AICW/Ponce Intersection - Click for Chartview

This AICW shoaling is taking place hard by marker #18 at the southern intersection of the Ponce de Leon Inlet channel and the Waterway. These shallows are not related to earlier Alerts of shoaling in the Inlet itself.
Several years ago, there was major shoaling at this intersection, but dredging relieved the problem. Now, it looks as if these shallows are developing again. ALL AICW cruisers need to be on maximum alert when navigating these waters!!!
This shoally section of the Eastern Florida AICW is shaping up as one of the #1 trouble spots for the spring, 2013 transient season in the Sunshine State.

FLORIDA-ATLANTIC INTRACOASTAL WATERWAY-MATANZAS INLET- MOSQUITO LAGOON-PONCE DE LEON CUT: Shoaling.
Shoaling is present in the vicinity of Ponce de Leon Cut DBN 18 (LLNR 40610). A 5ft shoal extends approximately 10 yards into the channel at low tide water depth is approximately 5ft. Mariners are advised to use extreme caution while transiting the area.

Claiborne,
Another photo for you to illustrate a recent story appearing on Cruiser’s Net.
You can see two sail boats aground, both on the magenta line, a straight line between markers R50 and G49. You can also see the floating can indicating that the correct course between the two daymarks is a large curve. We followed the markers and found over 10′ of water 20 minutes before low tide.
When there is a conflict between the Magenta Line on the charts and Coast Guard installed markers, we have never found the markers to be incorrect.
Glen and Jill Moore
DeFever 40 Last Dance

We bumped hard at the shoaling mentioned at the south Ponce inlet crossing of the AIWW. We favored GR “C” and we hit bottom. This was at low tide on 6 February 2013. It would appear that shoal goes nearly all of the way across the channel from R “18″ to GR “C”. We draw 5.5 feet.
Bob Todd

This shoal has been a problem for a long time. I’ve bumped there myself, last time was probably two or three years ago. Best to avoid that spot anywhere near low tide.
Wally Moran

Traveled this area NB 3-9-13 at mid rising tide and the lowest water we saw was 7.7′. There is an 18A marker now, and we kept close to the shore on starboard side, and almost turned 90 degree to port as we passed in between R18 and GR C.
Captain Mike

We came thru Ponce Inlet Crossing this morning [4/28/13] in our Catalina 42 fin keel with 6′ – 10″ draft going north bound.
We took a course that split R18A and the RG markers heading towards the G17. When abeam of the RE 18 we headed down the middle of the channel. We saw no less than 8.5 feet with a tide of 2.5 to 3 feet. This low water point was when we were abeam of R18, So I would say the Coast Guard report of a 6 ft shoal at R18 is right on.
Capt Dennis Lawrence
S/V Thate Wata

Click Here To Open A Chart View Window, Zoomed To A “Navigation Alert” Position at AICW/Ponce Intersection