More Groundings at AICW/Browns Inlet Intersection, Statute Mile 237
With the reported groundings and marker confusion at this intersection (/?p=144468), it is definitely wise to follow the advice given below by Skipper Bob and others. Do not follow the Magenta Line in this stretch of the ICW, as SSECN has advised by many months!
There’s a spot on the last stretch of ICW just before Onslow Beach swing bridge you should be aware of. Between red Marker 60 & green 61A it has shoaled up so bad that it ran five or more aground (according to Seatow which has a boat standing by in the area) just yesterday. There’s a floating green buoy there close to the north shore. It looks out of place but you need to stay far to the inside of it, about 20-30 feet from shore. The chart seems to show the ATONS, but it doesn’t make any sense when you look at it on the water; check the buoys with binocs and you’ll see a red followed by a green almost in line along the starboard bank when southbound. They were there when we transited northbound in June, so they have been there awhile.
Can’t believe that the Seatow boat hangs out in a nearby creek waiting to help rather than warning boats as they approach.
Bob
October 30
Multiple groundings occurred this week between buoys 60-63. One big reason- buoy 61A is not there! Tow Boat US advised us to pass 40-50 ft from W shore. We did so & saw 8.8 ft at high tide. Suspect we were a little too close to shore, trawler in front of us was more towards where 61A should of been and saw 12 ft.
Mike & Cathy Powers
S/V Second Flight
Click Here To Open A Chart View Window, Zoomed To This AICW Problem Stretch
Comments from Cruisers (4)
I grounded there hard 4 days ago– both seatow and rowboat were there, yet I got no security or warning from either- just an offer from seatow to pull me off for $300. I lost a lot of respect for both company’s after that. Boats were grounding all day from radio traffic after I did. I gave two security warnings while in the area but heard nothing from either tow service as a warning…
One mile north of Marine Corps Bridge at Onslow Beach, Marker 61A missing. Many boats grounding there.
John Wampler
http://www.yachtaide.com
Fort Lauderdale, Fl.
I’ve gone through this area slowly and watchfully since 2010. I typically reduce to idle speeds, and then stay red and proceed with alert eyes and ears. Thanks to this site and others, the area is well-documented.
Comments such as “bent props and shafts” as in reference to this area, get my attention always.
Ben Matthews
The ICW by Brown’s inlet remain’s a problem. We passed through on 10/21. Remain close to the shoreline, not the inlet marker. We touched bottom and reversed quickly to avoid trouble.