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.

This is by far the nicest marina I have ever had the pleasure of staying in. Ducked in because of hurricane Sandy, THEY COULD NOT HAVE BEEN NICER !!! CLEAN CLEAN CLEAN. Starbucks coffee at Hilton, amazing showers, laundry, cable, WiFi, security, great staff, and to top it off, New Bern is a historic beauty. AAA+++
Chris Dates

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

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Salmon Creek, near the mouth of Chowan River, well southwest of marker #2CR, makes a fair overnight anchorage, but water levels have shoaled on this stream during the last several years. Minimum depths of 6 feet can now be expected only as far as the second point of land making in from the southerly banks. Past this point, soundings drop off to 4 feet or sometimes considerably less. Consider setting the hook just short of the second southern entrance point, where there is plenty of swinging room for boats up to 42 feet in length and fair protection from all but northern and northeastern winds. There is a large industrial plant on the creek’s southern shore, but the rest of the banks are undeveloped.

We anchored here last night with two other boats ( two 42 foot trawlers and a 39 foot sailboat). Depths got very shallow well before the Sage plant, Don’t go too far past the old decrepit tour boat moored at a dock on the northern shore. We saw three nearly submerged piles towards the southern shore as we came into the creek entrance so stay in the center. As mentioned by others, the dinghy ride up the creek is marvelous. Fall is a nice time to visit Salmon Creek.
Buzz Savage

Click Here To View the Eastern Florida Cruisers’ Net Marina Directory Listing For Salmon Creek/Chowan River Anchorage

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The Ocracoke National Park Service Docks lie on the northern shores of Ocracoke’s Silver Lake Harbor, just east of its entrance.

We had a great charter out of Washington on In Concert, a Saga 409 that we bareboated from Carolina Wind.
Made it to Ocracoke the first day for two nights including dinner at the Back Porch and lunch at Howard’s. Then we were off across the sound to Adams creek to follow the ICW south to Beaufort and and a wonderful two nights anchored in Lookout Bight. Back up the ICW for a quick stop for wine in Oriental, a night anchored in Bonner Bay before the final leg back to Washington.
I do believe coastal North Carolina is the best cruising area on the east coast – I was very impressed!
As you asked, I visited the public docks in Ocracoke to assess the dinghy dock. The office was closed and the only floating dock appeared to be in association with the adjacent ferry dock and locked behind a dock fence. A sign (see photo) hung in the office window regarding its use, but again, it appeared locked and unavailable.
I’ll make a couple phone calls back to the village and if I get more details will let you know.
Your info and cruising guide were right on it’s with many thanks for your efforts that we had a great trip.
Cheers,
Mike Alyea

Click Here To View the Cruisers’ Net’s North Carolina Marina Directory Listing For Ocracoke National Park Service Docks

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The AICW Alternate Dismal Swamp Canal Route southbound departs the primary AICW south of Norfolk at Statute Mile 7.2 and begins officially at Deep Creek Lock at Statute Mile 10.6.

Question:
Does anyone know if the Dismal Swamp Locks are still restricted to just two openings per day?
WernerS

Answer:
Dismal Swamp openings 2 days ago [10/20/12] were: 8:30am; 11:00am; 1:30pm; 3:30pm
Just passed through with relatively light traffic. 3 boats at Visitors Center.
John Esch

Click Here To View the Cruisers’ Net’s North Carolina Marina Directory Listing For the Dismal Swamp Canal Welcome Center

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Elizabeth City, at the south end of the Dismal Swamp route, has been charming cruising visitors to the City Docks since 1983 and it’s wonderful that some things do not change! The city docks are officially called Mariner’s Wharf and dockage is free for 48 hours. We are proud to report that Elizabeth, NC is A SALTY SOUTHEAST CRUISERS’ NET SPONSOR!

Our home is in Kinsale, VA, and we have just made our 6th stop at the Elizabeth City Visitors Center, and of course were greeted by ‘Rose Buddy’ Gus! The folks in Eliz City are most friendly, accommodating, and we can’t say enough good things about our experiences at our favorite stop on the ICW. So take our word for it and stop on your next trip ‘North’ or ‘South’. You won’t regret it!
Tom and Kaye aboard the S/V SHEARWATER

Kudos to Elizabeth City, the Mayor and its tourism board. We had a delightful two days there and had the privilege of seeing the dress rehearsal of “The Sound of Music”. The only bad news is that the Dismal Swamp Canal, even though manned by the most wonderful people, still has a lot of sunken logs in it. Our 4 1/2 ft draft probably picked one up and damaged our props.
Bob and Margaret Kaine

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

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Morehead City Railroad Bridge crosses the Waterway at Statute Mile 204, immediately south of the Newport River Bridge. As the closure period, described below in this article cherry picked from the latest Local Notice to Mariner’s indicates, most AICW mariners will not be inconvenienced by the strictly nighttime closure of this low level span.
However, should you planning to navigate the Waterway through the Beaufort – Morehead City area after 8:30 pm and before 5:00 am. then it will be necessary to use the far more complicated Russell Slue to Gallant Channel, to Taylor Creek, to Beaufort Inlet route.

