Georgetown Harbor – Click for Chartview

This wonderful tour of homes and plantations is sponsored by the Episcopal Church Women of Prince George Winyah Episcopal Church in Georgetown, SC, A Salty Southeast Cruisers’ Net Sponsor! For full details, go to http://pgwinyah.com/plantation-tours

The Sixty-Seventh Annual Plantation Tour of plantations and town houses in and near Georgetown will be held March 28 & 29, 2014. The majority of the plantations and town houses are privately owned and graciously shared with the Episcopal Church Women of Prince George, Winyah, Parish once per year. A different group of homes is on tour each day.
One day ticket is $40 and two day ticket is $70, includes afternoon tea at Winyah Indigo Society hall
There will be original local art and baked goods for sale in the Parish Hall.
For more information, call 843-545-8291 or go to their website: http://www.pgwinyah.org

Click Here To View the South Carolina Cruisers’ Net Anchorage Directory Listing For Downtown Georgetown Waterfront Anchorage

Click Here To Open A Chart View Window, Zoomed To the Location of Downtown Georgetown Waterfront Anchorage

Charleston City Marina – Click for Chartview

Charleston Waterkeeper’s Pumpout Program has been in operation since November, 2013 and dispatches out of Charleston City Marina, A SALTY SOUTHEAST CRUISERS NET SPONSOR! Service is primarily in the Ashley River anchorages just off the Waterway and the quote below explains how contact is made with the pumpout boat. More more information, see http://charlestonwaterkeeper.org/pumpout-program/?utm_source=Contacts&utm_campaign=0a22560a63-2014_February_Newsletter2_5_2014&utm_medium=email&utm_term=0_4b986f571f-0a22560a63-26071177

How It Works
To request a pumpout call (843) 608-9287. If you are a new client please let us know.
If you are a returning client we will put you on the pumpout schedule for the next week. If you are a new client you will receive a phone call from Charleston Waterkeeper to gather the information we need to provide you with pumpout service.

For a pumpout, call (843) 608-9287. To contact Charleston Waterkeeper, call 843-607-3390 or email info@charlestonwaterkeeper.org

Click Here To View the South Carolina Cruisers’ Net Marina Directory Listing For Charleston City Marina

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

A lot of you have probably been in the same situation as Skipper Len. If you have recommendations for storage of his 28ft sailing vessel, let us hear from you or you may contact Len at his email below.

Searching for affordable dry or wet storage for 28 ft. sailboat from st. Marys to Charleston and points in between.
Or a boat yard with crane for loading sailboat on trailer and use a rv storage facility.  lencad@gmail.com
Thanks, Len

Lang’s Marina in St. Mary’s GA is a good option. I’ve not used this boatyard but understand they will allow owners to work on their boats there, which is a rarity in GA.
http://www.langcharters.com/Lang_s_Marina.html
Morningstar Marina at Golden Isles is an excellent dry and wet storage marina with a public boat ramp across the road from the marina. They do not normally lift sailboats but can handle boats in your size. The staff is awesome. Just ask for the manager, Chris Ferguson. He is very nice. This is my home marina.
http://www.morningstarmarinas.com/golden-isles
Probably the least expensive option is Two-Way Boat Yard near Darien. This is where I have my boat work done. It’s not pretty, but they do good work and will work with you better than any place I’ve dealt with.
http://www.twowayboatyard.com/
James Newsome

Click Here To View the Georgia Cruisers’ Net Marina Directory Listing For Langs Marina

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

Click Here To View the Cruisers’ Net’s Georgia Marina Directory Listing For Morningstar Marina at Golden Isles

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

Click Here To View the Georgia Cruisers’ Net Marina Directory Listing For Two Way Fish Camp

Click Here To Open A Chart View Window, Zoomed To the Location of Two Way Fish Camp

Highway 802 Bridge – Click for Chartview

The vertical clearance of some Waterway bridges has been at issue for some time, especially during periods of extreme high tides. Skipper George relates a recent incident of “bridge too low and mast too tall!” His advice to contact Port Royal Landing Marina, A SALTY SOUTHEAST CRUISERS’ NET SPONSOR, is very good advice. This fine facility is located directly off the AICW’s run south from Beaufort, SC, on the western shoreline, just north of the McTeer Bridge and south of marker #244.

