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Please Note That Postings Below From Fellow Cruisers Are Listed in Chronological Order, Based on Publication Date
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Elba Island Cut is a maintained channel on the Georgia side of Savannah River across from Fields Cut in South Carolina.
GEORGIA – SAVANNAH RIVER AND WASSAW SOUND – SAVANNAH RIVER/AICW: Dredging operations.
On or about October 5, 2021 Goodloe Marine will begin dredging operations in the Atlantic Intracoastal Waterway (AICW) at Elba Island Cut just south of the intersection of the AICW and the Savannah River in Georgia. The cutter dredge EXEL will be removing shoal material from the AICW and pumping the material thru a 20” submerged pipeline across the Savannah River to an upland spoil area on the north side of the Savannah River. Mariners are cautioned to pass dredge at an idle speed and be mindful of numerous buoys and floating pipelines in and near the navigation channel. The dredge can be contacted on channel 16 and 68 for passing instructions. Additional information can be obtained by contacting Ben Goodloe 813-355-7494. Dredging operations are expected to be complete by Nov 15, 2021. For further information, please contact the United States Coast Guard at (912) 247-0073. Chart 11512 LNM 39/21
Hank Pomeranz of Coastal Yacht Care and host of navigation/weather briefings at Southport Marina reports this missing ICW marker. Hank had discussed marker 48A in his Oct 30 Pomeranz Report. The intersection of Wright River and Northern Fields cut is a Cruisers Net Problem Stretch noted for shoaling and channel shifting.
Hi all, I had two on scene reports yesterday that R”48A” is missing at the northern entrance to Fields Cut. I have photos from within the last 10 days that it was there. It was not mentioned in the 46/18 LNM. As you know, this mark forces you towards the green shore for deeper water.
Bob, I downloaded your GPX track through there and have attached a screen shot- which may help show them the deepest path. Navionics also has a good handle on it and I just drew a faux track to make the point. Perhaps an announcement something to the effect that if R48A is not on station, suggest closely following the green (port southbound) shore for deepest water.
This is basically how I started briefing it last night.
Best Regards
hank
Sherer GPX Track
Navionics
Click Here To Open A Chart View Window, Zoomed To Northern Fields Cut
Hank Pomeranz of Coastal Yacht Care in Southport, NC is replying to Jim Healy’s observations on Northern Fields Cut in today’s Healy Report.
We also have Robert Shere’s report on this Problem Stretch: Sherer Report.
You might also enjoy comparing Jim Healy’s 2017 Healy Report on this area.
The big surprise is the northern end of Fields Cut at 48A. 3.6MLW is less than other reports we’ve seen. The Navionics Sonar Chart shows the deeper water closer to the shore (75’ or so off the mark). Between those two bits of info I think sound advice is to not get up close and personal to 48A and split the difference between mark and shore. Thanks Jim.
Hank
Click Here To View the Cruisers’ Net’s “AICW Problem Stretches” Listing For Northern Fields Cut
Click Here To Open A Chart View Window, Zoomed To Northern Fields Cut
Walburg Creek shapes the east side of Walburg Island and the Waterway lies on the west side. Good depths and great beach combing. My young daughters always declared the beach spooky because of the skeletal trees and dense forest to the east! While the creek has both a northern and southern entrance from the AICW, we prefer the northern passage, though there is still an unmarked shoal northwest of Middle Ground in St. Catherine’s Sound which must be bypassed. Experienced cruisers, Jim and Peg Healy, continue to generously share their observations and advice as they make their way south for the winter. Thank you Jim and Peg!
On Monday, 10/29/2018, Sanctuary and crew travelled from Port Royal, SC to Walburg Creek, GA. Following, some observations:
We arrived at Ramshorn’s Cut at 10h15 with the tide station at Daufuskie Island (Daufuskie Landing) showing 5.8+ rising. We saw 11.0 ft, so (11.0 – 5.8) = 5.2′ at MLLW. The channel between G39 and R40 has narrowed further. We took the visual center.
We arrived at the un-named connector between the New River and the Wright River at 10h38 with the tide station at Daufuskie Island (Hargray Pier) showing 6.2+ rising. We saw 12.2 ft, so (12.2 – 6.2) = 6.0′ at MLLW. Follow the visual center. Honor, but stay away from, the lateral markers on pilings.
