This Local Notice to Mariners, Feb 3 2012, just in:

 

SUBJ: SAFETY BROADCAST NOTICE TO MARINERS
SEC NC BNM 079-12
NC – ATLANTIC INTRACOASTAL WATERWAY – NEUSE RIVER TO MYRTLE GROVE SOUND – SAFETY ZONE
1. THE COAST GUARD IS ESTABLISHING A TEMPORARY SAFETY ZONE ON THE ATLANTIC INTRACOASTAL WATERWAY (AICW) ADJACENT TO MARINE CORPS BASE (MCB) CAMP LEJEUNE, NORTH CAROLINA, WHICH ENCOMPASSES THE NAVIGABLE WATERS OF THE AICW BETWEEN MILE HAMMOCK BAY AND THE ONSLOW SWING BRIDGE IN SUPPORT OF MILITARY TRAINING OPERATIONS ON FEBRUARY 6TH AND 7TH 2012. THIS ACTION IS NECESSARY TO PROVIDE FOR THE SAFETY OF MARINERS ON NAVIGABLE WATERS DURING THIS MILITARY TRAINING OPERATION.
IT IS INTENDED TO RESTRICT VESSEL TRAFFIC ON THE ATLANTIC INTRACOASTAL WATERWAY TO PROTECT MARINERS FROM THE HAZARDS ASSOCIATED WITH MILITARY TRAINING OPERATIONS. PERSONS OR VESSELS REQUIRING ENTRY INTO, OR PASSAGE THROUGH, ANY PORTION OF THE SAFETY ZONE MUST FIRST REQUEST AUTHORIZATION FROM THE CAPTAIN OF THE PORT, OR A DESIGNATED REPRESENTATIVE, UNLESS THE CAPTAIN OF THE PORT PREVIOUSLY ANNOUNCED, VIA MARINE SAFETY RADIO BROADCAST ON VHF MARINE BAND RADIO CHANNEL 22 (157.1 MHZ), THAT THIS REGULATION WILL NOT BE ENFORCED IN THAT PORTION OF THE SAFETY ZONE. THE CAPTAIN OF THE PORT CAN BE CONTACTED VIA TELEPHONE AT (910) 343-3882 OR BY RADIO ON VHF MARINE BAND RADIO, CHANNELS 13 AND 16.

Click Here To View the Cruisers’ Net’s North Carolina Anchorage Directory Listing For Mile Hammock Bay

Click Here To Open A Chart View Window, Zoomed To the Location of Mile Hammock Bay Anchorage

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

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

Recent Local Notices to Mariners have reported severe shoaling in Oregon Inlet and passage is recommended only for shallow draft vessels of less than 5 ft. We have had a Navigational Alert set for this inlet since June of 2011.

NC – CURRITUCK BEACH LIGHT TO WIMBLE SHOALS – OREGON INLET – BRIDGE REPAIRS
Mariners are advised that steel repairs, cleaning and painting operations will be performed from March 5, 2012 through June 15, 2012 at the Herbert C. Bonner Bridge across Oregon Inlet, at mile 0.9, in Dare County, NC. To facilitate the work at Span 145, the navigation channel, a decking platform will reduce the available vertical clearance to approximately 61 feet, above MHW. Mariners should use extreme caution when transiting the area. Chart :12204

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

This Local Notice to Mariners could possibly impact cruisers going offshore of NC and SC and the outer edge of the test zone could affect cruisers on the NC/SC Waterway. The test center is 50 nautical miles east of Cape Fear.

SOUTHEAST ATLANTIC COAST-GPS NAVIGATION SIGNAL TESTING
On Feb 03 through Feb 10, daily from 1600 EST to 2145 EST, the GPS navigation signal may be unreliable due to testing on GPS frequencies used by shipboard navigation, aviation and handheld systems. Systems that rely on GPS, such as E-911, AIS and DSC may be affected at an approximate testing center point of 33 45.00N, 77 00.00W, with an impact radius of approximately 75 NM from center point. More information is available at the Coast Guard Navigation Center website www.navcen.uscg.gov. During this period GPS Users are encouraged to report any GPS service outages that they may experience to the Navigation Information Service (NIS) by calling (703) 313-5900 or by using the NAVCEN Website to submit a GPS Problem Report www.navcen.uscg.gov/?pageName=gpsUserInput.

