Construction to build a new, fixed 65′ bridge across the AICW near the site of the Skidaway Narrows Bascule Bridge on Hwy. 204 began in 2010 and has not affected navigation to this point. The completion date of the new bridge is sometime in 2012 and may require additional brief closures such as the one describede below, as the project is completed.

GEORGIA – ATLANTIC INTRACOASTAL WATERWAY – BEAUFORT RIVER TO ST SIMONS SOUND – SKIDAWAY NARROWS BRIDGE: Bridge Replacement Week 01/12
United Contractors, LLC has advised the Coast Guard that they will be closing the Atlantic Intracoastal Waterway at the Skidaway Narrows (Diamond Causeway) Bridge during daytime hours from February 14 through February 20, 2012. This work consists of setting the beams for the new bridge across the waterway. The actual times of the waterway closure will be published in a future Local Notice to Mariners. The contractor will be removing the old bascule bridge approximately in August 2012. This work will request the waterway to be closed to navigation during the removal. The dates and times will be published in a future Local Notice to Mariners. Chart 11507

I checked with the USCG Marine Safety Office here in Savannah Jessie Wallis 912-652-4353 ext 223 and he referred me to the Local Notice to Mariners Jan 2012 and the MSSB December 12 2011. As you can see from the LN to M actual times will be forthcoming in future LN to M.
Mr. Wallis also stated that They had no intentions of closing the bridge totally for the six day period February 14 thru 20, 2012. Mr. Wallis said to follow the instruction in the December 12, 2011 MSSB. Call on channel 9 to the push boat Python to coordinate your safe passage during the period of safety closure.
Kevin R. Quinn

Click Here To View the Cruisers’ Net’s Georgia Bridge Directory Listing For Skidaway Narrows Bridge

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Little Mud River is almost universally acknowledged to be the worst section of the AICW. This “AICW Problem Stretch” lies some 21 statute miles north of Brunswick, Georgia. Capt. Mike confirms our recommendation of using mid to high tide through this section.

1-11-12 Left anchorage at MM 653 @ 8:20am, with a high tide of 9:33am, into the Little Mud river and saw depths no less than 12′ in the river and on the range out to the sound.
Capt. Mike

Click Here To View the Cruisers’ Net’s “AICW Problem Stretches” Listing For Little Mud River

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The AICW/Jekyll Creek Problem Stretch has had shoaling for some time now with reports of depths below 5ft at low tide. Mid to high tide passage is recommended.

1-11-12, passage thru Jekyll Creek, two past high tide of 10am saw water around G”19″ at 7′ depth from 30′ off of the green marker.
Capt. Mike

Click Here To View the Cruisers’ Net’s “AICW Problem Stretches” Listing For Jekyll Creek

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Brickhill River runs southeast between the Waterway’s unlighted daybeacon #40 and flashing daybeacon #41

Anchored in Mumford Creek (10ft at low tide, lots of room.), off Brickhill river. Very quiet. Entered Brickhill at Dividings with shallow water. Jan 7, 2012.
Shot this video of sunset http://youtu.be/NzHTxoGyiSI
Sonny

Click Here To View the Cruisers’ Net’s Georgia Anchorage Directory Listing For Brickhill River Anchorage

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Walburg Creek shapes the east side of Walburg Island and the Waterway lies on the west side. Good depths and great beach combing. While the creek has both a northern and southern entrance from the AICW, we prefer the northern passage, though there is still an unmarked shoal in St. Catherine’s Sound which must be bypassed.

