While the dredging described below is occurring west of the Waterway, cruisers will encounter spoil scows under tow in the Waterway from Reaves Point Channel to Cape Fear Inlet and return.

NC – CAPE FEAR RIVER – MILITARY OCEAN TERMINAL/SUNNY POINT – DREDGING – Week 25/12
The Dredge VIRGINIAN will be conducting dredging operations at the Sunny Point Terminal from 15 June until 10 February, 2013. Tugs and scows will transport the spoil to the Ocean Disposal Area. The dredge and assisting vessels will monitor VHF-Fm channels 13 and 16. Mariners are cautioned to stay clear of dredge, booster, floating (pontoon) and submerged pipelines, barges, derricks and operating wires associated with dredging and marine construction operations. Operators of vessels of all types should be aware that dredges and floating pipelines are held in place by cables, attached to anchors some distance away from the equipment. Buoys are attached to the anchors so that the anchors may be moved as the dredge advances and the location of the submerged pipelines are marked by buoys on each side of the channel. Mariners are cautioned to strictly comply with the Inland Rules of the Road when approaching, passing and leaving the area of operations, and remain a safe distance away from the dredge, booster, buoys, cables, pipeline, barges, derricks, wires and related equipment. Owners and lessees of fishnets, crabpots and other structures that may be in the vicinity and that may hinder the free navigation of attending vessels and equipment must be remove these from the area where tugs, tenderboats and other attendant equipment will be navigating. Dredging projects are usually conducted
twenty-four (24) hours a day seven (7) days a week, all fishnets, crabpots and structures in the general area must be removed prior to commencement of any work. A NO WAKE transit is requested of all vessels passing the dredge and if necessary to clarify a SAFE PASSAGE contact the dredge on the appropriate VHF-FM channels. Chart: 11537.

Click Here To Open A Chart View Window, Zoomed To the Location of Reaves Point Channel

Recent Local Notices to Mariners and our own on-site observations have reported severe shoaling in Oregon Inlet passage. This passage is NOT recommended for ANY mariner without very specific, up to date, local knowledge, and, even then, only for those piloting shallow draft vessels of less than 4 ft. We have had a Navigational Alert set for this inlet since June of 2011.

NC – CURRITUCK BEACH LIGHT TO WIMBLE SHOALS – OREGON INLET – SHOALING
Shoaling to a depth of 7.0ft MLW has been reported 60 yards east of the Bonner Bridge in the center of the channel. Shoaling to a depth of 8.5ft MLW is reported 100 yards east of the center span of the bridge. The lowest depth observed is between Oregon Inlet Lighted Buoy 12 (LLNR 28025) and the center span of the Bonner Bridge at 5.0ft MLW. Chart 12204.

Mar 27, 2012
Shoaling to a depth of 3.5 feet MLW has been reported between Oregon Inlet Channel buoy 21 (LLNR 28070 and Oregon Inlet Channel Buoy 21A (LLNR 28073) and extending approximately 20 yards into the channel. Chart: 12204.

NC – CURRITUCK BEACH LIGHT TO WIMBLE SHOALS – OREGON INLET – SHOALING June 12, 2012
Shoaling to a depth of 1.0 feet MLW has been reported between the navigational span of the Herbert C. Bonner Bridge and Oregon Inlet Lighted Buoy 12 (LLNR 28025). Shoaling extends from approximately 50 yards east of the center span and extends approximately 30 yards south into the channel. Chart: 12204.

Click Here To Open A Chart View Window, Zoomed To A “Navigation Alert” Position at the Oregon Inlet Bridge

The new Sunset Beach Bridge with a fixed clearance of 65ft MHW replaced the old pontoon bridge. The correction noted below is the result of comments from cruisers regarding the accuracy of the clearance gauge (see article below). Our thanks to Mr. Gregory of the USCG and to Mr. Carroll of the NCDOT!
Mr. Gregory,
We have adjusted the vertical clearance gauge to show the vertical clearance to the bottom of the Navigation Light. The tide was near low and at the time of measurement, just less than 70′ of vertical clearance existed. Thanks for making us aware of the situation, feel free to inform us of any other issues that come up.
Trevor Carroll
NCDOT Division 3
Bridge Maintenance Engineer
5501 Barbados Blvd
Castle Hayne, NC 28429

Excellent to see Cruisers’ Net has the ear of those able to make changes. Thank you!
Ed

Click Here To Read a Recent Posting Re Sunset Beach Bridge

Click Here To View the Cruisers’ Net’s North Carolina Bridge Directory Listing For Sunset Beach Bridge

Click Here To Open A Chart View Window, Zoomed To the Location of Sunset Beach Bridge

This shoaling seems to lie at the southern end of Radio Island between marker #22 and marker #2 at the south end of the main channel leading from Beaufort Inlet into the Beaufort waterfront. Fortunately, most of us will be able to cruise through 9-foot MLW depths without a problem, but this report does signal that these waters will have to be carefully watched for future shallowing!

NC – BEAUFORT HARBOR – SHOALING
Shoaling to a depth of 9.0ft MLW has been reported in the vicinity of Beaufort Harbor Channel Warning Daybeacon A (LLNR 34811). Chart 11545

Click Here To Open A Chart View Window, Zoomed To the Location of Daybeacon A

Click Here To View the Cruisers’ Net’s North Carolina Marina Directory Listing For the Beaufort Municipal Docks

Click Here To Open A Chart View Window, Zoomed To the Location of the Beaufort, NC Waterfront

The Gallants Channel – Grayden Paul Bridge (US 70 in Beaufort, NC) is off the Waterway and this proposed construction would affect those southbound cruisers making use of the Gallants Channel to visit the Beaufort waterfront. The period of construction and its completion is not indicated in the proposal.

