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