We turned back today, unable to negotiate the bridge at high tide with our 64 foot mast. Call Port Royal Landing Marina for for a reading as you approach the bridge. 1 843-524-4422.
Jim George

Click Here To View the South Carolina Cruisers’ Net Bridge Directory Listing For Highway 802 Bridge

Click Here To View the South Carolina Cruisers’ Net Marina Directory Listing For Port Royal Landing

Click Here To Open A Chart View Window, Zoomed To the Location of Highway 802 Bridge

Jarvis Creek – Click for Chartview

Jarvis Creek and its anchorage opens on the eastern shores of northern Calibogue Sound, south of Jenkins Islands and east of flashing daybeacon #1.
In August of 2013, SSECN posted an article from The Island Packet of Hilton Head about two shrimp boats hopelessly grounded in Jarvis Creek (http://cruisersnet.net/?p=121417). Ironically, one shrimp boat was attempting to rescue a second shrimp boat grounded in the creek when the rescue vessel also grounded. Despite numerous immediate attempts to free the two vessels, now six months later, as we read in the article below from The Island Packet, sent to us by Captains Chuck and Susan Baier, both vessels are being dismantled and removed by crane and barge. A sad ending indeed.

http://www.islandpacket.com/2014/02/27/2972675/work-begins-to-remove-boats-from.html

August 2013

February 2014

Atlantic Intracoastal Waterway Crisis
How Did We Get Here And What Can Be Done
A MAJOR Salty Southeast Cruisers’ Net Editorial
by
Claiborne S. Young

Fellow cruisers, the Atlantic Intracoastal Waterway faces a maintenance crisis, the likes of which we have not seen since the mid 2000’s. Portions of the AICW in South Carolina and Georgia are now all but impassable at low tide for the vast majority of cruising sized vessels. Something must be done about this state of affairs, and done SOON!

Of course, all of us at the Salty Southeast Cruisers’ Net are well aware that the Waterway has shoaling problems. A goodly portion of every day is spent researching, geographically cataloguing and publishing reports from members of the cruising community about waters along the AICW which have less than ideal depths, sometimes grounding depths. Four weeks ago, however, we discovered that we were missing the forest for the proverbial trees, or, put another way, we weren’t really in touch with the big picture of Waterway problems. Now, all that has changed, and changed in a big way!

This process began wtih a telephone call from Skipper Chase Fields, dockmaster at SALTY SOUTHEAST CRUISERS’ NET SPONSOR, Isle of Palms Marina, located directly off the Waterway, north of Charleston, SC. Chase expressed concern about low water depths along the AICW stretch which passes just north and west of his facility. And, with good reason!

As reported in an earlier SSECN posting (see http://cruisersnet.net/?p=125717), the latest US Army Corps of Engineers survey shows 2 ½ foot MLLW depths on portions of the Waterway channel as it passes north of the Isle of Palms and east (you can think of that as “north”) of the Ben Sawyer Bridge. Yikes

Skipper Chase asked us what the chances were of getting this stretch dredged in 2014. This was our “call to action,” not only to answer Chase’s question, but also to discover how the Waterway had come to this point.

And so, we set off to interview Brad Pickel, Executive Director of the Atlantic Intracoastal Waterway Association, various officials in the USACOE, and other US Congressional sources who have asked us not to reveal their identity.

What we learned is not only very interesting, but it is also VITAL KNOWLEDGE for each and every cruiser who ever intends on cruising the length of the Atlantic Intracoastal Waterway. Let’s start with how the Waterway got into this condition.

Prior to 2008, the AICW was also having some real shoaling issues. Then, along came the “stimulus package” which the first Obama administration was able to push through Congress. Whatever you may think of this bill, it did funnel more moneys than had been available for years into the USACOE coffers, and the AICW received a whole raft of much needed dredging. Except for two trouble spots in southern Georgia (Little Mud River and Jekyll Creek are special situations), the Waterway was, all of a sudden, in the best shape it had enjoyed since at least the early 1990’s!

