LNM: GIWW MM 127 ICW Daybeacon 12 Destroyed, Boca Ciega Bay, FL
The Narrows Daybeacon 12 destroyed, temp onsite
The Narrows Daybeacon 12 destroyed, temp onsite
Experienced cruisers and frequent Cruisers Net contributors Jim and Peg Healy share their ships log and navigation watches as M/V Sanctuary travels north on the FL/GA Waterway. Thank you Jim and Peg!
Problem Stretch Cumberland Dividings at the intersection of the Waterway and Brickhill River has been a Problem Stretch for several years due to constantly shifting shoals and an erroneous magenta line on many chartplotters.
The Cumberland Dividings were fine as marked. Floating R”60″ has been moved slightly north again. We cleared R”60″ at 08h30, with tide at Crooked River at +3.5. We saw at least 9.0 ft, so at least 6.5 ft at MLW. We did not that we needed to stay north there, close to the shoreline. The south side is shoaling. Creates anxiety, but doable for most cruising boats except at celestial lows.
Jim and Peg Healy
Click Here To View the Cruisers Net AICW Problem Stretches Listing For the Cumberland Dividings
Click Here To Open A Chart View Window, Zoomed To This AICW Problem Stretch
Cumberland Dividings has been a Problem Stretch for several years due to constantly shifting shoals and an erroneous magenta line on many chartplotters. Experienced cruisers, Jim and Peg Healy, share their observations and advice on navigating this Problem Stretch.
Sanctuary and crew departed Brunswick, GA, southbound, at 08h40 on 11/1/2017. The weather was clear, winds light and variable, seas flat, low humidity. A great welcome to Florida in November!
Cumberland Dividings – SOUTHBOUND at approximately MM 703, the ICW makes a 90º turn to STBD, at R”60.” Shoaling in that area is growing eastbound. We transited at 11h30. The tide station at Crooked River, Cumberland Dividings, Georgia, reported +2.8 ft. We saw 8 ft through that area, but advise to favor Green, the OUTSIDE RADIUS OF THAT BEND IN THE RIVER for much better water depths. Screen Shot “Dividings” shows that area, attached.
Peg and Jim Healy aboard Sanctuary, currently at Rock Creek, Pasadena, MD
http://gilwellbear.wordpress.com
Monk 36 Hull #132
MMSI #367042570
AGLCA #3767
MTOA #3436
Click Here To View the Cruisers’ Net’s “AICW Problem Stretches” Listing For the Cumberland Dividings
Click Here To Open A Chart View Window, Zoomed To This AICW Problem Stretch
Today’s Waterway Guide reports shoaling at Marker #60 in Cumberland Dividings, a SSECN Problem Stretch, where channel shifting at the Waterway/Brickhill River intersection is perennial. For good advice on this Problem Stretch, go to: /153352
CLICK HERE FOR WATERWAY GUIDE’S REPORT
Click Here To View the Cruisers’ Net’s “AICW Problem Stretches” Listing For the Cumberland Dividings
Click Here To Open A Chart View Window, Zoomed To This AICW Problem Stretch
Just went through here and there is severe shoaling on the western side of the channel.
The Brickhill makes a pleasant, parallel detour east of the Waterway, with a north departure at Waterway marker #40 and rejoining the Waterway at Cumberland Dividings, markers #62 and #63. Cumberland Dividings has been a Problem Stretch for several years due to constantly shifting shoals and an erroneous magenta line on many chartplotters. Capt. Thorpe advises you to follow the Green markers on the east side of the channel and ignore the Red.
I have been going through this stretch for ten years at all tide stages in a coastal passenger ship 240′ long drawing 9 feet’¦coming South staying to the left (GPS will show you actually going through the marsh) will carry 20+ feet all the way. Forget that the red markers exist!
Henry Thorpe
Click Here To View the Cruisers’ Net’s “AICW Problem Stretches” Listing For the Cumberland Dividings
Click Here To Open A Chart View Window, Zoomed To This AICW Problem Stretch
Henry’s advice is spot on. I learned the lesson here many years ago when I misread the markers and relied on the magenta line. I had good company as two other boats, one northbound and the other southbound with me, all ran aground. Follow the navigational aids favoring the green marker and you will have no problem.
