As reported here earlier on the Salty Southeast Cruisers’ Net (see http://cruisersnet.net/?p=125276), the controversy over at least one long-time resident of the Oriental anchorage took a bizarre turn when one of the managers at the nearby Inland Waterway Provision Company, Captain Pat Stockwell, out of the goodness of his heart, cashed a check for the “boat owner” in question for $2,980.42. The check turned out to be bad.
SSECN strategic partners, Captains Diana and Mark Doyle, founders and owners of “On The Water ChartGuides” (http://www.onthewaterchartguides.com/), hatched the commendable plan of “passing the hat” during the recent Hampton Snowbird Rendezvous, to help defray Captain Stockwell’s loss.
WE THINK THIS IS A GREAT IDEA, AND THE SSECN HAS KICKED IN $50.00. We urge other members of the cruising community to contribute whatever might be within their abilities (see below)!

The Hampton Snowbird Rendezvous passed the sea boot around this week and collected $400 for Pat.
That’s what rendezvous are all about, cruisers helping cruisers. Whether sharing information, matching up buddy boats, leveraging the intelligence and expertise of the group to inspect rigs, repair refrigeration, or shake down SSBs … it’s great to make sure that the innocent aren’t punished and the kind taken advantage of and forgotten.
Pat Stockwell is everyone on the ICW’s buddy and shouldn’t feel embarrassed about trying to help out one of the cruising family. We’re all in that family also.
Folks, please consider sending $5 or $10 to: Pat Stockwell, Inland Waterway Provision Company, 305 Hodges Street, POB 466, Oriental, NC 28571.
Stay in the deep water,
Mark

Wilkerson Bridge - Click for Chartview

If you carry a height of 65 feet, then you will want to plan your passage for mid to low tide through this bridge, since charts mark this bridge as 64 feet at mean high water. Wilkerson Creek Bridge crosses the southern foot of the Alligator River-Pungo River Canal portion of the AICW at Statute Mile 126, east of marker #27.

Clearance 10/20/13, 1230, 64 ft
Michael Powers s/v second flight

Click Here To View the Cruisers’ Net’s North Carolina Bridge Directory Listing For Wilkerson Creek Bridge

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

Marker #129 - Click for Chartview

Captain Kipnis brings good news in response to a Navigation Alert for shoaling in the North River (http://cruisersnet.net/?p=104373) that we posted last December, 2012.

Didn’t see less than 11.8′ mid channel between Red 128 and the new floating G129.
Barry Kipnis

Click Here To Open A Chart View Window, Zoomed To A “Navigation Alert” Position at North Carolina Cut

Dockside Yacht Club - Click for Chartview

A phone call to Dockside Yacht Club confirmed that transients are no longer welcome at their docks. Our thanks to Captain Land for bringing this change of policy to our attention.

Forget this yacht club in Morehead City, NC as they no longer allow transient docking and threaten arrest if anyone dares to pull up to their docks. There are elementary magic marker signs posted everywhere with threats of arrest for trespassing.
Jackson Land

Click Here To Open A Chart View Window, Zoomed To the Location of Dockside Yacht Club

Our thanks to Director Stewart of the Dismal Swamp Canal Welcome Center (A SALTY SOUTHEAST CRUISERS’ NET SPONSOR) for this update and photos below. For earlier photos, see http://cruisersnet.net/?p=124791. And we remind you of the “Event Along the Waterway” scheduled for this coming weekend http://cruisersnet.net/?p=120878

As many of you may have heard there is Duckweed in the northern part of the Canal. I wanted you share with you although you must come through the Deep Creek lock to get here, we are clear. I have a boater who had problems after locking through on Saturday and ended up being towed here to our dock on Sunday.
I do believe the folks on the north end are doing everything they can to try to alleviate the problem. I know Robert has relayed they have had challenges. My boaters who had come through heading south last week stated they got out of the weed at about mm14. But we did have 5 boats come through earlier today and our stranded boater talked to 5 of them. He said only one stated an issue with having to clean his strainer……..I don’t know what to say, other than I would suggest you contact the Deep Creek lock for their status. Our South Mills lockmaster says he is clear as we are and we took these photos this afternoon (after Tom Hale called) to verify we are clear as well. I called Elizabeth City yesterday to see if they had complaints outside of the South Mills lock to ECity, but Susan reported she had not received any reports of problems. I’ll try to see if one of our boaters here tonight will call me and advise me of the conditions as they head south.
If we receive further useful information, I’ll let you know.
Donna Stewart, Director
Dismal Swamp Welcome Center
2356 US Hwy 17N
South Mills, NC 27976
Phone ~ 252-771-8333
www.DismalSwampWelcomeCenter.com

