The Bogue Inlet/AICW intersection has long been an “AICW Problem Stretch.” Not only is perennial shoaling a problem here, but the inland-most marker on the Bogue Inlet channel is often mistaken for an AICW aid to navigation. This mis-identification often leads to groundings.

Jan 18,2012
Just passed this section of AICW with no problem at mid low tide, following the net suggestions. We are a cat, Penelope, drawing 3 1/2 feet. Depth gauge measured 10 feet under us. Now we will watch the next warning at Browns Inlet and report back. This site [is] very helpful for peace of mind in the deep of winter.

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

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

The AICW/Bogue Inlet intersection is one of our perennial “AICW Problem Stretches. This intersection is found just north of Swansboro, NC and has been the subject of numerous warnings regarding depths. However, dredging accomplished in the spring 2010 has alleviated much of the issue.

Came thru yesterday near low tide, plenty of water in the channel. 10′ MLW or more.
Pascal aboard MY Charmer, 70′ 6+ draft

Came through Bogue Sound north bound on May 23, 2011 at dead low tide aboard Hielan’ Lass II. We stayed to the red side and saw nothing less than 10 ft depth.
Skipper John Funston

Click Here To View Another Recent Posting on AICW/Bogue Inlet Intersection

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

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

Captain Wilkins suggests staying north of your plotter’s magenta line through this “AICW Problem Stretch,” confirming the recent advice given by several others. Bogue Inlet lies just north of Swansboro, NC and has been the subject of numerous warnings regarding depths. However, dredging accomplished this past spring has alleviated much of the issue.

Cruising News:
At Swansboro (Bogue Inlet) @ Green marks 53-55, keep to the Red side (near mainland). Magenta line will get you about 5 feet @ mid tide, if you are lucky. Plenty of water on red side.
Captain Robert Wilkins

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

Click Here To View Another Recent Posting on AICW/Bogue Inlet Intersection

Good news related to the intersection of this inlet with the AICW:

Submitted on 2010/05/06 at 8:09am
5/5/10, we came through at mid tide and didn’t see less than 10 ft. We called TowBoat US for local knowledge and the captain said this inlet has also been dredged this spring and he hasn’t had to pull anyone off so far this season.
Captains Dan and Jaye Lunsford

Click Here To View the Cruisers’ Net’s “AICW Problem Section” Listing For The AICW/Bogue Inlet Intersection

The intersection of the AICW and the northern reaches of Bogue Inlet, just north of Swansboro, NC, has been a troubled portion of the Waterway for time out of mind. Back in the 1980′s my late friend, and graphic artist who used to pen the sketch maps in my cruising guides, Carol Deaking, ran aground here and wrote an article in “Carolina Cruising” magazine about the experience.
What is somewhat new is how shallow the Waterway’s southern (ocean side) flank has become between markers #45 and 46 (particularly between #45 and #45A), as pointed out in Captain Arnold’s report below. Successful passage of this problem stretch calls for favoring the northern (mainland side) of the AICW passage, and hopefully transiting these waters at mid to high tide.
I’ve decided to add this intersection to the Net’s “AICW Problem Stretches” section for all the above mentioned reasons. Hopefully, dredging in 2010 will erase these difficulties.

Mile 227.7 – Bogue Inlet. CAUTION – bad shoaling between markers G45 and G45A – I passed two boats being towed off by Sea Tow – one a large catamaran from Portland Oregon who could not understand why such things occur on the ICW. (He was actually just outside the marker) Favour the north side as you pass the markers and you’ll be OK.
Arnold

We came through this area today (27 Oct. 09). We followed the suggested waypoints in the 29 Sept. 09 USACE survey (see http://www.saw.usace.army.mil/nav/aiww.htm ) and saw no less than 9.5′ and usually more than that.
Rick Emerson

This is absolutely a non issue right now… there is plenty of water, at least 12′ MLW.
However, two things can confuse people:
1)- inlet aid R20, located past G45 can be confused for an ICW marker if you dont’ look at the number with binoculars and see that there is no ICW marking. After FL G 45, leave that floating R20 to port (southbound).
2)- floating G45A is much closer to the red side than you would expect (about 100/150′ from the docks), do not assume that it’s off station, and pass between G45A and the docks. you will find at least 12′ MLW.
Pascal
M/Y Charmer. Johnson 70, 6 1/2′ draft

5/5/10, we came through at mid tide and didn’t see less than 10 ft. We called TowBoat US for local knowledge and the captain said this inlet has also been dredged this spring and he hasn’t had to pull anyone off so far this season.
Captains Dan and Jaye Lunsford

On 7/23/09, as part of a “North Carolina Wish List,” I posed the following question:

44. Near Statute Mile 227, the Waterway skirts north of shallow Bogue Inlet. We’ve had several reports of groundings at this intersection on the Cruisers’ Net. Can anyone give us a late breaking report on these waters

Responses follow:

We left Swansboro heading north at nearly low tide and ran into some 9 foot spots.  Nothing too alarming.  Watch out for green can 45A.  It is charted outside of the Intracoastal channel on some charts.  No matter where it is, honor it and do not necessarily follow the magenta line.
Chuck Tontsch

This is one area that seems to always be changing with the multiple inlets and currents from Bouge Inlet. From Red 44 to Green 37, I always do three things. I go slow, I favor the “landside” portion of the channel staying close to the docks, and I watch my depth sounder closely. I have had to stop more than once to make sure I was where I needed to be to not run around. I talked to the TowBoat US guy one day who was fueling up at Casper’s Marina and he told me he just sits there all day and pulls people off. Once you make the turn at Swansboro, you can breathe again.
Peter

We must have been doing something right or just lucky. We had no problem with water depths through this area.
Dave
on GB 46 At Last