Grounding at Mason Inlet/AICW Intersection, Statute Mile 280
This intersection was dredged in early 2016 (/154951) and a Nav Alert (/158529) was posted in July re shoaling here. But, as Mark and Leslie Fields report, Hermine may have further altered the channel. Thank you Mark for this warning!
Hi, just a note to help those who are starting south. We are traveling southbound (I know, we’re early!) on SV Valkyrie, a Cal 34 with a 5′ draft. On Thursday, Sept. 8, we ran hard aground in what should have been the middle of the ICW channel where it intersects Mason Inlet (south of the Figure 8 Island Bridge at Marker 121). There is apparently severe shoaling from the recent storm. We were unable to get loose without calling for assistance. TowBoat US had to work hard to get us off the sand shoal, but we were able to continue our journey.
Boaters passing through that area should be aware that they must hug the private docks adjacent to the inlet intersection and give the green marks plenty of room to port when headed south.
We took the other inlet intersections slowly and cautiously and didn’t have more problems through that stretch (currently just south of Southport NC).
Regards,
Mark and Leslie Fields
SV Valkyrie, Southbound ICW
Click Here To Open A Chart View Window, Zoomed To the Location of Mason Inlet
Comments from Cruisers (3)
This is not new. That entire stretch through there is bad at low tide. I saw it when I went through and back in June/July.
After 16 years of travelling the ICW in both directions forward looking sonar, aka scanning sonar, is something I recommend for the whole of the ICW, one of the World’s Wonders, sadly abused and neglected.
Thank you for the report. It would be very helpful to have a date,time and tide height. This is a known trouble spot.