10/18/2013
We had several boats come in yesterday afternoon and were expecting four more after we left at 5pm. The boaters I spoke to said they had no issues locking at the north. Charlotte Underwood at the Elizabeth City CVB also asked her boaters about the trip from the South Mills lock to ECity and they reported no problems. This is what I’ve heard so far. Thanks for trying to keep all informed. Robert was not working at the lock yesterday, but the lockmaster on duty said he felt they were back to normal. I’ll try to check on the status when I go in this am.
Donna

Mariners Wharf - Click for Chartview

Elizabeth City, at the south end of the Dismal Swamp route, has been charming cruising visitors at its City Docks since 1983 and it’s wonderful that Elizabeth City just keeps getting better and better, as one would expect from A SALTY SOUTHEAST CRUISERS’ NET SPONSOR! A hot shower can mean so much at the end of a long day in the wind and spray! Dockage is free for 48 hours, however, we were once allowed to stay for three days when high winds prevented the Alligator River Bridge from opening.

We had a wonderful stay for 2 nights at Elizabeth City after an eventful transit of the dismal swamp. The only navigation hazard was the duck weed [being cleared as of 10/17/2013] in and around the Deep Creek Lock. Robert is doing all he can to clear the weed which should be gone as the north wing abates this week, call him if concerned. We had a blocked strainer but after clearing it all was OK. After the DC bridge there was no weed to worry about and no other hazards for our 5′ draft IP45.
Elizabeth City exceeded our expectations for free dock space and great hospitality. There is good shopping 1.5 miles from the dock and great shops and restaurants on the wharf. We thoroughly enjoyed a great value meal at Groupers! The visitor center had a Rose Buddies reception with free wine and cheese and it was great to hear about Elizabeth City and meet fellow cruisers. The museum is well worth the free entry and soon the theatre season will start too! Please pay these folks a visit – you won’t regret it!
Devin Taylor s/v Moosetracks

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

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

Morehead City - Newport River Bridge - Click for Chartview

This report of less-than-charted height at MHW is the first we’ve had for this particular bridge. If others have had the same observation, let us hear from you. Morehead City–Newport River Bridge crosses the Waterway at Statute Mile 204, immediately north of the Morehead City Turning Basin, south of unlighted can buoy #39.

Usually 64′ at high tide.
Paul Eckenroth

Click Here To View the North Carolina Cruisers’ Net Bridge Directory Listing For Morehead City – Newport River Bridge

Click Here To Open A Chart View Window, Zoomed To the Location of Morehead City – Newport River Bridge

Mariners Wharf - Click for Chartview

Elizabeth City, at the south end of the Dismal Swamp route, has been charming cruising visitors at its City Docks since 1983 and it’s wonderful that Elizabeth City just keeps getting better and better, as one would expect from A SALTY SOUTHEAST CRUISERS’ NET SPONSOR! A hot shower can mean so much at the end of a long day in the wind and spray! Dockage is free for 48 hours, however, we were once allowed to stay for three days when high winds prevented the Alligator River Bridge from opening, as happened just this past week. Our thanks to Captain Baier for this news and photo.

Construction has begun on the heads and showers and the contractor wants to have them done by Thanksgiving. Here are a couple of photos.
Chuck and Susan, Trawler Beach House

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

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

Showers and Head Under Construction

Belhaven Cooperage Town Dock - Click for Chartview

The Belhaven Cooperage Town Dock is found just upstream of Pantego Creek red marker #12, on the north shore. This free dock is not be confused with the Wynne Gut Belhaven Town Dock, farther downstream, where fees do apply. See http://cruisersnet.net/?p=124114.
Pantego Creek anchorage lies west-southwest of marker #8.

We stopped in Belhaven last week and were somewhat disappointed in the new free docks. They are rather isolated and because there are no lights there, we were concerned about safety at night. Also completely covered in bird poo, so we decided to anchor instead. We did dinghy in and found that they have put in some really nice new restaurants. Perhaps the waterfront will make a come back. It is a shame that they didn’t put more thought into the new docks.
Walter Smith s/v Salt Shaker

Click Here To View the North Carolina Cruisers’ Net Marina Directory Listing For Cooperage Town Dock

Click Here To Open A Chart View Window, Zoomed To the Location of Cooperage Town Dock

Click Here To View the North Carolina Cruisers’ Net Anchorage Directory Listing For Belhaven/Pantego Creek Anchorage

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

The testing center point is 45 nautical miles due east of Masonboro Inlet, HOWEVER, its testing radius is 118 NM, so GPS on the NC/SC Waterway could easily be affected.