NC – AIWW (NEUSE RIVER TO MYRTLE GROVE SOUND) MOREHEAD CITY HARBOR CHANNEL – BEAUFORT INLET – BEAUFORT
(GALLANTS) CHANNEL – PUBLIC NOTICE
All interested parties are notified that an application from the North Carolina Department of Transportation has been received by the Commander, Fifth Coast Guard District for approval of a proposed replacement of the US 70/Graydon Paul Bridge, at mile 0.1, over Gallants (Beaufort) Channel, in Beaufort, between Radio Island and Michael J Field, Carteret County, NC. The project involves a new high-level fixed bridge on a new alignment and improving US 70 to a multi-lane facility. The proposed vertical clearance will be 65 feet, above mean high water; with a horizontal clearance of 100 feet between pile bents. Comments will be received for the record at the office of Commander (dpb), Fifth Coast Guard District, 431 Crawford Street, Portsmouth, VA 23704-5004. Comments on this proposal should be forwarded to the above address attention (dpb) no later than April 5, 2012. A copy of Public Notice 5-1256, which describes the proposal in detail, can be obtained by calling (757) 271-1016 or by viewing at http://www.navcen.uscg.gov/?pageName=pnBridges. Chart: 11541

Click Here To Open A Chart View Window, Zoomed To the Location of Gallants Channel

Highway 158 Bridge crosses the Dismal Swamp AICW Route at Statute Mile 51, in the heart of downtown Elizabeth City. This is a continuation of construction begun earlier this fall and navigation on the Dismal Swamp Canal route will not be affected.

NC – ATLANTIC INTRACOASTAL WATERWAY (AIWW) – NORFOLK TO ALBERMARLE SOUND – PASQUOTANK RIVER – BRIDGE
CONSTRUCTION: Week 45/11
Mariners are advised that the southern Pasquotank River Bridge, mile 50.7 at Elizabeth City will be raised and locked in the open position for demolition of the bascule spans. The work will take place from the road and nothing will be in the waterway. Workers will stop for boat traffic to proceed through the bridge. The northern bridge will operate as usual. A temporary work bridge will be installed on the southwest side of the southern bridge. The temporary work bridge will not be in the navigational channel at any time and will remain in place throughout the replacement bridge project. Mariners are advised to proceed with caution. Chart : 12206.

Click Here To View the Cruisers’ Net’s North Carolina Bridge Directory Listing For Highway 158 Bridge

Click Here To Open A Chart View Window, Zoomed To the Location of Highway 158 Bridge

The warnings from the Local Notice to Mariners below concerns waters in the almost always shallow Bogue Inlet channel, NOT depths at the Bogue Inlet/AICW intersection. Of course, this intersection is a perennial problem stretch on the AICW, so proceed with caution here as well.

LOCAL NOTICE TO MARINERS: Week 02/11
Shoaling to a depth of 3.0 ft MLW has been reported encroaching into the channel in the vicinity of Bogue Inlet Buoy 4
(LLNR 29510). Chart: 11541

LOCAL NOTICE TO MARINERS: Week 21/11
Shoaling to a depth of 2.0 feet MLW has been reported in approximate position 34-38.8N, 077-06.8W, extending into the channel 100 yards south of Bogue Inlet Buoy 8 (LLNR 29535). Mariners are advised to transit this waterway with caution. Chart: 11541.

LOCAL NOTICE TO MARINERS: Week 40/11
Shoaling in Bogue Inlet has been reported in the following locations:
A. 3.7 feet MLW between Bogue Inlet Buoy 3 (LLNR 29505) and Bogue Inlet Buoy 5 (LLNR 29515).
B. 4.5 feet MLW west of Bogue Inlet Buoy 8 (LLNR 29535) and encroaching into the channel.
C. 3.3 feet MLW south of Bogue Inlet Buoy 15 (LLNR 29560) and encroaching into the channel.
Chart : 11541

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

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

This shoaling is occurring at the mouth of the Beaufort Harbor Channel south of the Waterway and should not affect most cruisers unless the shoaling increases significantly. Caution is still recommended as you enter the harbor channel.

LOCAL NOTICE TO MARINERS: Week 38/11
A ACOE survey indicates shoaling to a depth of 7.9 feet MLE between Beaufort Harbor Channel Lighted Buoy 2 (LLNR 34805) and Beaufort Harbor Channel Lighted Buoy 1BH (LLNR 34810). The shoal extends across the width of the channel.
Chart: 11547

Click Here To Open A Chart View Window, Zoomed To the Location of Beaufort Harbor Channel

This notice is referring to shoaling at the Waterway’s narrow channel leading from Albemarle Sound into the North River via the VA-NC Cut. A sharp watch should kept between markers 168 and 173.

LOCAL NOTICE TO MARINERS: Week 25/11
Shoaling to a depth of 5.3 ft MLW has been reported in the vicinity of Great Bridge to Albemarle Sound Light 170 (LLNR 37810). Mariners should use extreme caution when transiting the area. Chart : 12206.

Click Here To Open A Chart View Window, Zoomed To the Location of Marker 170

This shoaling report may not be of concern to most Waterway cruisers, but it will interest year round North Carolina mariners and off-shore captains who wish to visit Ocracoke, NC.

LOCAL NOTICE TO MARINERS: Week 15/11
Severe shoaling has been reported in the vicinity of Teaches h Hole Channel Lighted Buoy 20 (LLNR 28955). Mariners should use extreme caution when transiting the area. Chart : 11555.

Click Here To Open A Chart View Window, Zoomed To the Location of Teaches Hole Channel