NC – ATLANTIC INTRACOASTAL WATERWAY (AIWW)
Mariners are advised that effective October 17, 2012 through October 1, 2013; the Coast Guard is temporarily changing the operating schedule that governs the Carolina Coastal Railroad Bridge across Newport River, at AIWW mile 203.8, in Morehead City, NC. To facilitate needed repairs, the drawbridge shall operate as follows: (1) During the day, from 5 a.m. to 8:30 p.m., the draw shall be maintained in the open position to vessels and would only be closed for the passage of trains and to perform periodic maintenance; and (2) At night, the draw need not open from 8:30 p.m. to 5 a.m., except an opening would be provided at 12 a.m. (midnight) if advance notice is given before 4 p.m. on the afternoon before the requested opening by calling (954) 658-4661 or via marine radio channels 13 or 16 VHF-FM. Mariners should use extreme caution when transiting the area. Chart 11541

Click Here To View the North Carolina Cruisers’ Net Marina Directory Listing For Morehead City Railroad Bridge

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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.

A little update. First of all, Mr. Sligh’s comments posted back in February are in reference to the Galley Store Marina, which is on the Neuse River, and is indeed exposed to that river’s weather. The New Bern Grand Marina, which this thread addresses, is on the TRENT river, and is very well protected from open water. It is also much larger than the Galley Store Marina. It is however, on the back side of the Cunningham draw bridge, which will open on request most of the time, otherwise on the hour. As for the laundry facility, there is only ONE washer and ONE dryer, and they are not free ($1 each at this writing.) Everything else I’ve read here is still accurate. The cruiser’s lounge is very small, and filled with furniture the hotel seems to not want. There is no TV or anything else of much use in it. Rates at the NBGM are still very attractive, but I hear rumor that it is headed for an increase soon.
Clay Watson

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

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Upper Broad Creek - Click for Chartview

Upper Broad Creek Northern Anchorage is 18.7 nautical miles off the waterway on Neuse River in the centerline of Upper Broad Creek’s gentle turn to the northeast, north of the charted pilings; Upper Broad Creek indents the northeastern shores of Neuse River, well northeast of Neuse River marker #19.

Cruising News:
We berth our trawler in New Bern and I was curious to see how far one could go up Upper Broad Creek in the Neuse River. If you look at chart 11552, you can see that Upper Broad Creek travels quite a ways north at some reasonable depths, so we decided to gingerly check it out.
I measure on the chart it is about 4.5 Nm from the mouth to Lee’s Landing where there is a boat ramp for small boats and the marked overhead lines. The overhead lines indicated on chart 11552 appear to be no longer there, but there is still the utility pole, on which they used to be. We went as far as the kayak docks for Latham-Whitehurst Nature Park (5.4Nm from the mouth at 35’07.000N, 76’56.515W), until it started to become almost too narrow to turn around. At that point we measured 11 feet of water. The channel is probably about 60-70 feet wide at that part and plenty deep (readings as high as 21 feet) in most places. Most of the creek is around 11 feet deep with occasional 5-foot depths. We have a full keel protecting our prop and draw 3-1/2 feet most days, so it was worth a look. It’s a very remote area, and our trawler drew a few looks from some bass boats in the little creek, but it was a nice test of skill to maneuver slowly up the way. The creek up that far is too narrow to anchor, but fun for a look for a day.
If you go, you will want to have a bit of time to take it slowly, as per the chart and our experience, it was a very narrow tributary. Our trawler is 35 feet and I would not recommend going as far as we did on a larger boat. Turning around as far as we went required a good bit of patience and attention. Still well worth the experience of doing.
Ben Matthews

Click Here To View the Cruisers’ Net’s North Carolina Anchorage Directory Listing For Upper Broad Creek Northern Anchorage

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Read recent reviews and you will discover more reasons than ever to leave the familiar confines of the AICW, and journey upsteam on the Pamlico River to the Washington downtown waterfront. This SALTY SOUTHEAST CRUISERS’ NET SPONSOR has sooo much to offer the cruising community. Tell them we sent you!
And now, thanks to our fellow cruisers who responded below, you know some of the best spots to slake a healthy appetite in downtown Washing!