And, for the next year or two, some additional dredging took place courtesy of what’s known as “earmarks.” These are, or more precisely, “were,” additional funding appropriations which were inserted into bills which had nothing whatsoever to do with the projects that were funded.

Then, as part of the so-called reform movement in our Congress, earmarks were abolished. Now, the Waterway had to sink or swim on specific bills introduced and passed to maintain its depths. Quite simply, no such bill has ever made it through either the US House or Senate since the abolishment of earmarks!

Needless to say, we asked, “Why?” and were somewhat taken aback by the answer. From sources whose identity we will exercise our First Amendment rights to protect, we were told that the lack of funding for the AICW is an up close and personal example of the total, partisan gridlock now logjamming the US Congress!

We’ve all heard about this sorry state of affairs on the news, so amply sponsored by BOTH political parties, but, WOW, talk about bringing a situation to light in a venue that really HURTS; that’s just what we have front and center with this lack of Federal funding for AICW maintenance.

Furthermore, the Salty Southeast Cruisers’ Net has been informed that there is 0% CHANCE OF BREAKING LOOSE ANY FEDERAL MONEYS FOR WATERWAY DREDGING DURING 2014, AT LEAST! And, the future of any Federal Waterway funding seems problematical, to say the very least!

So, we have the following “AICW Problem Stretches” which are simply going to get worse and worse:

AICW Channel South of McClallanville, SC to Awenday Creek (see http://cruisersnet.net/?p=56218)

AICW North of Ben Sawher Bridge to Isle of Palms Bridge (see http://cruisersnet.net/?p=101792)

Ashepoo – Coosaw Cutoff (see http://cruisersnet.net/?p=5480)

Intersection of Wright River and Northern Fields Cut (see http://cruisersnet.net/?p=5487)

Fields Cut (see http://cruisersnet.net/?p=5479)

Hell Gate (see http://cruisersnet.net/?p=5478)

Little Mud River (see http://cruisersnet.net/?p=5477)

Jekyll Creek (see http://cruisersnet.net/?p=5476)

AICW Channel Through Cumberland Dividings (see http://cruisersnet.net/?p=36781)

Now, those who are very perceptive may have noticed that none of the “Problem Stretches” listed above reside in the states of Florida, or North Carolina. Herein lies HOPE for the future of the AICW!

Since the 1930’s Florida has had a state agency known as the “Florida Inland Navigationa District (or “FIND”), which is funded by a portion of the taxes collected from all state citizens. Put in its simplest terms, where the Federal government does not dredge the Florida portion of the Waterway (and other coastal waters such as inlets), “FIND” does!

Far more recently, my home state state of North Carolina made a bold move in 2013 to improve both maintenance of the AICW and inlets along the Tar Heel coastline. A new bill was passed by the legislature in Raleigh which diverts a portion of the revenues collected by both boat registration and taxes paid on marine fuel purchases, into a fund to dredge coastal waters. Along with some Federal hurricane relief moneys courtesy of Hurricane Sandy, this new law has resulted in currently underway dredging projects which will address ALL AICW Problem Stretches along the North Carolina portion of the Waterway. A completion date for all this dredging activity is slated for early April, 2014 (see http://cruisersnet.net/?p=135383).

Unfortunately, as I have been preaching for the last 15 years (at least), if the AICW becomes unnavigable in one place, that disrupts the entire semi-annual “snowbird migration” cycle. And, the entire Southeastern USA pleasurecraft industry, including marinas, repair yards, boat manufacturers and equipment suppliers, is predicated on this twice a year movement of vessels north or south on the AICW.

So, no matter how good the condition of the Waterway in North Carolina and Florida might be, there are still two other states in the middle. If the AICW deteriorates in SC and GA, the migration will be disrupted, and we are back to proverbial “square one.”

What must be done is to convince the state legislatures in South Carolina and Georgia to undertake a similar plan of action as that adopted by North Carolina in 2013. Until and if the situation in Washington is straightened out, our sources tell us this is the only viable plan of action.

