not demand more than the usual caution for very tidal waters, which these most certainly are!

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 section of the AICW was last dredged in February of 2011. As of late November, 2011, we have received definite reports that the AICW channel here is once again shoaling along it southern flank, particularly near marker #81. Fortunately, additional maintenance dredging is slated to take place at this crucial intersection during December, 2011, and is supposed to be complete by January of 2012!

The Solution – Prudent skippers will try to time their passage through these waters for mid to high tide. If you pass through while dredging is underway during December of 2011, carefully avoid the dredge and all its equipment. Following the completion of dredging in January of 2012, all should be well for a few months, but undoubtedly, shoaling will eventually rear its ugly head once again.

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 September, 2011

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 – this stretch of the Waterway was last dredged in November – December, 2008. As of September, 2011, shoaling has definitely reappeared between makers #184 and #185. Some dead low water depths of 4.5 feet may be possible between these two aids to navigation.

The Solution – Try to 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”