Anyone have suggestions for a good restaurant in Washington NC in walking distance from City Docks? Our Power Squadron is planning a cruise there and would like some info.
The Reillys

Probably the most popular is Down On Main Street. Access is via Main Street or through their backdoor/patio seating area. On The Waterfront opened earlier this summer and appears to be quite popular.
Virtually across the street from Down On Main Street is a pizza parlor, that has excellent pizza — name escapes me.
Pias of Washington, I think is now closed.
The Blue Door Cafe is across the street and diagonal from On The Waterfront.
But all of these are easy walking distance from tie up.
Craig

I had the pleasure of spending a couple of days in Little Washington about a year ago. “Down on Main Street” was easy walking distance and offered decent food and reasonable prices. It was big enough to handle a group of hungry sailors and of course served liquid refreshments to take the mind off the terrors of the sea. Otherwise there didn’t seem to be a lot on offer close to the waterfront. There was one other place that seemed to be more of the white-tablecloth, expensive setting. There was a pizza place selling slices but I doubt you could fit a power squadron in there. So I don’t have any more to offer than Craig, evidently we’ve got it covered.
Paul

We spend this past summer in “Little Washington”. Bella’s Slices and Ices is the Pizza place. Good pizza.
There are two new restaurants, The Bank, nice place, high ceilings so it is loud, and On The Waterfront. It opened in July, ate there a couple of times, mixed review, one meal good, one really bad, bad service. For lunch and breakfast only there is The Meeting Place. Nice town!
John

Hi, Larry. The Long Bay Power Squadron trip was great! What a lovely town Washington, NC is. Loved the crab sculptures around town and the NC Estuarium. We ended up at “Down on Main” Friday nite, with live music in the streets. The restaurant was good, but the server and atmosphere were spectacular! Great town, and great marina.
The Reillys

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

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Other recent reports on depths in Masonboro Inlet have indicated no shallow water problems in the inlet itself, unlike the shoaling reported at the intersection of the inlet/Shinn Creek and the AICW.

Oct 6 Traveled outside to Wrightsville Beach Inlet [Masonboro Inlet], good place to re-enter the ICW, however, the boating traffic at Wrightsville on the weekends should be avoided at all costs, the most friendly inconsiderates along the entire ICW.
Doug Cordello

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Cape Lookout Bight is a wonderful, natural harbor formed by Cape Lookout’s curve of land. This superb anchorage, one of the most popular in North Carolina, is best accessed via the Beaufort Inlet, rather than through Back Sound.

Oct 5 Anchored at Lookout Point [Cape Lookout Bight], great anchorage very calm and clean water, well worth the short trip.
Doug Cordello

Click Here To View the Cruisers’ Net’s North Carolina Anchorage Directory Listing For Cape Lookout Bight Anchorage

Click Here To Read Earlier Comments For Cape Lookout Bight

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The long awaited remodeling and reopening of this fine facility has happened! The State Park entrance channel cuts off from the AICW, at the western end of Snows Cut, between markers #163 and #165.

Carolina Beach State Park is a hidden gem. Rob, the dockmaster, is worth the stop there. He has been everywhere, seen everything, speaks many languages and is fascinating. Our 42 feet was pushing it getting into a slip. Fairways very narrow and really not designed for boats our size although there is a face dock that might accommodate 1-2 boats our size. Pump out is $20 but just north of there at Joyner’s, it’s $5. The park charges $30/nite includes water and power. Retail, restaurants, and Food Lion is 1.5 miles away–just outside the gate of the park. The park, 700+ acres, has 6 miles of hiking trails, We were a short bike ride from old-timey Carolina Beach, Cure Beach, and Fort Fisher where the Civil War ended. We loved it there and hate to make its existence known—but what a great stop. Planned to stay one night–stayed three.
Laura Bender

Oct 6 stopped at Carolina Beach State Park Marina, a real hidden gem, great price only $30 including electric, plenty of water and room for our 48 foot that draws 4.5 feet and then you are well positioned to time your trip down the Cape Fear River.
Doug Cordello

Click Here To View the Cruisers’ Net’s North Carolina Marina Directory Listing For Carolina Beach State Park

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Southport Marina – A SALTY SOUTHEAST CRUISERS’ NET SPONSOR! – lies just west of the Cape Fear River along the northern banks of the Waterway hard by flashing daybeacon #2A.

Southport Marina is always good and a treat! As you know, laundry and shower facilities are on site. PJ’s, a converted gas station across the street is great for breakfast. Moore Street Market, recommended by a local, was a lunchtime treat. We’d never have seen their obscure sign. Came upon a retired biology prof who’s a water colorist and such a delightful man. Love his work and the bright colors of local scenes. When we visit Southport, it’s always difficult to drag ourselves away.
Laura Bender

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

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Ocean Isle Bridge and Sharky's Restaurant - Click for Chartview

Always good to hear of the kind of courtesy extended by Ocean Isle Marina management, the courtesies shown by Sharky’s Restaurant, as well as a recommendation of good food. A real Happy Ending!

