Back on 8/10/12, we began a string of messages here on the SSECN about shoaling and marker confusion/problems on the AICW’s passage through often ROUGH St. Andrew Sound, south of Jekyll Creek/Island (see /?p=94169). We asked for additional input from the cruising community, AND WE GOT IT! This string of messages was featured in our 8/17/12 SSECN Alert, and more of you clicked through to this posting than any other linked in this Alert!
The real originator of all this important information was my good friend and fellow nautical writer, Captain John Kettlewell. Well, while all this was in progress, John was querying the USCG and the NOAA charting people. With John’s permission, we have reproduced those messages below.

Hello:
Can you explain the current positioning of Buoy R32 in St. Andrew Sound, Light List III #37385 [30°59.3230N / 081°24.2378W, 30.988716 / -81.403964]? On the ICW charts the magenta course line is shown to the west of the buoy; however, it appears to be a starboard side marker for the ICW (headed south). Someone has reported to me that if they leave the R32 to starboard when southbound it puts them right on a shoal, which is charted to the northeast of the buoy on chart #11489 (http://www.charts.noaa.gov/OnLineViewer/11489.shtml ). It appears that both the buoy may be off station and the chart incorrect.
I am the author of the Intracoastal Waterway Chartbook, and other ICW guides and publications.
John J. Kettlewell

Mr. Kettlewell,
We are checking into your inquiry. It may take a few days as I’ve had to reach out to the field unit.
Sincerely,
Lee
Lee Dragon
Local Notice to Mariners
Seventh Coast Guard District
Aids to Navigation (Dpw)

Please see the email below from Mr. Kettlewell regarding the magenta line in the ICW St Andrews Sound area chart 11489.
The buoys are St Andrews Sound Buoy 31A (LLNR 37384 [30°59.3047N / 081°23.9754W, 30.988411 / -81.399590]) and St Andrews Sound LB 32 (LLNR 37385 [30°59.3230N / 081°24.2378W, 30.988716 / -81.403964]). The ANT team believes the magenta line to be incorrect and needs to be moved to go between B31A and LB32. It does make for a sharp corner, there is not much room between Horseshoe
shoal and the North breakers. They continued by saying the area is a just a bad corner and the magenta line needs to be moved to the east of LB32. The sector will engage the ACOE regarding shifting shoals, etc.
I hope this information helps.
Lee

And, Captain Kettlewell’s final word to the SSECN concerning the above message:

See below [above, in this format – editor]. This doesn’t really answer the question to my satisfaction, but apparently the CG thinks the marked channel is correct.
JJK

We transit this route several times a year. Last transit was June of this year heading north to Brunswick. We have a full keel 6ft draft sailing vessel and usually time our passage close to high tide due to transiting Jekyll Creek. We always pass R32 on the east side of the buoy as the CG stated (the Magenta Line is incorrect in the turn). It is a tight turn and particular attention should be paid to the alignment of G 31A and G 31 as you round R 32 keeping it to port (heading north). It is a little unnerving due to the quick depth change (deep to shallow) but there was at least 15 ft of water at high tide in June. Pretty much the same for the past 3 years. Hope this helps.
Capt. Jesse Price s/v Wind Dust

Hi;
We had occasion to pass r32 on 9-6-12 at 7:45 a.m. heading South in a 48′ sailboat drawing 6′ . The buoy is on station according to our gps and it has a square yellow icw marker that’s well hidden from view if a vessel attempts to round it to the East. We passed the buoy by about 75′ to the West as the magenta line suggests and had a minimum of 12′ at low tide.
No signs of coast guard nor any other government agency.
Best Regards
Pete

I transited from the St Marys to Jekyll Island via the outside (St Andrews Sound) on Labor Day weekend. Many of the buoys are either missing or off position. For example, N2 is missing and 31A is off position and on its side. Local boaters indicate that the buoys become entangled in shrimp shrimp nets and once the are freed they are just left in the new position. Shoaling has occurred to the east of the channel. I found that transiting from the outer marker (C Sta) to the following points provided a safe passage at low water for my 6 ft draft: N30 55.331 W081 20.260, N30 57.095 W081 21.555, N30 57.774 W081 21.864, N30 58.750 W081 22.296, N30 58.846 W081 23.224 then straight for R 32 (staying just to the west of R 32) then proceeding north up the ICW.
Joe Blanchard

Just like Captains Mike and Mary (see below), we dearly love the anchorage off Cumberland Island’s so-called, “Sea Camp Dock.” Going ashore and just experiencing the lush, maritime forest, walking to the beach, and exploring the old Carnegie mansions, well, it just doesn’t get any better than this! Don’t miss this anchorage!

We recently took our trawler, the Patricia Ann, on a 4-day cruise over to Cumberland Island, our favorite anchorage. We wanted to look for the white deer and walk the deserted beaches at dawn. We saw the white deer several years ago…actually we just caught a brief glimpse of them in the distance. Ever since, we have gone in search of white deer! They are not albinos but real white deer.
We were up at 5 AM each morning as usual; the coffee was just beginning to brew and the aroma was delightful. And just a little while later, with coffee in hand, we watched from the flybridge as the sun began her climb over the horizon. A beautiful day was beginning with not a cloud in the sky.
As we began our day with showers and breakfast, it dawned on us just how fortunate live-aboard cruisers really are. We can leave the dock for days on end and truly understand the term “freedom” and “independence”.
Read more of our exploration of this island wilderness………
http://paradiseyachtsales.blogspot.com/2011/03/trawler-living-aboard-tip-exploration.html
Mike and Mary Dickens
Paradise Yachts

Click Here To View the Georgia Cruisers’ Net Anchorage Directory Listing For the Dungeness Greyfield Channel Anchorage

Click Here To Open A Chart View Window, Zoomed To the Location of the Dungeness Greyfield Channel Anchorage

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 alternate passage can run as thin as 4 1/2 feet.

Cruising News:
Just a note that I recently rounded the north end of Cumberland Island and used the pass out of Saint Andrew bay marked “the hole” on the chart. Once around the north end of Cumberland it became apparent how dangerous this area is with shoals and breaking waves on both sides. Prudent cruisers should avoid this area at all cost. You could easily lose your boat here. The local tow boat captain told me he is not allowed to respond to calls out there. Too dangerous.
Chris Hadden

There is another route to avoid the worst of St Andrews Sound. You can go around the west end of Horseshoe Shoal and have over 8′ of water except for one small spot. Just south of G7 buoy, there is a sharp peak that rises to 4′ MLW. The charted depth of 8′ here is not accurate.
Richard Ross M/V Chez Nous

Click Here To Open A Chart View Window, Zoomed To the Location of the AICW’s Passage Across St. Andrew Sound

Click Here To Open A Chart View Window, Zoomed To the Location of Northern End of Umbrella Cut

Click Here To View An Earlier Posting on Umbrella Cut