NC/FLA – MID- ATLANTIC – GPS TESTING
THE GPS NAVIGATION SIGNAL MAY BE UNRELIABLE DUE TO TESTING ON GPS FREQUENCIES USED BY SHIPBOARD NAVIGATION 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 34 09’60.0″N 076 54’60.0″W, WITH A POSSIBLE IMPACT RADIUS OF 118 NM FROM CENTER POINT.
2. GPS TESTING IS SCHEDULED TO BE CONDUCTED ON:
27 Oct 2013: 1100Z – 1630Z
28 Oct 2013: 1830Z – 0030Z
29 Oct 2013: 1700Z – 2300Z
30 – 31 Oct 2013: 1100Z – 1700Z3
MORE INFORMATION IS AVAILABLE AT THE COAST GUARD NAVIGATION CENTER WEB SITE 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 WEB SITE TO SUBMIT A GPS PROBLEM REPORT.
For additional information, you may contact the Navigation Information Service (NIS) watch stander at (703) 313-5900.
LNM: 41/13

Edenton, NC - Click for Chartview

Founded on November 6, 1712, Edenton is celebrating its 300th anniversary beginning October 9 through December 2013. Originally scheduled for October 9, Elizabeth II’s arrival is set for October 25 and 26, 2013. As the article below details, there is much to see and do in this historic town during the celebration. See also http://cruisersnet.net/?p=122596 regarding the visit of Queen Anne’s Revenge.

EDENTON, NC – Elizabeth II‘s sail to Edenton has been re-scheduled because of weather conditions until October 25 and 26. The visit is in celebration of Edenton’s 300th Anniversary. The voyage is sponsored by the Friends of Elizabeth II and Southern Bank Foundation. Kim Sawyer, Executive Director of Roanoke Island Festival Park says” Safety is first. The safety of our Captain, Crew and staff is of utmost importance when we travel. We are hoping for good sailing weather, so we can arrive in Edenton safely for October 25 and 26.” Bob Quinn, 300th Committee Chairman says, “I agree with Kim, it is most important for the Ship and Crew to arrive safely and we are looking forward to that taking place on October 25 and 26. The ship will host area school children on Friday, October 25 and the general public on Saturday, October 26, from 9a.m. to 5 p.m. and will be docked on the Edenton waterfront at Edenton Harbor. It is free and open to the public. The Elizabeth II will begin her return to RIFP on October 27 and be back in her homeport on October 28 ready to receive visitors on October 29.
Founded on November 6, 1712, Edenton is celebrating its 300th anniversary through December, 2013. The town served as the first Colonial Capital until 1743. Its citizens then helped in the fight for freedom, and became instrumental in establishing the principles and values upon which the nation was founded. It survived the Revolutionary and the Civil Wars largely intact and visitors today will find historic homes and three National Historic Landmarks preserving heritage for future generations. The state’s oldest Courthouse, built in 1767 and still in use today, stands above the village green looking toward Edenton Bay.
Join us as we celebrate Edenton’s 300th and Elizabeth II’s 30th for a memorable experience in “one of America’s prettiest towns” as recognized by Forbes.com.

For more information on this Celebratory Weekend visit roanokeisland.com or visitedenton.com or call 800-775-0111 or 252-482-0300.

Click Here To View the North Carolina Cruisers’ Net Marina Directory Listing For the Edenton Harbor (City Docks)

Click Here To Open A Chart View Window, Zoomed To the Location of the Edenton Harbor (City Docks)

True World Marine - Click for Chartview

True World Marine is located on the eastern shores of ICW-Core Creek passage, 1145 Sensation Weigh, Beaufort, NC 28516 and their website is www.trueworldmarine.com.

With the snow birds beginning their migration south, I thought I would put in a word on behalf of True World Marine in Beaufort, NC. They manufacture a small range of fishing boats in the 20-30 foot range in addition to storage and repair of most any boat.
They are located roughly midway between Oriental and Morehead City, right on the Adams Creek portion of the ICW – about Mile 198. They are adjacent to the Jarrett Bay facility for those familiar with the area.
If you need a short haul, bottom paint or minor repair, they might be worth your consideration. They also have some transient dockage if needed, though I would not characterize them as a full service yard (nor are there any restaurants within walking distance). In the same marine industrial park however are several specialty contractors (electronics, diesel, etc.) that should handle most any involved repair that they don’t offer.
They have treated me very well in the past.
Ask for Keenan, Yard Manager ( 252.723.9370 ) or Patrick ( 252.728.2541 ).
In no way financially connected to the above.
Gregory Yount

