Below, you will discover our COMPLETE listing of South Carolina cruising news/postings from fellow cruisers, arranged in chronological order, based on publication date. IF YOU WOULD LIKE TO NARROW YOUR SELECTION of SC cruising news to those messages which pertain to a specific geographic sub-region, locate the RED, vertically stacked menu, on the right side of this, and all Cruisers’ Net pages. Click on “South Carolina.” A drop down menu will appear, with a blue background, Now, click on “SC Regional Cruising News.” A sub-drop-down menu will now appear, listing 11 South Carolina geographic sub-regions. Select your waters of interest, and after clicking on your choice, a list of messages will appear, confined to the sub-region you have picked!
The Coast Guard just made a U-turn, lit up the blue lights and called you on the radio. Here is exactly what happens next.
Capt. Chris Caldwell walks through a Coast Guard boarding step by step, from the first hail to the receipt in your hand.
In this episode of the Southern Boating podcast, training captain and Southern Boating & Yachting contributor Capt. Chris Caldwell breaks down what to expect when the U.S. Coast Guard asks to board your boat.
He covers how the boarding crew approaches, the questions they ask about passengers and firearms, why they open the engine room and lazarette first, and the paperwork and placards they expect to see, including the Navigation Rules handbook for boats 12 meters (39.4 feet) and longer.
He also explains the most common violation he sees (expired flares), why life jackets must carry U.S. Coast Guard approval, what to say and what not to say, and how a simple pre-departure checklist keeps a boarding short and friendly.
00:00 Intro 00:22 Where the Coast Guard can board you 00:55 The wave, the U-turn and the blue lights 01:53 Head count and firearms questions 02:48 Engine room, lazarette and the safety inspection 03:26 The Navigation Rules handbook (39.4 feet and up) 04:06 Pollution placards and the waste plan 04:46 Your documentation number 05:35 The boarding report and the “gold sheet” 06:18 Why they pick your boat 07:18 Big events and holiday weekends 08:10 Is there anything they cannot do? 08:23 The federal requirements booklet 08:54 Life jackets: USCG approval matters 09:43 Dewatering devices 10:20 The most common violation: expired flares 11:06 What to say and what not to say 11:30 A friendly boarding in Charleston Harbor 12:13 Your pre-departure checklist 12:52 Capt. Chris’s background 13:33 “Owning the boat” 13:55 Ask Captain Chris on YouTube
With a closed vertical clearance of 31ft, Ben Sawyer Bridge is the last bridge before Charleston Harbor when southbound. Opened in 1945, the Ben Sawyer Bridge serves as the connection from Mount Pleasant to Sullivan’s Island.
SAFETY/SC – WINYAH BAY – CHARLESTON HARBOR/ATON/SEC CHS BNM 0247-26
1. WINYAH BAY – CHARLESTON HARBOR LIGHTED BUOY 116 (LLNR 34505) HAS BEEN REPORTED OFF STATION. ALL MARINERS ARE REQUESTED TO TRANSIT THE AREA WITH CAUTION. CANCEL AT//051535Z NOV 26//
BT
This email was sent to curtis.hoff@CruisersNet.net using Granicus Communications Cloud on behalf of: U.S. Coast Guard · U.S. Department of Homeland Security · Washington, DC 20528 · 800-439-1420
*** THIS DIV IS AUTOMATICALLY HIDDEN WHEN DISPLAYED – INFO FOR DEBUGGING PURPOSES *** ***MANUALLY DO: FIX TITLE, EXPIRE DATE, CATEGORIES, ENABLE SOCIAL POST *** 0: llnr: 34505 District: 07 lat/lon: 32.808632,-79.756021 Desc: Winyah Bay-Charleston Harbor Lighted Buoy 116
This email was sent to curtis.hoff@CruisersNet.net using Granicus Communications Cloud on behalf of: U.S. Coast Guard · U.S. Department of Homeland Security · Washington, DC 20528 · 800-439-1420