Dear Claiborne,
We departed Shelter Cove Marina, Broad Creek (MM 560)Hilton Head SC around 9am 12/28/11. The wind was really blowing so we decided to stay inside. It was sunny and pleasant making the days cruise very enjoyable. Around 4:30pm We crossed St Catherines Sound (MM 620) southbound into Walburg Creek. We dropped the hook about a mile down in 20 feet of water. In minutes I was sitting on the foredeck of our Silverton 37 with a strong cold drink, smoking a cigar absorbing the last minutes of a huge golden sunset.
After a quiet night we were underway and heading out St Catherines Sound inlet into the Atlantic southbound for St Simons Inlet. Conditions were perfect as the wind was light with waves 1 ft.
This anchorage is perfectly located in both distance from Hilton Head and St Simons Island and access to the Atlantic.
Walburg Creek is a magic place!
Best,
Kurt Kuykendall
M/V Jus Relaxin
Silverton 37 Conv

Click Here To View the Georgia Cruisers’ Net Anchorage Directory Listing For Walburg Creek

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This troublesome stretch lies at the intersections of the Brickhill River, Crooked River and the Waterway, and Pascal’s report confirms earlier September reports of good depths here. Capt. McGuire addresses another of the problems in this stretch: the magenta line at red markers #60 and #60A is charted on the west side of the red markers rather than on the east side where one would expect it to be. Jim wisely reminds us to ignore the magenta line at those markers and pass them on the east side, i.e on your starboard when southbound and on your port when northbound.

MM704, Cumberland Dividings, all Markers have finally been moved and are marking the shoal on the red side. 12 to 15MLW throughout.
Capt. Pascal Gardemer

“Cumberland Island passage south. MM Marker 704-ish –Following the ‘recommended’ magenta line/route on the AICW south bound at buoys/daymarkers after 58A needs VERY SPECIAL ATTENTION!
Markers FL R 60, Q R 60 and FL R 62Aand R 62 MUST be left to STARBOARD ! Yes I know that makes perfect sense but when you look at the chart, the ‘recommended’ path follows the magenta line passes on the wrong side. It also passes into what looks like deep water –that is WRONG. Follow your “eyes”the correct rounding of all the buoys is Red to Starboard, the chart will show this is running right across the shallows and the marsh –trust your eyes, the buoys and your depth sounder and you will not dig clams.
Jim McGuire

Click Here To View the Cruisers’ Net’s “AICW Problem Stretches” Listing For the Cumberland Dividings

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We have another recent posting here on the Cruisers’ Net concerning anchoring off the St. Marys waterfront, and the strong currents you might encounter while doing so (see http://cruisersnet.net/?p=75937). Captain Jack’s message below pertains to a “town dock” which facilitates dinghy landing from the anchorage in question. Even if it’s only “a hunk of concrete,” I’m very glad there is indeed a ready place to come ashore and visit this delightful village!

We tied up at the town dock [St. Marys town dock] last winter on our way down. It is really just a floating hunk of concrete, with no electricity or water. It says that there is a limit of 6 hours, but it does not appear to be enforced. We talked to people to stayed for a few days, and no one seemed to bother that we were overnight. BEWARE!!! On a falling tide the current (truly impressive!) runs perpendicular to the town dock. Getting off the dock is challenging, and we ended up with notable gelcoat scars! But I’d go back.
Jack

Click Here To View the Cruisers’ Net’s Georgia Anchorage Directory Listing For the St. Marys Waterfront Anchorage

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Frederica River flows east and south from the ICW’s unlighted daybeacon #229. Previous postings on the Cruisers’ Net have established that a dinghy dock has opened here, where formerly landings at the National Monument were not permitted from the adjacent anchorage. Happily, it’s now easy to come ashore and tour this most worthwhile attraction. Just take note of the two hour “dry” time at the dinghy dock reported correctly below by Captain Jim!

Subject: Ft Frederica on St Simon Island GA is open to the public
Cruising News:
Ft. Frederica National Monument is open to the public in spite of chart and cruising guide nay sayers. You can anchor off the fort (5 stars by my estimation) and dinghy to the dock a few hundred yards south of fort. This is Oglethorpe’s 42nd regiment fort that staged the battle of Bloody Marsh the turned the Spanish attempted conquest of Georgia and forced them back to Florida!
Be careful of tide–the dinghy dock is dry two hours before and after the low tide.
Had to pole off to get back to boat –oops
Capt. Jim aboard S/V Lady Lady

Click Here To View the Cruisers’ Net’s Georgia Anchorage Directory Listing For Frederica River

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St. Marys River flows into the northern tip of Cumberland Sound and the path of the AICW, just north of Fernandina, FL, and serves as the coastal state line between Georgia and Florida. The town of St. Marys is an easy trip up the St. Marys River, departing the Waterway at flashing green marker #29, statute mile 713.