While most cruisers opt to either tie up at the free Mariners Wharf City Docks or anchor south of the HWY 158 bridge, Mark is correct that the little cove north of the bridge at mile 50 does appear to be a good anchorage, but is not. However, south of the bridge puts you much closer to the downtown area. Either way, Elizabeth City is a Salty Southeast Cruisers’ Net Sponsor!

CAUTION when anchoring near 50 mile mark! Right at the 50 mile mark, there is a Marina on the South shore. It’s close to the highway, and it gives the appearance of a nice place to anchor … figuring nice folks are nearby, (with about 30 boats docked at the marina), and nothing else. And it appears that if necessary, one can dingy up and get to shore if needed. HOWEVER … look close at the charts! There are very ugly serious underwater hazards out from the pier, both to the East and West of that 50 mile line on chart. Looking out away from the pier to the NNW and North East, these nasty hazards are visible when the wind blows hard from the North for a few days. There is a particular nasty sunken barge NNW of the pier!! A Tow Boat had a very hard time pulling a 40’ cruiser off a sunken barge last year. The story is this area was used as a graveyard for numerous wood barges back in the day.

This area is a good place to anchor, as long as you stay very far from shore, and are East of the 50 mile line. If you see evidence of a sunken barge up near the shore, there is likely another big one 200 to 300 feet closer to you that you cannot see. If you stay directly North of this pier/marina/yacht club, you’ll be fine. The club boaters know of these hazards, and will watch out for you when coming and going. There’s plenty of room for a boat to anchor and local boats to work around you. On a direct line from this pier, I’m guessing one has clearance from obstructions to no more than 100 feet to the West, and at maybe 300 feet to the East. That pier is the Pasquotank River Yacht Club. We hope to mark these hazardous soon. We’ve been unsuccessful with getting any government agency to take it on, so we may try to do it ourselves. We usually have no slips available, but don’t hesitate to holler and say hi! However in an emergency, don’t hesitate to beach it between pier and our club house which you can see just SW of pier. Some members have beached there to clean the bottom. If you see anyone hanging around the pier, and want to dingy over for fresh water, that shouldn’t be a problem; hopefully you can talk someone into handing you a hose to let you fill up. We know it’s a bit awkward getting water downtown.
Mark H.

Click Here To View the Cruisers’ Net’s North Carolina Marina Directory Listing For Mariners Wharf [Elizabeth] City Docks

Click Here To Open A Chart View Window, Zoomed To the Location of Elizabeth City, NC

Big Foot Slough, the primary conduit from Pamlico Sound to Ocracoke, one of the North Carolina coastline’s most popular ports of call, was last dredged in June of 2011. Shoaling is slowly beginning to reappear.

NC – OCRACOKE INLET – BIG FOOT SLOUGH – SHOALING
Shoaling to a depth of 5.0 ft MLW has been reported in the vicinity of Big Foot Slough Channel Daybeacon 10B (LLNR 29070.1). Chart: 11555.

Shoaling on the east side of Big Foot Slough is pretty much a constant situation, particularly in the area of red markers 8, 10, and 12. It isn’t unusual to see shore birds wading only a few feet outside of the channel, and when I was last there the shoal area encroached 15-20 feet into the channel and was quite visible at low tide. I presume the sustained winds from Irene only made the situation worse.
As a “local” who goes out to Ocracoke several times a year, and has a sailboat with 5’6″ of draft, I hold to the center of the channel, or favor the green markers when entering or leaving Ocracoke by Big Foot Slough.
Rick Brass

Click Here To Open A Chart View Window, Zoomed To A “Navigation Alert” Position on Big Foot Slough Channel Near Marker #10B

The dredging project described below refers to work in  the Beaufort Inlet, NOT along the Waterway’s path through Beaufort/Morehead City region. The Salty Southeast Cruisers’ Net is declaring a Navigational Alert for the waters of Beaufort Inlet, where the dredging is taking place.