We arrive at Field’s Cut at 11h06 with the tide station at Field’s Cut showing 7.6+ rising. Southbound, take the visual center between G47 and R48, and line up on Field’s Cut. HONOR R48A, which appears off-station to the East. We saw 11.2 ft passing about 25 ft off R48A, so (11.2 – 7.6) = 3.6′ at MLLW. This was a surprise! We followed the visual center of Field’s Cut, favoring the outside radius of the turns. That 3.6′ area was the control depth of the cut. Cross-currents are significant at the Savannah River. Be alert for river traffic and cross currents.
There was a large, working crane barge at the Causton Bluff bridge. It appears “they” are replacing that bridge with a high rise. Another surprise.
We arrived at Hell Gate (MM600) at 14h18, with the Egg Islands Tide Station reporting +7.0 falling. Depths we saw:
G87 13.5′
G89 10.4′
9.8 low water between markers
R90 10.9
G91 10.4
So (9.8 – 7.0) = 2.8′ MLLW. Also note, as you enter this cut from the Vernon River, there is a STRONG cross current that will try to sweep you sideways. Boats will need some power and some aggressive steering to stay on the best route. We crabbed into the lee of the current at about a 20° angle. There is a prominent visual distraction just to the west of the marked channel. There is a piling left over from some previous danger mark standing prominently, while the red and green floaters that mark the channel are low to the water and hard to see. Do not confuse that piling as a valid channel marker. Follow and honor the cans and nuns in the water
Net: the overall condition of the A-ICW continues to deteriorate. Most cruising boats will need some tide help to get through this section. Plan accordingly.
Jim
Peg and Jim Healy aboard Sanctuary, currently at Charlotte Harbor, Punta Gorda, FL
Monk 36 Hull #132
MMSI #367042570
AGLCA #3767
MTOA #3436
Click Here To Open A Chart View Window, Zoomed To the Location of Port Royal Landing Marina
Click Here To Open A Chart View Window, Zoomed To the Location of the Walburg Creek Anchorage
Passed thru Fields Cut on Nov 9, 2018, and found a minimum of 8 feet MLW at north end of Fields Cut. But there are two possible "gotchas". R48A appears to be off station, but it is not. For best water pass half way between R48A and the eastern shore. Also, be aware that once you turn to enter Fields Cut, (if southbound) you will be subject to strong cross currents.
Robert Sherer is responding to the request for local knowledge from Brig Burgess on Bob423. The Waterway immediately west of the loop of Brickyard Creek is a short narrow channel north of Beaufort. Fields Cut, at both north and south ends, is notorious for shoaling and shifting channels. Cruisers Net recommends mid to high tide for both.
We are running inside tomorrow Beaufort Sc to mp 614. Looks like a few skinny cuts. Any updates through this run or tracks to download? I did not see any routes on Aqua Maps? Tide will be low when I get to some of the locations?
Brig Burgess
Two major problems: Brickyard Creek and Fields Cut. Both are easily navigated if you take the right track.
Check Waterway Guide Alerts for both. The alerts provide detailed info on how to navigate safely.
Aqua Map has Alert symbols for both areas, tap on the Alert and a popup will show you the way. Fields Cut has a GPX route you can download.
Here’s an example of the view in Aqua Map showing the Alert icon to tap on.
Northern Fields Cut
Brickyard Creek
Click Here To Open A Chart View Window, Zoomed To Northern Fields Cut
Fields Cut, a Cruisers Net Problem Stretch listing for years, is the southern tip of South Carolina’s Waterway and intersects the Savannah River. Mid to high tide is recommended. The range mark sited below is the northwest final light on the Long Island Crossing Range on the west side of the cut north of R50, the last ATON before entering the Savannah River. Our thanks to Carol and Frank Schubauer for this report via Hank Pomeranz of Carolina Yacht Care.
As received from SV Hakuna Matata with Carol and Frank Schubauer…draft 4.5’
“Entered Fields Cut 27 minutes before low tide. Saw 12′ at entrance lowest we saw was 7’9″ on channel. Must favor the range mark exiting the cut and not aim for red mark. We bumped and had to move over toward the range mark for 18′ of water. “
Also “R40 at Ramshorn Creek is laying in the sand”. {See Chart Link below}
Click Here To View the Cruisers’ Net’s “AICW Problem Stretches” Listing For Fields Cut
Click Here To Open A Chart View Window, Zoomed To the Location of Fields Cut
Click Here To Open A Chart View Window Zoomed To the Location of R40
Fields Cut is always an area to approach cautiously and at mid to high tide. Our thanks to experienced cruiser Jim Healy for his observations and advice. See /163492 for more comments on markers in Fields Cut.