We anchored off of st Marys town dock in march 2011. We chose a spot towards the south shore across the harbor from the main dock. After we anchored a guy in another boat came over and suggested we actually spend the night at the town dock as the current was so strong in that area. This sounded nice but I did not believe that was allowed by the town and chose to stay at anchor. The current through there was really unbelievable. Very fast. The sound of debris hitting the boat as it passed by and under us kept me up all night. Things going bump in the night. Our dingy has no engine. It rows very well but I did not dare leave the boat with it. I estimate 5 knots of current at times. The morning found wind and tide giving us a very slow drag to the west. I would not anchor here again. The downstream anchorage shown is where I would go. At least if you drag there is no one to hit and a soft landing. You need a motorized dingy though to safely get to and from town.
Chris

We tied up at the town dock [St. Marys town dock] last winter on our way down. It is really just a floating hunk of concrete, with no electricity or water. It says that there is a limit of 6 hours, but it does not appear to be enforced. We talked to people to stayed for a few days, and no one seemed to bother that we were overnight. BEWARE!!! On a falling tide the current (truly impressive!) runs perpendicular to the town dock. Getting off the dock is challenging, and we ended up with notable gelcoat scars! But I’d go back.
Jack

Click Here To View the Cruisers’ Net’s Georgia Anchorage Directory Listing For the St. Marys Waterfront Anchorage

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Little Mud River is almost universally acknowledged to be the worst section of the AICW, some 21 statute miles north of Brunswick, Georgia. We have several reports of depths in this problem stretch.

MM655, Little Mud River, I found similar depths as on previous runs.
9′MLW north of G193
8′MLW 100′ off G193
5′MLW by the charted wreck
7′MLW 100′ off R194
5′ to 6′ MLW half way between G195 and the range marker
Once on the range depths increase rapidly to 10+MLW
MM683, Jekyll Creek, 7′ MLW is as shallow as I saw mostly near G19 and along the range. I passed about 150′ off G19 then turned on range (was northbound). Stayed on the range till past R16 ( passed about 75′ away) then split R16 with the southernmost range marker. No change from previous trips
MM704, Cumberland Dividings, all Markers have finally been moved and are marking the shoal on the red side. 12 to 15MLW throughout.
Capt. Pascal Gardemer

Thanks to CruisersNet and Captain Pascal, who reported on the Little Mud River just a few days ago. We anchored at the South River to wait for a rising tide, proceeding through at 2 hours after low tide. We saw very low water (no more than 5.5′ before R 196; did touch bottom with our 5′ keel. Also saw very low water (5′) just before #198.
Eve-Marie & crew of s/v Flash

I passed through the Little Mud River in early October at dead low tide with no current. Stayed in center of channel and never saw LESS THAN 9.3 FEET; Crawled through at 3.5knots because of all the reports of shallow water and shoaling. This is the best I have ever seen it!
Skipper Bill Lucas

Claiborne
Transited (11/14/11) Little Mud River 1520-1540, 1 1/2 hour before low tide, +1.8′ (low tide at Rockdedundy River, daymark 185 @ 1700 +1.0′). Lots of skinny water. Best water appears to be on the green side, left of center going south. Saw depths as low as 7.2′ (5.4′ @ low). One sailboat aground just on right side of center channel about midway between R194 and range light QR. We made 7.5 mph with opposing current and let the boat steer toward the best water, which was close to the bank. One plus with low water is that you can make out the edge of the channel.
Michael Horowitz (M/V ALTAIR)

