We have had numerous earlier postings here on the Cruisers’ Net about shoaling along this “Problem Stretch” section of the AICW, south of Swansboro, but most of these reports have centered on the waters just north of marker #61. According to the notice below, cherry picked from the latest Notice to Mariners, it appears further shoaling has now occurred at markers #60 and 61A.

NC – NEUSE RIVER TO MYRTLE GROVE SOUND – BOGUE INLET – SHOALING
Shoaling to a depth of 4.5 feet MLW has been reported in the vicinity of Bogue Sound-New River Buoy 60 (LLNR 39217) and Bogue Sound-New River Buoy 61A (LLNR 39223). Chart: 11541.

We passed this area today 3/27/12 on a rising mid tide and had no problem with our 5’5” draft sailboat. High tide +2.66 feet, low tide .43 ft.
Captain RL

Click Here To View the Cruisers’ Net’s “AICW Problem Stretches” Listing For the AICW/Browns Inlet Intersection

Click Here To Open A Chart View Window, Zoomed To This AICW Problem Stretch

We posted an earlier message about shoaling at this AICW Problem Stretch intersection during January of this year. Capt. Smith confirms this earlier shoaling report with his message below.

Beware shoal at aicw/browns inlet–temporary marker #61 and its red temp red companion. We came thru there on 3/12/12 about 1 1/2 hour before low tide showed only 4.3′ midway between the temps. Trawler behind us bounced over the shoal. The shoal comes up real fast.

Click Here to View An Earlier Report About Shoaling at the AICW/Browns Inlet Intersection

Click Here To View the Cruisers’ Net’s “AICW Problem Stretches” Listing For the AICW/Browns Inlet Intersection

Click Here To Open A Chart View Window, Zoomed To This AICW Problem Stretch

The intersection of ultra shallow Browns Inlet and the AICW, south of Swansboro, NC, has been on our list of Waterway problem stretches for several yearsnow. In spite of being twice dredged, it’s quite clear from recent reports such as below that shoaling is increasing here. Captains piloting vessels drawing 4 feet or more would do well to time their cruise through these waters for high tide.

I came through here on Dec 29th. Went hard aground in 3ft of water in mid channel on high tide. You have to be almost up against the “red” marker for 5ft of water ( I draw 5’4″) So much for the recent dredging! I spoke with Towboat US in Swansboro and Capt Tim said it had become a real problem all over again.
Capt Jack Coulter

Click Here To View the Cruisers’ Net’s “AICW Problem Stretches” Listing For the Intersection of the Waterway and Browns Inlet

Click Here To Open A Chart View Window, Zoomed To This AICW Problem Stretch

Last night, 10/6/11, we received the following communication from Captains Sharon Bower and Bill Fay:

Cruising News:
Dredging was being done around mile 238, R60 and G61A (Brown’s Inlet area). We passed through with no problems (we draw 4′).
Sharon Bower & Bill Fay
on “Cat’s Paw”

Hurried telephone research this morning (10/7/11) reached commander Bob Keesler of the US Army Corps of Engineers. He confirmed that the Corp’s own dredge, the “Snell,” is currently doing “spot dredging” between the Waterway’s juncture with New River, and the intersection with Browns Inlet. Captain Bob stated this project will probably last “ten to fifteen more days,” giving a completion date somewhere between 10/17/11 and 10/22/11.
Clearly this dredging is GOOD news for all who will be traversing the AICW through coastal North Carolina this fall. Watch for dredging equipment if your passage of these waters falls between the dates listed above, but otherwise, navigation should get easier along this section of the Waterway for several months at least.
In the “less than good news” department Captain Keesler informed the Salty Southeast Cruisers’ Net that there was no more money left in this fiscal year’s budget to dredge this problem section of the AICW, and even next year it will be “tight.”
Stay tuned, and PLEASE SEND US REPORTS OF WHAT DEPTHS YOU FIND, AND WHAT DREDGING EQUIPMENT YOU SPOT, IF ANY, AS YOU TRAVERSE THE WATERWAY BETWEEN BROWNS INLET AND NEW RIVER!!!

Click Here To View the Cruisers’ Net’s “AICW Problem Stretches” Listing For The Intersection of AICW and Browns Inlet

Click Here To Open A Chart View Window, Zoomed To This AICW Problem Stretch