Skipper Reeves cruises out of Jekyll Harbor Marina, A SSECN SPONSOR, and always provides us with reliable local knowledge about problem stretches in his area. Cumberland Dividings, south of Jekyll Island, is a perennially shifting channel that has moved away from your chartplotter’s magenta line.
Here Garmin shows the track going into the marsh. The dividings are a easy to navigate IF you follow the Reds and not the thin magenta line on your GPS.
Sonny Reeves
Click Here To View the Cruisers’ Net’s “AICW Problem Stretches” Listing For the Cumberland Dividings
Click Here To View the Cruisers’ Net’s Georgia Marina Directory Listing For Jekyll Harbor Marina
Click Here To Open A Chart View Window, Zoomed To the Location of Jekyll Harbor Marina
It’s been this way at that location for years. Anyone who has his/her face stuck in the chart plotter and doesn’t look outside to follow the markers is asking for whatever problem might come along!
Cumberland Dividings has been a Problem Stretch for several years due to constantly shifting shoals and boaters’ ill-advised adherence to the erroneous magenta line in this area. Captain Poovey brings us good news and good advice.
Passed through here this morning (10/10/13) from the North at 11:15 AM (3.5 hrs past low tide). I steered a course to within 25 feet of Green markers “59A”, “62”, and “63A” and saw nothing less than 21 feet.
The rule here should be “stay away from the Red side!”
Bob Poovey m/v Threadbare
Click Here To View the Cruisers’ Net’s “AICW Problem Stretches” Listing For the Cumberland Dividings
The Brickhill makes a pleasant, parallel detour east of the Waterway, with a north departure at Waterway marker #40 and rejoining the Waterway at Cumberland Dividings, markers #62 and #63. Captain Conrad’s advice on entering the Brickhill refers to the southern entrance. Cumberland Dividings has been a Problem Stretch for several years due to constantly shifting shoals and an erroneous magenta line on many chartplotters.
Claiborne,
After watching a sailboat go hard aground yesterday and laying on its side most of the afternoon, I would like to offer an alert for the AICW mile marker 703 near Cumberland Island and its intersection with Brickhill River. When northbound, stay well to the eastern, outside edge of the marked channel including going between a charted marshland and G59A. That is well off the magenta line but it is deep water, a minimum of 11 feet. It is also a major safety issue to go through these waters at a mid to rising high tide. If going into Brickhill River, stay on the northern edge of the junction as yesterday’s sailboat found bottom only a few feet from where we found 10+ water depth.
Stay safe,
Tom Conrad
Nordic Tug 42 True North
Currently in Brunswick, Georgia
Very good advice Capt Tom. You can also call Boat US and they will give you local knowledge as you travel about a specific location problem or best practice for the current conditions. We cruise that area and shoaling can be a problem.
Seeya,
Sonny Reeves
We just came thru here and took the Brickhill all the way thru after docking at the Plum Orchard pier for a couple of hours, and agree with this posting. Go slow and your depth finder will tell you which way to go. The Brickhill was easy all the way using normal navigation techniques (chart watching and outside of curves)
John Winter
Click Here To View the Cruisers’ Net’s “AICW Problem Stretches” Listing For the Cumberland Dividings
Click Here To Open A Chart View Window, Zoomed To This AICW Problem Stretch
I have been going through this stretch for ten years at all tide stages in a coastal passenger ship 240′ long drawing 9 feet…coming South staying to the left (GPS will show you actually going through the marsh) will carry 20+ feet all the way. Forget that the red markers exist!
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.
AICW MM704 Cumberland Dividings Problem
We transited this area northbound this afternoon. I was watching a Garmin chartplotter (new 2011) and the newest NOAA raster chart displaying on a laptop at the lower steering station sent to my Nexus via a VPN connection. Even the newest NOAA raster chart shows the magenta line to the west of the red daymarks (the real channel is to the east side of the daymarks). The daymarks are properly marked with the ICW triangle. A sailboat following us failed to honor the red daymarks – fortunately they stayed very close to the red (even though they were was leaving them on his starboard side) and made it through. The most current NOAA ENC chart has the correct course passing over dry land based on our track.