NC – BEAUFORT INLET – DREDGING
The Hopper Dredge MCFARLAND will be conducting dredging operations on the Morehead City Bar from 14 January until 10 February, 2012. The dredge 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 aremarked 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: 11543

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

Reports of shoaling in this trouble spot have been coming in for weeks, and it is good news to have a new cycle of dredging begun here. Let’s hope the new depths hold through the spring migration!

NC – NEW RIVER TO CAPE FEAR RIVER (AIWW) – LOCKWOODS FOLLY INLET CROSSING – DREDGING
The Dredge WILKO will be conducting dredging operations in the AIWW at the Lockwoods Folly Inlet Crossing from 19 January until 15 February, 2012. A floating and submerged pipeline will traverse from the Lockwoods Folly Inlet to Holden Beach and will be lighted and marked with buoys. The dredge and assisting vessels PROUD MARY and MISS CINDY 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: 11534.

a href=”http://www.CruisersNet.net/2-intersection-of-aicw-and-lockwoods-folly-inlet”>Click Here To View the Cruisers’ Net’s “AICW Problem Stretches” Listing For the AICW/Lockwoods Folly Inlet Intersection

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

Even during the winter months, there are activities to interest cruisers in this SALTY SOUTHEAST CRUISERS’ NET SPONSOR community!

February 3, 2012
First Friday Art Walk
Various Locations around Downtown Elizabeth City
5:30 pm – 7:00 pm
Admission: FREE
Arts of the Albemarle:
252-338-6455
Red Rabbit Art Gallery:
252-331-2700
Kelly’s Color Studio:
252-202-1597
http://www.ecncart.com

February 4, 2012
Meet the Author @ Page After Page Bookstore
 Featured Author: Jameria Townsend
Author of: “Drowning in My Own Tears”
Location: Page After Page Bookstore
11:00 am – 1:00 pm
Admission: FREE
252-335-7243
http://www.pageafterpagebook.com

February 17 & 18, 2012
Encore Theatre Company presents ‘Nunsensations’
Location: Museum of the Albemarle – Gaither Family Auditorium
8:00 pm
Admission: $15 (Purchase tickets at Page After Page Bookstore)
Museum of the Albemarle: 252-338-6455
Page After Page Bookstore: 252-335-7243
http://www.encoretheatre.org

February 17, 2012
Live Music at Groupers Waterfront Restaurant
Featuring: Deja Blue Band
Location: Groupers Waterfront Restaurant
9:30 pm
Admission: Cover Charge
252-331-2431

Click Here To View the Cruisers’ Net’s North Carolina Marina Directory Listing For Mariners Wharf [Elizabeth] City Docks

Click Here To View the Cruisers’ Net’s North Carolina Marina Directory Listing For Pelican Marina

Click Here To Open A Chart View Window, Zoomed To the Location of Elizabeth City, NC

Barnards Creek lies east of the Cape Fear River’s “Lower Brunswick Range” channel, approximately 2.5 statute miles south of the Wilmington waterfront. This spill occurred January 24th, and there has been no indication that navigation in the Cape Fear River would be affected.

Cruising News:
Millon gallon sewage spill at Barnards Crk. just s of Wilmington, NC.
Sherri

This spill would be equivalent to 33,333 yachts all dumping a 30 gallon holding tank at one time. With a $250. average fine for each tank dumped this would amount to a fine of $8,333,250.00. plus the damages to fisheries and pollution cleanup on shorelines. I certainly hope that the North Carolina Wildlife have jumped onto the people responsible in all fairness to the yachts they have harassed over the years. Where is the USCG ? Where are the Swat teams ? ..Maybe the cruising community should sue those people responsible. This is just one spill that they could not hide…What about the thousands of other communities dumping sewage every day into the AICW…
Capt. Rocky Johnson

Follow this link for additional info about this spill:
http://www.starnewsonline.com/article/20120125/ARTICLES/120129809/1177?Title=More-than-a-million-gallons-of-sewage-spills-into-Barnards-Creek

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

Many thanks to Donna Stewart, Director of the Dismal Swamp Canal Welcome Center, for forwarding this link to the Cruisers’ Net. We’ve taken a look, and this video of the South Mills, NC lock doors removal, is well worth your time!