As of 10/24/2017 at 11h00, tide +6.0 ft, we saw 13.5 ft between the North entrance to Field’s Cut and G”47,” so about 7.5 ft at MLW. The entrance itself was 18 ft. R”48A” continues to appear off-station to the east, but HONOR FLOATING RED R”48A.” Pass east of R”48A.” Except for these two sandpiles, the rest of the cut was not a problem.
FOLLOW THE OUTSIDE RADIUS OF ALL BENDS!
The south entrance of Fields Cut was 13.5 feet at +6.0 on the tide, so 7.5 feet at MLW.
Southbound, watch for strong cross-currents at the mouth of the Savannah River.
Jim
Peg and Jim Healy aboard Sanctuary, currently at Rock Creek, Pasadena, MD
http://gilwellbear.wordpress.com
Monk 36 Hull #132
MMSI #367042570
AGLCA #3767
MTOA #3436
Click Here To View the Cruisers’ Net’s “AICW Problem Stretches” Listing For Northern Fields Cut
Click Here To Open A Chart View Window, Zoomed To This AICW Problem Stretch
Northern Fields Cut is always an area to approach cautiously and at mid to high tide. Our thanks to Mike Cam for this marker warning.
Sat. 4 March 17 Fields Cut just into SC. At 0850 about 1h 50m after mlw and 1.5ft above mlw northbound N48A LOOKS like it’s out of place, too close to the SE shore. It is not! Honor it but hug it. Saw 7ft. Our catamaran was very close to shore to starboard [northbound].
Click Here To View the Cruisers’ Net’s “AICW Problem Stretches” Listing For Northern Fields Cut
Click Here To Open A Chart View Window, Zoomed To This AICW Problem Stretch
Northern Fields Cut is always an area to approach cautiously and at mid to high tide. Our thanks to Captain Hospodar for this update.
My wife Pat and I traveled through Fields Cut on 10/26/16 one hour after low water favoring the outside of each curve and found no less than 12 feet of water from the Wright River to the Savannah River.
Captain George Hospodar
Click Here To View the Cruisers’ Net’s “AICW Problem Stretches” Listing For Northern Fields Cut
Click Here To Open A Chart View Window, Zoomed To This AICW Problem Stretch
Charlie and Jackie continue their journey north with a report on these two anchorages, southern and northern upstream, on the waters of Bull Creek, south of Calibogue Sound and Hilton Head Island, east of the Waterway’s flashing daybeacon #34.
5-2-16 Now anchored in one of our favorites– Bull Crk east off ICW just south of MM565. Anchored in front of house where water not so deep. Good holding and usual tidal current. Good verizon. Look out over Calibogue Sound and Hilton Head island. Nice.
Charlie and Jackie on Traveler
Click Here To Open A Chart View Window, Zoomed To the Location of Bull Creek
Northern Fields Cut, which was listed as a hazard to navigation (see /?p=143997) in Local Notices in August of 2014, is always an area to approach cautiously and at mid to high tide. Our thanks to Skipper Hale for this update. For a another depth report from Captains Mark and Diana Doyle, see /?p=144010
April 11, 2015 northbound. We entered Fields Cut at about 1:45 after low water. We were carrying MLLW+ 2 feet. We stayed mid channel and never saw less than 10 feet. At the north end at R48A, we were half way between the buoy and shore and saw 20 feet. There is a slight shoal just after R48A but we saw 10 feet as we crossed it. We are a trawler drawing 4.5 feet and were running `point’ for a sailboat which drew 6’2’³. They also were fine all the way through.
Cheers,
Tom Hale
Northbound on the ICW
Click Here To View the Cruisers’ Net’s “AICW Problem Stretches” Listing For Northern Fields Cut
Click Here To Open A Chart View Window, Zoomed To This AICW Problem Stretch
Northern Fields Cut, which was listed as a hazard to navigation (see /?p=143997) in Local Notices as recently as August, is always an area to approach cautiously and at mid to high tide. Our thanks to Skippers Lawrenson and Steeves for these updates. For a recent depth report from Captains Mark and Diana Doyle, see /?p=144010
Came through Fields Cut on the 21st and 23 Nov. No problems as I hugged the East side. There is a new red in the water. 48A I believe, so the channel, which is very close to the shore, is easier to find. There was a large trawler in the channel when I returned, and so I chose to wait as I did not want to try to pass in that narrow channel. Had 15 feet or better at about half tide.
Bill Lawrenson, SV Serenity.