This same problem has existed since at least 2005 or so. How long does it take NOAA to correct a chart?
Click Here To View the Cruisers’ Net’s “AICW Problem Stretches” Listing For the Cumberland Dividings
Click Here To Open A Chart View Window, Zoomed To This AICW Problem Stretch
Captain Butler offers good advice for 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. This “AICW Problem Stretch” 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.
Channel is well marked, looks like new markers were installed. Definitely follow the markers and not the magenta line on the charts.
Karen Butler
Click Here To View the Cruisers’ Net’s “AICW Problem Stretches” Listing For the Cumberland Dividings
Salty Southeast Cruisers’ Net strategic partners, Captains Mark and Diana Doyle, owners and founder of On The Water ChartGuides (http://www.OnTheWaterChartGuides.com) share another fascinating excerpt from their very soon to be released two volume AICW Anchorage Guide series.
Before going any further, PLEASE NOTE THAT THE DOYLES ARE OFFERING A PRE-RELEASE 42% DISCOUNT ON THEIR NEW ANCHORAGE GUIDES. THAT SPECIAL OFFER ENDS TOMORROW, 8/10/12. ALL INTERESTED CRUISERS SHOULD FOLLOW THE LINK ABOVE WITHOUT DELAY!
Back to the article below – Diana and Mark take a good look at the anchorage found on southern Brickhill River, hard by the Cumberland Island National National Park.
The “dynamic duo” also bring to light some critical info on the Cumberland Narrows “AICW Problem Stretch” (see /aicw-channel-through-cumberland-dividings). Note the AICW soundings on the included excerpt page from their Anchorage Guide below, and how these show the good depths lie on the EAST side of the markers at the intersection of the Waterway and southern Brickhill River, far from the magenta line!
Hi Claiborne,
We all accept that paper and electronic charts are notoriously inaccurate. All too often, charted navaid positions and the ICW’s Magenta Line do not correspond at all to the real world.
Just look at how the ICW is charted to the WEST of the red navaids off Brickhill River’s southern entrance. Ouch!
Cruisers hear that Brickhill River is “mis-charted” and has a “really shallow entrance” … but, “once inside, has excellent depths.”
What does that really mean? Do you just “feel your way in” and hope for the best? That might turn out to be a disaster and is almost certainly not worth the stress. So you pass on the anchorage and move on.
But wait! Brickhill River is a real gem of an anchorage, particularly for active boaters who enjoy hiking in national parks.
Thus Brickhill River (South) anchorage turns out to be one of the better examples of the value of our new AnchorGuides with their digital breadcrumb tracks.
Look at the depth-annotated survey track on the page [below]. You can see the entrance surveyed as low as 10 feet (at 7.0 feet above MLLW) along the southern shore. The northern shore had much more water, with depths consistently in the teens. Now the “shallow entrance” anecdotal report can be confirmed and visualized as an extension of shoaling from the southern bank, with a natural channel running along the northern bank.
And now you can see the true ICW path, EAST of the red navaids, right over the non-existent “mis-charted” shoal and island!
Once you’re safely in Brickhill River, you’ll enjoy a beautiful anchorage with all-around protection off Cumberland Island National Park. Cumberland Island is one of the largest undeveloped barrier islands along the Atlantic coast, home to a national seashore and one of the largest maritime forests in the U.S.
You can access the national park at a small park dock or adjacent tiny beach, both for a nominal day-use fee. Nearby shore amenities include picnic tables, trails, and restrooms.
For a hi-res detailed map of the island, visit http://1.usa.gov/NZMHsW
Brickhill River (South) anchorage is located just off “Plum Orchard” on the map.
Best and see you On the Water,
Captains Mark & Diana Doyle
http://www.OnTheWaterChartGuides.com
This troublesome stretch lies at the intersections of the Brickhill River, Crooked River and the Waterway. Shoaling and mischarting of the magenta fairway line reder this section of the AICW a REAL problem. Be sure to follow the link below to these water’s listing in our “AICW Problem Stretches Directory” to learn more!
While some tide is nice, I no longer bother passing thru here at high tide as there is plenty of water on the green side. northbound, favor the greens south of the bend then keep going almost as if you’re going into that creek on the NE side. Stay close to the shore line in the turn then come back towards the center after G59A north of the turn. Well over 15′ MLW all the way. No reason to run aground here!
