Masonboro Inlet - Click for Chartview

Banks Channel in Wrightsville Beach is a popular recreation area and anchorage north of the Masonboro Inlet. Sounds like the nearby Masonboro dredging operations may possibly disrupt anchorage on these popular waters.
The Salty Southeast Cruisers’ Net would WELCOME local reports once the dredging gets underway in early January, as to how much anchoring on Banks Channel waters is indeed impeded by this project! Please follow the “Comment on This Posting/Marina/Anchorage/Bridge” link below, or send e-mail directly to Contact@CruisersNet.net!

NC ‘“ NEUSE RIVER TO MYRTLE GROVE SOUND ‘“ NEW RIVER TO CAPE FEAR RIVER – MASONBORO INLET/BANKS CHANNEL – DREDGING
The Dredge WILKO will be conducting dredging operations in the vicinity of Masonboro Inlet from 09 January until 23 January, 2014. The dredge and assisting vessels MISS LEANNE and PROUD MARY will monitor VHF-FM channels 13 and 16. A floating and submerged pipeline will traverse westerly across Banks Channel and along the north shoreline of Masonboro Inlet to the disposal site. 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 it is requested that vessels contact the dredge 30 minutes prior to time of passage. Chart: 11541. LNM: 52/13

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