There is now a red marker marking that shoal at the location as shown by the Doyles which is quite close to the southern shore. Honor that marker and stay about midway between it and the shore. Went thru at the low and saw no less than 7 feet but running so close to shore may be a bit nerve wracking for some.
Wayne Steeves
Click Here To View the Cruisers’ Net’s “AICW Problem Stretches” Listing For Northern Fields Cut
Click Here To Open A Chart View Window, Zoomed To This AICW Problem Stretch
Northern Fields Cut at the intersection of Fields Cut and Wright River has been designated a Problem Stretch for some time and we are grateful to Skipper Schmidt for this information re the navigation aids in the area. For a depth survey by Mark and Diana Doyle from August of this year, go to: /?p=144010.
Came through Fields Cut today. There is no green buoy. There are 2 reds. One is beacon 48. The other is a red nun apparently locate on the south side of the “mound” in the middle. I made a straight line from red beacon 48 past the new red buoy carefully compensating for the strong cross current. Was in good water all the time.
Ray Schmidt
Click Here To View the Cruisers’ Net’s “AICW Problem Stretches” Listing For Northern Fields Cut
Click Here To Open A Chart View Window, Zoomed To This AICW Problem Stretch
Many thanks to our good friends, Mark and Diana Doyle, for sharing this depth survey of northern Fields Cut, which was listed as a hazard to navigation (see /?p=143997) in this week’s Local Notices. Please let this survey and our Nav Alert serve to guide you through this major Problem Stretch.
Hi Larry,
Just saw your recent SSECN report on Fields Cut. You’re right, it’s getting uglier and uglier there.
Diana and I went through yesterday so I thought I’d send you a depth-annotated track and survey report for your readers.
That end of the cut was always interesting but now it’s got a three-foot MLLW speed bump right in the middle of the ICW channel!
Best,
Captains Mark & Diana Doyle
m/v Semi-Local
www.OnTheWaterChartGuides.com
Click Here To View the Cruisers’ Net’s “AICW Problem Stretches” Listing For Northern Fields Cut
Click Here To Open A Chart View Window, Zoomed To This AICW Problem Stretch
My wife Pat and I traveled through Fields Cut on 10/26/16 one hour after low water favoring the outside of each curve and found no less than 12 feet of water from the Wright River to the Savannah River.
The intersection of Northern Fields Cut and the Wright River lies north of the intersection of the Waterway and the Savannah River. Shoaling at this Problem Stretch has always been an issue and, even with last year’s dredging, shallow depths might be expected. This new Local Notice confirms earlier reports of severe shoaling as reported on May 21st, see /?p=141095.
SOUTH CAROLINA-AICW-BEAUFORT RIVER TO ST SIMONS SOUND-FIELDS CUT: SHOALING
There is shoaling directly in the middle of the AICW in Fields Cut. A depth of 2FT was reported in approximate position 32-05.185N/080-56.022W (32°5.1850N / 080°56.0220W, 32.086417 / -80.933700) during low-tide and poses a hazard to navigation. Mariners are advised to exercise extreme caution while transiting the area. Chart 11507 LNM: 33/14
Click Here To View the Cruisers’ Net’s “AICW Problem Stretches” Listing For Northern Fields Cut
Subject, Northern Fields Cut shoal
FYI, 3 years ago, coming north in the spring, a barge/push boat were coming up behind me so I idled on the side and told the tug captain that I would wait until he passed since I was not familiar with this area. He said I would have no problems as he passed and then he went aground. By the time he managed to push the barge through the shoal, there was a line of boats behind him and me. I called him and thanked him for moving the shoal for us.
Northern Fields Cut - Click for Chartview
The intersection of Northern Fields Cut and the Wright River lies north of the intersection of the Waterway and the Savannah River. Shoaling there has always been an issue and even with last year’s dredging, shallow depths might be expected. However, Captain Mullins offers good advice for a clear passage.
Just helped take a Ocean Alexander 58 through Field’s cut at low tide.(4 ft. draft) Entering the cut from the north going south, you must stay close to the green markers on the left for the first 150 yds, then edge over to the red side until you approach the Savannah River and exit close to the Red side.
We had a fish finder screen aboard and when we entered the cut, we could see how the bottom jumped up about 100 yds from the north entrance.
There was a sailboat in front of us that tried to stay on the Green side all the way and had run aground 4 times by the time we caught up with him.