Pascal aboard MY Charmer, 70′ 6+ draft
Came through here today (June 12, 2012) at 11:30 AM which was 1.5 hrs past low tide.
Follow Pascal’s instructions and you will find plenty off water. Lowest reading we observed was 11.4 ft. using his directions.
Bob Poovey
Click Here To View the Cruisers’ Net’s “AICW Problem Section” Listing For the Cumberland Dividings
Click Here To Open A Chart View Window, Zoomed To This AICW Problem Stretch
This AICW troublesome stretch lies at the intersections of the Brickhill River, Crooked River and the Waterway. Our recommendation remains to take this passage at mid to high tide.
Cumberland Dividings mile 704, had plenty of water-saw nothing less than 18′, when we went through around 1520; LT at Cumberland Wharf at 1230, +00.4′.
Click Here To View the Cruisers’ Net’s “AICW Problem Stretches” Listing For the Cumberland Dividings
Click Here To Open A Chart View Window, Zoomed To This AICW Problem Stretch
This troublesome stretch lies at the intersections of the Brickhill River, Crooked River and the Waterway.The report and advice offered below come from our good friend, Chuck Baier, an experienced and skillful cruiser, is the former General Manager of Waterway Guide, and now authors an informative newsletter for our good friends at MarinaLife.
This is another example of how easy it is to get into trouble following a plotter and not paying close attention to where you are. At the section of the ICW known as Cumberland Dividings at Statute Mile 704, just near where the southern end of the Brickhill River meets the ICW behind Cumberland Island, following the magenta line on the plotter will put you hard aground. BUT, if you follow the channel markers, you will be fine. The channel is very shallow on the red side, especially between red markers 60 and 62. Stay waayyy over on the east side and when your plotter shows you going over land, I believe it shows a small island that is not there, you are actually in the deeper water. Electronics are wonderful, but don’t take the place of observing proper markers and using good common sense. Following electronics blindly can result in inconveniences at least, and expensive repairs at the worst. Some Skippers have found this to be a very expensive mistake, so keep alert and follow the marked channel. Dredging has been ongoing along parts of this stretch.
Chuck Baier
I agree with Chuck Baier’s comments of 04/03/12. I have passed through her twice in the last 3 weeks on a 185′ passenger vessel following Chucks advice above. No difficulties folowing the marks, but I did make both passages at greater than 1/2 tide.
Capt. Mike
Click Here To View the Cruisers’ Net’s “AICW Problem Stretches” Listing For the Cumberland Dividings
Click Here To Open A Chart View Window, Zoomed To This AICW Problem Stretch
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
Click Here To Open A Chart View Window, Zoomed To This AICW Problem Stretch
Cumberland Dividings has long been an “AICW Problem Stretch.” This portion of the Waterway lies between Brickhill River and Crooked River.
Another southbound cruiser has gone aground at the infamous AICW/Brickhill River Intersection (M.704). And, Fl R 4s 12FT 3M “60” is missing again.
Use caution at this mark. Southbound: after G”59″ stay on the green side and swing wide towards “60A” to avoid the shoal where “60” should be. DO NOT FOLLOW the magenta line and ignore the charts that show you on dry land. When all the day marks are in place it really isn’t hard to navigate.
Pete Peterson
It is important here to not look at your charts or chartplotter for clear guidance. Look to the marks themselves for a clear path and favor the green side if your draft 5 foot or more deep.
My friend grounded just north of this spot where the Brickhill bends back to the south and the chart shows a depth in the bend of 33 feet. The bar extends northward into the inside of this bend further than the chart shows. Stay to the north side of this bend especially at low tide.
David Burnham
Click Here To View A Recent Article on the Cumberland Dividings Stretch of the AICW
Click Here To View the Cruisers’ Net’s “AICW Problem Stretches” Listing For the Cumberland Dividings
Click Here To Open A Chart View Window, Zoomed To The AICW/Cumberland Dividings Problem Stretch
Almost a year ago, Cruisers’ Net designated the Georgia section of the Waterway known as the “Cumberland Dividings,” as an “AICW Problem Stretch.” It is so gratifying to have our advice not only confirmed but heeded by an alert skipper. And thank you, Capt. Shires, for your warning about being glued to the magenta line, either electronic or paper!