How can members of the cruising community help? First, as you are cruising south or north on the Waterway, or just doing some in-state exploration of your home waters, and you observe depths that are less than what is expected on the AICW, SEND THE SALTY SOUTHEAST CRUISERS’ NET THAT INFORMATION AT YOUR EARLIEST OPPORTUNITY. We will not only make sure fellow cruisers share in your observations, but, working through the Atlantic Intracoastal Waterway Association, we can use this data as “ammunition” with the South Carolina and Georgia legislatures.

Secondly, we urge you to spend a whole, whopping $25.00 and join the Atlantic Intracoasal Waterway Association (“AIWA,” http://www.atlintracoastal.org/join-aiwa). These good people are taking the LEAD in lobbying the Palmetto State and Peach State legislatures to do their part in taking care of the AICW. THE AIWA DESERVES THE SUPPORT OF EVERY CRUISER WHO PLIES THE WATERS OF THE ATLANTIC INTRACOASTAL WATERWAY!

Finally, and on a personal note, so my late Mother told me, I have been cruising the Waterway since I was 2 years old (really don’t remember that first trip or two), and I grew up making the semi-annual trek from North Carolina to Fort Lauderdale in the fall, and then reversing the process come spring time. I can’t imagine Southeastern USA cruising without the AICW, and I bet you can’t either.

Let’s all do our part to preserve this magnificent resource, and save it for future generations of cruisers.

Thanks so much for your time and attention. Good luck and good cruising to all!

Great article. Thanks for bringing this important issue to light. We are Florida residents and understand the positive impact that FIND has had on maintaining the intracoastal waterways for use by all.
For the last 20 years, FIND has been very proactive by purchasing land for dredge material management sites that will be needed in the future to provide for proper maintenance of the ICW. The taxes are actually collected only from residents of the 12 counties located on the east coast of Florida. The board of FIND is comprised of a member from each county. FIND has been doing great work, and is an excellent example of how government agencies, when properly run, can have positive benefits.
Thanks again for your article.
Lenny Schelin

Claiborne,
On behalf of the AIWA Board of Directors (who are copied on this email), we truly appreciate your efforts to raise awareness of the challenges facing the Atlantic Intracoastal Waterway in your major editorial (link #1 in the alert below). We also appreciate our partnership in spreading the word in other emails and newsletters.
Please let me know how I can be of further service to you and our waterway cruisers.
Respectfully,
Brad
Brad Pickel
Executive Director
Atlantic Intracoastal Waterway Association

What used to be somewhat lovingly called “The Ditch,” is rapidly become “a ditch.” Where I grew up, that was wadin’ water.

We no longer bother going north of Brunswick and once we can get insurance in FL we probably won’t even go that far north. We would rather pay the outrageous premiums than persistently endanger the boat traveling farther north. We don’t expect the waterway to be an amusement park tunnel of love, but we do expect national infrastructure to be managed for national benefit. At this point a new magenta line is moot unless it comes with the caveat, “use only at highest tides.”
Chris

We had planned to go from New Bern to Cumberland Island, and return in March and April. It now looks like it will be trouble than it is worth. A few trips to Ocracoke and other “local waters” will probably be it.
Sorry South Carolina and Georgia will get no revenue from us this spring.
John and Georgie

We sail from Fernandina to Beaufort, skipping all the problem spots. Taking all our money with us.
Ted

Suggest you also submit your letter to several boat magazines to see if one or more might publish them. Southern Boating comes to mind as well as Soundings.
Tom Wemett

Claiborne, excellent article and I hope the powers that be pay attention to it, but as one who does the ICW twice yearly at a minimum, the ICW is not (yet) impassable, despite comments such as I see here from others.
With proper planning, the trouble spots in SC and GA are easily passable, even by deep draft boats. It shouldn’t require this level of caution, no – but for those such as John and George, or Chris, above- perhaps it’s better that they remain in their local waters and spare the rest of us the difficulty of saving them when their lack of navigational skills lands them in trouble.
Regardless of all this, SC and GA do need to ‘get on board’ and dredge their waters as required.
Wally Moran