Phil Mullins
Click Here To View the Cruisers’ Net’s “AICW Problem Stretches” Listing For Northern Fields Cut
Click Here To Open A Chart View Window, Zoomed To This AICW Problem Stretch
I came through here today(10-8-13) from the North at 1:15 PM (two hours past high tide). I stayed very close (25′) to Green “47” and stayed to the green side for over three hundred yards into the canal.
I saw nothing less the 17 feet of depth. I learned the hard way last year when I strayed to the Red side and found the bottom and $1,200 in prop repairs! Tough lesson.
Bob Poovey m/v Threadbare
Click Here To View the Cruisers’ Net’s “AICW Problem Stretches” Listing For Northern Fields Cut
Click Here To Open A Chart View Window, Zoomed To This AICW Problem Stretch
Fields Cut South - Click for Chartview
Fields Cut lies just north of the intersection of the Waterway and the Savannah River. Shoaling there has always been an issue and even with last year’s dredging, shallow depths might be expected. However, Captain Quinn’s report brings good news about recent depths at dead low tide.
I was traveling in my Catalina along with a Lagoon 380 through Field’s Cut on the 7th of July 2013 we agreed to take different lines through the cut at dead low tide. Now we are not paying attention to the magenta line on this chart or any other chart we are dividing the water way in half right down the middle. The Lagoon went through traveling toward the Savannah River and stayed just to the ocean side of the middle of the cut and he marked 7 feet at the low point. I went through just to the inland side of the middle of the cut and marked 10 feet at dead low tide.
Captain Kevin R Quinn
Click Here To View the Cruisers’ Net’s “AICW Problem Stretches” Listing For Fields Cut
Click Here To Open A Chart View Window, Zoomed To the Location of Fields Cut
Northern Fields Cut - Click for Chartview
The “AICW Problem Stretch” at the intersection of northern Fields Cut and Wright River was dredged three years ago and was more or less clear through the end of 2012. However, as recent reports confirm and as Captain Lawrenson experienced, shoaling is once again a real problem at this intersection.
We grounded badly on May 24, 2013 about 30 feet short of the north exit of Fields Cut running northbound (about where the line runs through the chart next to the N on the insert chart). I had 4.0 to 4.5ft MLW about 10 feet to the red side of the center line. As it was a negative 1.0 tide and I draw 4.5 ft., we sat for 1 1/2 hours in 3.5 Ft of water and swatted flies.
After we came free (about + 0.5 ft from MLW) I went back towards Savannah a short way. A trawler passed us and despite my warnings promptly went aground just past where we had been (they also drew 4.5 ft.). I then turned back and went north again, strongly favoring the green side ‘“ about 75% (half way between mid channel and the green shore) and had 7.0 ft. or better past the grounded trawler and all the way out of the cut splitting the markers outside the cut.
The shoal is like hitting a brick wall from the Savannah side. I had 11 ft. and then stopped abruptly, aground. It was so sudden I thought I had snagged something ‘“ no warning. All the locals including the Bloody Point Ferry (Savannah to Daufuskie) that passed us three times strongly favor the green side.
On the other end, (Savannah River Side) we came through just fine favoring the red side (1/3 from red bank, 2/3 from green bank) at the entry where the cut bends right after the northbound entry from the Savannah River ‘“ 7.5 ft or better at about MLW. Stay away from the jetty on the green side and don’t follow you plotter line.
I am a sailor, not a marine professional, and this is what I recall happening to us. Hope this helps others.
William Lawrenson
July 8, 2013
Every time I went through S.C. Field’s Cut this weekend there were sailboats aground in the middle of the north entrance of the cut at low tide. Either they don’t read anything don’t know anything or don’t believe how far to the east side of the cut you have to go. I know people are afraid to try this but to go through the north end of the cut you have to stay all the way to the east side of the cut: that means 25 feet from the dirt if you cannot reach out and touch the grass you are not close enough. Do not worry if your GPS or Chartplotter shows a covered and uncovered place here. Look at the water and the mud bank. You will find a channel here where all the water goes out of the cut and it is 10 feet deep at dead low tide.
Captain Kevin R Quinn
Did have serious problem with north side of Fields Cut, went aground in middle part of channel before turning south into Fields. Hard grounding with quick stop.
Carter Hopkins
M/V Amazing Grace
Click Here To View the Cruisers’ Net’s “AICW Problem Stretches” Listing For Northern Fields Cut
Click Here To Open A Chart View Window, Zoomed To This AICW Problem Stretch
Click Here To Open A Chart View Window, Zoomed To A “Navigation Alert” Position at Northern Fields Cut
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