Click Here To View the Eastern Florida Cruisers’ Net Marina Directory Listing For Jarrett Bay Marine Industrial Park

Click Here To Open A Chart View Window, Zoomed To the Location of Jarrett Bay Marine Industrial Park

Looks like the major dredging project which took place some two years ago at the AICW/Carolina Beach Inlet intersection, south and west of Wrightsville Beach, North Carolina, and north and east of the Snows Cut canal, is still holding. Hooray, at last some good news!
Our good friends, and SSECN strategic partners, Captains Mark and Diana Doyle, founders and owners of “On The Water ChartGuides” (http://www.onthewaterchartguides.com/), give us an updated, graphic report below, relaying what they discovered as they navigated through the AICW/Carolina Beach Inlet intersection on 9/03/13.
Note that the Doyle’s soundings were taken near high tide, so you must subtract 4 feet from the depths portrayed on the Doyle’s graphic, to discover MLW soundings.
Incidentally, Diana and Mark have just published a new edition of their immensely popular “ICW CruiseGuide.” Click on the book graphic to the above right for more details, and to place an order!

Hi Claiborne,
Diana and I are continuing our survey reports with depth-annotated tracks for ICW Trouble Spots.
This one is for the ICW and Carolina Beach Inlet intersection.
Pretty smooth sailing this season with depths ABOVE 8 FEET MLLW.
Hopefully, SSECN readers transiting the area will find these reports useful.
Best,
Captains Mark & Diana Doyle
m/v Semi-Local
http://www.OnTheWaterChartGuides.com

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

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

Portside Marina - Click for Chartview

When entering the Morehead City waterfront from the “Turning Basin,” Portside Marina is the first facility that will come abeam to the north.

We enjoyed a very nice stay at Portside Marina in Morehead City last night. Denard (rhymes with Leonard) and Kay Harris are great hosts providing wifi, free laundry, bicycles, reasonable dockage and great conversation on floating docks right on the Morehead waterfront and in sight of the ICW. A great stopover for those transiting the area on the ICW. Had dinner at Floyds, a few blocks away and it was delicious.
Kathrine Noel

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

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

Red Square Denotes the Location of Belhaven Town Dock on Wynne's Gut

Those of you who have been following the Salty Southeast Cruisers’ Net know we published a major article/editorial last week (on 9/19/13), verifying the polices in place for the Belhaven Town Dock on Wynne’s Gut. Partly due to all the discussion raised around this posting, and the negative reviews which appeared on OTHER, non-moderated nautical web sites and forums, and partly due to the happy news that Belhaven has now completed a SECOND town dock, the decision has been made to completely revise the dockage pricing, and clearly set forth maximum stay limits, for both Town Docks.
This posting completely supercedes our SSECN article of 9/19/13, and that story has been discontinued.
First, the bad news. There are no more free overnight stays allowed at the original Belhaven Town Dock on Wynne’s Gut. Instead, as you will see below in the note from Captain Les Porter, dockage at this facility now costs $1.00 per foot, per night, with an additional charge of $5.00 per night for a single 30 amp power hookup. A maximum stay of 72 hours is allowed. The Wynne’s Gut dock has the advantage of being located in the heart of downtown Belhaven, with its several restaurants only a few steps away.

Red Square Denotes the Location of Belhaven Cooperage Town Dock

The new Belhaven town dock, which shall hereafter be referred to as the “Belhaven Cooperage Town Dock” is located farther upstream on Pantego Creek, a short hop from marker #12. Overnight dockage at this new facility is currently free, with a maximum stay of 72 hours allowed. Berths here are composed of finger-pier type piers, set onto a fixed wooden dock. No power or water connections are yet available, though the town of Belhaven hopes to add these services soon. Cruisers should also know that it is a 5 block walk into downtown Belhaven, from the Cooperage Dock. This is still very do-able, but not as convenient as the Wynne’s Gut dock.
We are honored that the town of Belhaven has chosen the Salty Southeast Cruisers’ Net as the FIRST means of relaying their new dockage policy to the cruising community!