Joined AIWA today…great suggestion.
Wonderful eulogy for Jack Dozier…he was one hellva good guy.
Jim Schofield
BoatU.S. (retired)

There is a huge difference in the support for maintaining the ICW between Florida and Georgia and the Carolinas because of the fact that the ICW is what gives millions of Floridians waterfront property. Anyone who has traveled the coasts of Florida’s knows that much of it is a channel between rows of waterfront homes. Those homeowners provide lots of political clout and lots of tax dollars for maintaining their lifestyle, whereas there is no significant political or monetary constituency for the Little Mud River area in Georgia. You’ll note that the more populated the area the better maintained the ICW is, in general. In the past the ICW was much more of a commercial highway for barge traffic. As recently as the 1980s, when I first started doing the ICW, a lot of the excitement was dodging enormous barge strings. That business has gone away, and with it the political clout those large businesses had. Sportfishing is still big business, but many of those folks are much less concerned with shallow channels than cruising boaters, which are such a tiny group that they have no political clout. Not sure what the solution is.
John Kettlewell

I could be wrong but have felt that South Carolina and Georgia have also been parsimonious on the waterway marker expenditures. In so many spots it is just an educated guess as which side of the ditch to favor.
Beverly Feiges

SC31 Bridge Site – Click for Chartview

This new high-rise bridge will be part of an extension of SC31, Carolina Bays Parkway, which is already under construction. Bridge construction is expected to begin in April of 2014 and will cross the Waterway just south of the two new high-rise bridges at Socastee.

SOUTH CAROLINA – ATLANTIC INTRACOASTAL WATERWAY – CAPE FEAR RIVER TO CASINO CREEK – MYRTLE BEACH – SC 31 (CAROLINA BAYS PARKWAY) BRIDGE: Bridge Construction.
The South Carolina Department of Transportation has hired Flatiron Constructors Inc. who has started building the SC 31, Carolina Bays Parkway, Myrtle Beach, Horry County, South Carolina. This project is anticipated to be completed by May 17, 2017 and will involve some waterway restrictions/closures. These restrictions/closures are anticipated between April and October 2014 and will be published in future Local Notice to Mariners. Mariners are advised to use caution transiting through this area as various floating equipment will be in the vicinity throughout the project.
Chart: 11534 LNM:07/14

Click Here To Open A Chart View Window, Zoomed To the Location of SC31 Bridge Site

Here is an editorial appearing in Charleston’s Post and Courier with which all Waterway mariners can agree, be you commercial or recreational boater. SSECN applauds the Post and Courier’s editorial staff for their stand in support of “The Ditch”.

Keep ‘the ditch’ navigable
Posted: Saturday, February 15, 2014 12:01 a.m.
If motorists had to limit their trips on interstate highways to four hours a day, the public would be up in arms. Shipping goods would slow to a crawl. First responders would be unable to reach most emergencies. And families would forgo trips and stay at home. Congress would be forced to act.
Yet Congress has been routinely allowing the nation’s marine highway to silt in to the point where barges in some areas can be used only just before and just after high tide.
The Intracoastal Waterway is in danger of being impassable without dredging. And obtaining federal money for dredging is a yearly obstacle. It shouldn’t be that way.
One problem is the formula used to allocate money. The more commercial traffic, the more money is available.
Problem: When parts of the Waterway are silted in, as at Breach Inlet between Sullivan’s Island and the Isle of Palms, the Ashepoo and Coosaw rivers connector in Colleton County, and Town Creek in McClellanville, the commercial traffic decreases because barges and other vessels can work only when the tide is in.
Further, the formula doesn’t count fuel shipments, fishing boats, dredge barges or recreational boats as part of the traffic.
Why not?
Those vessels contribute to the economic vitality of an area just as Nucor barges full of steel do. And just as motorists using I-95 to go on a shopping trip do.
Just as interstate highways must be maintained for the safety of their users, so should the Intracoastal Waterway – often called “the ditch.”
Boaters could well be unaware that parts of the waterway are only three feet deep at high tide and parts nearly run dry. The channel is supposed to be 12 feet at low tide. Should boaters run aground, they could incur serious injuries to their vessels and themselves.
The Intracoastal Waterway was a project of the U.S. government to allow marine traffic safe routes in lieu of more dangerous routes in the open sea.
Channels between existing bodies of water were dug, eventually allowing marine traffic to go inland from Miami to Portland, Maine.
The portion of the waterway in South Carolina is 236 miles, from Little River to Port Royal.
The waterway is a federal interstate transportation corridor that predates the interstate highway system by nearly a generation. Some of the man-made portions date to the 18th century.
The maintenance of the Intracoastal Waterway should not be a year-by-year decision by Congress. The funding should be secure, and the funding formula should be updated to include fishing boats, dredge barges and recreational vessels.
In South Carolina and beyond, the waterway is more than a scenic asset.
It is a vital piece of the commercial shipping puzzle and deserves consistent, ample federal funding.