*** THIS DIV IS AUTOMATICALLY HIDDEN WHEN DISPLAYED – INFO FOR DEBUGGING PURPOSES *** ***MANUALLY DO: FIX TITLE, EXPIRE DATE, CATEGORIES, ENABLE SOCIAL POST *** 0: llnr: 0 District: 07 lat/lon: 38.517803333333,-79.06959 Desc: Situational Update – Hazardous Weather Outlook for the Western Atlantic – Thu Oct 22, 2026 06:30
SAFETY/D7 – SC – ICW – LITTLE RIVER – WINYAH BAY/ATON/SEC CHS BNM 0246-26
LITTLE RIVER-WINYAH BAY OBSTRUCTION DAYBEACON B (LLNR 33647) IS REPORTED DESTROYED. ALL MARINERS ARE REQUESTED TO TRANSIT THE AREA WITH CAUTION. CANCEL AT//042141Z NOV 26//
BT
This email was sent to curtis.hoff@CruisersNet.net using Granicus Communications Cloud on behalf of: U.S. Coast Guard · U.S. Department of Homeland Security · Washington, DC 20528 · 800-439-1420
*** THIS DIV IS AUTOMATICALLY HIDDEN WHEN DISPLAYED – INFO FOR DEBUGGING PURPOSES *** ***MANUALLY DO: FIX TITLE, EXPIRE DATE, CATEGORIES, ENABLE SOCIAL POST *** 0: llnr: 33647 District: 07 lat/lon: 33.855717,-78.650171 Desc: Little River-Winyah Bay Obstruction Daybeacon B
1. SAVANNAH RIVER NORTH JETTY LIGHT (LLNR 4720) IS EXTINGUISHED. ALL MARINERS ARE REQUESTED TO TRANSIT THE AREA WITH CAUTION. CANCEL AT//041249Z NOV 26//
BT
This email was sent to curtis.hoff@CruisersNet.net using Granicus Communications Cloud on behalf of: U.S. Coast Guard · U.S. Department of Homeland Security · Washington, DC 20528 · 800-439-1420
*** THIS DIV IS AUTOMATICALLY HIDDEN WHEN DISPLAYED – INFO FOR DEBUGGING PURPOSES *** ***MANUALLY DO: FIX TITLE, EXPIRE DATE, CATEGORIES, ENABLE SOCIAL POST *** 0: llnr: 4720 District: 07 lat/lon: 32.041388,-80.849185 Desc: Savannah River North Jetty Light
Situational Update – Hazardous Weather Outlook for the Western Atlantic
The latest briefing for the western Atlantic is attached, updated for powerful low pressure off of the east coast.
Sustained winds to storm-force will occur along and near the track of the low. Sustained winds to hurricane-force are now expected to develop Thursday night beginning near about 40N66W, with areas of hurricane-force sustained winds continuing into early Friday near the track of the low as the low moves farther east of the area.
The next scheduled briefing will be an update on Thursday, OCT 22, by noon EDT.
If there are any questions email ncep.opc.idss@noaa.gov
This email was sent to curtis.hoff@CruisersNet.net using Granicus Communications Cloud on behalf of: U.S. Coast Guard · U.S. Department of Homeland Security · Washington, DC 20528 · 800-439-1420
*** THIS DIV IS AUTOMATICALLY HIDDEN WHEN DISPLAYED – INFO FOR DEBUGGING PURPOSES *** ***MANUALLY DO: FIX TITLE, EXPIRE DATE, CATEGORIES, ENABLE SOCIAL POST *** 0: llnr: 0 District: 07 lat/lon: 38.517803333333,-79.06959 Desc: Situational Update – Hazardous Weather Outlook for the Western Atlantic – Wed Oct 21, 2026 11:45
Situational Update – Hazardous Weather Outlook for the Western Atlantic
The latest briefing for the western Atlantic is attached.This update covers the re-development of storm-force winds associated with the area of low pressure E of North Carolina. Winds will increase to 50 kt with gusts to 65+ kt heading into Wed in the NW and W quadrants of the low with seas building to 25+ ft. There is a 40% chance this system may acquire subtropical or tropical characteristics in the next few days.
If there are any questions email ncep.opc.idss@noaa.gov
The next scheduled briefing will be Wednesday, OCT 21, by noon EDT or 1600 UTC.