Hey Claiborne,
The town manager and I have reviewed the recent concerns from the skippers with the early check out times (9am-11am) and the short length of stay allowed for free at the Wynne’s Gut town docks.
In an effort to allow a longer stay and a later check out time we have moved our free dock location to the newly constructed Cooperage Town docks and have changed our policies to the following:
Our Belhaven Town docks at the Wynne’s Gut location on Pantego Creek are now rented at a daily rate of $1.00 per foot, per night with a maximum stay of three nights. Electrical is $5.00 for a single 30 amp hook up and water is available. Registration is required upon arrival and the check out time is 11:00am. Dockage is along side with tall pilings and the controlling depth is 6 feet. The docks are located just 100 yards past the green number 9 day marker and on the North shore in Wynne’s Gut.
Our Belhaven Town free docks are now located at the Cooperage landing on Pantego Creek just past the red number 12 day marker and 100 yards to the north shore. This site has newly constructed fixed docks with slips having finger piers and pilings, no water and no electrical. Controlling depth is 7 feet. The docks are available on a first come first serve basis with a maximum stay of 72 hours.
Thank you for all your help Claiborne,
Les

I am sorry to report that, after a telephone conversation with a reliable, local source in Belhaven, Captain Styon’s description below of the Belhaven “Cooperage Town Dock” is accurate. Cruisers will want to take all these unfortunate characteristics in mind before deciding to coil their lines here.

I rode to Belhaven by car last Wednesday to check out the docks, as we were planning a trip and this was on our list of stops. Boy am I glad I did! There are no free docks down town. They are as you said 1.00 per foot plus power. The free docks are a long way from town. I have hard time calling these town docks. They are up a path I wouldn’t think about walking at night. The docks were completely covered with sea gull poop! No lights. I can not imagine someone staying at these docks. I would feel munch safer anchored. Our new plan is skip Belhaven.
Danny Styons

WOW! People actually complaining about not getting a free dock?? Has anyone tried to get a permit for a dock lately? And why threaten to skip these small towns and not help them pay for the upkeep of their docks. Will you be happy when no shoreside facilities are available to us transients.
Jim

Click Here To View the North Carolina Cruisers’ Net Marina Directory Listing For the Belhaven Town Dock on Wynne’s Gut

Click Here To Open A Chart View Window, Zoomed To the Location of the Belhaven Town Dock on Wynne’s Gut

Click Here To View the North Carolina Cruisers’ Net Marina Directory Listing For the Belhaven Cooperage Town Dock

Click Here To Open A Chart View Window, Zoomed To the Location of the Belhaven Cooperage Town Dock

River Forest Marina - Click for Chartview

River Forest Marina, a well known stop on the AICW, lies on the northeastern shores of Pantego Creek, just northwest of the creek’s breakwater entrance to Belhaven. A phone call to Axson Smith, the marina owner/manager, confirmed that – CONTRARY TO THE REPORT BELOW – the marina is definitely open for business. Phone ahead, 252-943-2151 and let Axson know you are coming. All incoming calls are forwarded to Axson’s cell phone and he lives on the property. The on-site River Forest Restaurant and Inn are for sale, but the marina and nearby repair – boatyard will be kept open.

Rumors this marina is out of business seem to be true. Was just in Belhaven last week and visited them to see for myself. For sale signs up on the property and no one to be found on the property. The local townspeople had mixed reviews of the status of this facility. Some say it has been sold and others say it is still on the market at a reduced price. Either way a visiting boater would be better off staying at the town docks or the Belhaven Waterway Marina. Sad as I recall this marina from years ago as a thriving must stop for Snowbirds and the cruising boaters.
Doyle Evans

Click Here To View the Eastern Florida Cruisers’ Net Marina Directory Listing For River Forest Marina

Click Here To Open A Chart View Window, Zoomed To the Location of River Forest Marina

River Dunes Marina, A SALTY SOUTHEAST CRUISERS’ NET SPONSOR, is located off the AICW’s run along Neuse River, in Broad Creek between the creek’s markers, #1 and #2.

We have stayed at the River Dunes a couple of times recently. Best said this is a boater’s oasis and a must stopover. It is seems even better when the Pamlico Sound is blowing 15 to 20 MPH from the N NE which we experienced this past week.
Doyle Evans

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

Click Here To Open A Chart View Window, Zoomed To the Location of River Dunes Marina

New Bern Grand Marina - Click for Chartview

The New Bern Grand Marina lies in the heart of downtown New Bern, North Carolina, along Trent River’s northern banks between the low-level Trent River highway and railroad bridges.

We stayed at the Grand Marina for a couple of days this month and very happy with the experience. The staff is friendly and helpful and the facility is clean and updated. The local boaters were friendly and helpful regarding our questions about the area. New Bern is a gem. Nice water front and the town has several unique shops. New Bern is clean and you feel safe walking or biking around town. New Bern is off the ICW so you do have to plan ahead regarding your fuel requirements for the trip up the Neuse.
Doyle Evans

Click Here To View the Cruisers’ Net’s North Carolina Marina Directory Listing For New Bern Grand Marina

Click Here To Open A Chart View Window, Zoomed To the Location of New Bern Grand Marina