Excellent editorial. Let’s hope some key legislators take notice and act responsibly.
John Y Jackson

Downtown Marina – Click for Chartview

Beaufort, SC, will begin fining or removing boats remaining in the Beaufort City Anchorage, just to the west of the Downtown Marina, A SALTY SOUTHEAST CRUISERS’ NET SPONSOR!. This anchorage has been designated as the location of a city mooring field since 2011. Today is the last day of a 30-day period during which boats anchored in the proposed mooring field to remove their vessels, be fined or agree to rent a buoy in the new field. Our friend John Kettlewell sends us this story from the Beaufort Gazette:
http://www.islandpacket.com/2014/02/08/2937028/monday-is-deadline-to-move-boats.html

The city will be Installing 16 professionally-managed moorings for transient boats in an approved area of the Beaufort River, The new moorings will replace the approximately 12 randomly placed anchoring and also will involve removal of dilapidated boats which will improve water quality. In years past as many as 500 visitors come to the fine city of Beaufort South Carolina. They come for the charm of a small seaside village and the simplicity. They come because it quaint and has that non-commercial touristy cost usually associated with most waterside cities like Hilton head, Daytona, and Panama City Beach.
Curtis

As someone who has cruised to Beaufort many times, and who lived and worked there for several years, I lament the passing of another anchorage on the ICW. I will say that the anchorage was notoriously difficult, with strong currents and nasty exposure in bad weather. It was not ideal, but those of us who prefer to use our own anchoring gear will now be bypassing this spot and likely the downtown area. Factory Creek across the way still has some anchoring room, and it is also possible to anchor north of the bridge outside of the channel. However, neither area provides convenient access to downtown. Plus, I strongly suspect, as is the case most places moorings are put it, that they will not pay their way and the city taxpayer will be burdened with another expense.
John Kettlewell

As more and more cities and counties go broke, this kind of thing is going to become more and more common.
It’s a lot more fun to go where you are wanted, rather than just tolerated, or looked at as a cash cow.
The Bahamas just keep looking better and better.
R. Holiman

Click Here To View the South Carolina Cruisers’ Net Anchorage Directory Listing For Beaufort City Anchorage

Click Here To Open A Chart View Window, Zoomed To the Location of Beaufort City Anchorage

Click Here To View the South Carolina Cruisers’ Net Marina Directory Listing For Downtown Marina

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

Beaufort Waterfront – Click for Chartview

Ice cream is often the most sought after commodity whenever going ashore, regardless the time of day. When in Beaufort, enjoy the recommendations offered by Skipper Susan Landry, co-owner of Beach House Publications, publishers of “The Great Book of Anchorages,” (http://www.tgboa.com)

Beaufort has their ice cream shop, Southern Sweets Ice Cream Parlor, hidden in the Old Bay Marketplace on Bay Street. Across the street from the waterfront, you will enter the mall. Near the entrance on the right, tucked quietly away, is the ice cream parlor. They have many selections to chose from and this is a true, old-fashioned store. Marilyn and Jack Sheehy started the parlor in 2001 and are wonderful hosts. They serve Greenwood ice cream and Marilyn has even added a lunch menu with homemade salads. Stop by to say hello and sample one of the many flavors. You are also invited to create your own frozen concoction and have it named for you.
Susan Landry