January 15, 2011 about mid-tide rising we came through Cumberland Dividings with a 4ft draft, two power boats in front of us had gone aground (with 4.5′ and 3.5′ draft) and a sailboat in front of us (5′ draft went middle of the red and green and lost water, also could not cross over to the green side as he encountered a shoal in the middle. He had to backtrack out and follow us through. We followed the advice on this site and hugged the eastern shore very close to the green markers and the bank and had no problem (we did go right over the charted but non-existant `island’ mentioned here). We did not observe the Red marker `1A’, nor did the sailboat coming behind us see it. We saw no additional floating markers anywhere. Anyone following the chart plotter and trying to avoid hitting the invisible island will end up with no water! Thanks for the great advice!
Capt Ed Shires
aboard IIDolphins
Click Here To View the Cruisers’ Net’s “AICW Problem Section” Listing For the Cumberland Dividings
Captains Bob and Helen continue their detailed reports from their southward voyage through Georgia.
Note that the so-called Cumberland Dividings portion of the AICW lies south of Jekyll Island and St. Andrew Sound. These waters are one of our perennial “AICW Problem Stretches.” And, while Captains Bob and Helen had no problems, note that their passage was taken one hour after high tide!!!! And, these waters have an (approximately) 8 foot tidal range, so you must subtract at least 7 feet from the readings below to discover what depths would be encountered at MLW! Even with these calculation, clearly Captains Bob and Helen found a track with plenty of water, even at MLW. Others have not been so lucky, so we suggest you click the link below to our “AICW Problem Stretch Directory” listing for these waters!
Larry, after a great run through Jekyll Creek we figured we had time to do the Cumberland Dividings with a High Tide at 1500 (Same as Jekyll Creek). Entered Cumberland Dividings at 1 hour after high tide. Draft 5 ft
G57=24 ft
G57A =13ft
G59= 16ft
R60 = 16ft
R62= 23ft (at 1625)
G65 = 17.3 ft
Exit 1630 Good Run. Good Water. With good water we did go to the Green near R60 and R62 from previous reports but did not have to go that far as we had good water. If folks play the tides there would not be such negative reports.
Captains Bob and Helen
Click Here To View the Cruisers’ Net’s “AICW Problem Section” Listing For Cumberland Dividings
Retriever, like many other cruisers, advises passage within 2 hours of high tide, preferably a rising tide, while cruising through this “AICW Problem Stretch.” The crew of “Retriever” also cautions against staying glued to the magenta line of your chartplotter. Look at the markers!
Passed through the Cumberland Dividings about 2 hours before MHW. Look at the markers ‘“ not your chartplotter, it’ll take you into the marshes and shoals to the east. The only `issue’ was at the sharp right turn at the bottom of the Dividings (all the reds are clustered together). Retriever saw 6’ ‘“ so would not of wanted to traverse that stretch at low tide considering those South GA tidal variations’¦
Retriever
And, from Captain Pascal regarding this same AICW Problem Stretch:
I’ve always timed passage just past high tide since i usually stop before Little Mud River and timed that entire section around the tides (70MY, 6+ draft)
So far I’ve always found only 7 to 8′ MLW thru Cumberland Dividing but this year (Oct 30th) I went much further to the green side than before and never saw less than 12′ or so.
The key after G59A, southbound, is to stay on the green side, and aim for that ghost round island seen on the chart across from R60. at that spot, you will have 13′ MLW
Pascal
Click Here To View the Cruisers’ Net’s “AICW Problem Section” Listing For Cumberland Dividings
The Channel through Cumberland Dividings has been a Georgia Problem Area for some time. Click on the links below for a Chart View of the area and further comments from fellow boaters.
Submitted on 2010/07/15 at 8:57am
We came through Cumberland Dividings yesterday at a mid-high tide and never saw less that 12′.
Captain Susan Parker
Click Here To View the Cruisers’ Net’s “AICW Problem Section” Listing For Cumberland Dividings
Be the first to comment!