This email was sent to curtis.hoff@CruisersNet.net using Granicus Communications Cloud on behalf of: U.S. Coast Guard · U.S. Department of Homeland Security · Washington, DC 20528 · 800-439-1420
*** THIS DIV IS AUTOMATICALLY HIDDEN WHEN DISPLAYED – INFO FOR DEBUGGING PURPOSES *** ***MANUALLY DO: FIX TITLE, EXPIRE DATE, CATEGORIES, ENABLE SOCIAL POST *** 0: llnr: 0 District: 07 lat/lon: 38.517803333333,-79.06959 Desc: Situational Update – Hazardous Weather Outlook for the Western Atlantic – Tue Oct 20, 2026 11:45
1. WANDO RIVER LIGHT #14 (LLNR 3355) IS REPORTED EXTINGUISHED. ALL MARINERS ARE REQUESTED TO TRANSIT THE AREA WITH CAUTION. CANCEL AT//031308Z NOV 26//
BT
This email was sent to curtis.hoff@CruisersNet.net using Granicus Communications Cloud on behalf of: U.S. Coast Guard · U.S. Department of Homeland Security · Washington, DC 20528 · 800-439-1420
*** THIS DIV IS AUTOMATICALLY HIDDEN WHEN DISPLAYED – INFO FOR DEBUGGING PURPOSES *** ***MANUALLY DO: FIX TITLE, EXPIRE DATE, CATEGORIES, ENABLE SOCIAL POST *** 0: llnr: 3355 District: 07 lat/lon: 32.862675,-79.888309 Desc: Wando River Light 14
Situational Update – Hazardous Weather Outlook for the Western Atlantic
The latest briefing for the western Atlantic is attached, updated for strengthening, meandering low pressure off of the east coast, with areas of storm-force winds. For this long-duration event, mariners should monitor later forecasts, including from the National Hurricane Center, and execute avoidance now as needed.
The next scheduled briefing will be an update Tuesday, October 20, by noon EDT.
If there are any questions email ncep.opc.idss@noaa.gov
This email was sent to curtis.hoff@CruisersNet.net using Granicus Communications Cloud on behalf of: U.S. Coast Guard · U.S. Department of Homeland Security · Washington, DC 20528 · 800-439-1420
*** THIS DIV IS AUTOMATICALLY HIDDEN WHEN DISPLAYED – INFO FOR DEBUGGING PURPOSES *** ***MANUALLY DO: FIX TITLE, EXPIRE DATE, CATEGORIES, ENABLE SOCIAL POST *** 0: llnr: 0 District: 07 lat/lon: 38.517803333333,-79.06959 Desc: Situational Update – Hazardous Weather Outlook for the Western Atlantic – Mon Oct 19, 2026 15:00
Situational Update – Hazardous Weather Outlook for the Western Atlantic
The latest briefing for the western Atlantic is attached, updated for strong, meandering low pressure off of the east coast, with areas of storm-force winds. For this long-duration event, mariners should monitor later forecasts, including from the National Hurricane Center, and execute avoidance now as needed.
The next scheduled briefing will be an update Monday, October 19, by noon EDT.
If there are any questions email ncep.opc.idss@noaa.gov
This email was sent to curtis.hoff@CruisersNet.net using Granicus Communications Cloud on behalf of: U.S. Coast Guard · U.S. Department of Homeland Security · Washington, DC 20528 · 800-439-1420
*** THIS DIV IS AUTOMATICALLY HIDDEN WHEN DISPLAYED – INFO FOR DEBUGGING PURPOSES *** ***MANUALLY DO: FIX TITLE, EXPIRE DATE, CATEGORIES, ENABLE SOCIAL POST *** 0: llnr: 0 District: 07 lat/lon: 38.517803333333,-79.06959 Desc: Situational Update – Hazardous Weather Outlook for the Western Atlantic – Sun Oct 18, 2026 09:00
Situational Update – Hazardous Weather Outlook for the Western Atlantic
The latest briefing for the western Atlantic is attached. This update covers the developing East Coast storm system, which is expected to reach storm-force with winds up to 50 kt, gusting to 60 kt and seas building to 25-27 ft. Impactful conditions will continue through much of the week as the low becomes trapped by strong high pressure over the Canadian Maritimes.
If there are any questions email ncep.opc.idss@noaa.gov
The next scheduled briefing will be Sunday, OCT 18, by noon EDT or 1600 UTC.