Just came thru Mud River today 11/14/2011 starting at the north end about 8:am with 6 ft of tide. Prior to starting thru I noticed on AIS that the passanger ship Independence at over 200 feet in length and 8.5 feet in draft was entering the river from the south end. We decided to wait for it to come up thru and while we did I watched it on AIS and learned where to find the best depth.
The ship came up the river staying well to the green side all the way.
On our passage we did the same in reverse and found 6ft MLW between 192 and 193. Then 6 to 7 ft MLW between 193 and 195. Then 8 to 9 ft MLW from 195 to 198. All on the green side of the channel. This appears to be quite a bit more than some crusiers have found.
Dennis Lawrence aboard S/V Thate Wata
Catalina 42 Mk 2 Hull 758
Draft 6ft 10in

Click Here To View the Cruisers’ Net’s “AICW Problem Stretches” Listing For Little Mud River

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The St. Marys River flows into the northern tip of Cumberland Sound just north of Fernandina, FL. This reported shoaling should be of concern for anyone making a sidetrip from the Waterway to St. Marys, GA.

GEORGIA-FLORIDA-ST SIMONS SOUND TO TOLOMATO RIVER-ST MARYS RIVER: Shoaling. Week 45/11
Mariners are advised that shoaling extends 15 yards channelward between St Marys River DBN 6 (LLNR 6805) and St Marys River DBN 8 (LLNR 6810) with minimum depth reported at 2ft MLW. Chart 11489

Click Here To Open A Chart View Window, Zoomed To A “Navigation Alert” Position at St. Marys River

St. Marys River flows into the northern tip of Cumberland Sound just north of Fernandina, FL, and serves as the coastal state line between Georgia and Florida. The town of St. Marys is an easy trip up the St. Marys River, departing the Waterway at flashing green marker #29, statute mile 713.

Subject: New Wine, Coffee & Gift Shop in St. Marys, GA
Cruising News:
Hi – One of my customers suggested that I let you know that we just recently opened a new Wine, Coffee & Gift shop in downtown St. Marys, GA. We have free WIFI, too, and craft beers. Oh, and did I mention our wonderful pastries and cheese, hummus and other appetizer plates? We are just a short block from the dock. Come visit! Hours are Tues-Sat. 10am-8pm and Sundays 11am-6pm.
We hope you all have a wonderful time in St. Marys during the Thanksgiving festivities and look forward to meeting you.
Thanks,
Sue Gokalp, Manager
The Blue Goose on Osborne
126 Osborne Street
St. Marys, GA 31558
www.bluegoosewineandcoffee.com
912-409-2165

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Cattle Pen Creek cuts into the eastern banks of the Waterway’s Johnson Creek stretch between unlighted daybeacons #127 and #128.
Cruising News:
2/Nov/11 Arriving at high tide in our 42ft sailboat, draft 5’6″, and taking note of previous information on shoaling, we turned into the Creek taking a centre line between the banks and proceeded down the centre of the creek approx 3/4 of a mile until waters started to shallow quickly to 7ft but up to that time we did not see less than 13ft on the depth sounder.
We retraced our track and set anchor about a 1/2 mile above the entrance where we recorded 7ft at low water that night.
3/Nov/11 Departing this morning at 1 hour before low tide we followed the south bank out – we registered good depths between 11-20ft. The creek is narrow and is best in a NE but where we anchored was adequate swinging room for us even at 42ft long. Excellent holding in good, thick mud.
William Spouse

Click Here To View the Cruisers’ Net’s Georgia Anchorage Directory Listing For Cattle Pen Creek

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The choppy water problem while running the AICW’s passage across Georgia’s St. Andrew Sound results from the Waterway’s passage practically out into the briny blue, in order to clear Horseshoe Shoal, which occupies the Sound’s mid-width. Recognizing the potential for very dusty crossing here, the US Army Corps of Engineers has provided an alternate route, known as Umbrella Cut, BUT low water depths on this passage can run as thin as 4 1/2 feet.
The exchange of views below has been copied from the T&T (Trawlers and Trawlering) list.