Click Here To Open A Chart View Window, Zoomed To the Location of Beaufort SC

Georgetown Harbor – Click for Chartview

Ice cream is often the most sought after commodity whenever going ashore, regardless the time of day. When in Georgetown, enjoy the recommendations offered by Skipper Susan Landry, co-owner of Beach House Publications, publishers of “The Great Book of Anchorages,” (http://www.tgboa.com)

I can not count how many times we have been into Harvest Moon ice cream in Georgetown, but there is a second shop, Sweeties, there as well. When nothing but a cold cone will do, either of these shops will fit the bill. Both shops are right on Front Street. The selections are plentiful and again, service with a smile. Who wouldn’t like working in an ice cream shop??
Susan Landry

Click Here To Open A Chart View Window, Zoomed To the Location of Downtown Georgetown Waterfront

Combahee Bank - Click for Chartview

In reponse to an SSECN posting on an alternate to Ashepoo-Coosaw Cutoff (http://cruisersnet.net/?p=120938), Captain Mullins and crew took the Round-your-elbow route into St. Helena Sound to avoid the Cutoff and did so successfully.

On our trip south on an Ocean Alexander 58, 4 ft. draft, we determined that we were going to transit the Ashepoo Coosaw Cutoff at low tide so we decided to turn left, heading south, after we passed through the cut at Fenwick Island. The Ashepoo river had 20 to 25 ft. of water in the middle and we followed it to the mouth, exited and went out in the St. Helena sound, turned north and bypassed the problem stretch all together. I would recommend this route for anyone with a 4 or 5 ft. or deeper draft heading into that area.

Click Here To Open A Chart View Window, Zoomed To the Location of Combahee Bank

Harbour Fish House Restaurant and Adjacent Ship's Store

SALTY SOUTHEAST CRUISERS’ NET SPONSOR, Charleston Harbor Marina, sits on the Mount Pleasant side of Charleston Harbor, hard by Patriots Point (between Horse Reach’s flashing buoys #34 and #36). This fine facility has been trying to build a second restaurant and an on-site retail facility for years. They have now succeeded.
I personally visited Charleston Harbor Marina in November when I attended and spoke to the Atlantic Intracoastal Waterway Association annual conference in Charleston. I was very impressed with the new Harbor Fish House restaurant’s (843-284-7067) atmosphere and particularly the view of the ships at adjacent Patriots Point. I did not get a chance to sample the bill of fare, but that oversight will be corrected SOON!
As noted by Skipper Fowler, the marina now provides trolley service to downtown Charleston. The trolley will drop off and pick up cruisers at Meeting Street, AND the really fabulous Harris Teeter supermarket on the Charleston peninsula. The same trolley will also take you to, and retrieve you from, the beaches on nearby Sullivan Island!
Wow, talk about the one of the best getting even better!!!

View From Harbor Fish House Restaurant

Hello Claiborne:
We recently spent some time at Charleston Harbor Marina, and were very impressed with the changes we found since our last visit. In particular, there is a large, new building on the upstream side of the parking lot which houses Harbor Fish House restaurant and a variety and ship’s store. The view from the restaurant’s large, interior glass windows is very nice, with many tables sporting a view of the historic ships at adjacent Patriots Point Park. Our fresh catch of the day was delectable.
The on-site store is heavily oriented towards clothing and some gift items, but they do have cold drinks and one small section of marine items.
We took advantage of the marina’s new trolley service (at least new to us), and rode into downtown Charleston to restock the galley at Harris Teeter. This is one of the best versions of this supermarket chain we have ever visited! Be sure to check the trolley schedule before leaving, or you could have a long wait to return to the marina.
We didn’t have a chance to take advantage of this, but the same trolley service will carry visiting boaters to the beaches on nearby Sullivan Island. Hope to give that trip a try during out next visit.
So, there you have it. Some really neat, new services at this marina!
Skipper Fowler

Click Here To View the South Carolina Cruisers’ Net Marina Directory Listing For Charleston Harbor Marina

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

Daufuskie Island - Click for Chartview

The Waterway runs along the north and west side of Daufuskie Island, out of Calibogue Sound at Statute Mile 565, west of Hilton Head Island, as the Waterway scampers south towards the Savannah River.

