This report coincides with earlier reports of 5.8 feet at dead low in this perennial “AICW Problem Stretch” south of Charleston, SC. These reports might also indicate a renewal of shoaling at the cut’s southwestern tip. In a few months this stretch might once again become a serious problem for AICW cruisers.
Capt. Roney chose to turn south out of Fenwick Cut (statute mile 511) down the Ashepoo River, then northwest up the Combahee River to the Coosaw River just south of the Ashpoo/Coosaw Cutoff. And as Capt. Roney advises, give a wide berth to the flashing 4s marker at the southern end of Combahee Bank.

September 26, 2011
There is shoaling in this area [Ashepoo/Coosaw Cutoff] around Green Marker “185″. We happened to be traveling with another motor yacht this same day. The tide was 1.5 hours before low on a 6.4 foot tide range. Around Green Marker “185″ He reported 7 feet of water. I opted to take the southern route after Fenwick Cut and head for St. Helena Sound and return to the ICW after the Ashepoo Coosaw Cutoff. This put us in deep water between Hutchinson Ilsand and Fenwick Island. All navigational aids where present. This put on an extra 4.5 nm on the trip however being a motor yacht this did not affect us too severely. You will want to watch your currents in the area for slower moving vessels.
If you take this route please watch out for the Combahee Bank. It extends much further then the chart shows. Give it a wide berth. Safe Travels,
Brendan Roney

Oct 24/11
We saw only 4 ft at marker 184 near low tide. There are several 6 ft deep places near marker 181.
Richard Ross
MV Chez Nous

AICW Problem Stretch Link:
Click Here To View the Cruisers’ Net’s “AICW Problem Stretches” Listing For Ashepoo/Coosaw Cutoff

Click Here To Open A Chart View Window, Zoomed To This AICW Problem Stretch

Click Here To Open A Chart View Window, Zoomed To the Location of Fenwick Cut

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