Cruising News:
After we aborted our planned overnight stay at Calabash Anchorage on 10/6/2012 (see http://cruisersnet.net/?p=98764), we found nearby marinas were full. A courtesy call made by Ocean Isle Marina (MM 335.5) found us overnight space at “Sharky’s Restaurant” located at the Ocean Isle Bridge. Jim, the owner, met us at the dock and treated us like family. He has limited space, so call ahead if you are in a pinch. This was a great place to stay overnight and he offers a 10% discount for guests on the great food they serve.
Capt. Pat Carter

Click Here To View the North Carolina Cruisers’ Net Marina Directory Listing For Ocean Isle Marina

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These firing schedules appear regularly in the weekly Local Notice to Mariners, but if this is your first time through the Camp LeJeune area, you may be unaware of the possible delays. Normally, if firing is underway, you will stopped by very courteous, but armed, Marines aboard small vessels, Range Control Boats. We hope you aren’t delayed, but, if so, log it as another of the many wonderful experiences of traveling the ICW!

NC – NEW RIVER – FIRING EXERCISES
1. The Commanding General, Marine Corps Installations East-Marine Corps Base Camp Lejeune (MCIE-MCB CamLej), North Carolina, has advised that the area in the Atlantic Ocean between a point approximately 4.5 miles east of Bogue Inlet to a point approximately 10 miles southwest of New River Inlet, North Carolina, within the existing danger zone (depicted as 334.440) as shown on National Ocean Service Chart 11543, will be hazardous to navigation because of field firing exercises during the periods and times stated below. Firing will be up to 15 nautical miles seaward.
Vessels are urged to avoid the above area during the periods stated except for the Atlantic Intracoastal Waterway, where mariners traveling through this area can expect a delay of about one to four hours during the below times. Range Control Boats, MCIE-MCB CamLej North Carolina monitor Channel 16 VHF-FM (156.8 MHz) and the working Channel 82 VHF-FM (161.725 MHz). Range Control can be reached by phone at 910-451-3064 or 4449.

5. Atlantic Intracoastal Waterway, Inland Waters in the Browns Island Inlet area between Bear Creek and Onslow Beach, may be closed for firing exercises during the following periods:
Live Fire Operations:
8:00 a.m. to 5:00 pm Daily (USS Ship-Naval Gunfire)
8:00 a.m. to 10:00 pm Daily (Ranges)
Non-Live Fire Operations:
12:01 a.m. to Midnight Daily (Boat-Maneuvering)

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Big Foot Slough - Click for Chartview

Big Foot Slough Channel is the primary entrance from Pamlico Sound to Ocracoke and Silver Lake Harbor and is used by the vast majority of cruising craft and both Ocracoke car ferries. It is a narrow channel and caution should be exercised in the vicinity of dredge equipment. Because of shoaling in the channel, we have had a Navigation Alert posted since January of this year (see link below). Hopefully the dredging, scheduled to be completed by November 13, 2012, will alleviate the problem.

NC – PAMLICO SOUND/BIG FOOT SLOUGH CHANNEL – DREDGING – UPDATE
The Dredge Richmond will be conducting dredging operations in the Silver Lake Entrance and Big Foot Slough between Big Foot Slough Channel Light 14BF(LLNR 29087) and Big Foot Slough Channel Buoy 9AA (LLNR 29057) and the entrance to Silver Lake. Dredging operations have been extended to 13 November, 2012. 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 :11550.

Cruising News:
Good news! As I write, they are dredging Big Foot Slough channel now at Ocracoke.
Capt. Sykes DeHart

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

Elizabeth City, at the south end of the Dismal Swamp route, has been charming cruising visitors to the City Docks since 1983 and it’s wonderful that some things do not change! The city docks are officially called Mariner’s Wharf and 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 are proud to report that Elizabeth, NC is A SALTY SOUTHEAST CRUISERS’ NET SPONSOR!

Cruising News:
Elizabeth City is always a great stop for cruisers. A great place to talk with some of the boaters you’ve been traveling with and get ready for the trip across the Albemarle. Especially want to thank Jessica and Susan at the Convention and Visitors Center for their help when I found out that I needed to get some parts and do some rewiring.
Bill Watson

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

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These anchorages lie just off the AICW, north and northwest of Waterway marker #23 and a short jog west of the Alligator River–Pungo River Canal’s shoal-prone southerly entrance. The easternmost haven is, in our collective opinion, about as good as it gets!

We anchor here on a regular basis. It is a great location just prior to a northbound entry to the canal. Leave the ICW at marker 24 and you will see no less than 8 foot to the charted anchorage. Good holding in soft mud. It is exposed to the East – South but if it is really blowing you can find more shelter further up the creek. There is a small beach if you have pets. Verizon service comes and goes.
Dave Boxmeyer

Click Here To View the Cruisers’ Net’s North Carolina Anchorage Directory Listing For Upper Pungo Anchorages

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