I thought I would mention a couple of other things. First, if going to Hilton Head, Daufuskie Island will make a great day stop or even over night. You can tie up at the Melrose ferry dock and rent a golf cart. Bicycles work well there as well as on Hilton Head.
Don on “Moonstruck”

Click Here To Open A Chart View Window, Zoomed To the Location of Daufuskie Island

Downtown Marina - Click for Chartview

Here are good words for Downtown Marina of Beaufort as originally posted on Trawler Forum, http://www.trawlerforum.com/. A SALTY SOUTHEAST CRUISERS’ NET SPONSOR!, Downtown Marina is located north of AICW marker #239, a short distance west of the Lady’s Island swing bridge, in the heart of downtown Beaufort.

I like the Beaufort Downtown Marina. They are right downtown with several restaurants very close by. Blackstones is best for breakfast. They have a loaner car for grocery shopping. If you want to anchor or take a mooring ball, you can tie up to the park wall during the day, but not overnight. Tides are pretty swift in that area.
Don on “Moonstruck”

Click Here To View the South Carolina Cruisers’ Net Marina Directory Listing For Downtown Marina

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Shelter Cove Marina - Click for Chartview

Here are good words for Shelter Cove Marina on Hilton Head Island as originally posted on Trawler Forum, http://www.trawlerforum.com/. Shelter Cove is located in a man-made cove on the southeastern shores of Broad Creek (Hilton Head Island) near markers #22 and #23.

I like Shelter Cove on Hilton Head. It is about a 25 minute run up Broad Creek, but worth it. 7 or 8 restaurants surrounding the harbor plus more within walking distance. A supermarket is also within walking distance. Palmetto Bay Marina is on the way to and from. Captain Woody’s restaurant there is good.
Moonstruck

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AICW/Shem Creek Intersection - Click for Chartview

Shem Creek, a popular DINING destination for cruisers, is found on the lower, north side of Charleston Harbor. The LONG entrance channel intersects the Waterway at marker #130.
FINALLY, the channel into Shem Creek from Charleston Harbor is being dredged. When complete, cruisers should once again discover good depths all the way into the southern mouth of Shem Creek, and it’s then just a hop, skip and a jump to the several restaurants on this stream which feature dockage for their patrons (particularly “RB’s”).
The initial dredging already underway is found north of #130 between markers #1 and #2, and will progress northward into Shem Creek. Waterway navigation should not be affected by the dredging operations.

SOUTH CAROLINA-CHARLESTON HARBOR-LOWER CHARLESTON HARBOR-SHEM CREEK: Dredge Operations
Cottrell contracting Corp will commence dredge operations approximately January 1, 2014 in the Lower Charleston Harbor in Shem Creek beginning 1300 feet south of Mount Pleasant Channel DBN 1 (LLNR 3510) and DBN 2 (LLNR 3515) and progressing northward to the Coleman Boulevard Bridge. Associated dredge pipeline operations will be present west of Charleston Harbor Channel LB 23 (LLNR 2465) and LB 24 (LLNR 2470) on the Mount Pleasant Range, Rebellion reach and South Channel of the Lower Charleston Harbor. The Dredge RICHMOND will be on scene and monitoring VHF channels 13 & 16. Submerged and floating pipeline will be used during the dredge operations. Mariners are advised to stay clear of the dredge, pipelines, barge, derricks and operating wires about the dredge. The dredge and pontoon lines are held in place by cables attached to anchors some distance from the dredge and pontoons. Buoys may move as the dredge moves. Owners and lessees of fishnets, crab pots and other structures that may be in the vicinity and that may hinder the free navigation of attending vessels and equipment must remove these from the area where tugs, tender boats and other attendant equipment will be navigating. Dredge Operations will be conducted 24/7 until approximately April 1, 2014. Mariners are advised to transit at the slowest safe speed a slow NO WAKE speed is requested, and proceed with caution after passing arrangements have been made with the dredge. Project POC: Shannon Wolf (757) 547-9611.
Chart 11524 LNM: 01/14

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