My progress south will take me across St. Andrews sound on Wednesday. Marine weather forecast for the area is NE 10-15 knots seas 4-6 off shore, choppy inland. What would you expect the sound to be like?
Bob
Chateau de Mer

Any east wind will cause issues particularly if in opposition to the tide e.g. ebb. There is an alternate route that is doable depending on stage of tide and draft of your boat. 6′ in St Andrews is very short and mean. Enjoy the Golden Isles and cut the shoal at your own risk if crossing the sound.
Joe
M/V “Carolyn Ann” GH N-37

We went through the area yesterday. It was beyond awful in the Sound, so we turned to starboard up the Satilla River to marker 8, turned to port and worked our way through the deeper water back to Cumberland River. This is NOT the charted alternate route, but much shorter and worked for us. It was about 2 hours after high tide and we were able to make it through. We draw 5′. Not flat, but the giant elephants in St. Andrews made it a no-brainer for us.
Take a look, and good luck!
Stephanie Wakelin
M/V September Song

We traveled through this route [Umbrella Cut] today about one hour after a 7′ high tide. We draw 6′ and never saw less than 5.5′ under our keel. Nice alternate to the breakers rolling in the sound.
glebreton

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Palmetto Moon with Jim, Su and Lazy Cat Alex have just traveled from Georgetown, SC To Brunswick, Ga. Palmetto Moon cruises at 8.5 MPH and draws 4.5 ft. Here are the issues and observations of their travels:

5-Kilkenny (MM-613) to Brunswick (MM-680) Left at high tide
Little Mud River (MM-653 to 656.3) 1 hour before low tide
Favored G-183, then stayed center of markers, to R-192 lowest we saw was 5 feet.
From G-193 to R-194, center of channel, We saw 4 feet
From R-194 to G- 195, center of channel We saw 2.4 feet
From G-195 and front range marker At the south end, we saw 3.1 feet.
This info is what we experienced in our travels. As always you are the captain of your vessel and should use this as info only. Safe travels.
Palmetto Moon

Palmetto Moon with Jim, Su and Lazy Cat Alex have just traveled from Georgetown, SC To Brunswick, Ga. Palmetto Moon cruises at 8.5 MPH and draws 4.5 ft. Here are the issues and observations of their travels:

4-Port Royal (MM-539.5) to Kilkenny (MM-613)
Fields Cut (MM-573.5 to 575.5) 1.5 hours before low tide
North entrance slightly favored Green Side We saw 7 – 9 feet under us
South entrance entering the Savannah river
Using center of channel We saw 3.5 feet starting just before R-50 and lasted until in the Savannah River
Hell Gate MM-601.8 to 602.2 2 hours after low tide We saw 6 feet using center of channel
This info is what we experienced in our travels. As always you are the captain of your vessel and should use this as info only. Safe travels.
Palmetto Moon

Click Here To View the Cruisers’ Net’s “AICW Problem Stretches” Listing For Hell Gate

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Two Way Fish Camp is on the South Altamaha River’s southerly shores (west of the Waterway’s unlighted daybeacon #216A), a short hop east of the 35-foot fixed bridge and is the home of some of the largest alligators you will find outside the Okefenokee.

Claiborne,
On a several week trip south from Charleston and stopped at Two Way Fish Camp Marian on your advice. What a unique friendly marina and restaurant. Great food and a fun bar. The currents are fast but no real problem for the experienced ICW traveler.
Cheers,
Toby Clark

Click Here To View This Facility’s Full Listing of Services on the Georgia Marina Directory

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The dredging of 2009 is slowly being overcome by shoaling through this perennial problem stretch, making Hell Gate another section that requires mid-to-high tide passage for vessels carrying 4ft or more draft. With his 6.25ft draft, Capt. Pascal is very alert to depth changes and his is the kind of vessel you would hope to be following through these trouble spots!

Definitely more shallow, by a couple of feet, again on the same lines I usually run thru there.
MM602, Hell Gate, 8′ to 9′ MLW thru most of the cut but some readings as low as 5′ to 6′ MLW around R90 and G89. Had 8′ of tides so I tried poking around for better readings, no luck. I usually pass about 40′ from R90, and about 30′ from G89; this time around it s definitely shallower by about 2 to 2.5′ compared to earlier this year.
Capt. Pascal Gademer

Click Here To View the Cruisers’ Net’s “AICW Problem Stretches” Listing For Hell Gate

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