The process has begun and I thought your readers might enjoy reading the Virginian Pilot article. Also note the video clip of the Dismal Swamp Canal’s “River Gate” at the South Mills lock being lifted from the water and a commentary by Joel Scussel, ACOE Operations Manager. It is pretty impressive!
http://hamptonroads.com/2012/01/historic-south-mills-locks-get-facelift
Donna
Donna Stewart, Director
Dismal Swamp Welcome Center

Lockwoods Folly Inlet (NOT the AICW) was closed to navigation in October of 2011 and as reported below, dredging is underway. We will update the condition of the inlet as we get word, but for now, even though the depths at the intersection of the Waterway and inlet are good, you should still avoid the inlet passage!

1-20-12
Lots of dredging going on as we go through this area. we have no problems and we showed 16 feet as we passed the inlet. Just after fell to 8-10. this is low tide at 8:30 AM
Penny and Dick
Penelope catamaran

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

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

Apparently, from earlier reports and the report below, the December, 2011 dredging done in this stretch was successful. This typically troublesome intersection required dredging twice in 2011.

1/20/12 9:30 AM
Good news, we got through with no less than 14 feet at hour before low tide. obviously the dredging has been done and they are gone. the marker green # 81 is gone with just movable red markers guiding us through.
Penny and Dick
Penelope catamaran

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

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

The Isabel Holmes Bridge (Hwy133) lies north of the northernmost Wilmington Turning Basin in the northeast Cape Fear River and has a closed vertical clearance of 40ft. Wilmington, NC, off the AICW, is a popular side trip for many Waterway cruisers. Additional restrictions are currently in place (see link below for that Local Notice to Mariners.)

NC – ATLANTIC INTRACOASTAL WATERWAY (AIWW) – MYRTLE GROVE SOUND TO LITTLE RIVER – CAPE FEAR RIVER – NORTHEAST CAPE FEAR RIVER – BRIDGE CLOSURE Week 03/12
Mariners are advised that the Isabel S. Holmes Bridge, at mile 1.0, across the Northeast Cape Fear River, Wilmington, NC, will be maintained in the closed-to-navigation position from 10 a.m. to 12 p.m. (noon) on Saturday, March 10, 2012, to accommodate the 100th-year Anniversary Girl Scout Ceremonial Walk. Upon completion of the walk, the drawbridge will continue an authorized temporary deviation facilitating structural, electrical and mechanical repairs, where as the drawbridge will be closed to vessels requiring an opening until 11 p.m. on April 30, 2012; except that vessel openings will be provided if at least three hours advance notice is given to the bridge tender at (910) 251-5774 or via marine radio on channel 13 VHF. In closed position to vessels, the available vertical clearance is approximately 42 feet, above MHW. At all other times, the drawbridge will operate in accordance with the drawbridge regulations set out in Title 33 Code of Federal Regulations Part 117.829(a). Mariners able to pass under the closed span may do so at anytime and should exercise caution when transiting the area. Chart: 11537.

Click Here For an Earlier Posting of Ongoing Restrictions on this Bridge

Click Here To Open A Chart View Window, Zoomed To A “Navigation Alert” Position at Isabel Holmes Bridge

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

NB: We have just received notice that these repairs have been postponed. We’ll keep you posted when the work is rescheduled.

The Causeway Drive Bridge (SR 74) crosses the AICW in the heart of Wrightsville Beach, and has a closed vertical clearance of 20ft. Note the temporary evening and nighttime opening restrictions for this span below. This could be an issue during the early spring, 2012 cruising season. Southbound vessels will have to be in Wrightsville Beach before 7:00 pm, and northbound craft must be past this span before 7:00 pm, if they wish to continue north before the next morning.