This email was sent to curtis.hoff@CruisersNet.net using Granicus Communications Cloud on behalf of: U.S. Coast Guard · U.S. Department of Homeland Security · Washington, DC 20528 · 800-439-1420
*** THIS DIV IS AUTOMATICALLY HIDDEN WHEN DISPLAYED – INFO FOR DEBUGGING PURPOSES *** ***MANUALLY DO: FIX TITLE, EXPIRE DATE, CATEGORIES, ENABLE SOCIAL POST *** 0: llnr: 0 District: 07 lat/lon: 38.517803333333,-79.06959 Desc: Situational Update – Hazardous Weather Outlook for the Western Atlantic – Sat Oct 17, 2026 14:00
If you haven’t heard the news, Michael Hodges, SCORE’s fearless leader, will be retiring from the program after 24 and a half years of service!
Michaels commitment to grassroots oyster restoration has always centered on fostering a sense of ownership for our natural resources. Under his tenure SCORE has educated more than 26,500 people about the importance of oysters and salt marsh resiliency through outreach efforts. Through boots-on-the-ground work and plenty of sweat equity SCORE has involved almost 67,000 volunteers totaling 144,436 stewardship hours.
Building on the foundation that Nancy Hadley laid starting in 2000, Michael has met challenges with innovation, embraced the power of volunteerism, and through the partnerships and new funding sources has scaled the SCORE program from a small grassroots restoration program to the beast it is today.
Michaels commitment to SC’s oyster resources and love for the salt marsh has aways been contagious. he has mentored many current and former SCDNR staff and left his mark not only at DNR, but on the national living shoreline stage. Today SCORE is the largest state oyster shell recycling and restoration program in the country, and many other agencies, nonprofits, and groups have applied what SCORE and Michael have created in South Carolina to their home fisheries.
Thank you, Michael, for always believing in your people and giving us the freedom to think outside the box. The estuaries will be a little less bestuary without you.
If you’re interested in helping celebrate his retirement, please reach out the score@dnr.sc.gov
New Volunteer Software
Curious on how our new volunteer software works? Watch our quick demo here
SCDNR is proud to introduce our new volunteer management platform, Galaxy Digital!
No need to fill out your volunteer information every time you come out and volunteer with us. Simply create your volunteer account once, and you’ll never have to create another account again.
Galaxy Digital will be your one-stop shop for everything SCDNR volunteer-related. You’ll be able to sign up for individual volunteer opportunities, sign up your team, view your total volunteer hours, and more!
Roast season is here! Please remember to recycle your oyster shell and to roast responsibly.
Roasting responsibly means making sure the oyster shell from your oyster roast ends up in a recycling bin so it can be used to replant South Carolinas oyster beds. This also means recycling only oyster shells and to remove trash before you recycle. Click on the link to find a recycling bin near you!
The SCORE team had a busy summer and couldn’t have done it without the help of volunteer power. This 2026 reef season we completed 11,684 linear feet of shoreline! This accounts for 2.4 acres of oyster reef added to the South Carolina coast. Thanks to 3,500 volunteer field hours in addition to the numerous hours in the fall and spring to make the substrate that we put out in the summer.
Kiawah
The SCORE team along with partners, Sustainability Institute and Conservancy of the Sea Islands, completed our Kiawah Bridge Project! We successfully deployed 800 manufactured wire reef units (MWRs) at four sites encompassing the bridge. The installation of these MWRs accounted for over 2,000 feet of living shorelines! These MWRs will provide the substrate needed for larval oysters to attach to, grow, and provide the amazing ecosystem services we get from having healthy living shorelines. These ecosystem services include but are not limited to habitat, erosion mitigation, and water filtration. It was tough work done well by all stakeholders involved!
AMI
The SCORE team went out to AMI Kids Beaufort and put on an all things crabbing clinic for the boys out there. Staff members went over the life cycle, anatomy, and the rules and regulations surrounding Atlantic blue crabs (Callinectes sapidus). Staff members then taught them how to catch blue crabs with old fashioned hand lines as well as crab baskets. Several crabs were caught, then the boys were taught how to dispatch, clean, cook, and eat them. It was a great day of fellowship and understanding the resource right there on their campus!
Calling all Costal Cooks
Grand Strand Area:
Oyster shell recycling volunteers are needed! Great news is that Grand Strand restaurants are on board for shell recycling. We are seeking partners and volunteers interested in getting involved.
Please click the link for more information.
As a part of our joint SCORE/ SC SeaGrant Consortium’s Title 1 schools grant we will be developing a costal cookbook highlighting SC coastal cuisine and creating another connection between people and the salt marsh for participating students. Please be as detailed as possible and include a picture, ingredients necessary cookware, step by step instructions, and a fun recipe name. Also feel free to include any personal/family/historical anecdote about your dish. If your dish is included for inclusion, we will be sure to share a copy of the cookbook with you! Please send submissions to score@dnr.sc.gov
Spe-SHELL Announcements
Be on the lookout for Shellby in a Christmas parade around town!
Thanks for sharing this CoastalReview piece. The title sums up something that applies to fishing along the coast more than any gear choice: the water usually tells you what is happening if you watch it. Diving terns and pelicans, nervous bait on the surface, or a slick on an otherwise rippled area are all signs that fish are pushing bait, and noticing them a few minutes earlier than everyone else often makes the difference between a good day and an empty cooler.
For cruisers who fish from the boat while traveling the ICW, tide and current are probably the most useful things to keep an eye on. Moving water around creek mouths, inlet edges and oyster bars tends to concentrate bait, and the last couple of hours of a falling tide can be especially productive. Keeping a simple log of tide stage, water temperature and where fish were found makes those patterns much easier to repeat on the next trip through.
One thing worth adding is that paying attention also means watching the weather, especially with a storm forming in the Gulf right now. Fall fishing can be excellent ahead of a front, but conditions change quickly in open sounds and near inlets. It is worth checking forecasts and having a clear plan for when to head back before the wind builds.
Good morning. It’s been a minute since I had to do one of these on a day other than Friday! The situation I mentioned this past Friday is evolving faster than I expected. A low-pressure area is forming southeast of the mouth of the Rio Grande, with thunderstorms clustered around it. It looks like a tropical depression or storm is forming.
The above loop of visible satellite imagery shows an area of low pressure forming over the southwestern Gulf that likely becomes a tropical depression or storm soon.
Image Source: University of Wisconsin RealEarth
The National Hurricane Center gives it a 90% chance of becoming a tropical cyclone over the next two days. It’s safe to say they’re planning to deal with a storm soon. The next name on this year’s list is Isaias.
Will we in South Carolina have a storm to deal with? The confidence level is lower, but probably not. Our computer models suggest this developing storm will drift eastward at first, then turn north and hit the central Gulf Coast. An eastward turn looks likely well after landfall, but probably after passing by to our west.
This plot from PolarWx.com shows the density of tropical cyclone tracks from four computer model ensembles run by NOAA, the ECMWF, Environment Canada, and the United Kingdom Met Office. The plot shows a strong model consensus on the developing storm tracking toward the central Gulf Coast.
However, a stationary front, the one that brought heavy rain to parts of the state this past weekend, sits between us and the developing storm. It will retreat northward in front of the storm and pass through South Carolina over the weekend. A surge of tropical moisture will come with it, so that the front could bring some or all of the state heavy rain and even isolated flooding. Saturday night into Sunday looks to be the time of greatest concern.
The Weather Prediction Center’s Day 5 Excessive Rainfall Outlook graphic for South Carolina shows the flooding risk Saturday and Saturday night.
If the storm takes a substantially more eastward track (odds look low for this, but not zero), we could see a windy period Sunday, with an even greater risk of heavy rainfall, along with a risk of isolated tornadoes and coastal flooding around high tide.
Of course, since the storm hasn’t formed yet, there is a lot of uncertainty. We’ll have to monitor the station closely. Be sure your storm preps are in place and visit hurricane.sc if you need prep advice.
Frank Strait Severe Weather Liaison S.C. State Climate Office
Roast season is here! Please remember to recycle your oyster shell and to roast responsibly.
The SCORE team along with partners, Sustainability Institute and Conservancy of the Sea Islands, completed our Kiawah Bridge Project! We successfully deployed 800 manufactured wire reef units (MWRs) at four sites encompassing the bridge. The installation of these MWRs accounted for over 2,000 feet of living shorelines! These MWRs will provide the substrate needed for larval oysters to attach to, grow, and provide the amazing ecosystem services we get from having healthy living shorelines. These ecosystem services include but are not limited to habitat, erosion mitigation, and water filtration. It was tough work done well by all stakeholders involved!
Be on the lookout for Shellby in a Christmas parade around town!
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