NC – ATLANTIC INTRACOASTAL WATERWAY (AIWW)
Mariners are advised that structural repairs will be conducted at the S.R. 74 Bridge across the AIWW mile 283.1, at Wrightsville Beach, NC. The structural repairs will restrict the operation of the draw span in the closed-to-navigation position, each day from 7 p.m. to 7 a.m., beginning on Tuesday, January 3, 2012 and ending on Thursday, March 15, 2012; except vessel openings will be provided with at least two hours advance notice given to the bridge operator. And during the same period, each day between 7 a.m. and 7 p.m., the drawbridge shall open on signal for commercial vessels at all times; and for pleasure vessels, the drawbridge need only open on the hour as set out in 33 CFR 117.821(a) (4) . In the closed position to vessels, the available vertical clearance is approximately 20 feet, above mean high water. Mariners able to transit under the closed span may do so at anytime and use extreme caution when transiting the area.
Chart 11541

Click Here To View the Cruisers’ Net’s North Carolina Bridge Directory Listing For SR 74 Bridge

Click Here To Open A Chart View Window, Zoomed To the Location of SR 74 Bridge

The message below from Captain Parky is good news indeed. Sounds like the Morehead City waterfront is first in line for dredging, followed, a bit farther to the west at Peletier Creek and Spooners Creek, both of which cut into the northern shores of the AICW’s passage through Bogue Sound!
Note that we had an earlier posting here on the Cruisers’ Net about the completed dredging project at Lambs Marina, north of Elizabeth City, NC, on the Alternate AICW Dismal Swamp Canal Route (see http://cruisersnet.net/?p=77513)

Cruising News:
Lambs Marina has finished dredging to a minimum 8ft and the water is now wonderfully clear again. Check it out at http://www.lambsmarinanc.com
The dredging company is now on it’s way to Morehead City, NC, to dredge out their badly needed waterfront docking – and after that the notorious Peletier Creek and Spooners Creek.
Is there no end to our good fortune? I might buy a bigger boat!
Captain Parky

Click Here To Open A Chart View Window, Zoomed To the Location of the Morehead City Waterfront

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

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

Except for Alerts re bridge repair in Beaufort, NC this stretch of the Waterway from Statute Mile 185 to 207 has been relatively free of Navigation Alerts. If we have missed any obstruction or event affecting navigation, please let Bill and Cruisers’ Net hear from you. Thanks!

Any updates on Adams Creek to Beaufort? The sixth ed. is a little scary on that subject. Thanks, Bill Martin

Figure Eight Island Bridge crosses the Waterway at Statute Mile 278, southwest of unlighted daybeacon #120 north of Wrightsville Beach, NC and has a closed vertical clearance of 20ft.

NC – ATLANTIC INTRACOASTAL WATERWAY (AIWW), ALBERMARLE SOUND TO SUNSET BEACH, NORTH CAROLINA CUT
Mariners are advised that the Figure Eight Swing Bridge, at AIWW mile 278.1, across the North Carolina Cut, in Scotts Hill NC, will be maintained in the closed-to-navigation position from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. on Tuesday, February 7, 2012 to facilitate urgent gear replacement (with a backup date on Wednesday, February 8, 2012). The available vertical clearance in the closed-to-navigation position is approximately 20 feet, above MHW. Also, the vertical clearance in this location is limited to 85 feet, above MHW, by the nearby overhead power line. At all other times, the drawbridge will operate in accordance with the drawbridge regulations set out in Title 33 Code of Federal Regulations Part 117.821(a) (3). Mariners able to pass under the closed span may do so and should adjust their transits accordingly. Chart 11541

Click Here To View the Cruisers’ Net’s North Carolina Bridge Directory Listing For Figure Eight Island Bridge

Click Here To Open A Chart View Window, Zoomed To the Location of Figure Eight Island Bridge